Vol. 2

!448 ST. LUKE.difference betwixt knowing ail that was done byChrist, and knowing it after a saving manner. Herodwas extremely well informed of all, because he neededonly eyes and ears to be so : but he was not in theleast changed or altered thereby; because no manknoweth the Son to any benefit or advantage, butonly he to whom the Father has been pleased to revealhim. Thou hast vouchsafed, O my God, toreveal to me this Son, in whom is my salvation andeternal life ; but cease not, I beseech thee, to revealhim to my heart, lest it should know him only unprofitably." 8. And of some, that Elias had appeared ; andof others, that one of the old prophets was risenagain. 9. And Herod said, John have I beheaded :but who is this of whom I hear such things? Andhe desired to see him."Let us admire how fruitful in false notions ofreligion the mind of man is, when it is not enlightenedof God. Natural curiosity, with respect to menof God, produces nothing of itself towards salvation.It is instrumental thereto, when God designs it forthat purpose, as in Zaccheus : it is prejudicial, whenmen have not grace to make a good use of it, as inthe case of Herod. The death of John, in whichHerod's veneration for him terminated, the design ofthis tyrant upon the life of Christ, and the scorn hemade of him at the time of his passion, are the workswhich make it evidently appear, from what principlethis desire to see Christ proceeded.What an exampleis this for the great