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AND THEIR REFUTATION. 247
after lusts" thy (Eccl. xviii, 30) ;
"
Let not sin, therefore, reign
in your mortal body, so as to obey the lusts thereof" (Rom.
vi, 12).
I have used the expression a light fault, because the
delectation of a bad object is one thing ; the thought of a bad
object another : this delectation of thought is not mortally sinful
in itself, but only venially so ; and even if there be a just cause,
it is no sin at all. This, however, must be understood to be the
case only when we abominate the evil object, and besides, that
the consideration of it should be of some utility to us, and that
the consideration of it should not lead us to take pleasure in the
evil object, because if there was a proximate danger of this, the
delectation would, in that case, be grievously sinful. When, then,
on the other hand, concupiscence assaults us against our will,
then there is no sin, for God only obliges us to do what is in our
power. Man is composed of the flesh and the spirit,
always naturally at war with each other ; and hence,
which are
it is not in
our power not to feel many times movements opposed to reason.
Would not that master be a tyrant who would command his ser
vant not to feel thirst or cold ? In the law of Moses punishment
was imposed only on actual external crimes, and hence the
Scribes and Pharisees drew a false conclusion, that internal sins
were not prohibited; but in the New Law our Redeemer has
explained that even wicked desires are forbidden :
" You have
heard that it was said to them of old : Thou shalt not commit
adultery ; but I say to you, that whosoever shall look on a
woman to lust after her, hath already committed adultery with
her in his heart" (Matt, v, 27, 28). This stands to reason, for if
we do not reject evil desires, it would be very difficult to avoid
actual external sins ; but when these desires are rejected, they
are a matter of merit to us, instead of deserving of punishment.
St. Paul deplored that he was tormented with carnal temptations,
and prayed to God to free him from them, but was answered
that his grace alone was sufficient :
" There
was given to me a
sting of my flesh, an angel of Satan to buffet me, which thing
thrice I besought the Lord that it might depart from me, and he
said to me : My grace is sufficient for thee, for is power made
perfect in infirmity" (II. Cor. xii, 7, &c). Mark here,
"
power
is made perfect," which proves that when evil desires are rejected,
they increase, instead of weakening our virtue. Here we should