Library Pseudo-Clement Recognitions
Book 3, Chapter 39: Immortality of the Soul.
Then said Simon: The one point on which I should wish to be satisfied is, whether the soul is immortal; for I cannot take up the burden of righteousness unless I know first concerning the immortality of the soul; for indeed if it is not immortal, the profession of your preaching cannot stand.
Then said Peter: Let us first inquire whether God is just; for if this were ascertained, the perfect order of religion would straight-way be established.
Then Simon: With all your boasting of your knowledge of the order of discussion, you seem to me now to have answered contrary to order; for when I ask you to show whether the soul is immortal, you say that we must first inquire whether God is just.
Then said Peter: That is perfectly right and regular.
Simon: I should wish to learn how.
English translation by Thomas Smith, in Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. VIII (eds. Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and A. Cleveland Coxe; Buffalo: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1886). Public domain. Digital text via New Advent Church Fathers.