words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords." (Psalm Iv. 21.)
It becomes all professing Christians to be much on their guard against flattery. We mistake greatly if we suppose that i^ersecution and hard usage are the only weapons in Satan's armory. That crafty foe has other engines for doing us mischief, which he knows well how to work. He knows how to poison souls by the world's seductive kindness, when he cannot frighten them by the fiery dart and the sword. Let us not be ignorant of his devices. By peace he destroys many.
We are only too aj^t to forget this truth. We overlook the many examples which God has given us in Scripture for our learning. What brought about the ruin of Samson ? Not the armies of the Philistines, but the pretended love of a Philistine woman. What led to Solomon's back- sliding .? Not the strength of outward enemies, but the blandishment of his numerous wives. — What was the cause of king Hezekiah's greatest mistake ? Not the sword of Sennacherib, or the threats of Rab-shakeh, but the flattery of the Babylonian ambassadors. Let us re- member these things, and be on our guard. Peace often ruins nations more than war. Sweet things occasion far more sicknesses than bitter. The sun makes the traveller cast oft" his protective garments far sooner than the north wind. Let us beware of the flatterer. Satan is never so dangerous as when he appears as an angel of light. The world is never so dangerous to the Christian as when it smiles. When Judas betrayed his Lord, it was with a kiss. The believer that is proof against the world's frown does well. But he that is proof against its flattery does better.