Miscellanies 4.24.153

For example, what rests with us is that of which we are equally master, both of it and of its opposite, as philosophizing or not, and believing or disbelieving. Because we are equally masters of each of the opposites, what rests with us is found to be possible. And indeed the commandments can be done or not done by us, and praise and blame reasonably follow them; and those punished for their sins are punished for them alone; for what has happened has passed, and what has happened could never become unhappened. The sins before faith, then, are forgiven by the Lord, not so that they have not happened, but as though they had not happened. Yet Basilides says that not all are forgiven, but only the involuntary ones done in ignorance; as though some man, and not God, were providing so great a gift. To him Scripture says: “You supposed, lawless one, that I would be like you.” But even if we are punished for voluntary sins, we are punished not so that they may become undone, but because they happened. And punishment does not benefit the sinner toward not having done it, but toward sinning no more, and toward no one else falling into similar things.