Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

CHAPTER XX. 301
called to work from the time of our receiving life and
reason. This is the first call.
" 3. And he went out about the third hour, and
saw others standing idle in the market-place, 4.
And said unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard
and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they
went their way."
The second call is in the time of youth, which is
most commonly idle. Before God calls us by his
grace, what can we do towards our salvation ? The
will which is not prevented thereby, has no light but
to go astray with, no warmth of desire but to en-
danger, and no strength but to hurt itself: it is
capable of all evil, incapable of all good. The will
is always fickle and inconstant, when not guided and
acted by the immutable and eternal will. The more
earnestly it endeavours to work, the more faults and
sins it commits. The prospect of reward is a good
motive, since Jesus Christ himself lays it before our
eyes. God is just, and the perfection of reason
this is sufficient ground to expect all from him.
" 5. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth
hour, and did likewise."
The third call is at the age of manhood. The
fourth in old age, which is almost incapable of work.
During this present life, God never ceases calling us
to labour and salvation. When he commands us to
go, and gives us that which he commands, we imme-
diately set forward, and labour to advantage. If thou
wilt. Lord, it is sufficient; for my will without delay
will be obedient to thine. Rouse up my dull and
slothful heart, and I shall run with vigour in the
ways of thy commandments.