Book Review: St. Thomas More's "Dialogue of Comfort Against Tribulation"

    St. Thomas More’s Dialogue of Comfort Against Tribulation was penned by the saint as he was imprisoned in the Tower of London and awaiting execution in the year 1534. The book is comprised of a dialogue between two protagonists: Anthony, an old man, and his nephew Vincent. The setting is in Hungary between 1527 and 1528, just before to the final invasion of Hungary by the Turks. The book is a dialogue not just between an uncle and nephew, but between tribulation and consolation, fear and comfort, anxiety and peace. The dialogue begins by Vincent expressing worry to his uncle Anthony over the threats of invasion that have been posed by the Turks. Among his greatest fears is that the Turkish forces will require everyone to reject their Christian faith in order to survive. With heavy heart he beseeches his uncle to “give us, while God lendeth you to us, such plenty of your comforting counsel as I may write and keep with us.”[1] Anthony answers Vincent with kindness, drawing his attention to some of the past Turkish victories and reminding Vincent that there are greater wrongs and concerns than the Turks, primarily sin and the fear of Hell. Nevertheless, Anthony sets out to reason through the nature of consolation and of tribulation in order to bring what peace he can to his nephew. 

 Anthony draws from the depths of ancient moral philosophy to unveil the definition of tribulation, considering it a “kind of grief, either pain of the body or heaviness of the mind.”[2] The ancients tried to assuage this tribulation, but fell short in their approaches to comfort because they lacked the consolation of a strong faith in Christ the Divine Physician, a faith which is God’s gift to man. Anthony goes on to explain that the first source of comfort that is to be found in tribulation is the longing to be comforted by God. Some seek worldly comfort, others a higher one. This comfort is not always received, because at times God wishes certain individuals to undergo a time of tribulation. Even so, when we understand that God ordains all things for our greater good, we find comfort even in times of trial. Anthony claims that tribulation is (1) brought on through our own fault, (2) sent by God in punishment for sin or to prevent sin, or (3) sent as a test of virtue and merit; thus it is medicinal, in a sense.

    With the proper disposition, tribulation can not only purify our sin, but also merit eternal reward. Anthony actually perceives tribulation as an advantage over those whose lives are free from trial, for they never experience true comfort either. “God loves those he chastiseth,” [3] and while pleasure is not always inferior nor tribulation superior, God gives both to the just and the unjust.  Tribulation is at times sent to teach us how to turn to God like children and pray for relief. While Vincent questions how Anthony can value tribulation over prosperity, since neither are good or bad by nature, Anthony explains that often the prayers of tribulation are more pleasing to God’s ear than the lengthy verses of those comfortably situated.

    As the dialogue continues, Anthony addresses temptation. He speaks of temptation as a comfort when man, being challenged, perseveres through God’s sustenance. He describes also the struggle of scrupulosity, or pusillanimity and the temptations which arise. Anthony proceeds to relay several stories embodying the various temptations a person may undergo, from loss of earthly things, titles and authority to bodily pain and suffering. Vincent comes to recognize that he will not renounce his faith even in the face of the Turks, although he still fears bodily pain. Anthony counters with the declaration that all men are indeed prisoners in a real prison – the prison of the world - who cannot escape death. We are not confined because there is no escape; we forget our imprisonment and even God, which brings about tribulation. Many Christians take on these sufferings willingly, which are in reality miniscule compared with the sufferings of Christ.[4] Indeed, Anthony claims that the devout Christian will not fear death itself because of the glorious death of Christ and the martyrdom of the saints. He encourages Vincent to take heart in this, and not to renounce Christ to avoid suffering, for the pains of Hell will outweigh any earthly persecution. Describing the Passion of Christ, Anthony explains how our love for Him will inspire our hearts to be ready even to die for Him. “Our captain Christ is with us,” Anthony declares, “and…we shall fight with the strength of him who hath vanquished [the devil] already.”[5] The book concludes as Anthony and Vincent promise to pray for one another, and to stand strong in the face of any tribulations which may come, enduring all for the glory of God.

    This image of Christ as captain, and each one of us falling into line behind Him, should be one of comfort to us all. In More’s Dialogue of Comfort Against Tribulation, he captures in an intimate setting the worries that most of us face concerning pain and suffering, temptation, evil, and death. Although veiled in old English, More uses captivating imagery to share a powerful message of faith, trust, and patience through trial and comfort alike, virtues he all must certainly have striven to exemplify as he anticipated his own death. This book is an excellent read for all who seek the answers to tribulation in the life of every individual Christian.

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[1] St. Thomas More, Dialogue of Comfort Against Tribulation (Aeterna Press, London: 2015) 5.

[2] More, Dialogue of Comfort Against Tribulation, 6.

[3] More, Dialogue of Comfort Against Tribulation, 27.

[4] More, Dialogue of Comfort Against Tribulation, 172-175.

[5] More, Dialogue of Comfort Against Tribulation, 201.