that if he has in him any thing of the nature of lead, that the fire may purge and reduce, till the mass become pure gold. For the gold of that land which the saints are to inhabit, is said to be pure, and as the furnace trieth gold, so doth temptation try the just (Eccles. xxvii. 6). We must then all come to this proof: for the Lord sits as a refiner, (Malach. ii. 3.) and he shall purify the sons of Levi. But when we arrive at that place, who shall bring many good works, and little that is evil, this evil the fire shall purify as it does lead, and the whole shall become pure gold. He that takes with him more of lead, suffers the fire more, that he may be refined, and what little there is of gold, after the purification, remains. But should the whole mass be of lead, that man must experience what is written: The sea covered them; they sank as lead in the mighty waters.” (Exod. xv. 10.) Homil. vi. in Exod. T. ii. p. 148.-“ Sin in its nature is like to that matter, which fire consumes, and which the Apostle says is built up by sinners, who upon the foundation of Christ build wood, hay, and stubble. (1 Cor. iii. 12.) Which words manifestly shew, that there are some sins so light, as to be compared to stubble, in which, when fire is set, it cannot dwell long; that there are others like to hay, which the fire easily consumes, but a little more slowly than it does stubble; and others resemble wood, in which, according to the degree of criminality, the fire finds an abundant substance on which to feed. Thus each crime, in proportion to its character, experiences a just degree of punishment." Homil. xiv. in Levit. T. 11. p. 259. “When we depart this life, if we take with us virtues or vices, shall we receive rewards for our virtues, and those trespasses be forgiven to us which we knowingly committed; or shall we be punished
