Apologetics -- History -- Early church, ca. 30-600; Celsus (Platonic philosopher), active 180; Theology -- History -- Early Church, ca. 30-600
judgment and of the revelation of the just judgment of God, who will
render to every one according to his work: to those who by patient
continuance in well-doing seek for glory and immortality, eternal
life;[394] while to those who are contentious, and believe not the
truth, but who believe iniquity, anger, indignation, tribulation, and
distress, on every soul of man that worketh evil, on the Jew first, and
[afterwards] on the Greek; but glory, and honour, and peace to every one
that doeth good, to the Jew first, and [afterwards] to the Greek.”[395]
You will find also innumerable other passages in Holy Scripture, which
manifestly show that we possess freedom of will. Otherwise there would
be a contrariety in commandments being given us, by observing which we
may be saved, or by transgressing which we may be condemned, if the
power of keeping them were not implanted in us.
FROM THE GREEK.
6. Now, that it is our business to live virtuously, and that God asks
this of us, as not being dependent on Him nor on any other, nor, as some
think, upon fate, but as being our own doing, the prophet Micah will
prove when he says: “If it has been announced to thee, O man, what is
good, or what does the Lord require of thee, except to do justice and to
love mercy?”[396] Moses also: “I have placed before thy face the way of
life, and the way of death: choose what is good, and walk in it.”[397]
Isaiah too: “If you are willing, and hear me, ye shall eat the good of
the land; but if ye be unwilling, and will not hear me, the sword will
consume you: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.”[398] And in the
Psalms: “If my people had heard me, and Israel had walked in my ways, I
would have humbled their enemies to nothing, and laid my hand upon those
that afflicted them;”[399] showing that it was in the power of His
people to hear and to walk in the ways of God. And the Saviour also,
when He commands, “But I say unto you, Resist not evil;”[400] and,
“Whosoever shall be angry with his brother, shall be in danger of the
judgment;”[401] and, “Whosoever shall look upon a woman to lust after
her, hath already committed adultery with her in his heart;”[402] and by
any other commandment which He gives, declares that it lies with
ourselves to keep what is enjoined, and that we shall reasonably[403] be
liable to condemnation if we transgress. And therefore He says in
addition: “He that heareth my words, and doeth them, shall be likened to
a prudent man, who built his house upon a rock,” etc. etc.; “while he
that heareth them, but doeth them not, is like a foolish man, who built
his house upon the sand,” etc.[404] And when He says to those on His
right hand, “Come, ye blessed of my Father,” etc.; “for I was an
hungered, and ye gave me to eat; I was athirst, and ye gave me to
drink,”[405] it is exceedingly manifest that He gives the promises to
these as being deserving of praise. But, on the contrary, to the others,
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