order.29 When this peace has been inwardly established and confirmed, whatever persecutions
he who has been cast out shall stir up from without, he only increases the glory which is
according to God; being unable to shake anything in that edifice, but by the failure of his
machinations making it to be known with how great strength it has been built from within
outwardly. Hence there follows: “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’
sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
29 The “peacemakers” not only establish peace within themselves as Augustin, encouraged by the Latin word,
explains, but diffuse peace around about them,—heal the alienations and discords of others, and bring about
reconciliations in the world; not merely peaceful, but peacemakers. “In most kingdoms those stand highest who
make war: in the Messiah’s kingdom the crowning beatitude respects those who make peace.” The expressions
will be remembered, “peace of God” (Phil. iv. 7); “peace of Christ” (Col. iii. 15); “God of peace” (Rom. xv. 33),
etc. “If the peacemakers are blessed, woe to the peacebreakers!” (M. Henry).
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Chapter II