Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

CHAPTER XII. 191
the Jews after his resurrection, to preach salvation
to the Gentiles. These types and prophecies are
very strong arguments for the truth of rehgion.
*' 41. The men of Nineve shall rise in judgment
with this generation, and shall condemn it: because
they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, be-
hold, a greater than Jonas is here."
Impenitency is the greatest of all misfortunes ;
and into this they must necessarily fall who hear not
Jesus Christ. We shall have those for witnesses
or judges, of whom we would not be the imitators.
The fear of temporal destruction causes a people to
repent, who had neither Moses nor Christ, neither
the law nor the prophets, and who, perhaps, never
had but this one preacher amongst them. What
judgment, then, shall we undergo, if we continue
impenitent, after all that which has been bestowed
upon us
" 42. The queen of the south shall rise up in the
judgment with this generation, and shall condemn
it : for she came from the uttermost parts of the
earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold,
a greater than Solomon is here."
How many, who affect the character of strong
reasoning, believe, without any proof, what comes
from places the most distant, and yet take a pride in
doubting of the gospel, though confirmed by so many
miracles ? Men are apt to run after such preachers
as are most powerful in word and deed, and to value
themselves upon adliering to them ; when it is this
very thing which will condemn them the more.
Whenever we read the gospel, our faith should thus
dictate to us :
' Pie who is here, who speaks here, is