Chapter 48.—The Purpose of Rebuke.

Although, therefore, even while the faith of some is subverted, the foundation of God standeth sure, since the Lord knoweth them that are His, still, we ought not on that account to be indolent and negligent in rebuking those who should be rebuked. For not for nothing was it said, “Evil communications corrupt good manners;”^34063406     1 Cor. xv. 33. and, “The weak brother shall perish in thy knowledge, on account of whom Christ died.”^34073407     1 Cor. viii. 11. Let us not, in opposition to these precepts, and to a wholesome fear, pretend to argue, saying, “Well, let evil communications corrupt good manners, and let the weak brother perish. What is that to us? The foundation of God standeth sure, and no one perishes but the son of perdition.” [XVI.] Be it far from us to babble in this wise, and think that we ought to be secure in this negligence. For it is true that no one perishes except the son of perdition, but God says by the mouth of the prophet Ezekiel:^34083408     Ezek. iii. 18. “He shall surely die in his sin, but his blood will I require at the hand of the watchman.”