Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

CHAPTER XVIII. 273
rather than having two hands, or two feet, to be cast
into everlasting fire."
Man has within himself occasions enough of sin,
and needs not seek for any from without. He must
be ready to part with what is dearest to him, and
effectually to cut off all evil actions, words, and in-
clinations. This is a circumcision grievous to nature,
but necessary to salvation. A friend who does us
all the good offices imaginable, but who, being an
enemy to our piety, hinders us from serving God, is
a necessary hand, which, notwithstanding, must be
cut off. A visit where a man meets with dangerous
objects, which is attended with loss of time, occasions
of evil-speaking, distraction of mind, and other temp-
tations to sin, is a foot, which we are likewise obliged
to cut off.
" 9. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out,
and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter
into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes
to be cast into hell-fire."
Let us make no scruple of retrenching the curi-
osity of our senses and understanding, as a thing very
dangerous ; since, by means of this beneficial blind-
ness, we may attain to that sublime knowledge of
God and Christ, wherein eternal life does consist.
An immodest picture, of what price soever it be, a
lascivious, scurrilous, or licentious book, a dangerous
object—each of these is an eye, which must be plucked
out. A director of the conscience, be his abilities
ever so great, yet if, by any criminal or imprudent
affection, he become an obstacle to the salvation or
perfection of himself, or the person under his care^
is an eye, which this person must cast away.
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