Sermon III.
[LIII. Ben.]
On the words of the Gospel, Matt. Chap. v. 3 and 8, “Blessed are the poor in spirit:” etc.,
but especially on that, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”
1. By the return of the commemoration of a holy virgin, who gave her testimony to
Christ, and was found worthy1881 of a testimony from Christ, who was put to death openly,
and crowned invisibly, I am reminded to speak to you, beloved, on that exhortation which
the Lord hath just now uttered out of the Gospel,1882 assuring us that there are many sources
of a blessed life, which there is not a man that does not wish for. There is not a man surely
can be found, who does not wish to be blessed. But oh! if as men desire the reward, so they
would not decline the work that leads to it! Who would not run with all alacrity, were it told
him, “Thou shalt be blessed”? Let him then also give a glad and ready ear when it is said,
“Blessed, if thou shalt do thus.” Let not the contest be declined, if the reward be loved; and
let the mind be enkindled to an eager execution of the work, by the setting forth of the reward.
What we desire, and wish for, and seek, will be hereafter; but what we are ordered to do for
the sake of that which will be hereafter, must be now. Begin now, then, to recall to mind the
divine sayings, and the precepts and rewards of the Gospel. “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”1883 The kingdom of heaven shall be thine hereafter;
be poor in spirit now. Wouldest thou that the kingdom of heaven should be thine hereafter?
Look well to thyself whose thou art now. Be poor in spirit. You ask me, perhaps, “What is
to be poor in spirit?” No one who is puffed up is poor in spirit; therefore he that is lowly is
poor in spirit. The kingdom of heaven is exalted; but “he who humbleth himself shall be
exalted.”1884
2. Mark what follows: “Blessed,” saith He, “are the meek, for they shall inherit the
earth.”1885 Thou wishest to possess the earth now; take heed lest thou be possessed by it. If
thou be meek, thou wilt possess it; if ungentle, thou wilt be possessed by it. And when thou
hearest of the proposed reward, do not, in order that thou mayest possess the earth, unfold
the lap of covetousness, whereby thou wouldest at present possess the earth, to the exclusion
even of thy neighbour by whatever means; let no such imagination deceive thee. Then wilt
thou truly possess the earth, when thou dost cleave to Him who made heaven and earth.
For this is to be meek, not to resist thy God, that in that thou doest well He may be well-
1881 Meruit.
1882 This portion of St. Matthew is the gospel during the whole octave of All Saints, as in our own Church
on All Saints’ Day; the corresponding portion of St. Luke is read in the Comm. Plur. Mart.
1883 Matt. v. 3.
1884 Luke xiv. 11 and xviii. 14.
1885 Matt. v. 5 (4, Vulgate).
On the words of the Gospel, Matt. Chap. v. 3 and 8, 'Blessed are the poor in spirit:' etc., but especially on that, 'Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.'
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On the words of the Gospel, Matt. Chap. v. 3 and 8, 'Blessed are the poor…