55. The saints are so uncertain that yet they trust, and so trust that they do not grow slothful. — For if, mercy set aside, we are examined, our work is worthy of punishment which we look to have rewarded with prizes. The holy man therefore, trembling under the hidden judgments, says: But if I am wicked even so, why have I laboured in vain? — not that it repents him to have laboured, but that he grieves to be uncertain of the rewards and to be amid labours. But it must be known that holy men are so uncertain that yet they trust, and so trust that nevertheless they do not from security grow slothful.
Since therefore the mind for the most part trembles even at upright deeds, it remains that after a good work is done the tears of supplication be sought out, so that the humility of entreaty may bear up the merit of the upright work unto the eternal rewards. [Old Version XXVIII, Received Version XIX.] Yet nevertheless it must be known that neither our life nor our tears avail to render us clean unto perfection so long as the mortality of our corruption holds us. Whence also it is fittingly subjoined: