Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

426 ST. MATTHEW.
" 45. Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith
unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest : behold,
the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed
into the hands of sinners."
Self-love renders us more vigilant when danger
is present, than all the advice of our most discerning
friends. If we are moved with indignation to see
holiness itself in the hands of sinners, let us lay the
blame on ourselves, since they were our sins which
delivered up Christ to sinners. His charity is busily
employed to the end. Let us adore this last use
which he makes of his liberty, to admonish his dis-
ciples, and to wake them from their heaviness and
slumber.
" 46. Rise, let us be going : behold, he is at hand
that doth betray me."
Happy he, who, through zeal for God's justice, or
through charity towards his neighbour, goes forth to
meet the cross, and even death itself! but so as not
to do any thing contrary either to the command of
God, or to other duties which regard our neighbour,
or to what prudence and humility require of us as to
ourselves. Jesus Christ takes notice of all the steps
of his enemies, to make it evident, that nothing is
done contrary to his will, that they do only what he
permits, and that they seize him because he is will-
ing they should.
Sect. VI.— The Kiss of Judas, Malchus^s Ear
The Flight of the Disciples.
cut off.
" 47. % And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one
of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude
with swords and staves, from the chief priests and
elders of the people."