05.04.2013 Views

Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

334 ST. MATTHEW.<br />

heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a<br />

marriage for his s<strong>on</strong>,"<br />

The Jews were <strong>the</strong> first who were called to <strong>the</strong> be-<br />

lief of <strong>the</strong> incarnati<strong>on</strong>, wherein Jesus Christ espoused<br />

<strong>the</strong> human nature, and <strong>the</strong> church. He chooses <strong>the</strong><br />

most strict, tender, fruitful, and most inviolable of all<br />

alliances, to make us comprehend how intimate and<br />

advantageous to <strong>the</strong> Christian soul that uni<strong>on</strong> is,<br />

which God is pleased to have with it in his S<strong>on</strong>, by-<br />

faith and charity. What may we not expect from a<br />

royal alliance !<br />

For what may we not hope from a<br />

divine uni<strong>on</strong> !<br />

" 3. And sent forth his servants to call <strong>the</strong>m that<br />

were bidden to <strong>the</strong> wedding: and <strong>the</strong>y would not<br />

come."<br />

The law, <strong>the</strong> prophets, and <strong>the</strong> gospel, are but so<br />

many different invitati<strong>on</strong>s to <strong>the</strong> wedding of Jesus<br />

Christ, to <strong>the</strong> bcHef and fruits of his incarnati<strong>on</strong>.<br />

By <strong>the</strong>se nuptials, which are yet <strong>on</strong>ly begun, <strong>the</strong><br />

creature is already become <strong>on</strong>e spirit and <strong>on</strong>e heart<br />

with God: how <strong>the</strong>n will it be, when, this marriage<br />

beinff c<strong>on</strong>summated, he will admit <strong>the</strong> creature to a<br />

participati<strong>on</strong> of all his treasure, perfect his charity in<br />

it, and make it live eternally for himself! This<br />

uni<strong>on</strong> with God is c<strong>on</strong>tracted very freely ; and no<br />

man can be forced or necessitated to it : for it is an<br />

immediate uni<strong>on</strong> of will to will, of heart to heart;<br />

and it is by willing and c<strong>on</strong>senting, that we come to<br />

God and Jesus Christ.<br />

*' 4. Again, he sent forth o<strong>the</strong>r servants, saying,<br />

Tell <strong>the</strong>m which are bidden. Behold, I have prepared<br />

my dinner; my oxen and my fallings are killed, and<br />

all thiijgs are ready: come unto <strong>the</strong> marriage."

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!