and then God persecutes them wherever they are. As for us, let us return to what
CHAPTER 3: The Meek Those Who Hunger for Righteousness and the Merciful
and then God persecutes them wherever they are. As for us, let us return to what the Son of God declares to us by the Son of God, which is the eternal truth which cannot fail. Let us therefore believe that according to his words, if we can hold ourselves in check, and be patient, if we can have this gentleness to which he commands us, and to which he exhorts us, truly we will inherit the whole world, and that God will give us the grace to enjoy here his goods, even with thanksgiving, and with a frank and free heart, and that we will always be able to be at rest, however much we are troubled. However, let us note that this promise is not fulfilled today in everything and in everything: it is enough that we have some experience of it in part. For it is not without cause that it is said, that the final day is truly the day of our redemption, and that it is to refresh the children of God, and to restore them. So let us wait patiently until the possession of this inheritance which our Lord Jesus Christ here promises appears, and until we know that the earth is given to us. And let us be content, however, that we have to run here to complete our course, and our pilgrimage: let us be content (say) wherever we are, even though we are angry and tormented, while others mistreat and plunder us, may God console us and makes us feel in our consciences, that we own what we have as his children and heirs: and that we always pass besides, and let us not be envious of those who think they have gained everything, when through their pride, through their violence, and tyrannies, like savage beasts, they seem to have secured everything. Here, in short, is what we have to remember from this passage. And so we hate this diabolical proverb, That we must howl with the wolves: but that we prayed for the protection of our Lord Jesus Christ more than all our revenge, and all the defenses we could have. Because he is certain that in this infinite power which has been given to him to maintain us, he will show that he is stronger than all. This is, in short, what we have to remember from this passage.
Now it is said consequently, His-happy are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, because they shall be satisfied. It is simply said in Luke, Blessed are you who now are hungry: for you will be satisfied. Matthew adds the word righteousness, for greater clarity. But so many people misunderstood it, Because we sought a meaning too refined and subtle, that we must have a zeal for justice, that is to say a desire for things to go straight, for everything to be well regulated: and that when we are thus affected please, God will also give us the grace to see a such a reformation in the world, that we will have what to look forward to. It is true that this doctrinethere "would be a good place in its place: but the Evangelists have very well and faithfully exposed the meaning of our