In the fifth, we find it as the final act of mercy that shall free us from every evil and bestow on us every good. In the sixth it is named by its true name, which is the Vision of God. In the seventh it is set forth as the seal set on our adoption; and in the eighth, once more as the Kingdom of Heaven. Here, then, we have the end throughout; but as there are several means, each beatitude proposes one of these to us, whilst all of them together must bring about man’s final happiness.
If the Sermon on the Mount is in itself the summary of all Christian doctrine, the Beatitudes are the summary of the sermon. For instance : — Our Lord tells us that our justice must abound more than that of the Scribes and Pharisees; but His whole teaching on the subject is contained in the one saying : 'Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after justice.’ For if they are really hungering for it, how abundantly shall they not receive it, seeing that it is always there ready to fill those who desire it for their true food? Then shall we keep even its smallest laws, like to famished men who will not leave a bit — not a crumb, so to speak — of their bread.
If we are commanded not to ill-treat our
