page_title: A Dialogue of Comfort against Tribulation
section_title: Summary
hierarchical_section_title: A Dialogue of Comfort against Tribulation / Summary
caption_attribution_description: English: Christ praying in the garden of Gethsemane. Two shields of unidentified arms in borders, with motto “Entre tenir Dieu le viuelle”
context_page_description: A Dialogue of Comfort against Tribulation is a work that was written by St. Thomas More while imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1534.
context_section_description: Book I (Day 1)
  Comfort in Tribulation (Chapters I-XII)
  Anthony defines tribulation as grief consisting either of bodily pain or heaviness of the mind. Ancient moral philosophers recommended various remedies for tribulation, including the uses of certain drugs, but they lacked the most effective source of comfort, faith, which is a gift from God (I-II).
  The first source of comfort in tribulation is the desire to be comforted by God (III). But, the desire to have tribulation taken away is not always sufficient, since God sometimes wills for us to suffer tribulation (IV). Anthony discusses the importance of friends who pray for and give counsel to the one suffering tribulation (V). Comfort in tribulation requires trust that God works all things towards good (VI).
  The second source of comfort is that tribulation is medicinal (VII).
  Anthony says there are three types of tribulation: 
  those caused through our own fault (VIII)
  those sent by God as punishment for past sins or to prevent other sins (IX)
  those sent to increase our patience and our merit (X)
  Third source of comfort is that merit can be gained through perseverance here on Earth but not in purgatory (XI). This perseverance leads not only to the purging of our sins, but also to the increase of our heavenly reward. Anthony questions the existence of purgatory (XII).
  The Necessity of Tribulation (Chapters XIII-XX)
  Fourth source of comfort is that the cross is necessary to enter heaven and continual prosperity is a grave danger (XIII). Vincent responds that this treatment of prosperity is too harsh (XIV) and raises four objections (XV):
  the Church prays for the health of princes and prelates
  if health and prosperity are wrong why take medicine
  Solomon, Job, and Abraham were all prosperous
  many rich men are good and many poor people are evil
  Anthony defines tribulation again and answers first and third objections (XVI). Then, Anthony answers the second objection and explains how suffering draws us to God, through prayer (XVII). Anthony speaks of those who seek “mad medicines” rather than God (XVIII). Vincent questions the preeminence Anthony gives to suffering. Anthony argues that the prayers of those suffering are far more precious to God than the prayers of the prosperous (XIX). Anthony explains that suffering is a gracious gift from God. Anthony speaks about the necessity of tribulation. He claims that continual prosperity without tribulation is a sign of God's disfavor (XX).
  Book II (about a month later, after breakfast)
  Vincent returns to visit Anthony and tells him that he has shared his council with his friends and that he wishes to hear more. The main topic of their last discussion was not tribulation itself but the comfort that comes from it (prologue). Vincent says that Anthony disavowal of all worldly recreation is too hard. Anthony responds that while it is allowed to seek worldly enjoyment our first priority should be to seek comfort from God (I). Anthony bemoans how old and frail he is (II). Anthony divides tribulation into three types: 
  those which a man willingly takes upon himself
  those he willingly suffers
  those he cannot avoid, such as sickness, imprisonment, loss of goods, loss of friends or unavoidable bodily harm.
  The third kind was discussed in the first book and Anthony reiterates his principle that wit and faith are necessary for comfort in this type of tribulation (III). Anthony describes the first type where the tribulation is willfully accepted for penance and no comfort is needed. To show that two contrary states can co-exist, he gives an example of a strange intermittent fever he had where he felt both cold and hot (IV). Vincent says many people refrain from repenting until their deathbeds. Anthony answers saying deathbed conversions are still salvific but those who live lives of repentance have a higher place in heaven (V). Vincent adds that some say compunction and penance for one's sins is unnecessary or ineffectual and that only the intent to do better is required. Anthony responds, the Church has always taught that it is only through Chr
caption: Christ praying in the garden of Gethsemane.
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