Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

180 ST. MATTHEW.
" 12. How much then is a man better than a
sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the
sabbath-days."
He who violates charity, violates the law, though
he observe the letter of it. He who exercises charity,
observes the law, even then, when for just reasons
he neglects the letter. There are but too many
Christians who do more for the sake of a beast of
profit or pleasure, than for their neighbour. If we
owe a great deal to a man, let him be what he will,
how much more to a Christian, together with whom
we help to form the body of Christ? Strange cor-
ruption of the heart of man, to whom it must be
proved that he is permitted at all times to do good !
" 13. Then saith he to the man. Stretch forth
thine hand. And he stretched it forth ; and it was
restored whole, like as the other."
The bare will of Jesus Christ has an almighty
power of restoring life and vigour to our souls. He
makes the affliction evident, in order to make known
his mercy, and to excite that of the Pharisees.
When God designs to heal the withered hand of a
sinner, he need only give command, and the sinner
begins presently to stretch it forth toward him by.
prayer, and toward his neighbour by alms, and by
all the assistances which he owes him. Lord, my
soul is before thee, like this hand : vouchsafe to show
it the same mercy !
" 14. % Then the Pharisees went out, and held a
council against him, how they might destroy him."
Nothing sooner leads to blindness and hardness
of heart than envy; and when once a man is brought
to that, of what is he not capable? To exercise