evil, and rejoice in most wicked things." (Prov. ii. 14.) Reflect whether you do not sometimes repine, and feel inward trouble, when approaching festivities remind you of preparing for the sacraments, or when you are called upon to perform something of greater perfection, because you are unwilling to lose anything of your wonted liberty. "And all Jerusalem with him." (Matt. ii. 3.) Thus, inferiors often imitate the conduct of their superiors, particularly in what is wrong. Ponder the evil resulting from this kind of conduct; and, if you have been guilty, correct it. Learn to rejoice, too, only in those things that regard your salvation, and give good example to those who have a right to expect it from you.
JANUARY 9, OR 10.
Herod's Inquiry after Christ.
I. "And assembling together all the chief priests, and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where Christ should be born." (Matt. ii. 4.) The children of this world are more anxious in their temporal concerns "than are the children of light in regard to those of heaven. Observe the conduct of the king: "Then Herod, privately calling the wise men, inquired of them diligently the time of the star's appearing to them." (Matt. ii. 7.) He was more anxious to find Christ, in order to destroy Him, than you are to love Him and serve Him. Reflect on the wonderful providence of God, which, drawing good from evil, makes even the wicked concur to its divine designs, and to our good. The evil intentions of Herod manifested Christ to the sages, and by them to the Gentile world, whilst he was doing all in his power to conceal Him and to destroy Him.
