Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

290 ST. MATTHEW.
here decides the case proposed to liim, and declares,
that it is not lawful for married persons to separate,
except in the case of adultery; and that a woman,
put away even on this account, cannot, during her
first husband's life, be married to another. Nothing
hinders Christ from declaring for the truth, though
the design of his enemies in asking him questions be
only to iusnare and bring him into troul)le.
Sect. II.— Voluntary EiimicJis. Little Children.
" 10. His disciples say unto him, If the case of
the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry."
Before we enter into an engagement, which no-
thing but death can entirely dissolve, we are obliged
in prudence to consider it on all sides, in order to
understand it thoroughly. There are inconveniences
in every state : and those of marriage are not suffi-
cient to keep such persons from it as God thinks fit
to call thereto. They must consult his will, and
rely upon his grace.
"11. But he said unto them. All men cannot
receive this saying, save they to whom it is given."
This is a very wise answer, which blames neither
of these two states, but approves them both. To
some, marriage is necessary by reason of their frailty.
When God gives the grace, celibacy is to be pre-
ferred. He who, out of caprice, humour, or licen-
tiousness, and not at the divine call, leads a single
life, is more in danger than he imagines. Conti-
nency is a peculiar gift of God : he who has received
it, cannot preserve it but by humility, vigilance,
prayer, fasting, mortification, &c.
" 12. For there are some eunuchs, which were so