De consolatione ethnica et christiana, censura theologica

342

For as the union of the human soul and body is sweet, when they provide mutual services, and the soul is the ἐντελέχεια actualization of the body, while the body is the most beautiful instrument for all the organic functions of the soul. But as soon as the soul has departed from the body, which shortly thereafter resolves into its elements, there is no use for it, no vigor. So, when an external minister serves the Holy Spirit, the utility of both is great; yet if that service is absent, the power and grace of the Spirit (upon which our restoration depends) will have abundantly sufficed us for salvation. We are speaking of that ἀχρησία lack of use/unavailability of the external ministry which lacks our own fault; for we do not patronize Enthusiasts who disdain and despise the ministry of the Word and Sacraments.

XIX.

How much faith has momentum for us to be raised up by consolation, our Apostle taught in the entire 11th chapter to the Hebrews. For he shows that the excellent servants of God, through faith, not only performed many things excellently, but also overcame the huge agonies of afflictions, and through the same obtained a testimony.

However, how faith serves to console us, it would be worth the effort to show ἀκριβέστερον more accurately.

Faith looks not only to the nature of God, but also to both His Word and His deeds; and it learns what needs to be done for the one who mourns; and it repeats and prescribes this in turn.

1. As often as faith weighs the nature of God, it suggests this consolation: "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Thy God is the merciful and clement Jehovah; slow to anger and plenteous in goodness. He will not always chide, neither will He keep His anger forever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins, etc. Like as a father is merciful unto his children, so is Jehovah merciful unto them that fear Him. For He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust." Psalm 103:8ff. The decree of thy God is omnipotent; He is faithful; therefore He will not suffer thee to be tempted above that thou art able to bear. 1 Cor. 10:13. Jesus Christ, thy Redeemer, is truthful, omnipotent, and as a brother and co-heir, most loving to thee.

2. Moreover, as often as faith looks upon the Word of the Lord, it acquiesces in the sweetest promises concerning the mitigation of evils and liberation from every evil, because it understands that God is truthful and deceives no one.