De consolatione ethnica et christiana, censura theologica

and especially the deliverances of the Church and the saints from the greatest evils, so that trust regarding the defense and liberation of ourselves and other pious people may be confirmed in us. Psalm 22:4: "Our fathers trusted in Thee; they trusted, and Thou didst deliver them." Psalm 23:5–6: "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou anointest my head with oil. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, etc."

Chrysostom correctly says: "The goods granted to us by God make great hope for the future."

4. But faith teaches what needs to be done by a mourning man: surely that which Paul speaks of: "We glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope." Rom. 5:3–4.

For faith establishes that oppression depends upon the most moderate nod of God; and it says with Job: "Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?" Job 2:10. Indeed, would it be just, when we most often offend God, that we still be instructed by Him only through pleasant and agreeable goods, but never be chastised by Him?

Oppressions produce patience when they provide material for exercising it; otherwise, patience is a fruit of the Spirit, if you look at the efficient cause, Gal. 5:22. Furthermore, we absolutely need patience so that, after we have done the will of God, we may receive the promise—that is, the goods promised by God. Heb. 10:36.

But experience, both of our own weakness and of the divine presence and help, makes us persuade ourselves that we must hope well for the future as well. Experience provides us with the fruit of excellent consolation when it convinces us so that we are forced to confess that the vivifying power of God aids and heals our infirmity, and that the sense of our own weakness is not only mitigated by the sweetest experience of the power of God, but also works for the glory of God.

And faith never ceases to sing to the oppressed man that sweetest saying of Jesus Christ our Lord: "Ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. But there shall not an hair of your head perish. In your patience possess ye your souls." Luke 21:18–19.

However, faith never fails to show the troubled man that he must flee to God, who is truly ἀλεξίκακον warder-off of evil and a helper, repeating those sweetest sayings of His of this kind: "Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me." Psalm 50:15. Likewise: "He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him." Psalm 91:15.