9.

But to those who think they understand the term "hardened," we must address the inquiry, What do they mean by saying that God, by His working, hardens the heart, and with what purpose does He do this? For let them observe the conception ¹ of a God who is in reality just and good; but if they will not allow this, let it be conceded to them for the present that He is just; and let them show how the good and just God, or the just God only, appears to be just, in hardening the heart of him who perishes because of his being hardened: and how the just God becomes the cause of destruction and disobedience, when men are chastened by Him on account of their hardness and disobedience. And why does He find fault with him, saying, "Thou wilt not let My people go;" ² "Lo, I will smite all the first-born in Egypt, even thy first-born;" ³ and whatever else is recorded as spoken from God to Pharaoh through the intervention of Moses? For he who believes that the Scriptures are true, and that God is just, must necessarily endeavour, if he be honest, ⁴ to show how God, in using such expressions, may be distinctly ⁵ understood to be just. But if any one should stand, declaring with uncovered head that the Creator of the world was inclined to wickedness, ⁶ we should need other words to answer them.