Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

338 ST. MATTHEW.
fruits of faith, that we are qualified to eat the flesh
of the Lamh, and to receive nourishment from it.
Amongst a thousand unworthy communicants, per-
haps tliere is but one, whose conscience upbraids him
after this manner, How camest thou in hither? &c.
Happy is he, if amended thereby. No answer can
be made at the tribunal of God. The confusion
arising from sin, and the conscience of the sinner,
will stop his mouth.
" 13. Then said the king to the servants. Bind
him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him
into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and
gnashincr of teeth."
See here the sad state and total interdiction of a
damned soul. No more feet to run to God's mercy,
or to flee from his justice. No more hands to do
good, or to make any amends for evil. No more light
whereby to know God or his own duty. Nothing but
darkness, pain, grief, tears, rage, fury, and despair,
remains for those who are cast out from the wedding-
feast. This is the fruit of sin, and especially of the
abuse of faith, grace, and the holy communion.
" 14. For many are called, but few are chosen."
Many are called by the law of nature, by the
written law, and by the preaching of the gospel : but
few are there who come in by faith ; few among
these who live by faith ; and few, even of these last,
who persevere in the life of faith. The elect are not
known, until the separation is made. One single
reprobate cast out represents all the rest. God some-
times manifests his justice on a sinner, even in this
world, on purpose to awaken all others ; with whom
he either bears, in expectation of their repentance,