Commentary on the Gospels and Acts, Commentary 1 · Chapter 5 · Verse 9
Verse 9. Blessed are the peace-makers]
There are, that like Salamanders live alwaies in the fire, and like Trouts, love to swim against the stream; that, with Phocion, thinke it a goodly thing to dissent from others; and like Sampsons foxes, or Solomons fool, carry about and cast abroad fire-brands, as if the world were made of nothing but discords, as Democritus imagined. But, as St John 1 Ioh. 2. 16.speaketh in another case; these are not of the Father, but of the world. He maketh great reckoning of a meek and quiet …, 1 Pet. 3. 4.because it is like to his own minde, which is never stirred nor moved, but remaineth still the same to all eternity. He loves those that keep the staffe of binders unbroken, Zech. 11. 7, 14. that holdEph. 4. 3. the unity of the spirit, and advance the bond of peace among others as much as may be. The wicked are apt (as dogs) to enter, tear and woorry one another: and although there be not a disagreement in hell (being but the place of retribution, and not of action) yet on earth, there is no peace among the workers of iniquity, that are trotting apace towards hell by their contentions, Rom. 2. 8. But what pity is it, that Abraham and … should fall out? that two Israelites should be at strife amid the Egyptians? that Johns disciples should join with Pharisees against …?… 4. that … (for their contentions) should hear carnall, …. 3. 3.and walke as men? that Lutherans and Calvinists should be at such deadly fewd? Still Satan is thus busie, and Christians are thus malicious, that, as if they wanted enemies, they flee in one anothers faces. There was no noise heard in setting up the Temple: In Lebanon there was, but not in Sion: whatever tumults there are …, 'tis fit there should be all quietnesse and concord in the Church. Now therefore, although it be, for the most part, a thankelesse office (with men) to interpose, and seek to take up strife, to peece again those that are gone aside, and asunder, and to sound an Irenicum: yet do it for Gods sake, and that ye may (as ye shall be after a while) called and counted (not medlers and busie-bodies, but) the sons of God. Tell them that jarre and jangle (upon mistakes for most part, or matters of no great moment) that it is the glory of a man to passe by an infirmity, and that in these ignoble quarrels, every man should be a law to himself, as the Thracians were: and not brother go to law with brother, becauseforeign he treads upon his grasse, or some such poor businesse, ubi & vincere ….inglorium est, & alteri sordidum. Now therefore there is utterly a fault amongst you, because ye go to law one with another, saith the Apostle. Not but that the course is lawfull, where the occasion is weighty, and the minde not vindictive. But theforeign. Apostle disgraceth (in that text) revenge of injuries, by a word that1 Cor. 6, 7. signifieth disgrace, or losse of victory: And a little before: I speak to your shame, saith he, Is it so, that there is not a wise man amongst you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren, and compromise the quarrell? Servius Sulpitius (that heathen Lawyer) shall rise up in judgement against us, quippe qui ad facilitatem, aequitatem que omnia contulit, ne que constituere litium actiones, quam controversias tollere maluit, as Tully testifieth.Cicer. Philippic. 9. Concedamus de jure, saith one, ut careamus lite: And, ut habeas quietum tempus, perde aliquid. Lose something for a quiet life, was a common proverb, (as now amongst us) so of old … the Carthaginians, as St Austin sheweth. It were happyAugust. surely, if now, as of old, the multitude of … were foreign,… 4. …. of one heart, and of one soul. And, as in one veryforeign ancient Greek copy it is added, that there was not one controversie or contention found amongst them.….
For they shall be called the children of God]
They shall both be, and be said to be, both counted and called, have both the name and the note, the comfort and the credit of the children of God. And if any Atheist shall object, What so great honour is that? Behold, saith St John, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed… Joh. 3 1. upon us, that we should be called the sonnes of God. It was something to be called the son of Pharaohs daughter, to beHeb. 11. …. son in law to the King, with David, to be heir to the Crown, with Solomon,: but farre more, that God should say of him, I will be his father, and he shall be my sonne; and I will establish his Kingdom, 2 Sam 7. 14. This is the happy effect of faith: for to them that beleeve on his name, gave he power and priviledge to become foreign.the sonnes of God. Now faith ever works by love, and love covereth… 1. 12. a multitude of sins; not by any merit or expiation with God,1 Pet 4. 8. but by seeking and setling peace among men. And this is as sure and as sweet a signe of a son of the God of peace, as the party-coloured2 Sam. 13. 18. coats were, anciently, of the Kings children.