And let us also reprove those who are disturbed in their thoughts, inquiring into matters that disturb them in order to understand them, and even more (let us reprove) the Arians and pagans, those who are at leisure to think about empty things, saying what is not right about the dead when they observe some who have had long lives and become very old, and others who died young, saying, “Such are the days of everyone.”

It is not so. May it not come to pass that this be so. No one will die, nor will anyone live, apart from God and his Christ. It is not a single time in which this voice fights these foolish people, (saying), “What is it you are thinking about the Lord?” For he will bring about a consummation.

Therefore I will begin to speak of what is and also what will be. Is it not the Lord who says, “Are not two sparrows sold for an obol? And one of them will not fall to the ground without your father in heaven”? If he does not forget one of the sparrows, then how much more so human beings? There is no other wisdom than to say that nothing will happen apart from the command of God. These things we have said suffice to shut the mouths of those who are disturbers.

We will speak also of an example to persuade those who seek wisely, that of a royal man who has slaves in a country estate, whom he has sent for at the time that he wished. And some he sent for after many days, others he sent for after a few days, and others he sent for at once. At all events, he ordained a rule that those who would do his will in the country estate would receive honors from him, but he would condemn those who disobey his word and his will.

This is the way that God oversees humanity according to his will. Some are permitted to remain in this place, while others are taken away quickly. As it is impossible for the person to be born apart from God and Christ, it is also impossible for one to die apart from him. His works and his ordinances from the beginning are still the same.