Tribulations And The Saints

De vestra tribulatione innotuit nobis; cujus causa has consolatorias litteras charitati vestrae dirigere studui. deprecans vos, in conspectu Dei viriliter agere, et forti animo esse. Nec semper nox, nec semper dies, sed vices suas agunt; ita hujus saeculi adversitas vel prosperitas. Hodie tempestas imminet, sed cras serenitas arridet. Figatur spei anchora in Christum. Qui laetatur in prosperis, timeat adversa; et qui adversis fatigatur speret prospera cito advenire. Aurum perfecti decoris non erit, nisi fornace ardoris probetur. Arbitror ex te ipso suae partem tribulationis oriri, qui forsitan inimcos regis recipias, vel inimicorum illius possessiones tutaris. Si vero juste patiaris, quid turbaris? Si vero injuste, cur non recorderis sanctorum tribulationes? Job audistis, dicit Jacobus apostolus, et finem Domini vidistis. Qui particeps est tribulationis sanctorum, particeps erit et gloriae. Noli fugam meditari, sed coronam sperare. Alcuinus, Epistola CXV, Ad Eanbaldum Archiepiscopum Eboracensis Source: Migne PL 100.345b-c

Your troubles have become known to us; for which cause I have taken care to address these consolatory words to your charity. I pray for you in the sight of God, that you act manfully and remain strong of soul. It is not always night, it is not always day, but they alternate, and so it is with an age of prosperity and adversity. Today a storm threatens but tomorrow serenity shines forth. Fix the anchor of hope in Christ. He who rejoices in prosperity may fear adversity, and he who is wearied by adversity may hope that prosperity will quickly come. Gold has no true beauty until it is proved in the flames of the furnace. I believe that you are partially responsible for your tribulations. Perhaps you have received enemies of the king, perhaps you protect the property of one of his enemies. If you suffer justly, why are you troubled? If unjustly why do you not recall the tribulations of the saints? 'You have heard of Job,' says James the Apostle, 'and you are aware of the intention of Lord.' 1 He who has a part of the tribulations of the saints, he shall have a part of the glory. Do not meditate flight but hope for the crown. Alcuin of York, from Letter 115, To Eanbald Bishop of York 1 Jam 5.11