any means without anyone detecting them. And so it might seem that they are
CHAPTER 4: The Pure in Heart Peacemakers and the PersecuteD
any means without anyone detecting them. And so it might seem that they are pure in heart. Indeed, but firstly they are so withdrawn that no one can approach them and discern what intention they have. This is so twisted that we could never judge it. And then, they also like to fish in troubled waters (as the proverb says) and like to have things where equity cannot be seen. These then are like the clever people of this world, although they see much more clearly than the children of God, yet their hearts are always in darkness and obscurity. However, the faithful are considered simple: and it will not even seem that they half realize what would be expedient: just as they do not delight in tricks: and very often they could make their profit, and they pass on that. Because they have not accustomed themselves to these little practices, to snatch profit from every side, as many do: they close their eyes, say, to all this for their own sake. And why? Because they will never want the damage of anyone, to make their profit.
This is why our Lord Jesus Christ brings this response, that if the world mocks our simplicity, and it seems that it brings us more harm, let us be satisfied with a greater reward, it is because we will see God. For when we have not had too keen an eye to look at the profits of this world, the comforts and advantages, the delights and honors to attract them to us: when we have not given our sight to this, we will have a better look which is here promised to us: that is, we will enjoy the presence of God where our happiness, joy and glory lie. Besides, it is a superfluous curiosity to dispute deeply in what way we can see God. For since its essence is spiritual, we cannot contemplate it with our eyes which are corporeal: and we do not properly attribute sight to spirits. But we know first of all, that the angels who have no body, do not fail to contemplate the majesty of God: as will be said hereafter when our Lord Jesus Christ speaks of little children, that their angels, who are their ministers, see the face of the heavenly Father. Now it is true that we cannot see God: for we would have to be like him, as John says in his epistle: and we are very far from it. So to have the enjoyment of this look of which we speak here cannot be before the final day, when we will be conformed to the glory of God. And how will it be possible that our bodies have any similarity to the infinite majesty of God, seeing that it is a spiritual essence? But to inquire too curiously about this would be to exceed our limits. Let us just keep on walking: and when we have completed our course, God will show us what he is doing in his Kingdom. There are many today who would like to know, through a curiosity no less impertinent than stupid, what the glory of the faithful will be in Paradise, whether they will sit or stand, whether they will walk around, whether they will hear creatures from this world, what use it will