Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

260 ST. MATTHEW.
sions of the faithful, and the edification of their
neighbour. He makes even the senses serviceable
to faith, though they seem quite contrary thereto
and this is what we ought to endeavour at in the
instructions which we are obliged to give others.
This brightness of glory, wherein Christ appears to
these three apostles, confirms the confession which
St. Peter made of his divinity, fortifies this apostle
against the trouble which the prediction of his suf-
ferings gave him, and encourages all Christians to the
practice of the doctrines of self-denial and the cross.
*' 3. And, behold, there appeared unto them
Moses and Elias talking with him."
The law and the prophets give witness to Christ,
and scarcely speak but of him : he who seeks any
other thing therein, besides the Son of God and his
church, reads them not like a Christian. In the
prophetical and figurative parts of the Scripture, we
see nothing worthy of God, unless we consider them
together with Christ, and behold him represented in
those shadows.
" 4. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus,
Lord, it is good for us to be here : if thou wilt, let
us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and
one for Moses, and one for Elias."
Let us not set our hearts upon outward comforts:
the sweetness of them is apt to make men forget the
necessity of passing through sufferings in their way
to heaven. We are disposed to lay hold of the first
object which presents itself, when it flatters our in-
clination towards ease and pleasure. But we ought
still to mistrust it, and give ourselves time to reflect,
that we may see whether it agree with the rule of