Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/462

 tions of  God  and  dumb  in  His  praises. He "  casts  them on  the  ground,"  by  making  them  fix  their  affection  on earthly  things. He makes  them  foam  at  the  mouth,  and gnash their  teeth,  by  inducing  them  to  make  use  of  foul and unworthy  language. He often  throws  them  into  the fires of  concupiscence,  and  extinguishes  every  kindling spark of  virtue  by  throwing  them  into  the  watery  gulfs of worldly  pleasures. Follow the  advice  of  the  Apostle, and be  one  of  those  who  "  recover  themselves  from  the snares  of  the  Devil,  by  whom  they  are  held  captives  at his  will." (II. Tim.  ii.  26.)

III. This lunatic  child  was  first  presented  to  the  Apostles, who  could  not  cure  him. So ought  we  to  have  recourse to  every  human  means  before  we  expect  a  miracle from God. The disciples  were  not  permitted  to  cure this youth,  probably  to  increase  and  preserve  their  humility. Cherish this  virtue,  and  say  with  the  pious David, "  It  is  good  for  me  that  Thou  hast  humbled  me, that  I  may  learn  Thy  justifications." (Ps. cxviii.  71.)

I. When  Christ  was  requested  to  cure  this  youth,  He reprehended  the  incredulity  of  His  disciples. " O,  incredulous generation,  how  long  shall  I  suffer  you!" (Mark ix.  18.)  Learn  from  this  how  odious  in  the  sight of God  are  incredulity  and  obstinacy  of  unbelief. When the  possessed  lunatic  was  brought  before  Him, " immediately  the  spirit  troubled  him,  and  being  thrown down  upon  the  ground  he  rolled  about  foaming." How bold and  insolent  is  this  infernal  spirit,  even  in  the  pres-