Chapter 61 [LIII.]—Paul Asserts that the Flesh is Contrary Even in the Baptized.

Now let us see whether we anywhere read about the flesh being contrary in the baptized also. And here, I ask, to whom did the apostle say, “The flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other; so that ye do not the things that ye would?”151    Gal. v. 17. He wrote this, I apprehend, to the Galatians, to whom he also says, “He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law or by the hearing of faith?”152    Gal. iii. 5. It appears, therefore, that it is to Christians that he speaks, to whom, too, God had given His Spirit: therefore, too, to the baptized. Observe, therefore, that even in baptized persons the flesh is found to be contrary; so that they have not that capacity which, our author says, is inseparably implanted in nature. Where then is the ground for his assertion, “How can it be that in the case of a baptized person the flesh is contrary to him?” in whatever sense he understands the flesh? Because in very deed it is not its nature that is good, but it is the carnal defects of the flesh which are expressly named in the passage before us.153    See the context of Gal. v. 17, in verses 19–21. Yet observe, even in the baptized, how contrary is the flesh. And in what way contrary? So that, “They do not the things which they would.” Take notice that the will is present in a man; but where is that “capacity of nature?” Let us confess that grace is necessary to us; let us cry out, “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” And let our answer be, “The grace of God, through Jesus Christ our Lord!”154    Rom. vii. 24, 25.

CAPUT LIII.

61. De qua hic gratia Dei disseratur. Moriens impius a concupiscentia non liberatur. Nunc jam videamus, utrum et baptizatis legatur caro esse contraria. Ubi quaero, quibus dicebat Apostolus, «Caro concupiscit adversus spiritum, et spiritus adversus carnem; haec enim invicem adversantur; ut non ea quae vultis faciatis (Galat. V, 17)? Ad Galatas, ut opinor, 0277 id scripsit: quibus dicit, Qui ergo tribuit vobis Spiritum, et virtutes operatur in vobis; ex operibus legis, an ex auditu fidei (Galat. III, 5)? Unde apparet eum Christianis loqui, et quibus Deus tribuerat Spiritum: ergo etiam baptizatis. Ecce et baptizatis caro invenitur esse contraria, et non adesse possibilitas illa, quam inseparabiliter insitam dicit esse naturae. Ubi est quod ait, «Qui fieri potest ut cuicumque baptizato sit caro contraria?» Quomodolibet intelligat carnem, quia revera non natura ejus quae bona est, sed vitia carnalia carnis hoc loco nomine nuncupantur; ecce tamen etiam baptizatis caro contraria est: et quomodo contraria? Ut non quod volunt faciant. Ecce adest voluntas in homine; ubi est possibilitas illa naturae? Fateamur gratiam necessariam, clamemus, Miser ego homo, quis me liberabit de corpore mortis hujus? Et respondeatur nobis, Gratia Dei per Jesum Christum Dominum nostrum (Rom. VII, 24, 25).