Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

CHAPTER VII. 103
causes us to find it, so from that we expect all the
rest.
Sect. V. False Prophets. The Fruit like the
Tree.
" 15. % Beware of false prophets, which come
to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are
ravening wolves."
Adherence to the doctrine of the true pastors is
one mark that a man is of the number of the true
sheep. This advice of Christ, and the difficulty of
discerning a sheep in her own natural clothing, from
a wolf concealed under that of a sheep, show plainly
how difficult the choice is of a good director (of the
conscience.) Those who come to you, and are no
pastors, instead of leaving you to come to them, are
from thence justly suspected to be wolves, who seek
not so much to help you to heavenly treasures, as to
rob you of earthly. What is the reason that so few
find the way to life, unless it be because there are
so few who have any distrust of false prophets, or
loose directors (of the conscience,) or who are not
glad to follow those who make the way very broad ?
He who really seeks God, will not trust himself to
a guide without being assured that he can conduct
him to him. The pure and upright heart is atten-
tive ; and this attention, joined with prayer, obtains
the grace of discernment.
'' 16. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do
men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles ?"
The works are the tongue of the heart. When
the whole body of actions is bad, the heart must ne-
cessarily be corrupt. Hypocrites may deceive for a