Vol. 2

196 ST. MARK.lights to dwell. Happy that, in which God alone isadored and loved !*' 3. ^ And as he sat upon the mount of Olives,over against the temple, Peter, and James, and John,and Andrew, asked him privately, 4. Tell us, whenshall these things be ? and what shall be the signwhen all these things shall be fulfilled ?"Christ gives occasion to the apostles to pass froma vain and unprofitable curiosity to one which is holyand of great advantage.Let us study to imitate himon proper occasions. Those who arc commissionedto proclaim to the world the judgments of God andthe miseries to come, may seek after the knowledgeand the signs of tliem with success,not in the stars,nor in vain predictions, but in the Scriptures." 5. And Jesus answering them, began to say.Take heed lest any man deceive you : 6. For manyshall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; andshall deceive many."A great number of deceivers is one of the signsof the end of the world. It is a terrible judgmentupon men, for them to believe that they areconsulting a man of God who may instruct them,while they are consulting only a seducer who deceivesthem. Let us beg of God to preserve us from it.The expectation of new and extraordinary things, isan occasion of which the devil generally makes an illuse in order to deceive men. An author of heresyor schism, an usurper of Christ's authority, a ministerwithout mission, these are all so many falseChrists, whom we must carefully avoid as so manyseducers.