Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

220 ST. MATTHEW.
fices every thing, be it ever so holy, to his passion.
This is what darkens this prince's understanding, and
stifles his sentiments of esteem for virtue, and every
inclination to good ; and it will produce the same
effects in every person who gives himself up to it as
he did.
"4. For John said unto him. It is not lawful for
thee to have her."
Here is an instance of zeal, fidelity, and courage,
in an evangelical preacher. How few imitators has
this example I Plainness, mildness, and modesty,
are qualifications to be observed when we are obliged
to reprove the great. The best service one can possi-
bly do them is, clearly and plainly to lay before them,
without any obscure or intricate discourse, what the
law of God requires of them, and what it forbids.
" 5. And when he would have put him to death,
he feared the multitude, because they counted him
as a prophet."
When only fear restrains the hand without chang-
ing the heart, the sin is committed already in the
will, and will soon be produced into act. The peo-
ple are better judges of holiness than the great.
Miserable prince, who fears to offend his people, but
is not afraid of offending his God ! When a man
resists sin by the help of human motives only, he
cannot long defend himself.
" 6. But when Herod's birth-day was kept, the
daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased
Herod."
The diversions of the world, feasting and dancing,
are but too commonly the occasions of sin. After
so fatal an example as this before us, can we in the