05.04.2013 Views

Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

CHAPTER XXVIII. 465<br />

a new crime. One sin naturally draws <strong>on</strong> ano<strong>the</strong>r.<br />

How great is <strong>the</strong> misfortune for a man to have re-<br />

course to a lie to c<strong>on</strong>ceal his crime, ra<strong>the</strong>r than to<br />

repentance (to do what he can) to expiate it ! He<br />

ought proporti<strong>on</strong>ably in o<strong>the</strong>r sins, to fear being de-<br />

tained by engagements, evil bashfulness, wilfulness,<br />

or obstinacy. How often do men pay dearly for <strong>the</strong><br />

vanity of not seeming to be baffled in <strong>the</strong>ir under-<br />

takings !<br />

" 15. So <strong>the</strong>y took <strong>the</strong> m<strong>on</strong>ey, and did as <strong>the</strong>y<br />

were taught : and this saying is comm<strong>on</strong>ly reported<br />

am<strong>on</strong>g <strong>the</strong> Jews until this day."<br />

Avarice and <strong>the</strong> love of false riches have always<br />

persecuted Jesus Christ,—<strong>the</strong> avarice of <strong>the</strong> Jewish<br />

priests during his life, that of an apostle at <strong>the</strong> time<br />

of his death, this of <strong>the</strong> soldiers after his resurrec-<br />

ti<strong>on</strong>, and that of wicked clergymen to <strong>the</strong> end of<br />

<strong>the</strong> world. The most ancient and most cruel per-<br />

secutor of <strong>the</strong> church, is m<strong>on</strong>ey in corrupt ecclesi-<br />

astics and men of <strong>the</strong> sword. One single lie, <strong>on</strong>e<br />

single calumny, may have dreadful c<strong>on</strong>sequences.<br />

A man is not less answerable for <strong>the</strong>m because he<br />

did not think of <strong>the</strong>m. How many Jews, <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

credit of <strong>the</strong>se priests and soldiers, have been lost,<br />

in not believing <strong>the</strong> resurrecti<strong>on</strong> of Christ<br />

Sect. HI. Chrisfs Appearance to <strong>the</strong> eleven Dis-<br />

ciples. His almightij Power arid c<strong>on</strong>tinual Pre-<br />

sence,<br />

"16. H Then <strong>the</strong> eleven disciples went away into<br />

Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed<br />

<strong>the</strong>m."<br />

Men are more ready to run to Jesus when risen

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!