in their
hearts?

The tyrant, to ward off the blow he seemed threatened with, has recourse
to his usual arts of craft and dissimulation. He pretends a no less
ardent desire of paying homage to the new-born king, and covers his
impious design of taking away his life, under the specious pretext of
going himself in person to adore him. Wherefore, after particular
examination about the time when the wise men first saw this star, and a
strict charge to come back and inform him where the child was to be
found, he dismisses them to the place determined by the chief priests
and scribes. Herod was then near his death; but as a man lives, such
does he usually die. The near prospect of eternity seldom operates in so
salutary a manner on habitual sinners, as to produce in them a true and
sincere change of heart.

The wise men readily comply with the voice of the Sanhedrim,
notwithstanding the little encouragement these Jewish leaders afford
them from their own example to persist in their search; for not one
single priest or scribe is disposed to bear them company, in seeking
after, and paying due homage to their own king. The truths and maxims of
religion depend not on the morals of those that preach them; they spring
from a higher source, the wisdom and veracity of God himself. When
therefore a message comes undoubtedly from God, the misdemeanors of him
that immediately conveys it to us can be no just plea or excuse for our
failing to comply with it. As, on the other side, an exact and ready
compliance will then be a better proof of our faith and confidence in
God, and so much the more recommend us to his special conduct and
protection, as it did the wise men. For no sooner had they left
Jerusalem, but, to encourage their faith and zeal, and to direct their
travels, God was pleased to show them the star again, which they had
seen in the East, and which continued to go before them till it
conducted them to the very place where they were to see and adore their
God and Saviour. Here its ceasing to advance, and probably sinking lower
in the air tells them in its mute language: "Here shall you find the
new-born king." The holy men, with an unshaken and steady faith, and in
transports of spiritual joy, entered the poor cottage, rendered more
glorious by this birth than the most sumptuous stately palace in the
universe, and finding the child with his mother, they prostrate
themselves, they adore him, they pour forth their souls in his