Page:Labour - The Divine Command, 1890.djvu/54

50 has no merit of his own, obtains pardon for his sins? That notion was evidently invented to strengthen the hope that we may without labor, and while resting at ease, inherit eternal life.

But if this tree represents Adam's penance, and means the duty of laboring for bread, then a severe task is imposed on ourselves.

Is not, then, ray interpretation just, by which, if Adam ate the bread his own hands had earned, he should then, and then only, live throughout all ages?

For example, if no one stretches out his hand towards the tree of life, that is, to labor for bread, what would become of most of us? In that case, could the world itself exist?

We see, then, clearly that we, who are laborers, are near the tree of life, but you, who will not labor, are near the tree of death. Have I spoken justly? One must, at least, acknowledge that my conclusions are true.

10. Thus it is evident that if Adam by his punishment has won forgiveness of his crime towards God, that penitence ought also to atone for the sins of his whole life.

But as man continues to sin against God as long as he lives, this chastisement is decreed:

"To dust shalt thou return."

Is this just?

11. And you of the higher classes, which are but branches of the same trunk, why will you not, in all your existence, submit to this penance, and why must you eat several times in the