Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

CHAPTER XVIII. 275
can either doubt or wonder, as to God's sending his
angels for the service of souls, after he has sent his
own Son to serve them even with his blood ? They
do what they can to destroy the workmanship of
Christ, who, by means of scandal or offence, cause
those to relapse into sin, whom he by his labours and
sufferings has rescued and cleansed from it.
Sect. III. The strayed Sheep,
'* 12. How think ye? If a man have an hundred
sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not
leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the moun-
tains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?"
Let us learn from hence, what charity and pastoral
care is due to those souls which are not in the way
of salvation. It is a rule to be observed by pastors,
to apply themselves most to such souls whose wants
are greatest. It is contrary to the order of the duties
incumbent on a true pastor, and to the example of
Christ, for a man to be wholly taken up in the spiri-
tual direction of persons far advanced in the way to
heaven, a work which is pleasant and easy ; and en-
tirely to neglect such as are gone astray, the bringing
back of whom requires abundance of pains, applica-
tion, and prayer. It is the indispensable duty of one
of this profession, to leave those who too industri-
ously seek, and without any necessity follow him; and
to hasten after such as fly from him, of whom God
will certainly demand an account at his hands.
" 13. And if so be that he find it, verily I say
unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of
the ninety and nine which went not astray."
Is it not a sufficient motive to engage a man to