570 GOSPEL ACCORDING TO CHAP. XvI. wickeddesireto passovertotheelect,thatis,todepartfrom thepangsoftheirsufferings,sototheafflictedand tormented would thejustpassin theirmind by compassion,andwish tosetthem free. But thesoulsof thejust,althoughinthe goodnessof theirnaturethey feelcompassion,afterbeing unitedtothe righteousnessof theirAuthor,areconstrained by such greatuprightnessas not to be moved withcom passiontowardsthereprobate.Neitherthendo theunrigh teouspassoverto the lotof the blessed,becausetheyare bound in everlastingcondemnation,nor can the righteous passto the reprobate,becausebeingnow made uprightby the righteousnessof judgment,they in no way pitythem from any compassion.THEorHYL. You may from thisde rivean argument againstthe followersofOrigen,who say, thatsincean end isto be placedto punishments,therewill be a time when sinnersshallbe gatheredto the righteous Aug.Qu.and toGod. AUG. For itisshewn by theunchangeableness n 88 ""of^e -Divir1esentence,thatno aidofmercy can be rendered to men by the righteous,even though they shouldwishto giveit; by whichhe remindsus,thatinthislifemen should relievethosetheycan,sincehereaftereven iftheybe well received,theywould not be ableto givehelptothosethey love. For thatwhichwas written,thattheymay receiveyou intoeverlastinghabitations,was not saidof the proudand unmerciful,but of those who have made to themselves friendsby theirworksofmercy,whom therighteousreceive, not as ifby theirown powerbenefitingthem,butby Divine permission. 27. Then he said,I pray thee therefore,father, thatthou wouldestsendhim to my father'shouse: 28. For I have fivebrethren; thathe may testify unto them, lestthey alsocome intothisplaceof torment. 29. Abraham saithunto him, They have Moses and theprophets; letthem hearthem. 30. And he said,Nay, fatherAbraham : but ifone went unto them from thedead,theywillrepent.