{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/105/1050327.htm","path":"chr/ecf/105/1050327.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/105/1050327.htm","text":"Chapter 80 [LXVII.]\u2014Augustin Himself. Two Methods Whereby Sins, Like Diseases, are Guarded Against.\nLet us now turn to our own case. \u201cBishop Augustin also,\u201d says your author, \u201cin his books on Free Will has these words: \u2018Whatever the cause itself of volition is, if it is impossible to resist it, submission to it is not sinful; if, however, it may be resisted, let it not be submitted to, and there will be no sin. Does it, perchance, deceive the unwary man? Let him then beware that he be not deceived. Is the deception, however, so potent that it is not possible to guard against it? If such is the case, then there are no sins. For who sins in a case where precaution is quite impossible? Sin, however, is committed; precaution therefore is possible.\u2019\u201d 1336 I acknowledge it, these are my words; but he, too, should condescend to acknowledge all that was said previously, seeing that the discussion is about the grace of God, which helps us as a medicine through the Mediator; not about the impossibility of righteousness. Whatever, then, may be the cause, it can be resisted. Most certainly it can. Now it is because of this that we pray for help, saying, \u201cLead us not into temptation,\u201d 1337 and we should not ask for help if we supposed that the resistance were quite impossible. It is possible to guard against sin, but by the help of Him who cannot be deceived. 1338 For this very circumstance has much to do with guarding against sin that we can unfeignedly say, \u201cForgive us our debt, as we forgive our debtors.\u201d 1339 Now there are two ways whereby, even in bodily maladies, the evil is guarded against,\u2014to prevent its occurrence, and, if it happen, to secure a speedy cure. To prevent its occurrence, we may find precaution in the prayer, \u201cLead us not into temptation;\u201d to secure the prompt remedy, we have the resource in the prayer, \u201cForgive us our debts.\u201d Whether then the danger only threaten or be inherent, it may be guarded against.\nAugustin, De Libero Arbitrio, iii. 18 (50).\n149:1337 149:1338\nAugustin gives a similar reply to the objection in his Retractations, i. 9.\n149:1339","title":"Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Vol. V: A Treatise on Nat...","type":"page"}