Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

4-20 ST. MATTHEW.
disciples owed to so good a Master, after more than
three years of instruction and miracles ? Men often
follow Christ and his maxims freely enough, until
they meet with times of trial and temptation. Friends
are the last refuge in affliction ; but even this is want-
ing to Christ, and he thereby expiates the abuse of
worldly friendships. Let us imitate him, instead of
complaining, when our friends turn their backs upon
us, and dare not declare for us.
" 32. But after I am risen again, I will go before
you into Galilee."
The sheep forsake the Shepherd, but he forsakes
not his sheep. He will seek, recall, and bring them
back: and he fortifies and comforts them beforehand,
with the hopes of his resurrection. Vulgar souls
suffer themselves to be depressed by affliction, and
can hardly receive any consolation: great souls always
keep their station, and support others who are sinking.
" 33. Peter answered and said unto him. Though
all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I
never be offended."
The presumptuous person imagines he can do
every thing, and can do nothing ;
thinks he can excel
all, and excels in nothing ; promises every thing, and
performs nothing. The humble man acts the quite
contrary part. There is nothing so unknown to us
as ourselves. Nothing which we see less, than our
own poverty and weakness. Let us rather believe
what God tells us of ourselves in Scripture, than
what we perceive in ourselves. The strength of
pride is but the strength of a moment. Vanity serves
only to conceal from us what we are, and what we
are not.