r he had fairly begun
it. She is a bold and impudent slut also, for she will talk to any
man. If there be one cunning to make money, she will speak well of him
from house to house. None can tell of the mischief she does. She
makes variance betwixt rulers and subjects, 'twixt parents and
children, 'twixt a man and his wife, 'twixt the flesh and the heart.
Had she stood by all this while,' said Standfast, whose eyes were still
full of her, 'you could not have set Madame Bubble more amply before
me, nor have better described her features.' 'He that drew her picture
was a good limner,' said Mr. Honest, 'and he that so wrote of her said
true.' 'Oh,' said Standfast, 'what a mercy it is that I did resist
her! for to what might she not have drawn me?'"

II. CHRIST AND HIS DISCIPLES HAVE A COMMON CONFLICT.--It is inevitable
that there should be collision, and therefore conflict, and as a result
tribulation. The world-spirit will not brook our disagreement with its
plans and aims, and therefore they who persist in living godly lives in
this present evil world must suffer persecution.

_Conflict about the use of power and prerogative._--At His baptism our
Lord was proclaimed to be the Son of the Highest, and anointed with the
Holy Ghost and with power. Instantly the Prince of this world came to
Him with the suggestion that He should use it for the purposes of His
own comfort and display. "Make these stones bread for thine hunger;
cast Thyself down and attract the attention of the crowds." Here were
the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes. But our Lord refused
to use for Himself the power which was entrusted to Him for the
benediction and help of men.

_Conflict as to the way of helping and saving men._--The world's way
was to leap into the seat of power at any cost, and from the height of
universal authority administer the affairs of the world. But Christ
knew better. He saw that He must take the form of a servant, and
humble Himself to the lowest. If He would save men, He cannot save
Himself: if He would bring forth much fruit, He must fall into the
ground to die: if He would ascend far above all heavens, bearing us
with Him to the realms of eternal day, He must descend first into the
lower parts of the earth.

_Conflict in the estimate of poverty and suffering._--The world looked
on these as the most terrible disasters that could befall. Christ, on
the other hand, taught that blessedness lay most wit