Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

U'i' ST. MATTHEW.
This is to make a true Christian use of authority,
by it to raise our minds to the contemplation of that
oi God. Let us look upon ours as a small emana-
tion of his ; and let us acknowledge, that it is no-
thing in comparison of his almightiness. Carnal
men are apt to idolize either the authority of others,
out of flattery or interest, or their own through pride
or conceit: but a Christian takes occasion from hence
to humble himself, to adhere to God, and to hope
for every thing from him.
" 10. When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and
said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, 1
have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel."
We sometimes see laymen and military persons,
on whom God seems to have bestowed fewer favours
than on others, have notwithstanding greater faith
than they. Humility is, at the same time, both the
mother and the daughter of faith. Jesus admires
the works of his Father, to whom he refers all, and
chiefly the operation of his grace in the soul, to
induce us to admire them also, and to give glory to
God for all. There are two things which are the
subject of Christ's admiration :—the first, how few
find the way to heaven by reason of its perfection ;
(Mat. vii. 14.)— the second, how incomprehensible
the election of those is, on whom God confers the
free gift of faith. There is nothing greater, nothing
more worthy of the attention of a Christian, than
faith, and the works of it in the saints.
" 11. And I say unto you, That many shall come
from the east and west, and shall sit down with
Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of
heaven:"