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Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

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'3T2 ST. MATTHEW.<br />

Sect. II. The Righteous persecuted. False Pro-<br />

phets. Charity grown cold. Perseverance.<br />

" 9. Then shall <strong>the</strong>y deliver you up to be afflicted,<br />

and shall kill you : and ye shall be hated of all na-<br />

ti<strong>on</strong>s for my name's sake."<br />

The fourth occasi<strong>on</strong> of being seduced is, <strong>the</strong><br />

public and general hatred, and <strong>the</strong> persecuti<strong>on</strong> of <strong>the</strong><br />

world. Can a religi<strong>on</strong>, said <strong>the</strong>y, which is abhorred<br />

by all <strong>the</strong> world, be <strong>the</strong> true? Can a handful of<br />

men, pursued with fire and sword by all <strong>the</strong> powers of<br />

<strong>the</strong> earth, and despised by <strong>the</strong> wisest philosophers<br />

can such as <strong>the</strong>se be <strong>the</strong> favourites of God ? Ho\V<br />

often does it happen, that good men are persecuted<br />

as criminals, merely <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong> account of this fourth<br />

means of seducement? To be hated of all th6<br />

world is nothing, provided <strong>on</strong>e is beloved of God;-*i<br />

" 10. And <strong>the</strong>n shall many be offended, and shall<br />

betray <strong>on</strong>e ano<strong>the</strong>r, and shall hate <strong>on</strong>e ano<strong>the</strong>r." ''"<br />

The fifth occasi<strong>on</strong> of being seduced, proceeds fr<strong>on</strong>^<br />

<strong>the</strong> scandals or offences given by those of <strong>the</strong> houser<br />

hold of faith, <strong>the</strong>ir divisi<strong>on</strong>s, and <strong>the</strong> treacheries of<br />

false brethren. Nothing is more serviceable to <strong>the</strong><br />

devil, in seducing <strong>the</strong> weak and simple. We must<br />

still adhere to God, by and for himself; and not forsake<br />

him, though we should be left al<strong>on</strong>e. Good<br />

example is a great help in piety, but it is not <strong>the</strong><br />

foundati<strong>on</strong> of it. Our being mingled with <strong>the</strong><br />

wicked is somewhat inc<strong>on</strong>venient and troublesome;<br />

but it is necessary, to exercise our virtue, and to put<br />

us in mind of human infirmity.<br />

" II. And many false prophets shall rise, and<br />

shall deceive many."

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