On the Unity of the Catholic Church 2

Hence an example has been given us to flee the way of the old man, to walk in the footsteps of the conquering Christ, lest, unwary, we be rolled back again into the snare of death, but, foreseeing the danger, we may take possession of the immortality we have received. But how can we possess immortality unless we keep the commandments of Christ, by which death is overcome and conquered, as he himself warns and says: "If you wish to come to life, keep the commandments"; and again: "If you do what I command you, I no longer call you servants but friends"? These, in short, he calls strong and steadfast; these, founded upon the rock with solid mass; these, established with immovable and unshaken firmness against all the storms and whirlwinds of the world. "He who hears my words," he says, "and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house upon the rock. The rain came down, the floods came, the winds came and beat upon that house, and it did not fall: for it was founded upon the rock." We ought, then, to stand fast on his words, to learn and do whatever he both taught and did. But how does he say that he believes in Christ who does not do what Christ commanded him to do? Or how will he reach the reward of faith who will not keep faith with the command? He must waver and wander and, carried off by the spirit of error, be blown about like dust that the wind shakes up; nor will he make progress toward salvation by walking, who does not hold the truth of the way of salvation.