opposite; they cannot be both obeyed; we must break off with one or the other.
2. We cannot take part with the world without a breach of the promises we made at our baptism. When we renounced Satan and his pomps, we bound ourselves by solemn promise to trample under foot whatever is greatest in the esteem of worldlings. What perfidy! what sacrilege! to prefer the goods of the earth to those of heaven, and to become idolaters of vanity.
3. The world has nothing worthy of an immortal soul: it has not even wherewithal to requite its most devoted servants. Its treasures, its amusements, its honours, may indeed occupy and disturb the heart of man, but they can never satisfy it. They are, in reality, but false goods, vain shadows, and illusions, and very frequently become real evils. They often make a man wicked; they can never make him happy. The most brilliant fortune is not only frail and dangerous, but is often a source of the most painful uneasiness. There are sighs and sufferings upon the throne, as well as in chains and dungeons.
[Beg of God to destroy in you the spirit of the world, and to give you strength to despise its allurements.]
“The figure of the world passeth away."— 1 Cor. vii.
“Woe to those who adhere to what is transitory; because with those things they themselves must pass away."
FOURTH DAY. — ON DEATH.
1. A Christian, who does not lead the life of a Christian, has great reason to be afraid of death. What a dreadful account he must give after a worldly and sensual life. What bitter regret to have lost the opportunities of saving himself, and to die an enemy to God. O dismal death! O dreadful
