Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

XVlll
wait for further information before it was registered.
It was not till 1718, that it was definitely accepted.
In the meantime, all Christendom rang with the
praises of <strong>Quesnel</strong>'s doctrine. Surreptitious editions
were multiplied; and the attempt to infix upon the
peculiarities of the Gospel the character of impiety
and heresy, stamped the deepest mark of reprobation
on the church which issued the condemnation.
<strong>Quesnel</strong> survived the publication of the bull six
years. These he spent in writing works of piety,
and in preparing the edition of the <strong>Reflections</strong>,
which, as we have observed, appeared in 172T, with
all the new matter which he had noted in the margin
of his copy. Admirable was almost every additional
thought; and, with an undaunted courage, did the
venerable saint persevere in the doctrine of the grace
of God. He employed himself, likewise, in forming
Jansenist churches at Amsterdam, where he died,
December 2, 1719, aged 86.
He had a mind above his birth and fortune ; a
singular faculty of writing with ease, with unction,
and with elegance. He enjoyed a robust health,
which neither study, nor journies, nor continual
trouble of mind, could affect. His manners were
pure and irreproachable ; and his whole soul was in-
flamed with the love of God his Saviour. His
book was honoured as the instrument of incalculable
good. Like the * Confessions of St. Augustine,' the
' Imitation of Thomas a Kempis,' and the ' Thoughts
of Pascal, ' <strong>Quesnel</strong>'s <strong>Reflections</strong>' have been a light
in a dark church,—the means of guiding thousands
and thousands of souls,—the instrument of consola-
tion to numbers of all churches and confessions—