recognize that it is not without cause that he thus wanted to prepare all his own.
CHAPTER 2: Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit and Those Who Mourn
recognize that it is not without cause that he thus wanted to prepare all his own. This is how it is necessary for each one to appropriate the doctrine to himself, and for him to know that our Lord Jesus Christ speaks to him as if in secret: and that he says to him, It is necessary that if you are poor, that you be so in spirit, that you be truly humbled, - that you bear this self-abasement in your heart. And then we know that however much the world deems you miserable, and how much your natural sense tells you as much: however, you can boldly answer me Amen, and accept the beatitude that I propose to you: and you will see in the end that you have not been deceived, but that you will arrive at the inheritance, to which you will know how God gives joy to his children after afflicting them in the world: and how he fills them, after allowing them to hunger.
Now let us bow before the majesty of our good God, acknowledging our sins and seeking the consolation he has promised to those who mourn before him. Amen.
C H A P T E R 3 THE MEEK THOSE WHO HUNGER FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS AND THE MERCIFUL
Matthew 5:5-7. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Luke 6:20. Then, lifting up his eyes to his disciples, he said, Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
If men only retained what nature teaches them, it is certain that our condition would be as happy as it is possible to wish for. For God created us all in his image, so that each person should recognize himself in his neighbor: we are one flesh. Briefly, although faces and minds are very diverse, the fact remains that we cannot erase or abolish this unity that God has established between us. If this remained imprinted on our memory, everyone would live peacefully with their neighbors: and we would be as if in an earthly paradise: but on the contrary, we see that everyone seeks their profit and advantage: everyone wants to dominate: there is only pride, and we are all angry, and as soon as we are angry, the venom comes out: there is only rigor, and even pride. And then there are revenges which disturb everything, it seems as if lightning must fall from the sky whenever someone is offended. We therefore see in short that if we have many troubles to endure, we should not look very far for the cause: it is only men who torment themselves. Now it is true that everyone will claim an excuse, that he for his part he would like to be gentle and patient, and patiently support those with whom he converses: but it is impossible for us to have our spirits under such restraint, because we must howl with the wolves. For whoever becomes a sheep will be eaten. This then is the common excuse that we will bring, and with which men cover themselves, because they are so full of bitterness, arrogance, and pride, that they cannot suffer anything from each other. And all the more we must remember the lesson given to us here by the Son of God.