Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

200 ST. MATTHEW.
tradiction to his truths, do generally produce blind-
ness and hardness of heart in Christians, as they did
in the Jews. This deplorable condition, wherein
the sick person is afraid of being cured, is more
common than we imagine. The delighting in all
kind of loose and licentious discourse, and shunning
all opportunities of hearing that which is pious, is
the way by which men arrive at last at stupidity of
heart. By opening our eyes to a false light, and to
whatever gratifies our senses, passions, and curiosity,
and by closing them against the light of the gospel,
they at length continue shut against every thing
which tends to salvation.
'* 16. But blessed are your eyes, for they see;
and your ears, for they hear."
How much more blessed are those eyes, which,
without having ever seen Jesus Christ, see his re-
ligion confirmed by his resurrection, by the faith of
all people, by the tradition of all ages, by the blood
of all the martyrs, by the writings of all the fathers,
by miracles of all kinds, and by the lives of all the
saints ! Men are not thankful enough to God for
the favour of being born in an age, country, and
family, enlightened with the gospel—and for either
having never had the prejudices of birth, habit, and
example to struggle with, or for having surmounted
them.
" 17. For verily I say unto you, That many pro-
phets and righteous men have desired to see those
things which ye see, and have not seen them ; and to
hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard
them."
How much to be admired are those saints who