Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

280 ST. MATTHEW.
may be assured, by virtue of this promise, that Christ
is present in the midst of it in a very particular man-
ner. How great respect is due to councils, wherein
the whole church is assembled by its pastors, for the
illustration of the truth, the reformation of manners,
the establishment of discipline, and the interpretation
of the Scriptures I
Sect. VI. Forgiveness of Injuries. The Debt
often thousand Talents,
" 21. f Then came Peter to him, and said. Lord,
how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I for-
give him? till seven times?"
It is a very dangerous thing for a man to be un-
willing to do any more good than just what he thinks
precisely necessary to salvation. Self-love is always
on its guard, always afraid of going too far, and of
giving too much. Nothing is more difficult than the
forgiveness of injuries to corrupt nature, which is
still seeking pretences to evade this duty more than
any other. Men seldom consult casuists, but when
it is to justify, if possible, their natural and corrupt
inclinations.
" 22. Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee,
Until seven times ;
but, Until seventy times seven."
Charity is an immense and eternal debt ; and, by
consequence, the love of enemies and the forgiveness
of injuries must have no bounds in the heart, though
they may admit of some in the external behaviour.
God and Christ have loved us without measure, and
that even whilst we were enemies, and have freely
pardoned all our sins : and yet we deliberate nicely
how far our love of enemies and our forgiveness of
injuries are to extend !