Faustus of Riez

In his own words on Sirach

• Sirach 5:4

  While punishment is reserved for the day of judgment and the long-suffering of the Lord invites correction, impunity nourishes disdain in a servant. God, "who shall render to each one according to his deeds," certainly does not impose on people the necessity to sin by virtue of predestination. One can read that he will ask a person to account for what he has done. "I have sinned," the prophet says, "and what has happened to me?" As if to say, God certainly must not know the sins if he does not punish and chastise immediately; and again, "He thinks: 'God has forgotten, he has hidden his face, he will never see it.' " When he says, "God has forgotten," he is making a judgment that the patience of the forgiver is actually negligence. He considers it an omission when, in reality, it is what this magnanimous administrator of justice has reserved for later.

  ON GRACE 1:17

• Sirach 15:15

  Scripture shows beyond a doubt that the seeds of a good will have been sown in human beings when it says, "If you want to, you will keep the commandments. Faithfulness depends on your good will," and, "Do not despise the Lord's instruction," and, "Do not withhold a benefit from one in need," and, "Do not plot evil against your neighbor," and, "Do not be like the horse and mule, without intelligence," and, "Do not despise your mother's teaching," and, "Do not listen to a deceitful woman," and, "He refuses to understand, to do good," and, "They do not want to be converted." If someone is accused of not willing something, it is clearly demonstrated that it was in his power to do so. And there are many other similar examples in the Scriptures of the Old Testament, all of which blame and show as culpable especially the will itself. Even the new books of the gospel and of the apostles demonstrate nothing other than free will.

  ON GRACE 1:12