Letter 10031: What straits you are in with regard to the things of this world is not unknown to us. But, since to those who are placed in the utmost tribulation the only comfort is the mercy of the Creator, rest your hope on Him, and turn to Him with your whole heart, Who both justly allows whom He will to be afflicted and will mercifully deliver one who trus...

Gregory to Libertinus, former Praetor. The straits you find yourself in regarding worldly affairs are well known to me. But for those in the deepest trouble, the only real comfort is the mercy of the Creator. Rest your hope in him. Turn to him with your whole heart. He both justly permits whom he wills to be afflicted and mercifully delivers those who trust in him. Give him thanks, and bear patiently what has been brought upon you. It is the mark of a sound mind to bless God not only in prosperity but also in adversity. In everything you are suffering, let no murmur against God creep into your heart. We do not know the purpose behind what our Creator allows. Perhaps, magnificent son, you offended him in some way during your prosperity, and he is now purging you through this kindly bitterness. Do not let temporal hardship break your spirit, and do not let the loss of your possessions drive you to despair. If you give thanks in adversity and make God favorable to you through your patience, the things you lost will be multiplied -- and beyond that, eternal joys await you. I ask you not to take it amiss that I have arranged through Romanus the defensor to supply twenty suits of clothing from us for your servants. Gifts given from the resources of the blessed Apostle Peter, however small, should always be received as a great blessing. Peter has the power to grant you far greater things and to secure for you eternal benefits with Almighty God.

Book X, Letter 31 To Libertinus, Ex-Prætor. Gregory to Libertinus, etc. What straits you are in with regard to the things of this world is not unknown to us. But, since to those who are placed in the utmost tribulation the only comfort is the mercy of the Creator, rest your hope on Him, and turn to Him with your whole heart, Who both justly allows whom He will to be afflicted and will mercifully deliver one who trusts in Him. To Him, then, give thanks, and patiently endure what has been brought upon you. For it is the part of a right mind not only to bless God in prosperity, but also in adversities to join in praising Him. In these things therefore that you are suffering let no murmur against God creep into your heart, since for what purpose our Creator thus works is unknown. For perchance, magnificent son, you offended Him in something when in a state of prosperity, from which He would purge you by kindly bitterness. And so neither let temporal affliction break you down nor losses of your goods distract you, since if, returning thanks in adversity, you make God propitious to you by your patience, both the things that were lost are multiplied, and in addition to this, eternal joys held out to you. I beg you, however, not to take it amiss that we have written through Romanus the guardian to order twenty suits of clothing to be supplied from us to your servants, seeing that things, however small, which are offered from the goods of the blessed Apostle Peter are always to be taken for a great blessing, since he will have power both to bestow on you greater things, and to hold out to you eternal benefits with Almighty God. The month of June, Indiction 3. About this page Source. Translated by James Barmby. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 13. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1898.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/360210031.htm>. Contact information. The editor of New Advent is Kevin Knight. My email address is feedback732 at newadvent.org. (To help fight spam, this address might change occasionally.) Regrettably, I can't reply to every letter, but I greatly appreciate your feedback — especially notifications about typographical errors and inappropriate ads.