Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/135

 vain things  against  the  Lord  and  against  His  Christ, — "He that  dwelleth  in  heaven  shall  laugh  at  them,  and  the Lord  shall  deride  them." (Ps. ii.  4)  Such  was  the  case with Herod;  God  frustrated  his  deep-laid  designs,  and turned them  against  himself. Learn hence  to  put  implicit confidence  in  God.

II. The cruelty  of  his  officers  surpassed  even  that  of the  tyrant  himself. Observe how  readily  they  execute the king's  command,  and  murder  as  many  male  children as they  can  find  in  and  about  Bethlehem. Blush at  the reflection that  these  bad  men  were  more  punctual  in doing  even  a  bad  action  than  you  in  doing  good. Conceive the agonized  feelings  of  the  poor  mothers  of  these devoted innocents. Let your  concern  and  grief  be  no less  when  you  have  lost  your  infant  God  by  sin. Christ, though at  a  great  distance,  witnessed  this  barbarous spectacle with  compassion,  and  rejoiced  at  the  future glory of  these  infants  in  heaven.

III. Admire the  goodness  of  God,  who  from  the  wickedness of  men  draws  advantages  for  His  servants,  and who can  produce  "a  honey-comb  in  the  lion's  jaw." (Judg. xiv.  8.)  He  permitted  this  slaughter  that  the  innocents might  receive  the  immortal  crown  of  martyrdom. How happy  was  this  for  them! If they  had  lived, perhaps some  of  them  might  have  been  found  among those who  crucified  Christ. Throw yourself  with  confidence into  the  arms  of  Providence,  who  knows  infinitely better how  to  dispose  of  yourself  and  your  affairs  than you do  yourself. Imitate, in  your  life,  the  innocence  of these  infant  saints,  that  you  may  be  "  without  spot  before the  throne  of  God." (Apoc. xiv.  5.)