Blessings And Persecution

Beati persecutionem patiuntur propter justitiam, et reliquia. Perfecta ad postremum eos beatitudine muneratur, quibus omnia pro Christo pati pronus affectus est, quia ipse justitia est. His igitur et regnum reservatur et merces in coelo copiosa promittitur, qui in contemptu saeculi pauperes spiritu et damnis rerum praesentium jacturisque probrosi, et adversus maledicta hominum coelestis justitiae confessores, ac deinceps gloriosi promissorum Dei martyres, omnem vitae usum testimonio aeternitatis ejus impenderint. In Evangelium Matthaei Commentarius, Sanctus Hilarius Pictaviensis, Cap IV Source: Migne PL 9.933b-934a

Blessed are those who suffer persecution for the sake of righteousness...1 Finally He rewards with perfect blessedness those who are willing to suffer all things for Christ, because He is righteousness. For these both the kingdom is reserved and the abundant rewards of heaven are promised, those who in contempt for the world are poor in spirit, and by the loss of present things, and by the taunts of the shameless and in opposition to the abuse of men, are confessors of heavenly righteousness, and then glorious martyrs of God's promises, having given over their life in every way for the witness of His eternity. Saint Hilary of Poitiers, from the Commentary On The Gospel Of Saint Matthew, Chapter 4 1 Mt 5.10