Глава XI

23. Why then do the most vain people and the most perverse Pelagians say that the law is that grace of God that helps us not to sin? Why do these unfortunates say such things, undoubtedly contradicting the great Apostle himself? He says that because of the law, sin has acquired [great] power against man, that sin kills through a commandment, even if it is holy, righteous and good, that through good it causes death to a person, from which this person will not be freed in any way unless the Spirit gives life to the one whom the letter had previously killed (as the same apostle says in another place: the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life 131), and these stupid [Pelagians], blind to the light God and those who are deaf to the voice of God say that the letter that kills gives life, and they contradict the life-giving Spirit. But in order for me to convince you better with the words of the apostle himself, [this is how he says]: Therefore, brethren, we are not debtors to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if you mortify the action of the flesh with the Spirit, you will live 132. I said this in order to use apostolic words to turn your free decision from evil and encourage you to good; however, you must not boast in man, that is, in yourself, and not in the Lord, because you do not live according to the flesh, but mortify the action of the flesh through the Spirit. After all, so that none of those to whom he spoke this would become arrogant, and they would not believe that they could do all these good deeds with their own spirit, and not with the Spirit of God, the apostle to the words he said: But if by the spirit you mortify the action of the flesh, you will live, he immediately added: For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God 133 . If therefore you put to death in the Spirit the deeds of the flesh, that you may have life, give glory to Him. Praise Him, give thanks to Him, by Whose Spirit you were led, so that you became capable of this and became sons of God. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. De gratia et libero arbitrio (CPL 352). Translation based on the publication: Patrologiae Cursus Completus. Series Latina. Accurante J.-P. Migne. Paris, 1845. T. 44, Col. 881–912.