Because although we think that our condition is much worse, when we endure
CHAPTER 3: The Meek Those Who Hunger for Righteousness and the Merciful
Because although we think that our condition is much worse, when we endure injury without taking revenge, he pronounces that the peaceable and gentle will own the earth. This is incredible in common sense. For experience also shows that those who are the most brazen and violent, dominate, and gain the upper hand, and that the mouths of the simple must be closed, and that they do not even dare to complain, even though they are plundered and flayed. This then is our sense which will always persuade us, that if someone is gentle, he will be exposed to all injuries and outrages, and that he will not be able to find a small corner to breathe, even though everyone will pursue him as if he were a lamb in the middle of a large herd of wolves. Now our Lord Jesus Christ did not want to disappoint us in this promise, saying that those who are good will possess the earth. And in fact, although this doctrine is hidden from all profane people, if the faithful have such a taste for it that they see clearly that it is not in vain that this was once pronounced. For however much those who are as it were filled with frenzy, and who always delight in beating, striking, plundering, and using every form of violence: however much (say) these people seem to triumph, as it seems, yet if we make a right examination to inquire well into what is in them, we will find quite the opposite. Because the world must always be their enemy. It is true that we will not dare to rebuke against them, when they have acquired the ability to exercise even tyrannical acts: but if they do not, however, stop being angry and disgruntled in themselves, they know this, and they must be so tormented in their hearts, and so pressed, that they distrust everyone, that they are troubled, that they have blind suspicions which wake them up, and which are like thorns to prick them on all sides, and like awls piercing their eyes, and they are so frightened, that they wander like desperate people, without anyone pursuing them. But even though they had no such anxieties of sided with men, it is certain that God shows himself to be judge towards them: * and everything as they disturb, and the heaven and the earth by their impetuosity, also God disturbs them within, so much that their conscience will always be (as it is spoken of in Isaiah) like the waves of a sea which will be stirred up by storm: they will fight there within themselves, and will always be I do not know how: brief, there will be no rest, as the Prophet said. And this is also why it is said in particular in the Law, that the life of such people will be as if hanging in a net, and that their eyes will be sunken in their heads, that they will always be there as people trembling: and when it comes to morning, they will say Alas could I come until evening? And when they have come until evening, they will say, Alas could I pass this night well? And what would I do if I were attacked? Thus we