Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

294} ST. MATTHEW.
adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear
false witness, 19. Honour thy father and thy mo-
ther : and. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."
Those who are of age to choose a condition for
themselves, ought, 8. To take care betimes to avoid
Pharisaical ostentation, which is more intent on the
observation of ceremonial laws and external usages,
than of the essential duties of religion, justice and
charity, which are part of the eternal law, indispen-
sable, and necessary for all conditions. They must,
9. Remember that, in order to salvation, it is not sufficient
for a man to honour his parents, and to make
no attempt on the life, wife, goods, or reputation of
his neighbour; but that he is obliged likewise to
do good to others, according to their needs and his
own power, and according to the rules of charity, of
which the well-regulated love of ourselves is the per-
fect model.
" 20. The young man saith unto him. All these
things have I kept from my youth up ; what lack I
yet?"
It is good, 10. For them not to rely too much on
their having passed the time of their childhood inno-
cently enough, and without any open violation of
the divine law. For this perhaps has proceeded
solely from their want of opportunities, and their
having been kept from ill company by the vigilance
of parents and masters; and even these blessings are
in great danger of being lost, through the vanity and
presumption of young men, and the liberty which
they claim of disposing of themselves. They must,
11. Be persuaded, that they have scarce done any
thing as yet, and that the main business is still un-