Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

42 ST. MATTHEW.
camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins
and his meat was locusts and wild honey."
He who preaches repentance, ought to perform it
himself, and join the outward part to the inward.
This persuades more than words. All is singular
in St. John, not to attract the esteem and praises of
men, but to awaken their attention. A fast so rigid
and extraordinary might pass for excessive and indiscreet
: but when the finger of God appears, men
must hold their peace.
" 5. 51 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all
Judea, and all the region round about Jordan,"
Those who direct to God by a straiter way, are
most sought to by such as really desire not to de-
ceive themselves, but to be saved. So true is it,
that one does not discourage sinners, and drive them
to despair, by preaching to them repentance, accord-
ing to the holy severity of the divine law.
" 6. And were baptized of him in Jordan, con-
fessing their sins."
One part of repentance is to bear the shame and
confusion of our sins in confessing them. It is not
grievous to any, to show this shame and confusion
before men, except only to those who have none at
all for their sins before God. Sooner or later the
sinner must be humbled ; because every sinner is
proud : but this humiliation has no virtue in it, un-
less it proceed from the choice or acceptance of the
sinner.
Sect. II. Reproaches against the Pharisees.
" 7. 51 But when he saw many of the Pharisees
and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto