78. Let us, then, not rejoice over the sin
of any one, but rather let us mourn, for it is written:
“Rejoice not against me, O my enemy, because I have fallen, for I
shall arise; for if I sit in darkness the Lord shall be a light unto
me, I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned
against Him, until He maintain my cause, and execute judgment for me,
and bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold His
righteousness. Mine enemy, too, shall see it and shall be covered
with confusion, which said unto me, Where is the Lord thy God?
Mine eyes shall behold her, and she shall be for treading down as the
mire in the streets.” Mic. vii. 8, 9, 10. And this
not unreservedly, for he who rejoices at the fall of another rejoices
at the victory of the devil. Let us, then, rather mourn when we
hear that one has perished for whom Christ died, Who despises not even
the straw in time of harvest.