Let us consider another similar passage: —He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life, but he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.— That which abideth has certainly had a commencement, and that from some offence, viz., that first he not believe. When, then, any one believes, the wrath of God departs and life comes. To believe, then, in Christ is to gain life, for —he that believeth in Him is not judged.—

But with reference to this passage they allege that he who believes in Christ ought to keep His sayings, and say that it is written in the Lord’s own words: —I am come a light into this world, that whosoever believeth in Me may not abide in darkness. And if any man hear My word and keep it, I judge him not.— He judges not, and do you judge? He says, —that whosoever believeth on Me may not abide in darkness,— that is, that if he be in darkness he may not remain therein, but may amend his error, correct his fault, and keep My commandments, for I have said, —I will not the death of the wicked, but the correction.— I said above that he that believeth on Me is not judged, and I keep to this: —For I am not come to judge the world, but that the world may be saved through Me.— I pardon willingly, I quickly forgive, —I will have mercy rather than sacrifice,— because by sacrifice the just is rendered more acceptable, by mercy the sinner is redeemed. —I come not to call the righteous but sinners.— Sacrifice was under the Law, in the Gospel is mercy. —The Law was given by Moses, grace by Me.— — Book I, Chapter XII.