Ante-Nicene Fathers/Volume VIII/Pseudo-Clementine Literature/The Clementine Homilies/Homily XII/Chapter 14

Chapter XIV.&#8212;Balm in Gilead.

Then said Peter, &#8220;What then?&#160; Do you suppose, O woman, that those who destroy themselves are freed from punishment?&#160; Are not the souls of those who thus die punished with a worse punishment in Hades for their suicide?&#8221;&#160; But she said, &#8220;Would that I were persuaded that souls are really found alive in Hades; then I should love death, making light of the punishment, that I might see, were it but for an hour, my longed for sons!&#8221;&#160; Then said Peter, &#8220;What is it that grieves you?&#160; I should like to know, O woman.&#160; For if you inform me, in return for this favour, I shall satisfy you that souls live in Hades; and instead of precipice or pool, I shall give you a drug, that you may live and die without torment.&#8221;