2. But this being the case, how to this opinion that should not be contrary which the Apostle says, “For we shall all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ, that each may receive according to the things he hath done by the body,3    Per corpus whether good or bad;”4    2 Cor. v. 10 this, thou signifiest, thou dost not well see. For this apostolic sentence doth before death admonish to be done, that which may profit after death; not then, first, when there is to be now a receiving of that which a person shall have done before death. True, but this question is thus solved, namely, that there is a certain kind of life by which is acquired, while one lives in this body, that it should be possible for these things to be of some help to the departed; and, consequently, it is “according to the things done by the body,” that they are aided by the things which shall, after they have left the body, be religiously done on their behalf. For there are whom these things aid nothing at all, namely, when they are done either for persons whose merits are so evil, that neither by such things are they worthy to be aided; or for persons whose merits are so good, that of such things they have no need as aids. Of the kind of life, therefore, which each hath led by the body, doth it come, that these things profit or profit not, whatever are piously done on his behalf when he has left the body. For touching merit whereby these things profit, if none have been gotten in this life, it is in vain sought after this life. So it comes to pass as well that not unmeaningly5    Inaniter doth the Church, or care of friends, bestow upon the departed whatever of religion it shall be able; as also that, nevertheless, each receiveth “according to the things which he hath done by the body, whether it be good or bad,” the Lord rendering unto each according to his works. For, that this which is bestowed should be capable of profiting him after the body, this was acquired in that life which he hath led in the body.

0593 2. Sed cum haec ita sint, quomodo huic opinioni contrarium non sit, quod dicit Apostolus, Omnes enim astabimus ante tribunal Christi, ut ferat unusquisque secundum ea quae per corpus gessit, sive bonum, sive malum (II Cor. V, 10), non te satis videre significas. Haec quippe apostolica sententia ante mortem admonet fieri quod possit prodesse post mortem; non tunc, quando jam recipiendum est quod quisque gesserit ante mortem. Verum haec ita solvitur quaestio, quoniam quodam vitae genere acquiritur, dum in hoc corpore vivitur, ut aliquid adjuvent ista defunctos; ac per hoc secundum ea quae per corpus gesserunt, eis quae post corpus religiose pro illis facta fuerint, adjuvantur. Sunt enim quos nihil omnino adjuvant ista; sive pro eis fiant, quorum tam mala sunt merita, ut neque talibus digni sint adjuvari; sive pro eis, quorum tam bona, ut talibus non indigeant adjumentis. Genere igitur vitae, quod gessit quisque per corpus, efficitur ut prosint vel non prosint, quaecumque pro illo pie fiunt, cum reliquerit corpus. Nam meritum per quod ista prosint, si nullum comparatum est in hac vita, frustra quaeritur post hanc vitam. Ita fit ut neque inaniter Ecclesia vel suorum cura pro defunctis, quod potuerit religionis impendat; et tamen ferat unusquisque secundum ea quae per corpus gessit, sive bonum sive malum, reddente Domino unicuique secundum opera ejus. Ut enim hoc quod impenditur, possit ei prodesse post corpus, in ea vita acquisitum est, quam gessit in corpore.