Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

orn from their mothers' womb ;
CHAPTER XIX. 291
and there are some
eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men ; and
there be eunuchs, which have made themselves
eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He
that is able to receive it, let him receive it."
Grace makes one embrace with joy that which
otherwise is not endured without pain, when nature
or the violence of men imposes it. The state of
voluntary and perpetual continence, undertaken for
God's sake, is a gift of God himself, and the only
kind of virginity which he has engaged to reward.
" 13. ^ Then were there brought unto him little
children, that he should put his hands on them, and
pray : and the disciples rebuked them."
Since the generality of fathers take more thought
how to make their children rich and powerful, than
to put them under the protection of Christ, and to
draw down his blessing upon them by the prayers of
good people ; one need not wonder that their youth
is so addicted to all manner of vice. Imposition of
hands, used frequently by Christ, by him has passed
from the Jewish Church to the Christian. It is, as
it were, the visible sign and sacrament of prayer, in
which the divine power and assistance are invoked
with authority. A priest has no right to refuse to
perform this in the name of Christ and his church,
on those who require it with faith and humility,
having himself received this power by the imposition
of the bishop's hands. It is not according to the
spirit and conduct of Christ, to treat those with
severity who are as yet children in the spiritual life.
" 14. But Jesus said. Suffer little children, and
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