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 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."

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