On the expulsion from Paradise

 

God drove them out of Paradise, separating them from the Tree of Life—not because He wanted to protect the Tree of Life from them, as some teach, but because God pitied them.  He did not want them to continue to live forever as sinners, or for the sin which had engulfed them to last forever, or for evil to have no end or remedy.  So, God set a bound to sin by interposing death, thus causing sin to cease (Rom 6:7). 

 





Sowing seeds of good hope

 

When we are attacked by the demon of despondency let us divide our soul into two, and, making one half the comforter and the other the one to be comforted, let us sow seeds of good hope in ourselves, singing the following verses of David, Wherefore art thou very sad, O my soul?  And wherefore dost thou trouble me?  Hope in God; for I will give thanks to Him; He is the salvation of my countenance, (Psalm 41:5)