Vol. 2

—558 ST. LUKE.or first place in power, glory, riches, learning, &c.with which men are so intoxicated in this world, asto sacrifice every thing thereto, should vanish away,and be the cause of their abasement, is not so verystrange and surprising. But that which ought tohumble the greatest saints, and to make them tremble,is, that even the primacy in religion, piety, and thesublimest virtues, undergoes sometimes the same fate.Sect. V. Herod called a Fox. The Passionforetold. Jerusalem a murdering City,**31. % The same day there came certain of thePharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and departhence : for Herod will kill thee."There is no stratagem or artifice whatever, ofwhich the devil does not make use by his ministers,to obstruct the work of God, to cause his servants toquit their station, and to cool their zeal. Power inthe former, and love of life or ease in the latter, arethe things which he most commonly employs to thatpurpose. The only shield which is proof againstevery thing is, to fear and love nothing but thatwhich is eternal." 32. And he said unto them, Go ye and tell thatfox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to-dayand to-morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected."Let us imitate the steadfastness and constancy ofClirist, in performing our duty in spite of all theWhen God has intrustedopposition of the world.us with any work, we must labour without intermission,and finish it without any apprehensions frommen. A minister of God has need of knowledge,