Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

162 ST. MATTHEW.
To feed prisoners is a good work ; but how much
more so is it to show them the true Deliverer, the
wonderful works of the mystery of redemption, what
it is wherein their true captivity does consist, and
what use they ought to make of the confinement of
the body towards the deliverance of the soul, &c. ?
A director (of the conscience) should always send his
disciples to Christ, and teach them to have regard to
him in every thing.
" 3. And said unto him. Art thou he that should
come, or do we look for another?"
There is a kind of holy address belonging to the
pastoral charity and humility, which consists in know-
ing how to become weak with the weak ; in hiding
our knowledge like St. John, when the good of souls
requires it ; and in choosing rather, that God should
make himself known by himself, than by our ministry.
He who really loves the majesty of God, loves also
his own abasement. Yes, Lord, thou art he who
shouldst come to heal, to sanctify, and to save me.
Perform thy work in me ; for I look not for another
and thou alone art my light, my strength, and my
salvation.
" 4. Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and
show John again those things which ye do hear and
see:"
Christ would have men judge of him and of others
only by works. One secret in the art of guiding
souls is, to manage the tenderness of the weak, and
to instruct them by seeming to instruct others.
Even Christ, when asked concerning his mission,
makes the proof of it evidently appear in his miracles,
which had been foretold ;
and now, persons without