Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

CHAPTER XXVII. 449
would have but few imitators. That he chooses them
for us, and often lays them upon us by the hands of
men, is a mercy which renders the cross more bene-
ficial, and spares our weakness.
" 33. 51 And when they were come unto a place
called Golgotha, that is to say, A place of a scull,
34. They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with
gall : and when he had tasted thereof, he would not
drink."
The comforts of the world are always mingled with
gall. It never flatters us but in order either to ruin
or intoxicate us, as the Jews would refresh Christ
for fear he should escape their cruelty, and to pro-
long his sufferings. Jesus chooses to suffer, and to
adore God his Father, even to the last gasp. The
children of Adam do what they can to assuage their
pain, and to render themselves insensible thereof;
the true children of the cross are very glad to join
the sacrifice of their heart to that of their sufferings
by the exercise of their faith.
" 35. And they crucified hira, and parted his
garments, casting lots : that it might be fulfilled which
was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments
among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots."
Jesus Christ, behaving himself as a criminal, does
not dispose even of his clothes. In every thing he
gives us a great example of submission to the laws,
of humility, of poverty, of contempt of worldly things,
&c. He who, at the time of death, is not perplexed
with the care of dividing his earthly substance, may
offer up his sacrifice with much more peace and appli-
cation of his mind to God. Christ bears the shame
of nakedness which sin brought upon man in his