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Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

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CHAPTER VTII. 121<br />

We ought to expect to meet with tempests in <strong>the</strong><br />

church, and to see it covered with waves. Let us<br />

not be scandalized at it, but let us arm ourselves<br />

with faith and patience. Every <strong>on</strong>e has likewise his<br />

storms and tempests. When our faith grows dull<br />

and heavy, <strong>the</strong>n Christ is asleep in us. He is<br />

asleep in respect of us, when he leaves us some time<br />

to ourselves, and makes us know <strong>the</strong> want of him, by<br />

permitting us to fall ei<strong>the</strong>r under temptati<strong>on</strong>, or in-<br />

ward troubles, or outward persecuti<strong>on</strong> of carnal men,<br />

or into coldness, difficulties, and disgust in <strong>the</strong> service<br />

of God.<br />

" 25. And his disciples came to him, and awoke<br />

him, saying, Lord, save us : we perish."<br />

The advantage of temptati<strong>on</strong> is to make us know<br />

our weakness, so as to oblige us to have recourse to<br />

God, and to unite ourselves to Jesus Christ. We<br />

approach him by faith, we are united to him by<br />

charity, and we awake him by prayer. All good<br />

perishes, or at least decays in us without Christ.<br />

There is not so much as <strong>on</strong>e moment, wherein we<br />

are not in danger of perishing, without our Saviour's<br />

grace. How proper is this short prayer for us, and<br />

how familiar should it be to us, because our Saviour's<br />

grace is necessary every moment! It comprehends<br />

all <strong>the</strong> power of our Lord's grace, <strong>the</strong> abundance of<br />

our Saviour's merits, and <strong>the</strong> depth of <strong>the</strong> sinner's<br />

miseries.<br />

*' 26. And he saith unto <strong>the</strong>m. Why are ye fear-<br />

ful, O ye of little faith ? Then he arose, and rebuked<br />

<strong>the</strong> winds and <strong>the</strong> sea; and <strong>the</strong>re was a great calm."<br />

Faith is courageous, incredulity fearful. A per-<br />

s<strong>on</strong> truly faithful retains his c<strong>on</strong>fidence in <strong>the</strong> most<br />

<strong>Vol</strong>. I. F 57

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