De consolatione ethnica et christiana, censura theologica

He does not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can endure, but provides with the temptation also the way of escape, so that we may be able to bear it. 1 Cor. 10:13. Then also the final praise, indeed of God who consoles us, is perennial, as is indicated by the nearly infinite sayings of the Psalms.

XIV.

Let us now approach the internal causes, which are matter and form.

1. The matter from which Christian consolation must be sought is the doctrine delivered by God, which, as it teaches that even adversity is of benefit to the pious for their good, consists of the sweetest testimonies regarding the presence of God’s grace, divine help, and liberation from every evil, as well as promises regarding these same things. Therefore, what the inscription ἐπιγραφή inscription of the Library of Alexandria testified—that it was a ψυχῆς ἰατρεῖον healing place for the soul—we can say much more truly and correctly regarding the doctrine of the Church delivered by God, which certainly possesses the best remedies for all the sicknesses of the soul.

2. The subject is the heart of man, but a heart that is contrite and humbled. Therefore, in the Hebrew phrase, to speak to the heart is the same as to exhilarate the heart with consolation. Isa. 40:1–2: "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people; speak ye to the heart of Jerusalem." For unless consolation gently affects and raises up the heart of the afflicted man, the words of the consoler will strike the ears from the outside in vain. But the heart will then be affected if, having first been thoroughly crushed by the hammer of contrition, it feels that it needs a remedy, desires it most eagerly, and judges that the remedy offered by divine gift must be embraced with the utmost gratitude.

3. The object towards which the blessing of Christ’s consolation is turned is the Church that mourns, and also individual mourners. Matt. 5:4: "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall receive consolation." 1 Thess. 5:14: "Comfort the feeble-minded, support the weak, be patient toward all men."

XV.

The form of Christian consolation is observed in the heart, which had previously been sorrowful but begins to grow cheerful through a sweet motion that arises from the correct estimation of good and evil things; the faithful witnesses of this are, on the outside, the faithful servants of God, but on the inside, the Comforter Spirit himself, who also provides this,