The Book of Steps

...the tares, before they have fully grown, should command them to be uprooted, the wheat also might suffer damage while it is being cleared of the tares. Indeed, the rain, which brings growth to the good seed, also causes the tares, the seed of the evil one, to germinate. And this the good [God] instituted in His wisdom, so that the craftiness of the sons of the evil one, who postulate two roots, one good and one evil, might fall into nothingness. For if the rain that nourishes the wheat were to weaken the tares, the seed of the evil one, there would be no doubt that two natures had labored in the creation. But both [seeds] obtain growth from the rain, wind, and sun, and the creatures testify concerning one Creator, by whose command the created things are governed. For there are more good than evil in the world, and on account of them, the outpouring of wrath is restrained from the others; but when the hedge against the wicked is broken, and among the righteous no one is found to stand in it, the overflowing measure of sins excites the fury of the Most High, and on account of the wrath [moved] against the impious, the elect also are involved in the zeal; and when the sword receives the command to slay, it destroys the sinners and the righteous together, because the righteous did not stand quickly in the ruin of the hedge, just as...

...He who frightens them might go forth; for if it were not so, they would go forth, or by force, while being disciplined, the tares are uprooted. But also for the wheat, while it was not yet perfect, there would be a danger of uprooting. And even if the rain that for the wheat in His wisdom, and for all that which is in the evil, of the sons that the evil one has placed two roots, for the good and for the evil. If indeed the rain that for the wheat gives life to the tares, it would have weakened that of the evil one, the seed of the evil one: it would be known that two workings were doing it. But the one who frightens of the two and of the two, by rain and by wind and by sun they are disciplined: and by the testimony of the creatures concerning one Creator, by whose command the creatures are governed. For there are many righteous in the world more than the evil: and on their account He was hiding the face of anger: and when the hedge is broken over the evil and there is not found among them a man for it: the measure of fullness overflows and assists the sinner: and it awakens the anger of the Most High in the track of the destruction, [so that] the elect are taken away. And when the sword is sent out to destroy, it kills the sinners and the righteous together, because the righteous did not find [strength] to stand in the breach of the hedge...