Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

CHAPTER IX.
131
risees, than to show them that they understand
neither Scripture nor rehgion, when, relying on ex-
ternal performances, they neglect charity, which is
the very soul and suhstance of it. If this inward
sacrifice accompany not the outward, the latter pro-
vokes God instead of appeasing him. It is an act
of religion and a sacrifice, to assist the poor with
regard to Christ as present in them. True holiness
consists not in external things, but in faith animated
and working by love. It is our great comfort, O
Jesus, that thou art come to call sinners. Call
us, we beseech thee, to repentance ; but do it with
that strong and powerful voice which always makes
itself heard.
Sect. III. Fasting, New Cloth, Old Vessels,
*' 14. f Then came to him the disciples of John,
saying. Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but
thy disciples fast not?"
Self-conceit and contempt of our neighbour do
generally proceed from external mortifications. The
humble man looks not on the life of his neighbour,
but only in order to imitate the good which he ob-
serves therein. Good and well-meaning persons, do
sometimes unwarily fall in with the passions of Pha-
risees, and are misled by their calumnies. A secret
jealousy betwixt the disciples of different (masters,)
opens the heart to evil-speaking. Charity is the
internal way wherein all ought to walk; but there
are several external ways which lead to God : every
one is to follow the path in which he has set him,
without blaming that of others.
" 15. And Jesus said unto them, Can the chil-