Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

202 ST. MATTHEW.
they hear the word of God ? Contempt, neglect, and
want of attention, in respect of this word, are greater
sins, and more severely punished, than men are apt
to think. That heart, which will not vouchsafe to
hear God, deserves to he delivered up as a prey to
the spirit of error. It is the proper and most usual
employment of the wicked one, to endeavour to ren-
der fruitless all inspirations, truths of the gospel,
and divine seed which has been sown in our hearts.
Men watch with great care, that they may not lose
the seed of their ground; but they do not at all re-
gard losing that of their soul.
" 20. But he that received the seed into stony
places, the same is he that heareth the word, and
anon with joy receiveth it : 21. Yet hath he not root
in himself, but dureth for a while; for when tribula-
tion or persecution ariseth because of the word, by
and by he is offended."
We see but too much of these kinds of forward-
ness, warmth, and joy, on the account of the truths
of Christianity and of the word of God, which come
to nothing, or to what is next to nothing. The
fruit of the word is not to be known except in times
of trial, either internal from the conflicts of concu-
piscence, or external from the tribulations of the
world. Let us, but without anxiety, fear lest our
fruits should be without root, our beginnings without
perseverance, and our works without charity. Lord,
grant that I may hear thee, that 1 may taste thy
word, and that I may be thine, not only for a while,
but always, even for ever.
" 22. He also that received seed among the
thorns is he that heareth the word ; and the care of