Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/445

 under the  same  infirmity,  who  stoop  to  worldly  things, and keep  their  minds  and  hearts  continually  fixed  on them,  in  such  a  manner,  that  they  cannot  raise  their thoughts to  heaven. Of this  numerous  class  of  Christians, it  may  be  said,  "  they  turned  away  their  eyes,  that they  might  not  look  unto  heaven,  nor  remember  just judgments. "    (Dan.  xiii.  9.)

II. Christ's merciful  disposition  prompted  Him  to  call the woman  to  Him  and  cure  her. " Woman,  thou  art delivered  from  thy  infirmity." (Luke xiii.  12.)  The  effect immediately  followed  His  omnipotent  word;  for having placed  His  hands  on  her,  "  she  was  immediately made  straight,  and  glorified  God." Observe and  imitate the gratitude  of  this  woman;  for  as  soon  as  she  saw  herself cured,  she  began  "  to  glorify  God." How much greater reason  have  you  to  glorify  God,  "  Who  healeth all  thy  diseases." (Ps. cii.  3.)  Say  with  the  enraptured prophet, "The  Lord  is  my  strength  and  my  praise,  and He  is  become  salvation  to  me,  He  is  my  God  and  I  will glorify  Him." (Exod. xv.  2.)

III. Consider the  perverse  zeal  of  the  ruler  of  the  synagogue; "  He  was  angry  that  Jesus  had  cured  on  the Sabbath,"  as  if  it  were  not  lawful  to  do  a  good  action, which was  not  servile,  on  the  Sabbath  day. Passions, and a  desire  of  gratifying  them  are  frequently  mistaken for zeal. Do all  your  actions  with  a  pure  and  sincere intention to  please  God,  and  you  need  not  fear  the  judgments which  men  may  pass  on  them. " Fear  not  the  reproach of  men  and  be  not  afraid  of  their  blasphemies. For  the  worm  shall  eat  them  up  as  a  garment,  and  the moth  shall  consume  them  as  wool." (Is. li.  7.)