2. Blessed are the meek; for they shall possess the land.
3. Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted.
4. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice; for they shall have their fill.
5. Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy.
6. Blessed are the clean of heart; for they shall see God.
7. Blessed are the peace-makers; for they shall be called the children of God.
8. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake; for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven' (Matt. V. 3-10).
38. How do we know from the Eight Beatitudes that the spirit of the world is at variance with the spirit of Christ?
We know it from this: that the world esteems those very persons miserable and foolish whom Christ our Lord calls blessed.
The world is accustomed to set forth riches, reputation, honors, and sensual pleasures as the sources of happiness; Jesus Christ, on the contrary, teaches us in the Eight Beatitudes to seek our happiness in God and in His holy service, and, therefore, willingly and cheerfully to endure poverty, persecution, and any hardships that may fall to our lot.
39. What means must a Christian use, let his condition be what it may, in order to attain to Perfection?
He must, 1. Delight in prayer, diligently hear the word of God, and often receive the Holy Sacraments; 2. He must steadily subdue and deny himself; and 3. He must perform his daily actions in the state of grace, and in a manner acceptable to God.
1, 'They were persevering in the doctrine of the Apostles, and in the communication of the breaking of bread, and in prayers' (Acts ii. 42). 2. *If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me'
