Do not be disturbed, do not be frightened, do not fall into sadness

"what was the use of the Lord Jesus Himself saying:  'Then shall the just shine as the sun in the kingdom of their Father,' which is to happen after the end of the world, and even exclaiming:  'Woe to the world because of scandals'—if it was not to keep us from flattering ourselves that we can attain the abodes of everlasting bliss in any other way than by standing firm when we are tried by temporal evils?  What was the use of His saying:  'Because iniquity hath abounded the charity of many shall grow cold,' if it was not that those, of whom [H]e speaks when He adds at once:  'He that shall persevere to the end, he shall be saved,' should not be disturbed [(non perturbarentur)], should not be frightened [(non expauescerent)], when they see this charity growing cold with the prevalence of iniquity, should not fall into sadness [(non . . . contristati deficerent)] as at things unanticipated and unexpected?  But, seeing these things that were predicted happen before the end, should they not persevere patiently to the end so as to deserve, after the end of time, to reign without care in that life which has no end?"

     St. Augustine, Letter 78 (AD 404), as trans. Parsons, FC 12, Saint Augustine:  Letters, volume 1 (1-82) (1951), 375-376.  Latin:  CSEL 34.2, 332-333.