The Severity of Divine Judgment

Regarding the discipline that is to come, having practiced it. For the word has dramatically set out the admonition upon specific persons, so that, having been taught the law of the good citizenship with life and demonstration, we might never despise the commands of the Scripture, fearing them only as far as a word, and not indeed leading the threat toward punishment.

For I know how many of men, being enticed by such insinuations, grant themselves the power to sin unhindered. But on the contrary, we are taught by the present Scripture that no forgiveness lightens the penalty of that judgment, nor does philanthropy diminish the appointed punishment, if it is necessary for the voices of the patriarch to confirm the word.

For having heard many supplications from the rich and a myriad of pitying voices, he was neither moved by the wailings nor did the pain depart from the one bitterly flogged, but with strict wisdom he ratified the righteous judgment, saying that God has allotted to each according to his worth; and to you, since you have lived in luxury according to the others...