Chapter XXIV.
Truly, it is impious and unjust that, like Job, who saw with his own eyes the wounds of his own body and touched the decay and worms with his own hands (Job 7:5), it is said that another person, either in the flesh or in the soul, will rise. Therefore, what we have said about the blessed Job, the same applies to Peter, to Paul, and to all the saints who suffered various torments for God. We are mistakenly asked by heretics whether there will be a difference in gender in the resurrection, that is, whether women will rise with men, ignoring the blind opinion of the Lord who says: The Queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and she will condemn them (Luke 11:31). Where, therefore, the true flesh is, there is diversity of sex; and where there is diversity of sex, there is John, and there is Mary. Therefore, the true resurrection of the flesh will be without the works of the flesh; because, as the truth says: They neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but shall be as the angels of God in heaven (Matth. XXII, 30). Therefore, an angelic likeness is promised to us, not a denial of the substance of the flesh; for when it is said, They neither marry, nor are given in marriage, it is said concerning those who can marry, and yet do not marry. For if here in this life, which is a trial upon the earth, many for the sake of the kingdom of heaven castrate themselves, not marrying; and not only men, but also women, with the help of Christ, do this: how much more shall we not say that this happens in that blessed life, but neither will it be permissible to think of it! Therefore, it is Catholic and right for both sexes to confess in the resurrection of the flesh without the works of the flesh: since, as it has already been said, we who are still placed in this life strive with the help of God not to fulfill the works of the flesh, which lusts against the spirit; the Apostle approving of this and saying: Ye are not in the flesh, but in the spirit (Rom. VIII, 9); for by denying those in the flesh whom it was clear were in the flesh, he condemned not the substance of the flesh, but the sins, that is, the works of the flesh in them; and again: That what is mortal may be swallowed up by life (II Cor. V, 4); for though our outer man is corrupted, yet our inner man is renewed: which, however, we know takes place not only in the kingdom of heaven and in baptism, but also in penitents every day, in whom the destruction of the flesh gives way to spiritual progress. Therefore, in that state, there will be no works of the flesh, no growth of limbs, no hair growth, or nail growth, because we will all rise as the perfect man, who is Christ (Ephesians 4:13). For if the Fathers in the desert did not have hair or nails grow for forty years, nor did their clothing or sandals wear out (Deuteronomy 29:5); the wise reader understands that it is impious to seek in the kingdom of heaven, where pain, groaning, and sadness will flee.