Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/340

 The enemy  imagined,  says  St.  Cyprian,  that  He  whom he could  not  overcome  by  gluttony  might  yield  to  the temptation of  vainglory. He, therefore,  was  permitted to carry  Christ  through  the  air,  and  to  place  Him  on  the top of  the  temple  of  Jerusalem. He then  attempted  to persuade  Him  to  cast  Himself  down  and  prevent  Himself from being  injured,  in  order  that  those  who  were  below, being astonished  at  the  miracle,  might  begin  to  know and honor  Him. Ponder how  subtle  and  dangerous  a temptation  this  is,  because  man  is  naturally  covetous  of praise  and  honor,  and  examine  whether  vainglory  does not sometimes  insinuate  itself  into  your  actions.

II. "Cast Thyself  down,"  said  the  Tempter  to  Christ. Such is  the  language  which  he  addresses  to  all  sinners; for to  sin  is  really  to  fall  down. He endeavors  to  persuade all  men  to  cast  themselves  down,  that  is,  to  bend their thoughts  and  cares  and  affections  to  the  things  of this  earth,  and  to  immerse  themselves  in  them. Examine, in general,  by  what  temptations  you  are  assaulted,  and how you  resist  them. Do not  listen  to  him,  but  rather attend to  the  words  of  the  Apostle:  "Seek  the  things that  are  above;  mind  the  things  that  are  above,  not  the things  that  are  on  the  earth." (Col. iii.  i.)

III. How resolutely  Christ  resists  this  temptation  to vainglory,  and  by  His  reply  disconcerts  His  adversary. "Thou shalt  not  tempt  the  Lord  thy  God." (Matt. iv.  7.) We must  not  tempt  God,  that  is,  we  must  not  expect miracles from  God,  when  we  can  gain  the  object by employing  human  means. Learn, therefore,  both  to contemn  the  applause  and  esteem  of  the  world,  and  not to expect  extraordinary  favors,  visitations,  or  illustrations from  God. These wishes  are  inconsistent  with the spirit  of  humility  and  "  every  proud  man  is  an  abomination to  the  Lord." (Prov. xvi.  5.)