Prologue — Epilogue

Now that by the Divine assistance, we have refuted the calumnies of malicious men, it becomes evident that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus who walk, (Rom 8:1.) not according to the flesh, but who carry the cross of the Lord, repressing earthly desires. Much might still be said in confutation of the detractors of religious. But we will leave them to the divine judgment, since the malice of their heart is clearly revealed by the speech that falls from their lips. To quote the words of Christ: how can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Matt 12:34). But if, as St. Paul says, if any one purifies himself from what is ignoble (that is, by not consenting to these malicious judgments) then he will be a vessel for noble use, consecrated and useful to the master of the house, ready for any good work (2 Tim 2:21). Those, however, who adopt the opinions of these enemies of religious will blindly follow the blind, and with them will fall into the ditch. But the words which we have spoken will suffice to preserve us from such a fate, if they are sanctified by the blessing of God, to whom be honor and thanksgiving for ever and ever. Amen.