I
said to him: "Slaves who have committed a fault are punished that
they may amend. To what purpose is the punishment of the wicked
after death, since there can be no amendment?" and he replied: "My
son, the wicked are punished in Gehenna that the just may feel
gratitude to the divine grace which has preserved them from such a
doom." "But," I objected, "ought not the just to pray for their
enemies in such evil case?" His answer was prompt: "The time for
prayer is past. The blessed concur in the judgment of God!"'
Basil listened with bent head.
'Maximus,' he said presently, 'often doubted of eternal torment; and
my cousin Decius has more than once confessed to me that he believes
it not at all, being strengthened therein by his friend the
philosopher Simplicius. I, O Marcian, would fain think it a dream--
yet there are evil doings in this world which make me fear that it
may be true.'
'You have seen Bessas again?'
'Yes. And I have seen Petronilla.'
His eyes on the listener, Basil recounted his conversation of this
morning, all save that part of it which related to Marcian.
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