Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

CHAPTER XXVIII. 467
church, to judge mankind, and to confine the devils
and the reprobate in hell. The absolute power of
Christ over the hearts of men to change them as he
pleases, is the recompense of his labours, the fruit
of his cross, the right of his new life, the principle
of the new heart, and the comfort of sinners, as being
the cause of the efficacy of his grace.
" 19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Ghost ;"
Jesus Christ says to his apostles, " Go ye there-
fore, and teach all nations," to show that he can con-
vert them all, and that nothing can resist his al-
mighty power, when he intends to save sinners.
The mission of the apostles throughout all the world,
the calling of the Gentiles, the foundation of the
church, and the purchase of his elect, are the effects
of his new power, and the reward of his past suffer-
ings. In baptism, the Christian is adopted by the
Father, incorporated with the Son, animated by the
Holy Ghost, and consecrated to this adorable and
eternal mystery, to serve him in spirit and in truth
by a life conformable to the gospel.
" 20. Teaching them to observe all things what-
soever I have commanded you : and, lo, I am with
you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
The faithfulness of a preacher consists in preach-
ing nothing but what he has learned of Jesus Christ.
His chief care must be, not to render himself un-
worthy of having Christ present with him in the ex-
ercise of his ministry. His confidence is, to be per-
suaded that he can do nothing of himself, but that
Christ can do all in him ; that he is able even of