defamation, false charges, misrepresentations, untruths, could really blot the Christian’s garment, it would be never white. But the blackening of the wicked in this respect, is all their own. Happy and blessed the Christian, who, when “the world says all manner of evil of him,” proves by his conduct, that it is “falsely for Christ’s sake.” But it is not from hence that his principal danger arises. The world is less to be feared when it frowns, than when it smiles; and many a professor, who has stood firm in the midst of opposition, has been hugged to death by caresses. In short, he, who is truly wise, will consider the world as a hostile country, in which the enemy of his soul has spread ten thousand snares for the purpose of alluring to destruction. The whole armour of God, and all the power of grace, will be requisite to guard and keep him amidst such innumerable dangers as compass him about. The power, which the world has of accommodating its baits and changing its temptations, will demand the exertion of every grace of the christian soldier. His experience will instruct him when to resist, and when to flee; when to exercise caution, and when to summon up fortitude. Sometimes he will be in danger of loving the world; at other times, of fearing it too much. “The course of this world” being totally opposite to the word of God, and its principles, maxims, and amusements, tending to promote error, vanity, and sin, he will often recollect the words of Solomon, “Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? So he that goeth in to his neighbour’s wife; whosoever toucheth her, shall not be innocent.” Prov. vi. 27, 29. And he will pray with David, “Keep back thy servant from presumptuous sins, let them not have dominion over me, then I shall be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.” Psal. xix. 13. The words of St. Paul too, warn and animate him. “Come out from among them, and be ye separate, and touch not the _unclean thing_, and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” 2 Cor. vi. 17, 18.