on this day, the sabbath that is, they that hunger after the word of God are wont especially
to meet together. Hear and attend, I will speak with what carefulness I can.
7. What then is that which I said, “Is heard with peril if it be not understood”? Many
overcome by carnal and damnable lusts, commit all sorts of crimes and impurities, and
wallow in such abominable uncleanness, as it is a shame even to mention; and say to them-
selves these words of the Apostle. See what the Apostle has said, “So that we cannot do the
things that ye would.”3830 I would not do them, I am forced, I am compelled, I am overcome,
“I do the things that I would not,”3831 as the Apostle says. “The flesh lusteth against the
Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh, so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” You
see with what peril this is heard, if it be not understood. You see how it concerns the pastor’s
office, to open the closed fountains, and to minister to the thirsty sheep the pure, harmless
water.
8. Be not willing then to be overcome when thou fightest. See what kind of war, what
kind of battle, what kind of strife he hath set forth, within, within thine own self. “The flesh
lusteth against the Spirit.” If the Spirit lust not also against the flesh, commit adultery. But
if the Spirit lust against the flesh, I see a struggle, I do not see a victory, it is a contest. “The
flesh lusteth against the Spirit.” Adultery has its pleasure. I confess that it has its pleasure.
But, “The Spirit lusteth against the flesh:” Chastity too has its pleasure. Therefore let the
Spirit overcome the flesh; or by all means not be overcome by the flesh. Adultery seeks the
darkness, chastity desires the light. As thou wouldest wish to appear to others, so live; as
thou wouldest wish to appear to men, even when beyond the eyes of men so live; for He
who made thee, even in the darkness seeth thee. Why is chastity praised publicly by all?
Why do not even adulterers praise adultery? “Whoso” then “seeketh the truth, cometh to
the light.”3832 But adultery has its pleasure. Be it contradicted, resisted, opposed. For it is
not so that thou hast nothing wherewith to fight. Thy God is in thee, the good Spirit hath
been given to thee. And notwithstanding this flesh of ours is permitted to lust against the
spirit by evil suggestions and real3833 delights. Be that secured which the Apostle saith, “Let
not sin reign in your mortal body.”3834 He did not say, “Let it not be there.” It is there
already. And this is called sin, because it has befallen us through the wages3835 of sin. For
in Paradise the flesh did not lust against the spirit, nor was there this struggle there, where
was peace only; but after the transgression, after that man was loth to serve God and was
3830 Gal. v. 17.
3831 Rom. vii. 19.
3832 John iii. 21.
3833 Genuinis.
3834 Rom. vi. 12.
3835 Merito.
1021
On the words of the Gospel, John v. 31, ‘If I bear witness of myself,’ etc.;…