But because we promise forgiveness after baptism, (for this is especially common against vice), the Apostle writes in the previous letter to the Corinthians: "Fornication is definitely spoken of among you, and such fornication as is not spoken of even among the Gentiles." You have heard the magnitude of the evil, also hear the intensity of the firm judgement: "Gather together," he said, "and by my spirit, in the power of Christ, let him who is of this sort be delivered up to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved." He punishes, for he does not reject as an enemy. In the former verse, indeed, he delivered to Satan: in the next verse, however, he writes nothing contrary to the former: "Reaffirm your love for him, so that he who is like this may not perish from excessive sorrow." The apostle also solves the insoluble. For he orders such a man to be handed over to Satan, and later writing about the same, and giving forgiveness, he says: "That we may not be surrounded by Satan." For if he has seized one of us, then he has already surrounded us. The sheep comes out of the sheepfold, it becomes fodder for the wolves. Enter to escape the trap.
Thus good shepherds, even if a sheep is stolen, at least try to recover the wool. If it is good to take away the dead body's hair, is it worth nothing to rescue the soul from the wolf's mouth? And the victor is wounded in war, and because of that is not crowned, because he is wounded: but being exhausted by many labours, he received wounds. God does indeed consider the one thing is bad, but does He not consider the many things as good? How many martyrs who at first denied, when the battle resumed again, reversed the defeat? but they denied, not with their heart, but with their tongue. For the flesh is weak. He who denies is cut off; again when he confesses, he is restored. For God does not observe the bad things, indeed he does not count the good things in any place.
And when a man was tortured, he generally yielded when he could not bear it, not changing the purpose of his will, but overcome by the struggle. But when he was released and rested, he was restored. Will what was said in that moment be held against him, but the torments will not be counted? But God is the judge, not the impudence of men. Do you dare to prescribe a law to God, who knows weakness, and supplies help, and gives victory? How many are there who, after living a bad life, sustained martyrdom? Because they were lured by desire, will they be deprived of their labours? We are not angels, but men, and we fall and we rise again, and that often at the same hour. "And star differs from star in glory." Why? Indeed, if there is a certain measure of justice, all must be equally righteous: if some shine like the sun, others shine like the moon, and others twinkle like the stars, it is clear that one is surpassed by another; but whoever is surpassed, it is clear that he is guilty of small sins. But if forgiveness were granted to no one who had sinned, there would be a difference in variety.
6. But since it is necessary to demonstrate that those who have fallen after baptism obtain salvation, I do not speak without fear, lest you should object to the judgement of my mind: for I absolutely desire that those who receive baptism do not sin. But those who have at any time fallen against their will, I do not agree with those who annul their repentance, not wanting us to dwell together on the cross: but what the apostle wants is for us to be buried together with it, and no longer to live in sin; I want this very thing. "So I do not reject the grace of God," said the Apostle, writing to the Galatians that had received the Spirit. Are you looking for something more obvious than this? But he carries on: "You are so foolish that you began with the Spirit, and now finish with the flesh." Therefore they had indeed received the Spirit. And again: "I only want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit from the works of the law, or from the hearing of faith? You were running well." See how many privileges they have. Listen to the sins. "Now let's finish with the flesh. You have fallen away from Christ.” You saw that they had the Spirit: you heard it, "You have been purged out by Christ"; likewise, "You have fallen from grace." What happens afterwards, giving place to restoration? "My children, to whom I will give birth again." He had once given birth to them; but he who has given birth once does not refuse to give birth again for salvation. But if anyone does anything else, with an evil mind, he himself has been wicked. But men who have received the Spirit, who have run well, have suffered so much, have been in danger, have endured adversities in vain, have fallen and been purged, are yet again regenerated, so that they may again receive the form of God.
Is there anything left for you that you oppose to repentance? Who formed us? God. He made us a body, he made us a soul. Does he hate it? Who gave us the medicine of life? Why are readings used? so that we may desist from sins. Why are we watered? so that we may bring forth fruit. What do we pray for? that our sins may be forgiven. Let us put an end to the prayer. To whom is there no repentance? This one: he who does wrong with the intention of repentance, has a habit of evil, and is deprived of repentance. There is hope even after sin, there is healing even after a wound, but the scar remains. Blessed was he that did not even falter: a second blessing, that he was restored to health after the plague.
But to God, who created us in the beginning, then comes down to our weakness, and keeps the purpose, and grants repentance, through him who bestows good things on us, Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory and dominion forever and ever, Amen.