Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

CHAPTER XXVII. 453
tion of our confidence, the mark of lawful children,
and the title which gives us a right to the inheritance
and kingdom of the Father. Cause me to love that
which I believe.
" 44. The thieves also, which were crucified with
him, cast the same in his teeth."
The cross is a matter of scandal to all those who,
being punished for their sins, make not a penitential
use of it. The wicked suffer, blaspheming; many
even of the righteous complaining; few, like Jesus
Christ, silent, and humbling themselves. If crosses
are not as it were anointed by the Spirit of God, they
become an insupportable burthen, a subject of mur-
muring, and an occasion of sin.
" 45. Now from the sixth hour there was dark-
ness over all the land unto the ninth hour."
This miraculous darkness should have made the
enemies of Christ understand, that he was the light
of the world ; and that, because they did not follow
it, it was taken from them. But darkness is always
darkness to those who are abandoned to that of their
own heart, whereof the other is no more than a figure.
" 46. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with
a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani ?
that is to say. My God, my God, why hast thou
forsaken me ?"
In the most virtuous persons, though the spirit
love the cross, yet the flesh ceases not to complain
thereof. This cry should make us in some measure
conceive, what it is to bear not only the judgment of
God, but the whole flood of his anger and justice.
It is less a complaint, than an instruction, in the
mouth of Christ, whereby he would fix our minds on