Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

CHAPTER VII.
109
rest upon. The knowledge of the law alone cannot
support a soul against temptations, nor against the
judgment of God ; it will serve only to overwhelm
it the more. The fall of the soul is irreparable, and
without remedy, after this life ; because the spring
of charity will be then dried up, which alone can
shelter the soul from the rain of God's justice, stop
the floods of his anger, and withstand the wind of
his judgment, which will carry away the straw and
the sand. Let us strengthen and secure our build-
ing, whilst we have time to do it.
" 28. 5f And it came to pass, when Jesus had
ended these sayings, the people were astonished at
his doctrine :"
These people will condemn the insensibility of
our hearts at the word of Christ. They perhaps
heard it but once, and we hear or read it every day.
It is something to admire the beauty and holiness
of the Christian morality; but to make us love and
embrace it, is the work of Him alone who can
change the heart.
" 29. For he taught them as one having authority,
and not as the scribes."
Observe here the difference of Christ, and those
who preach by his Spirit, from those who do it out
of vanity, and by the spirit of the world. The word
does nothing in the minister, without the unction
with which God accompanies it. This does all,
even in the mouth of him who is himself the
Anointed of God. Lord, exercise upon my heart
this sovereign power; instruct it with all the autho-
rity of thy divine person, and with all the efficacy of
thy Spirit. Make it bear the yoke of thy gospel