Chapter XVII.
Of the lukewarmness of eunuchs.
Lastly
, on this account in
those who are Eunuchs, we often detect the existence of this
lukewarmness of mind, because, as they are so to speak free from the
needs of the flesh, they fancy that they have no need either of the
trouble of bodily abstinence, or of contrition of heart; and being
rendered slack by this freedom from anxiety, they make no efforts
either truly to seek or to acquire perfection of heart or even purity
from spiritual faults. And this condition which is the result of their
state in the flesh, becomes natural, which is altogether a worse state.
For he who passes from the state of coldness to that of lukewarmness is
branded by the Lord’s words as still more hateful.