Chapter XXXI. Of enduring Persecution, according to the last Beatitude

Blessed, says he, are the Peacemakers, for they shall be called the Sons of God. Mark well, not talkers of Peace, but makers of Peace, are commended. For there are which say, and do not. Indeed, as not the hearers of the Law, but the doers of the Law are just; so not the announcers of Peace, but the actors of Peace, are blessed. Would to God, notwithstanding our whosoever now seem Pharisees, (for perhaps there are some,) although they will not do, at least would say what they ought. Would to God they who will not Preach the Gospel without a Salary, would but even Preach it for a Salary; would to God that they would but Evangelize, that they may eat. The hireling, says he, sees the Wolf a coming, and flys away, Jo. 10. Would to God, they who in this our age are not Pastors, would but prove themselves Hirelings to their Flocks, and not Wolves: that themselves would not hurt their Flock, would not fly away, no body persecuting of them, that they would not expose their Flock until the Wolf were seen a coming. For they were in some manner tolerable, if they were found. especially in time of Peace, receiving their hire, and at least for their hire, labouring in the keeping of their Flock, whilst that they themselves did not molest their Flock, and against reason avert them from the Pastures of Justice and Truth. For Persecution undoubtedly separates and distinguishes Hirelings from good Shephers. For how must not he needs fear transitory losses, who seeks after temporal gains? When will he endure an earthly Persecution for Justice, who seeks an earthly Reward more than Justice. Blessed, says he, are those who suffer persecution for Justice, because theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. This Beatitude belongs to good Pastors, not to Hirelings, much less to Thieves or Wolves. For they are so far from suffering Persecution for Justice, that they had rather endure Persecution than Justice. For it is contrary to their Works, and it is troublesome to them even to hear of it. But for Covetousness, and for Ambition, they are ready to undergo all Dangers, to raise Scandals, to endure Hatred, to dissemble Revilings, to neglect Curses; so that the Animosity of such, is not less pernicious than the Pusillanimity of Hirelings. Therefore to true Pastors, their Pastor, the good Shepherd, who spared not to lay down his life for his Sheep, says; Blessed shall ye be when men shall hate you, and separate you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man. Rejoyce in that day, and exult, because great is your Reward in Heaven. For that they truly have no reason to fear Thieves, who lay up Treasure for themselves in Heaven. They have no reason to complain of the multiplicity of Tribulation, when they consider the multiplication of their Reward. Yea let them rather rejoyce, as it is fitting they should, that not so much their Persecution, as their Reward, is encreased: and let them exult so much more abundantly, as they suffer more things for Christ, that so a more plenteous Reward may expect them with him. Why are ye afraid, O ye of little Faith? There is a faithful saying, and founded upon irrefragable truth: No adversity shall hurt us, if no iniquity rule over us. But it's a small matter not to hurt us; it shall profit us, abundantly profit us, provided Justice be our intention, and Christ our Cause, with whom the patience of the Poor shall not lose its Reward for ever. To Him be Glory now and for ever and ever. Amen.