{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/105/1050104.htm","path":"chr/ecf/105/1050104.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/105/1050104.htm","text":"Chapter 15.\u2014Carnal Generation Condemned on Account of Original Sin.\nHe sets forth that this absolute weakness, or rather condemnation, of carnal generation is from the transgression of original sin, when, treating of his own sins, he shows, as it were, their causes, and says that \u201cman that is born of a woman hath but a short time to live, and is full of wrath.\u201d Of what wrath, but of that in which all are, as the apostle says, \u201cby nature,\u201d that is, by origin, \u201cchildren of wrath,\u201d 518 inasmuch as they are children of the concupiscence of the flesh and of the world? He further shows that to this same wrath also pertains the death of man. For after saying, \u201cHe hath but a short time to live, and is full of wrath,\u201d he added, \u201cLike a flower that hath bloomed, so doth he fall; he is gone like a shadow, and continueth not.\u201d He then subjoins: \u201cHast Thou not caused him to enter into judgment with Thee? For who is pure from uncleanness? Not even one; even should his life last but a day.\u201d In these words he in fact says, Thou hast thrown upon man, short-lived though he be, the care of entering into judgment with Thee. For how brief soever be his life,\u2014even if it last but a single day,\u2014he could not possibly be clean of filth; and therefore with perfect justice must he come under Thy judgment. Then, when he says again, \u201cThou hast numbered all my necessities, and not one of my sins hath escaped Thee: Thou hast sealed up my transgressions in a bag, and hast marked whatever I have done unwillingly;\u201d is it not clear enough that even those sins are justly imputed which are not committed through allurement of pleasure, but for the sake of avoiding some trouble, or pain, or death? Now these sins, too, are said to be committed under some necessity, whereas they ought all to be overcome by the love and pleasure of righteousness. Again, what he said in the clause, \u201cThou hast marked whatever I have done unwillingly,\u201d may evidently be connected with the saying: \u201cFor what I would, that I do not; but what I hate, that do I.\u201d 519","title":"Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Vol. V: A Treatise on the...","type":"page"}