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BUT we ought in this matter, in order that we may shun evil counsels,
to learn a special lesson from the fact that though the author of the
deception was visited with a fitting punishment and condemnation, yet still
the one who was led astray did not go scot free from punishment, although
it was somewhat lighter than that of him who was the author of the
deception. And this we see was very plainly expressed. For Adam who was
deceived, or rather (to use the Apostle's words) "was not deceived" but,
acquiescing in the wishes of her who was deceived, seems to have come to
yield a consent that was deadly, is only condemned to labour and the sweat
of his brow, which is assigned to him not by means of a curse upon himself,
but by means of a curse upon the ground, and its barrenness. But the woman,
who persuaded him to this, is visited with an increase of anguish, and
pains and sorrow, and also given over to the yoke of perpetual subjection.
But the serpent who was the first to incite them to this offence, is
punished by a lasting curse. Wherefore we should with the utmost care and
circumspection be on our guard against evil counsels, for as they bring
punishment upon their authors, so too they do not suffer those who are
deceived by them to go free from guilt and punishment.
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