Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

CHAPTER XIX. 295
finished. For, to serve God in the spirit of Christ
and his religion, with a perfect disengagement from
all other things, and to choose a proper condition of
life for the residue of it; this is what remains to be
done by a young jjaan, who has not yet thoroughly
understood his duty, nor been master of himself.
" 21. Jesus said unto him. If thou wilt be per-
fect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor,
and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come
and follow me."
They ought, 12. To observe, that, besides the
general call and the common way of the command-
ments, every one has his particular way and call,
which he must learn from God with the assistance of
men. They ought, 18. To be persuaded, that it is
necessary to be so f\ir disengaged from every thing,
in the disposition of the heart, as to prefer nothing
before God, his love, and his will; and that this is
an obligation common to all Christians, and included
in the general call. Actually to quit every thing, in
order to follow Jesus Christ in a state of poverty, is
only a matter of counsel in general; butvvhich may
become a necessary means of salvation to those whom
God is pleased to call thereto. Whatever we depo-
sit in the hands of the poor, we shall receive with
infinite advantage in heaven. He who has stripped
himself of all his earthly possessions, is in a readiness
to follow Christ, but is not yet arrived at perfection.
" 22. But when the young man heard that say-
ing, he went away sorrowful : for he had great pos-
sessions."
Lastly, Those who are about to choose a state of
life, must be convinced, that neither great riches, nor