De consolatione ethnica et christiana, censura theologica

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Furthermore, faith also teaches that we must have the highest thanks to God in the name of adversities, which are θεόπεμπτα God-sent: "For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth." Heb. 12:6. "If any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf." Therefore, let those who suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well-doing as unto a faithful Creator. 1 Pet. 4:16, 19. Faith indeed distinguishes between μαρτύριον martyrdom, of which Peter seems to speak principally, and δοκιμασίαν trial; but nevertheless, it shows that thanks must be given to God in the name of both. Mourning pious people will feel no mediocre relief of their pains if they have seriously persuaded themselves that they ought to congratulate themselves for the cause of their oppression (which is not ἄνου τινὸς οὐχυσίας without some purpose), and that thanks must be given to God.

Moreover, it is the solemn way of faith to repeat and inculcate these same forms of holy consolations to man. For the variety, magnitude, and duration of evils or adversities are accustomed to cast a shadow over our minds and induce a kind of stupor, so that it does not immediately appear that they have been sent by God, that they are determined by the same, that they will not harm us but will profit us, and that they will not be perpetual. Therefore, faith, so that it may heal our sicknesses, inculcates these same headings of consolation in us as the best ἀντιφάρμακα antidotes for evils and makes them familiar.

XX.
Regarding the solace of charity, we shall have to deal with it with the same brevity.
If the charity of God (with which He pursues us) is poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us (Rom. 5:5), there is certainly reason why we should raise and exhilarate ourselves even in the midst of afflictions. For if God is for us, who is against us? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Rom. 8:31, 35. If we were hated by God, then indeed we would have just cause to mourn