{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/105/1050341.htm","path":"chr/ecf/105/1050341.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/105/1050341.htm","text":"Chapter III.\u2014(5.) The Fifth Breviate.\nV. \u201cWe must again,\u201d he says, \u201cinquire whether a man ought to be without sin. Beyond doubt he ought. If he ought, he is able; if he is not able, then he ought not. Now if a man ought not to be without sin, it follows that he ought to be with sin,\u2014and then it ceases to be sin at all, if it is determined that it is owed. Or if it is absurd to say this, we are obliged to confess that man ought to be without sin; and it is clear that his obligation is not more than his ability.\u201d We frame our answer with the same illustration that we employed in our previous reply. When we see a lame man who has the p. 161 opportunity of being cured of his lameness, we of course have a right to say: \u201cThat man ought not to be lame; and if he ought, he is able.\u201d And yet whenever he wishes he is not immediately able; but only after he has been cured by the application of the remedy, and the medicine has assisted his will. The same thing takes place in the inward man in relation to sin which is its lameness, by the grace of Him who \u201ccame not to call the righteous, but sinners;\u201d 1374 since \u201cthe whole need not the physician, but only they that be sick.\u201d 1375","title":"Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Vol. V: A Treatise Concer...","type":"page"}