Chapter XXXV.
For if the flesh of man, as the blind heretics falsely claim, does not rise again, how does Isaiah, full of the Spirit of God, who should be called not so much a prophet as an evangelist, say: All flesh will come, that which is going to worship in the sight of the Lord, in Jerusalem; to see the corpses of dead men who have transgressed against God (that is, either the Jews or the wicked or sinners), their worm will not die, and their fire will not be extinguished (Jerome, on the last chapter of Isaiah). Those who desire to understand why the multitude of sinners are conscious of the worm or fire that afflicts those who are placed in punishment, and why, on account of their sin and vice, they have been deprived of so great a good, according to that which is written: 'Walk in the light of your fire, and in the flame that you have kindled for yourselves' (Isaiah 50:11); and again: 'As the moth destroys a garment and the worm eats away at wood, so sorrow tortures the heart of a man' (Proverbs 25:2). For just as joy of mind sometimes alleviates bodily pain, so the pain of the mind weighs down and torments the body, as the prophet says: 'A joyful mind makes a flourishing age, a sad spirit dries up the bones' (Proverbs 17:22). If, therefore, it happens that physical illness affects the body, the affliction of the soul is doubled. However, these things are said in such a way that it is not denied that the eternal punishments of the deceitful and those who deny God exist, as the Scripture says: The Lord Almighty will take vengeance on them in the day of judgment, giving them fire and worms in their flesh; and they will be burned, so that they may feel it forever (Judith, XVI, 20 and 21). Our Lord and Savior confirms that this will indeed happen, saying: And all who have done good shall rise again from the dust of the earth, unto the resurrection of judgment (John, V, 29); and again: Depart into everlasting fire, which is prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew, XXV, 41); and again, speaking of the one who did not have a wedding garment: Take him away and bind him hand and foot, and cast him into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Ibid., XXII, 15). Therefore, when both hands and feet, and weeping, and outer darkness, which pertain to the eyes, and the grinding of teeth are truly pronounced by the Lord to be in the future resurrection, I wonder at certain heretics who attempt to introduce an airy body, gradually dissolving into thin air after the resurrection. Therefore, just as the holy vestment of God is, and is clothed with the tunic of salvation and joy; so on the contrary, the sinner, who carries the image of the old and earthly man, deserves to hear: Behold, all of you will be devoured like an old garment by the moth (Isaiah 51:8). Therefore, the diversity of customs is signified by various names in the Holy Scriptures. Just as the diversity of trees and musicians in the divine Scriptures signifies the diversity of spiritual gifts, so too the diversity of wild animals and serpents signifies the diversity of sins. However, the different kinds of musicians are mentioned and used by the God of Majesty in the divine books, in order to lead the Jewish people away from carnal sacrifices and invite them to spiritual and praiseworthy offerings.
But now these things which have been said are sufficient, although for the magnitude of the thing nothing can be said sufficiently about the causes and the aforementioned matters. And therefore, holy, venerable, perfect, and inseparable Trinity, who is wholly revered and worshipped by us in faith, this work is yours, which I have excerpted for my edification from the books of your servant Fathers, with your assistance and illumination; and your perfection to the glory and praise of your name throughout all ages. Amen.