Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

CHAPTER IV. 53
It is prudence and humility to avoid danger and
persecution. To wait for it without necessity, and
to no good purpose, is to expose one's neighbour to
the temptation of doing evil, and one's self to the
danger of sinking under it. When the passions of
men are raised, we imitate Jesus Christ by taking
out of their way even the most innocent occasions.
" 13. And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt
in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the
borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim;"
As Christ came to Nazareth out of obedience, so
he goes from thence upon the same motive; necessity
pointing out the will and command of God. He
has no other choice but the persevering raind to do
the will of his Father.
" 14. That it might be fulfilled which was spoken
by Esaias the prophet, saying, 15. The land of
Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of
the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles ;"
Christ will not begin his preaching in his own
country, nor amongst his own relations. All the
ways and steps of Jesus Christ are marked out in
the Scriptures, that he might be a man of obedience
in all the stages of his life. We imitate him but
ill, when we resolve to be governed by none but our-
selves, and to do nothing but our own will.
" 16. The people which sat in darkness saw
great light ; and to them which sat in the region
and shadow of death light is sprung up."
Darkness cannot possibly merit light, nor the
sinner the mercy of God ; but yet light is pleased
to shine through the thickest darkness, and God to
show mercy to the most miserable. To me, O