Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

382 ST. MATTHEW.
ever obeys not this call, shall never be called by the
invisible angels to the church of the elect. How
sweet and comfortable is it to a Christian, separated
from his brethren, banished to the remotest parts of
the earth, and treated as excommunicate for the cause
of Christ, to think of this re-union, so much to be
desired, and which shall never have an end.
*' 32. % Now learn a parable of the fig-tree :
When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth
leaves, ye know that summer is nigh : 33. So likewise
ye, when ye shall see all these things, know
that it is near, even at the doors."
The belief of the coming of Jesus Christ is the
consolation of the righteous. Let us not wait for
the last trumpet, ere we prepare ourselves for judgment.
The sound of it in the gospel, is even now
heard by all those who have the ears of the heart.
Whoever has not these stopped by the amusements
of this life, and is not stunned by the noise of his
passions, thinks that he is continually called upon by
it. Let our faith incessantly say to us. The Son of
man is near, even at the doors. Let the voice of
thy grace, O Lord, repeat this to me both frequently
and effectually.
" 34. Verily I say unto you, This generation
shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. 35.
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall
not pass away."
The hope of the righteous is founded upon the
stability of the divine word ;
which is therefore their
chief delight. Whatever difficulties our understand-
ing may find in that which God has either foretold or
promised, there is not the least reason to doubt con-