Question IV: Whether the fifth beatitude corresponds to the gift of counsel

D. Augustine Lib. 1. de sermone Domini in monte, cap. 9. says: Counsel befits the merciful, because the unique remedy is to be rescued from such great evils, to forgive others, and to give.

It is proved therefore from D. Thom., because Counsel is of those things which are useful to the end; as among all means piety is useful to all things, as is said: first Timot. 4. Therefore to the gift of counsel, as directing, Mercy corresponds, since the best Counsel is that you do to another what you would wish done to yourself.

It is proved also from D. Bonaventure in Diaeta, tit. 7. cap. 4. that to that Gift this Beatitude corresponds, at whose Precept it operates; but at the precept of Counsel mercy operates; therefore. For Counsel shows how we can be made better by the evils of others, by compassionating them; just as to be enriched by poverty, to be healed by infirmity, and to be relieved by a burden, according to that Counsel of the Apostle: bear one another's burdens, which Mercy, obedient, strives to bear the burdens of all, and the more it is burdened, the more it gains, and the more quickly it runs to the prize of the supernatural fatherland.

Moreover, as Human Counsel persuades to lend more willingly to the King, for the reason that he can the more securely repay the Capital, repair the losses, pay the profits and the usuries; So the merciful are counseled by this gift, that they take care to bestow their goods more abundantly on the poor; through whose hands the liberal King, God, receives them, who is accustomed to keep the Capital for his Merchants (says the Seraphic Doctor here), by preserving grace, repair the losses, by remitting sin; pay the usuries, namely by bestowing glory and eternal life.

To this counsel the virgins prudently obeyed, carrying oil, namely of Mercy and compassion, in their vessels, as the Saintly Doctor explains; wherefore, that they may traffic according to this counsel, Christ exhorts Matthew 25.: Go, and sell all, and give to the poor.