Chapter XXVI. Of the Peaceable, Patient, and Peace-maker

Where very opportunely it's immediately inferr'd; Blessed are the Peacemakers, because they shall be called the Sons of God. For he is a peaceable man, who rendring good for good, as much as in him is, wills no body no hurt. Another is Patient, who not rendring evil for evil, is able to bear with him who does him hurt. And there is also a Peace-maker, who returning good for ill, he is ready to profit him who does him damage. The first is a little one, and is easily scandalized: nor can he that is such an one easily obtain Salvation in this wicked World, and full of scandals. The second (as it is written) possesses his Soul in patience. The third does not only possess his own Soul, but also gains the Souls of many. The first, as much as is in him, has peace. The second keeps peace. The third makes peace. Deservedly therefore he is beatified with the name of Son, because he has fulfilled the work of a Son, who being not ungrateful, after his own reconciliation, does also reconcile others to his Father. For he who shall have ministred well, acquires to himself a good degree; nor is there a better degree to be believed in the house of his Father, than that of a Son. For if Sons, then Heirs, Heirs indeed of God, but Co-heirs with Christ, Rom. 8. ver. 17. That as he says; Where he is, there also his Minister may be, Joh. 12. v. 26,—

I have wearied you with the length of my Discourse, and have kept you longer than I should have done. So that now seeing that modesty does not, the very time seems to command an end to my talkativeness: Remember notwithstanding the Apostle, who upon a time, you read, protracted his Sermon until midnight. And I would to God (that I may use his words) that you would yet a little bear my folly, for I emulate you with the emulation of God, 2 Cor, 11.