Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

322 ST. MATTHEW.
the envy of his enemies, and withdrawing himself
from the excessive affection of his friends.
Sect. III.— The Fig-tree imthered. The Prayer
with Faith*
" 18. Now in the morning, as he returned into
the city, he hungered."
How barren is the friendship of men towards
Jesus Christ. Their hard-heartedness often leaves
his members to suffer hunger as well as himself.
We may conclude, from his hunger, that his triumph
was followed by fasting and prayer, two powerful
means to suppress human complacency, and expel
the poison of applause. Christ had no need of
these preservatives himself, but his members wanted
this example and instruction.
" 19. And when he saw a fig-tree in the way, he
came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves
only, and said unto it. Let no fruit grow on thee
henceforward for ever. And presently the fig-tree
withered away."
Can the Christian, who affords Jesus Christ no-
thing but barren words and desires, expect any thing
but his malediction and curse? We must continu-
ally watch, and employ ourselves in good works,
especially those of our salvation, still expecting the
hour when Christ will come to demand the fruit of
all his gifts and graces. A fig-tree in the way, and a
Christian exposed to all the temptations of the world,
either bear or preserve but very little fruit. Dry-
ness and barrenness are, without comparison, more
terrible in the other world, where there is not the
least hope of any more grace. Let us take great