Chapter V. 13. “Blessed are ye,” says He, “when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great37 is your reward in heaven.” Let any one who is seeking after the delights of this world and the riches of temporal things under the Christian name, consider that our blessedness is within; as it is said of the soul of the Church38 by the mouth of the prophet, “All the beauty of the king’s daughter is within;”39 for outwardly revilings, and persecutions, and disparage- ments are promised; and yet, from these things there is a great reward in heaven, which is felt in the heart of those who endure, those who can now say, “We glory in tribulations: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” 40 For it is not simply the enduring of such things that is advantageous, but the bearing of such things for the name of Christ not only with tranquil mind, but even with exultation. For many heretics, deceiving souls under the Christian name, endure many such things; but they are excluded from that reward on this account, that it is not said merely, “Blessed are they which endure persecution;” but it is added, “for righteousness’ sake.” Now, where there is no sound faith, there can be no righteousness, for the just [righteous] man lives by faith.41 Neither let schismatics promise themselves anything 8 of that reward; for similarly, where there is no love, there cannot be righteousness, for “love worketh no ill to his neighbour;”42 and if they had it, they would not tear in pieces Christ’s body, which is the Church.43 14. But it may be asked, What is the difference when He says, “when men shall revile you,” and “when they shall say all manner of evil against you,” since to revile44 is just this, to say evil against?45 But it is one thing when the reviling word is hurled with contumely in presence of him who is reviled, as it was said to our Lord, “Say we not the truth46 that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?”47 and another thing, when our reputation is injured in 37 Multa; Vulgate, copiosa. 38 Anima ecclesiastica. 39 Ps. xlv. 13. 40 Rom. v. 3–5. 41 Hab. ii. 4 and Rom. i. 17. 42 Rom. xiii. 10. 43 Col. i. 24. 44 Maledicere. 45 Malum dicere. 46 Verum. The Vulgate more literally has bene. 47 John viii. 48. Chapter V 26 Chapter V