Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

CHAPTER I, 27
Sect. II. Joseph e?icouraged co?icermng the birth
of Christ.
" 18. f Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on
When as his mother Mary was espoused
this wise :
to Joseph, before they came together, she was found
with child of the Holy Ghost."
The vigilance alone of Joseph, as guardian of
Mary's virginity, quickly discovered that she was
with child. The incarnation is the effect of the love
of God towards mankind, and therefore it is appro-
priated to the Holy Ghost, who is the substantial
and consubstantial love of the Father and the Son.
It is by the same Spirit, that both Jesus Christ as
head, and the faithful as his members, are conceived
he, as Son, by nature, we, as his brethren, by adop-
tion. O God, how much does it imply, to be a
Christian ! and
how great ought his piety and holi-
ness to be !
" 19. Then Joseph her husband, being a just
man, and not willing to make her a public example,
was minded to put her away privily."
True charity can easily find the middle between
jealousy and insensibility. It is never contrary to
prudence. The just person knows how to secure
his own reputation, without blemishing anothers, by
discovering his faults. A passion too credulous,
and a false zeal for the law, are often the occasion
of violating it, by hindering men from taking notice
of any thing but the revenge which it permits, and
of all which is severe and rigorous in it. But a wise
patience and true justice in Joseph, render him at-
tentive to the mild and indulgent part of the law,
B 2