Pastoral Rule, Dialogues & Letters 131

GREGORY. In the Gospel the Lord says: Walk while you have the light (John 12:35). Through the Prophet also He says: In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you (Isa. 49:8). Which the Apostle Paul, expounding, says: Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation (2 Cor. 6:2). Solomon also says: Whatsoever your hand is able to do, do it earnestly; for there is neither work, nor reason, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave, whither you are hastening (Eccles. 9:10). David also says: For His mercy is for ever (Psalm 117). From which sayings it is beyond doubt that such as each one departs from this life, so is he presented in the judgment.

But nevertheless, concerning certain light faults, a purgatorial fire before the judgment is to be believed, because the Truth says that if anyone shall have spoken blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, nor in the world to come (Matt. 12:31). In which saying it is given us to understand that certain faults can be loosed in this world, and certain others in the world to come. For what is denied concerning one, the consequent understanding makes plain: that it is granted concerning certain others. But nevertheless, as I said before, this is to be believed to be possible only for small and least sins, such as is constant idle talk, immoderate laughter, or the sin of care for family affairs, which is scarcely carried on without fault even by those who know how they ought to avoid the fault;

or in matters not grievous, the error of ignorance; all of which burden us even after death, if while yet placed in this life they have not been relaxed. For when Paul says that Christ is the foundation, and adds: If anyone builds upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; each one's work, of what sort it is, the fire shall prove; if anyone's work which he has built upon it shall remain, he shall receive a reward; if anyone's work shall burn, he shall suffer loss, but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire (1 Cor. 3:12ff.).

Although you may understand this of the fire of tribulation applied to us in this life, yet if anyone should take it of the fire of future purgation, it is to be carefully weighed that he said one could be saved through fire — not the one who builds upon this foundation iron, bronze, or lead, that is, greater and therefore harder sins, and by then already insoluble; but wood, hay, stubble, that is, the least and lightest sins, which the fire easily consumes. This, however, is to be known: that there no one shall obtain any purgation even of the least sins, unless, while placed still in this life, he shall by good deeds have merited that he might obtain it there.