{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/105/1050304.htm","path":"chr/ecf/105/1050304.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/105/1050304.htm","text":"Chapter 57 [XLIX.]\u2014It Does Not Detract from God\u2019s Almighty Power, that He is Incapable of Either Sinning, or Dying, or Destroying Himself.\n\u201cInasmuch,\u201d says he, \u201cas not to sin is ours, we are able to sin and to avoid sin.\u201d What, then, if another should say: \u201cInasmuch as not to wish for unhappiness is ours, we are able both to wish for it and not to wish for it?\u201d And yet we are positively unable to wish for it. For who could possibly wish to be unhappy, even though he wishes for something else from which unhappiness will ensue to him against his will? Then again, inasmuch as, in an infinitely greater degree, it is God\u2019s not to sin, shall we therefore venture to say that He is able both to sin and to avoid sin? God forbid that we should ever say that He is able to sin! For He cannot, as foolish persons suppose, therefore fail to be almighty, because He is unable to die, or because He cannot deny Himself. What, therefore, does he mean? by what method of speech does he try to persuade us on a point which he is himself loth to consider? For he advances a step further, and says: \u201cInasmuch as, however, it is not of us to be able to avoid sin; even if we were to wish not to be able to avoid sin, it is not in our power to be unable to avoid sin.\u201d It is an involved sentence, and therefore a very obscure one. It might, however, be more plainly expressed in some such way as this: \u201cInasmuch as to be able to avoid sin is not of us, then, whether we wish it or do not wish it, we are able to avoid sin!\u201d He does not say, \u201cWhether we wish it or do not wish it, we do not sin,\u201d\u2014for we undoubtedly do sin, if we wish;\u2014but yet he asserts that, whether we will or not, we have the capacity of not sinning,\u2014a capacity which p. 141 he declares to be inherent in our nature. Of a man, indeed, who has his legs strong and sound, it may be said admissibly enough, \u201cwhether he will or not he has the capacity of walking;\u201d but if his legs be broken, however much he may wish, he has not the capacity. The nature of which our author speaks is corrupted. \u201cWhy is dust and ashes proud?\u201d 1262 It is corrupted. It implores the Physician\u2019s help. \u201cSave me, O Lord,\u201d 1263 is its cry; \u201cHeal my soul,\u201d 1264 it exclaims. Why does he check such cries so as to hinder future health, by insisting, as it were, on its present capacity?","title":"Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Vol. V: A Treatise on Nat...","type":"page"}