20. But we have
heard that you are accustomed to bring forward as an objection that
which is written: “Every sin and blasphemy shall be
forgiven unto men, but blasphemies against the Spirit shall not be
forgiven unto men. And whosoever shall speak a word against the
Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him, but whosoever shall speak against
the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world,
nor in that which is to come.” S. Matt. xii. 31, 32. By
which quotation the whole of your assertion is destroyed and done away,
for it is written: “Every sin and blasphemy shall be
forgiven unto men.”
Why, then, do you not remit them? Why do
you bind chains which you do not loose? Why do you tie knots
which you do not unfasten? Forgive the others, and deal with
those who you think are bound for ever by the authority of the Gospel
for sinning against the Holy Spirit.