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Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

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296 ST. MATTHEW.<br />

worldly hopes and expectati<strong>on</strong>s, ought to hinder <strong>the</strong>m<br />

from following <strong>the</strong> voice of God when he calls <strong>the</strong>m<br />

to perfecti<strong>on</strong>. We undergo a great deal while we<br />

are in suspense between <strong>the</strong> love of <strong>the</strong> world and<br />

<strong>the</strong> love of our salvati<strong>on</strong> : we have no manner of<br />

peace, good or bad, till <strong>the</strong> <strong>on</strong>e or <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r becomes<br />

victorious and predominant. We often deceive our-<br />

selves in believing, that we are f<strong>on</strong>d of nothing : a<br />

proper c<strong>on</strong>juncture or occasi<strong>on</strong> is wanting, to make<br />

us thoroughly know ourselves. We possess, with<br />

f<strong>on</strong>dness and sensual affecti<strong>on</strong>, whatever we cannot<br />

leave without regret and sorrow. Let every <strong>on</strong>e<br />

examine himself by this rule.<br />

Sect. IV.— The Rich hardly saved.<br />

" 23. ^ Then said Jesus unto his disciples. Verily<br />

I say unto you. That a rich man shall hardly enter<br />

into <strong>the</strong> kingdom of heaven."<br />

Christ abates nothing of <strong>the</strong> strictness and holi-<br />

ness of his maxims, <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong> account of <strong>the</strong> trouble<br />

which <strong>the</strong>y cause to worldly pers<strong>on</strong>s ; but, <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong> c<strong>on</strong>-<br />

trary, delivers <strong>the</strong>m in <strong>the</strong> str<strong>on</strong>ger terms. Earthly<br />

riches are a great obstacle to salvati<strong>on</strong> ; because it is<br />

very rare to possess without loving <strong>the</strong>m. To be<br />

rich, <strong>the</strong>refore, is a great misfortune ; but what rich<br />

man can we c<strong>on</strong>vince of this, if God himself by an<br />

extraordinary grace do not open his heart to receive<br />

this truth ? Truth itself affirms it with an oath, and<br />

yet scarce any <strong>on</strong>e hears, or believes it.<br />

'' 24. And again I say unto you. It is easier for<br />

a camel to go through <strong>the</strong> eye of a needle, than for<br />

a rich man to enter into <strong>the</strong> kingdom of God.'*<br />

Ast<strong>on</strong>ishing expressi<strong>on</strong> ! which shows us, that a

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