14. These questions, therefore, are for
them, the unbelievers: but the words of the Prophets are for us
who believe. But since some who have also used the Prophets
believe not what is written, and allege against us that passage, The
ungodly shall not rise up in judgment Ps. i. 5: The wicked shall not
stand in the judgment (R.V.).,
and, For if man go down to the grave he shall come up no
more Job vii. 9., and, The dead
shall not praise Thee, O Lord Ps. cxv. 17.,—for of
what is well written, they have made ill use—it will be well in a
cursory manner, and as far as is now possible, to meet them. For
if it is said, that the ungodly shall not rise up in judgment,
this shews that they shall rise, not in judgment, but in condemnation;
for God needs not long scrutiny, but close on the resurrection of the
ungodly follows also their punishment. And if it is said, The
dead shall not praise Thee, O Lord, this shews, that since in this
life only is the appointed time for repentance and pardon, for which
they who enjoy it shall praise the Lord, it remains not after
death for them who have died in sins to give praise as the receivers of
a blessing, but to bewail themselves; for praise belongs to them who
give thanks, but to them who are under the scourge, lamentation.
Therefore the just then offer praise; but they who have died in sins
have no further season for confession As to the bearing of
this passage on the doctrine of Purgatory and prayer for the dead see
note on xxiii. 10..