Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

166' ST. MATTHEW.
John the Baptist; notwithstanding, he that is least
in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."
The fifth advantage of this holy forerunner, is his
excellence beyond the other prophets, on the account
both of his knowledge and the sanctity of his life.
The latter, not the former, renders a man great in
the sight of God. The way to be exahed in hea-
ven above others, is to humble ourselves on earth
below all. The greatest without comparison amongst
all, is he who made himself the least of all, in
stooping so low as to resemble sinners, and to be-
come the Lamb or Sacrifice fox sin.
" 12. And from the days of John the Baptist
until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence,
and the violent take it by force."
The sixth advantage of John the Baptist is to
have set up the standard of repentance, which is the
way to heaven. Heaven is not to be taken but
by the violence which a man does to his inclina-
tions. All right to eternal happiness is lost in
Adam. It is not due to any one; this evangelical
violence is that which carries it as by conquest.
Happy those holy bands of penitents, those violent
persons of the gospel, who, as it were, take heaven
by the force of their prayers, their obedience, their
humility, &c. But wo unto the men of this world,
who know not what it i^ to deprive themselves of
any thing, or to do the least violence to themselves
in order to their own salvation !
" 13. For all the prophets and the law prophesied
until John."
The seventh advantage of St. John is his having
first showed Jesus Christ present; whereas the state