20. There are therefore in us
evil desires, by consenting not unto which we live not ill: there
are in us lusts of sins, by obeying not which we perfect not evil,
but by having them do not as yet perfect good. The Apostle shows
both, that neither is good here perfected, where evil is so lusted
after, nor evil here perfected, whereas such lust is not obeyed.
The one forsooth he shows, where he says, “To will is present
with me, but to perfect good is not;”18751875 the other, where he says, “Walk
in the Spirit, and perfect not the lusts of the flesh.”18761876 For
neither in the former place doth he say that to do good is not with
him, but “to perfect,” nor here doth he say, Have not “lusts
of the flesh,” but “perfect not.” Therefore there take place
in us evil lusts, when that pleases which is not lawful; but they
are not perfected, when evil lusts are restrained by the mind
serving the Law of God. And good takes place, when that, which
wrongly pleases, takes not place through the good delight
prevailing. But the perfection of good is not fulfilled, so long as
by the flesh serving the law of sin, evil lust entices, and,
although it be restrained, is yet moved. For there would be no need
for it to be restrained, were it not moved. There will be at some
time also the perfection of good, when the destruction of evil: the
one will be highest, the other will be no more. And if we think
that this is to be hoped for in this mortal state, we are deceived.
For it shall be then, when death shall not be; and it shall be
there, where shall be life eternal. For in that world,18771877 and in
that kingdom, there shall be highest good, no evil: when there
shall be, and where there shall be, highest love of wisdom, no
labor of continence. Therefore the flesh is not evil, if it be void
of evil, that is, of fault, whereby man was rendered faulty, not
made ill, but himself making. For on either part, that is, both
soul and body, being made good by the good God, himself made the
evil, whereby he was made evil. From the guilt of which evil being
already also set free through forgiveness,18781878 that he may not think what he hath
done to be light, he yet wars with his own fault through
continence. But far be it that there be any faults in such as reign
in that peace which shall be hereafter; since in this state of war
there are lessened daily in such as make progress, not sins only,
but the very lusts also, with which, by not consenting, we strive,
and by consenting unto which we sin.