something transitory, forever doing battle and looking toward the day of judgment. For the larger fear and dread of the torments always destroys pleasure’s smooth allure, and rouses the declining soul. 20. “Having therefore made a beginning, and set out already on the way of virtue, let us press forward to what lies ahead.38 And let none turn back as Lot’s wife did, especially since the Lord said, No one who puts his hand to the plow and turns back is fit for the Kingdom of heaven.39 Now ‘turning