Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

XXVll
trigues and human solicitations assume the office, but
such as are the fruit of the church's prayers: not
such as enter into the harvest, to make themselves the
lords of it, but those who labour only for the profit of
the Lord of it; not such as in the repose of an idle
life, enjoy the honour and temporal advantages of the
ministry, but such as work hard, like daily labourers.
We do not sufficiently comprehend how much it is
our duty and interest to pray for the obtaining good
bishops, good curates, holy preachers, full of zeal,
knowledge, and disinterestedness."
'' The mysterious fishing," (Luke v. 5.) " repre-
sents that of souls. In vain the preacher labours to
convert them, if God gives not his blessing. It is
upon his grace that he must rely, and not upon his
own eloquence and strength. The fishing of the
night, is an unsuccessful and unfortunate fishing,
without light, without mission, without Christ's as-
sistance, in a bark where he is not, and without his
direction.—The fishing of the day is a blessed fish-
ing, which is carried on by the light of faith, in the
sight of the Sun of Righteousness, with confidence
in the promise of his assistance to the end of the
world, and in the mid-day of truth."
7. But we hasten to notice, what scarcely requires
distinct notice, <strong>Quesnel</strong>'s holy love and dependence
OF HEART ON THE BLESSED SaVIOUR AND
THE INFLUENCES OF THE HoLY SPIRIT. This is
the inspiring theme which dwells on his tongue
this is the secret charm which elevates his reflections
—this is the master-key which unlocks the treasures
of his divinity. All our preceding points derive
their virtue from this. The whole soul of <strong>Quesnel</strong>
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