Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

CHAPTER XXIV. 887
This blessedness consists, not barely in working,
but in working according to the law and will of God.
We must then work continually in the ministry,
since our Master should find us so doing ; and he
may come every moment. The exactness which is
used in serving earthly princes in their own way is
scarcely to be conceived. Does not God deserve at
least as much ? A servant thinks himself happy,
when his services are grateful to his master. O,
what happiness attends us, if we please the best and
most powerful of Masters !
" 47. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make
him ruler over all his goods."
He who is not satisfied with the reward which
God promises him, knows not what it is to be made
ruler over all his goods. His goods are himself ; and
nothing less is promised us, if we continue faithful
to him. The ministers of the Lord have in heaven
a reward proportioned to their labours and their char-
acter, and shall there partake of his authority over
souls. Let us not refuse to give ourselves to God,
who will freely give himself to us.
" 48. But and if that evil servant shall say in his
heart, My lord delayeth his coming; 49. And
shall begin to smite his fellow-servants, and to eat
and drink with the drunken;"
Here are three characters of a bad prelate. The
first is, to have little faith as to the judgments of
God, or the coming of Christ. Does a man believe
there is another life, when he either undertakes of
his own accord to be accountable for souls, by taking
on himself the pastoral office, or trembles not at the
thoughts of this account ? The second is, to govern
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