Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

466 ST. MATTHEW.
from the dead, than to follow him when seized by his
enemies, and to accompany hira dying under igno-
miny. They are not very constant in attending at
the foot of the cross ; they never fail to seek all op-
portunities of joy and comfort. But these are not
to be sought but only when obedience leads us to
them, and when Christ himself goes before us in
them, calls us to them, and vouchsafes to be present
with us.
" 17. And when they saw him, they worshipped
him : but some doubted."
Worship ought always to accompany the sight
which faith gives us of Jesus Christ and his mys-
teries, God permits doubts to arise for the greater
confirmation of the faith. We must not suflPer our-
selves to be surprised or staggered at the doubtful-
ness and uncertainty of the greatest men, since there
were some who doubted even amongst the apostles
themselves.
"18. f And Jesus came and spake unto them,
saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and
in earth."
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a state of
power, to which he was predestinated from all eter-
nity, of which he deprived himself during his mortal
life, and into the possession of which he entered by
his resurrection. One fruit of this mystery is the
new right and power which he received both in hea-
ven and in earth : in heaven, to send the Holy Ghost
from thence down on earth, to raise his members up
thither, and to crown his saints there : in earth,
to bring all nations into subjection to himself, to
convert sinners, to sanctify, protect, and perfect his