Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

CHAPTER XIII. 203
this world, and the deceitfuhiess of riches, choke the
word, and he becometh unfruitful."
Whatever inchnation a man may have to piety and
to Christian truths; the love of riches and worldly
things, if it be predominant, ruins all. To rely upon
riches, is to lie down upon a bed of thorns. To
seek for peace amidst the cares of the world, is to
seek it in the very bosom of inquietude itself. The
word cannot bear fruit in a heart possessed with the
love of riches, and with a design of raising a fortune
in the world.
*' 23. But he that received seed into the good
ground is he that heareth the word, and understand-
eth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth,
some an hundred-fold, some sixty, some thirty."
The seed in the good ground is the word in a
faithful heart. To hear, to understand, and to bear
fruit, are the three signs of this good ground or faith-
ful heart. There are several degrees of fidelity and
holiness; but none without the fruit of good works.
To be in the most perfect state, is not absolutely
necessary, but only to be faithful to God in that to
which he is pleased to call us. Convert my heart,
O my God, into good ground, and make it bear the
fruit which it ought to render thee. Not to render
thee all the fruit of thy own seed, is a piece of in-
justice, unfaithfulness, and theft. Lord, preserve
me from this guilt by thy grace.
Sect. III. The Parable of the Tares,
" 24. 51 Another parable put he forth unto them,
saying. The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a
man which sowed good seed in his field ;"