Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

Vlll
sand, that nothing really excellent is the fruit of
haste. When you come to understand the real
facts, you discover that the books which last, which
form eras in theology, which go out with a large
measure of the Divine blessing, are the result of
much prayer and meditation, of thoughts often re-
volved, and matured by degrees. Thus new and
important lights irradiate the mind, the proximate
ideas are suggested by time and occasion, errors
and excrescencies are detected, topics assume a new
face and consistency, prayer brings down the influ-
ences of grace, all the powers of the mind are
brought to bear upon the inquiry, and something is
produced for the honour of God and the permanent
welfare of his church.
One great work is commonly as much as one man
produces; and this the result of unexpected incident,
rather than of express intention, in the first instance.
ganum— Butler, his Analogy—Leighton, his Peter
— Scott, his Commentary— Cecil, his Remains—
<strong>Quesnel</strong>, his <strong>Reflections</strong>,—a life having been, in
Pascal left his Thoughts—Bacon, his Novum Or-
each case, devoted to the particular inquiry; and the
form, and magnitude, and importance of each work,
having been least of all in the first intentions of the
writers. Pride conceives great designs, and accom-
plishes little :
humility dreads the promise of difficult
undertakings, and accomplishes much.
<strong>Quesnel</strong>'s sentiments on religion were now becom-
ing known, as his book spread. His talents, his
elegant style, his brilliancy of imagination, were
acknowledged. His deep and penetrating piety was
not immediately understood. His whole life seems