Preaching, Salvation And Damnation

Et scient quia propheta fuerit in medio eorum. Malis scire bonos, aut ad adjutorium salutis proficere, aut ad testimonium damnationis solet. Sciant ergo quia in medio eorum propheta fuerit, ut audita praedicatione aut adjuventur ut surgant, aut sic damnentur ut excusatione careant. Sanctus Gregorius Magnus, In Ezechielem Prophetam, Liber Primus, Homilia IX Source: Migne PL 76.874c

And they shall know that there was a Prophet among them. 1 That is, to know the good among the wicked, either as help for salvation or as witness of damnation. Let them know, therefore, that there was a Prophet in the midst of them, that either by the hearing of preaching they are helped to rise up, or that they are damned and have no excuse. Saint Gregory the Great, On the Prophet Ezekiel, Book 1, from Homily 9 1 Ezek 2.5