destined and made ready of old time. And by way of indicating both these truths He saith
to those on the right hand, “Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the kingdom prepared
for you from the foundation of the world:” but to those on the left “Depart from me, ye
cursed, into fire everlasting prepared” (he no longer says “for you” but) “for the devil and
his angels.”248 Thus hell has not been made for us but for him and his angels: but the kingdom
has been prepared for us before the foundation of the world. Let us not then make ourselves
unworthy of entrance into the bride-chamber: for as long as we are in this world, even if we
commit countless sins it is possible to wash them all away by manifesting repentance for
our offences: but when once we have departed to the other world, even if we display the
most earnest repentance it will be of no avail, not even if we gnash our teeth, beat our breasts,
and utter innumerable calls for succour, no one with the tip of his finger will apply a drop
to our burning bodies, but we shall only hear those words which the rich man heard in the
parable “Between us and you a great gulf has been fixed.”249 Let us then, I beseech you, re-
cover our senses here and let us recognize our Master as He ought to be recognized. For
only when we are in Hades should we abandon the hope derived from repentance: for there
only is this remedy weak and unprofitable: but while we are here even if it is applied in old
age itself it exhibits much strength. Wherefore also the devil sets everything in motion in
order to root in us the reasoning which comes of despair: for he knows that if we repent
even a little we shall not do this without some reward. But just as he who gives a cup of cold
water has his recompense reserved for him, so also the man who has repented of the evils
which he has done, even if he cannot exhibit the repentance which his offences deserve, will
have a commensurate reward. For not a single item of good, however small it may be, will
be overlooked by the righteous judge. For if He makes such an exact scrutiny of our sins,
as to require punishment for both our words and thoughts, much more will our good deeds,
whether they be great or small, be reckoned to our credit at that day. Wherefore, even if
thou art not able to return again to the most exact state of discipline, yet if thou withdraw
thyself in a slight degree at least from thy present disorder and excess, even this will not be
impossible: only set thyself to the task at once, and open the entrance into the place of contest;
but as long as thou tarriest outside this naturally seems difficult and impracticable to thee.
For before making the trial even if things are easy and manageable they are wont to present
an appearance of much difficulty to us: but when we are actually engaged in the trial, and
making the venture the greater part of our distress is removed, and confidence taking the
place of tremor and despair lessens the fear and increases the facility of operation, and makes
our good hopes stronger. For this reason also the wicked one dragged Judas out of this world
lest he should make a fair beginning, and so return by means of repentance to the point
248 Matt. xxv. 34.
249 Luke xvi. 26.
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Letter I