Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/22

 nation only,  but  over  heaven  and  earth,  angels  and  men. "I am  appointed  King  by  Him  over  Zion"  (Ps.  ii.  6), and not  for  a  limited  time  only,  as  are  the  kings  of  the earth, but  "forever  and  ever." (Ex. xv.  18.)  Consequently, every  service  and  duty,  all  homage  and  tribute which subjects  owe  to  their  prince,  are  due  in  an  eminent degree from  you  to  your  King. Examine whether  you have hitherto  performed  your  duty.

II. What would  you  do  were  some  earthly  prince  or potentate  to  visit  you? How carefully  would  you  put your habitation  in  order,  lest  anything  might  offend  the prince's eyes! How much  more  pains  ought  you  to  take to adorn  your  soul,  and  render  it  a  fit  habitation  for  the King of  heaven,  who  condescends  to  visit  you  in  the  holy Eucharist! "A house  is  preparing,  not  for  man,"  as  the prophet says,  "but  for  God." (1 Par.  xxix.  i.)  The women mentioned  in  the  book  of  Esther,  spent  a  whole year in  preparing  themselves  to  appear  but  once  before king Assuerus:  "For  six  months  they  were  anointed  with oil  of  myrrh,  and  for  other  six  months  they  used  certain perfumes  and  sweet  spices." (Esther ii.  12.)  How  much greater care  ought  Christians  to  employ  in  preparing themselves to  appear  worthily  before  their  Lord!

III. Princes of  this  world  are  accustomed  to  send  before them  furniture  and  provisions  befitting  their  dignity, to  the  place  which  they  intend  to  visit. Entreat Jesus Christ  to  do  the  same  in  your  regard,  to  relieve  your spiritual  poverty. Besides, if  you  wish  to  entertain  Him, as  He  desires,  you  must  divest  yourself  of  every  carnal and worldly  affection,  and  listen  with  all  submission  to His interior  inspirations. "Incline thine  ear  and  forget thy people,  and  thy  father's  house,"  says  the  royal psalmist, "and  the  King  will  greatly  desire  thy  beauty." (Ps. xliv. 11.)