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Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

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CHAPTER XXII. 339<br />

or whom he reserves for <strong>the</strong> torments of hell. Let<br />

us strive to be of <strong>the</strong> small number.<br />

Sect. II. God and Cesar,<br />

** 15. ^ Then went <strong>the</strong> Pharisees, and took coun-<br />

sel how <strong>the</strong>y might entangle him in his talk."<br />

The devil's ministers, like himself, retire <strong>on</strong>ly for<br />

a while ; but never lay aside <strong>the</strong> design of destroying<br />

virtuous people. Of all wicked pers<strong>on</strong>s, <strong>the</strong> envious<br />

are <strong>the</strong> least discouraged at disappointments. The<br />

good and pious ought strictly to watch over <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

words, because <strong>the</strong> world is always vigilant to make<br />

<strong>the</strong>m serve its interests or passi<strong>on</strong>s. Set a watch,"<br />

O Lord, up<strong>on</strong> my mouth, and secure it from being<br />

surprised ei<strong>the</strong>r by <strong>the</strong> devil, or <strong>the</strong> world, or my<br />

own corrupt desires.<br />

" 16. And <strong>the</strong>y sent out unto him <strong>the</strong>ir disciples,<br />

with <strong>the</strong> Herodians, saying, Master, we know that<br />

thou art true, and teachest <strong>the</strong> way of God in truth,<br />

nei<strong>the</strong>r carest thou for any nian^ for thou regardest<br />

not <strong>the</strong> pers<strong>on</strong> of men."<br />

The praises of <strong>the</strong> world are full of snares: he<br />

who loves <strong>the</strong>m, loves temptati<strong>on</strong> ; and to love it, is<br />

to be willing to perish. The wicked scarcely ever<br />

make any o<strong>the</strong>r use of good, but <strong>on</strong>ly to promote <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

malicious designs. Real enemies and false friends<br />

take advantage very often of <strong>the</strong> good qualities which<br />

<strong>the</strong>y discover in us, so as to make us act indiscreetly,<br />

and to put us up<strong>on</strong> imprudent measures. The fide-<br />

lity which an ecclesiastical pers<strong>on</strong> owes to his minis-<br />

try, banishes all fear of men from his mind ; but<br />

agrees very well with Christian prudence, which is<br />

nei<strong>the</strong>r rash nor insensible. There are some regards<br />

p2

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