Search Results: space in his heart

So I knew this guy, we'll call him Z, for 6 years, he was one of the best friends I ever had, for the last few years that I knew him I considered him my best friend.
Z's drinking gradually escalated over the years and he became a different person, it twisted his personality and he developed a bit of an anger problem.

Me and another mutual good friend had separate falling-out's with Z in the space of a few weeks because of the way he was acting. I ignored Z for a few months. He then got mad at being ignored and started threatening me by text (which is the unforgivable part, although I knew well that he would never carry out any of this stuff cos he's a bit of a wimp at heart really). We both texted a lot of really bad stuff to each other.

Out of absolutely NOWHERE, 4 years later, Z texted me and said he's really sorry about the way he acted, "deeply sorry", he pretty much grovelled for forgiveness. I'm still in shock a few days later, I never expected to talk to him again, in my mind he was basically "dead". Now I am in a very strange position. I had already wanted to stop fighting with him so I agreed to call a truce with him. But I think he basically wants to go back to being good friends. Even though I would really like to do that, I don't know if I can mentally do that or if I should do it, out of principle for the way he acted and out of common sense on my part.

I missed the guy a lot these last few years and always felt terrible that we would probably both go to the grave as sworn enemies and it's such a relief to finish the fighting. But lets not get emotions get in the way here, I have to be sensible. Should this just be a simple truce (no more fighting, but no contact with each other) or should I hang out with him once or twice and see if there is any hope at reconciling a friendship? I'm not gullible enough to think he will ever be my best friend again, or probably even a good friend (although someone may have a convincing reason why I should?)