ith.

The call of the Gentiles had been foretold for many ages before in the
clearest terms. David and Isaias abound with predictions of this import;
the like is found in the other prophets; but their completion was a
mercy reserved for the times of the Messiah. It was to him, who was also
the consubstantial Son of God, that the eternal Father had made the
promise of all _nations for his inheritance_;[8] who being born the
spiritual king of the {096} whole world, for the salvation of _all
men_,[9] would therefore manifest his coming both to those that _were
near, and those that were afar off_;[10] that is, both to Jew and
Gentile. Upon his birth, angels[11] were dispatched ambassadors to the
Jews, in the persons of the poor shepherds, and a star[12] was the
divine messenger on this important errand to the Gentiles of the
East;[13] conformably to Balaam's prophecy,[14] who foretold the coming
of the Messias by that sign.

The summons of the Gentiles to Bethlehem to pay homage to the world's
Redeemer was obeyed by several whom the scripture mentions under the
name and title of _Magi_,[15] or wise men; but is silent as to their
number. The general opinion, supported by the authority of St. Leo,
Caesarius, Bede, and others, declares for three.[16] However, the number
was small, comparatively to those many others that saw that star, no
less than the wise men, but paid no regard to this voice of heaven:
admiring, no doubt, its uncommon brightness, but culpably ignorant of
the divine call in it, or hardening their hearts against its salutary
impressions, overcome by their passions, and the dictates of self-love.
In like manner do Christians, from the same causes, turn a deaf ear to
the voice of divine grace in their souls, and harden their hearts
against it in such numbers, that, notwithstanding their call, their
graces, and the mysteries wrought in their favor, it is to be feared,
that even among _them_ many _are called, but few are chosen_. It was the
case with the Jews, _with the most of whom_, St. Paul says, _God was not
well pleased_.[17]

How opposite was the conduct of the wise men! Instead of being swayed by
the dictates of self-love, by the example of the crowd, and of many
reputed moral men among them, they no sooner discovered the heavenly
messenger, but, without the least demur, set out on their journey to
find the Redeemer of their souls. Convinced that they had a call from
heaven by the star, which spoke to th