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 temptation. Doubtless this quotation from the Apostle James, originated in a contemplation of his Divine Master's words, "Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake." Here is consolation for the true Christian to persevere in the path of rectitude. What if he be persecuted for the sake of his master? he knows that the servant is not greater than his Lord; and if "they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household?" According to the letter, then, persecution is to be expected; but they who are persecuted must exercise a gentle spirit towards the accuser, and always try to overcome evil with good.

But our Saviour tells us, that "a man's greatest enemies are those of his own household." They are those that dwell within him. These are the burning lusts, the untamed affections, the perverse but specious thoughts, urging us onward to gratify every impure desire, supplying us with subtle and specious reasons for the indulgence of our corrupt passions and inclinations, and always endeavouring to quiet any apprehension that may arise of the danger in which our souls are placed; and while what is evil and false reigns within our souls, there is a kind of prosperity and deceitful calm spread over them—such a prosperity as the Psalmist alludes to when he says, "I was envious of the foolish when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no bands in their death, but their strength is firm; they are not in trouble as other men, neither are they plagued like other men. Therefore pride compasseth them about like a chain, violence covereth them as a garment. Their eyes stands out