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Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

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CHAPTER XXVII.<br />

443<br />

plaisance, surprise, or ignorance; but <strong>the</strong> most im-<br />

placable of all its enemies is envy, and especially that<br />

of ecclesiastical pers<strong>on</strong>s. Too often men think <strong>the</strong>y<br />

lend <strong>the</strong>ir authority to justice and truth, when a little<br />

reflecti<strong>on</strong> would show <strong>the</strong>m that <strong>the</strong>y resign it up to<br />

iniquity and envy.<br />

" 19. ^ When he was set down <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong> judgment-<br />

seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou no-<br />

thing to do with that just man : for I have suffered<br />

many things this day in a dream because of him."<br />

Wives have frequently but too much credit and in-<br />

fluence <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong> mind of judges, even in unjust causes ;<br />

but nothinfT is favourable to <strong>the</strong> cause of Christ, be-<br />

cause our sins are against him. Every thing testifies<br />

his innocence ; but it is <strong>on</strong> this very account, because<br />

he is innocence itself, that he must die for sinners,<br />

and be <strong>the</strong>ir victim.<br />

" 20. But <strong>the</strong> chief priests and elders persuaded<br />

<strong>the</strong> multitude that <strong>the</strong>y should ask Barabbas, and<br />

destroy Jesus."<br />

We see here how dangerous in <strong>the</strong> church wicked<br />

priests are. W^hen pastors are <strong>on</strong>ce corrupted, <strong>the</strong>y<br />

are capable of inducing <strong>the</strong>ir flock to prefer Barab-<br />

bas before Jesus, <strong>the</strong> world before God, pleasure be-<br />

fore <strong>the</strong>ir salvati<strong>on</strong>, and <strong>the</strong>ir passi<strong>on</strong>s before a life of<br />

faith and Christian mortificati<strong>on</strong>. A wise and pious<br />

director of <strong>the</strong> c<strong>on</strong>science, is a proper guide to seek<br />

and find Jesus Christ. An ifjnorant or vicious direc-<br />

tor, is good for nothing but to destroy and extinguish<br />

his life in <strong>the</strong> soul.<br />

" 21. The governor answered and said unto <strong>the</strong>m,<br />

Whe<strong>the</strong>r of <strong>the</strong> twain will ye that I release unto you?<br />

They said, Barabbas."

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