De consolatione ethnica et christiana, censura theologica

XII.

So that it may also be possible to be certain about the correct estimation of Christian Consolation and its causes, we prefix this Demonstration to our ἀιτιολόγῳ causal analysis.

If God is the Author of Christian Consolations, and divine men are its witnesses: if an exquisite and happy account of ends is held in them: if all the Matter is weighed properly: if, finally, their form is so absolute that it provides and applies the most suitable and certain remedies for pains of every kind: Then, truly, it is beyond all controversy that they are to be preferred by far to the Ethnic and Philosophical forms of consolation: for these suffer and fail significantly in all those principles, as is clear from the preceding.

Everything that precedes is true.

Therefore, everything that is correctly and οὐσιώδως essentially gathered from them is also true.

XIII.

Now, indeed, in order for the Assumption to be confirmed, we shall have to deal in order with the four Principles of Christian Consolations. It will be sufficient to follow the highest summits of the matters, and leave the rest to be weighed in the religious meditations of the pious.

We shall begin, however, with the internal Efficient and Final Causes, so that it may become manifest how much their correct estimation contributes to our consolation.

1. The Αἴτιον λύσεως cause of the resolution of our Consolation is God, who is therefore celebrated as the God and author of all consolation, 2. Cor. 1. 3. Moreover, since the works of the Trinity ad extra externally are undivided, there is no reason for us to wonder that the same work is attributed to three Persons. The Holy Spirit, however, is called παράκλητος Comforter for this reason, because the Son sends Him from the Father, so that He may both teach and console us. John 15. 2. Now, indeed, since "every good gift and every perfect gift descends from above from the Father of lights," James 1. 17, who would doubt that Consolation, which is His gift, is good and perfect, and for that reason is to be valued by us as the greatest thing? Most sweetly, therefore, did the Psalmist say: "In the multitude of my thoughts within me, Thy consolations have cheered my soul." Psalm 94. 19.

2. Συναί- co-cause