Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

460 ST. MATTHEW.
The prudence of men is utterly ineffectual in op-
position to God. He makes it, in spite of them,
subservient to his designs; permitting them to pre-
vent their own calumnies, and to furnish arguments
to refute themselves. Faith is the source of great
repose and peace, through its docility and sincerity.
An unbelieving person torments himself without end,
that he may maintain himself in his incredulity.
" 66. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure,
sealing the stone, and setting a watch."
The Jews, contrary to their own design, confirm
the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and take pains only
to render themselves inexcusable in their infidelity.
Let the great pretenders to reason tell us, if they
can, what precautions have been omitted to obviate
all the pretences of incredulity. The testimony of
the enemies of the church is the confirmation of her
faith ; and their false prudence the confutation of all
the cavils of unbelievers.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Sect. I. Chrisfs Hesiirrection. The holy Wome?i
at the Sepulchre, The AfigeL
" 1. In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn
toward the first day of the week, came Mary Mag-
dalene, and the other Mary, to see the sepulchre."
Death and the grave cannot extinguish a true love
towards God. God inspires Mary Magdalene with
this holy haste and earnestness, because he designs
to reward her with his first appearance. Her love
of Jesus leads her to the cross and to the sepulchre;