Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

CHAPTER XV. ^41
vine pleasure, the nearer does his faith bring him to
God, humbles him the more in his sight, and in-
spires him with greater confidence to make his ad-
dresses to, and to expect assistance from him. Ac-
cording as these virtues increase in a soul, the spirit
of repentance grows and increases in it.
** 26. But he answered and said, It is not meet
to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.^*
Favours are for children, and love only renders
us such. It is through mercy that God makes the
sinner sensible from whence he is fallen, what he
is become, and to what he should aspire. Jesus instructs
by humbling: his repulses speak to those who
can understand their language. It is thou thyself,
O Jesus, who art the children's bread ; and who
turnest even dogs into children of God, that thou
mayest feed them with thyself. I know indeed my
own misery and unworthiness, but I know also thy
mercy, and the power of thy grace.
'* 27. And she said, Truth, Lord : yet the dogs
eat of the crumbs which fall from their master's
table."
True faith conseiHs to all the denials and severi-
ties which come from God, but at the same time
makes use of them to raise, unite, and fasten itself
more strongly to him. When a man sincerely de-
sires to be saved, he is discouraged by no difficulties,
but, on the contrary, changes even obstacles into
means. God defers sometimes to show mercy, on
purpose by delay to increase desire; by desire, hope;
by hope, the fervency of prayer; and by prayer, hu-
mility. God loves the earnestness and importunity
of prayer; and at length grants every thing to a per-
VoL. I. L 57