B. Reasons given in support of

Note: This list is a work in progress, and may change at any time both in the selection of quotations and the content of the annotations. In the meantime, feel free to offer any suggestions.

LACTANTIUS

“Man, therefore, was made from different and opposite substances, as the world itself was made from light and darkness, from life and death; and he has admonished us that these two things contend against each other in man: so that if the soul, which has its origin from God, gains the mastery, it is immortal, and lives in perpetual light; if, on the other hand, the body shall overpower the soul, and subject it to its dominion, it is in everlasting darkness and death.” (Divine Institutes, Book Two, chap. 13)1

“There would be no frauds or plunderings if they had learned, through the instruction of God, to be content with that which was their own, though little, so that they might prefer solid and eternal things to those which are frail and perishable. There would be no adulteries, and debaucheries, and prostitution of women, if it were known to all, that whatever is sought beyond the desire of procreation is condemned by God.” (Divine Institutes, Book Five, chap. 8)2

“For as to walk in the right course is good, but to wander from it is evil, so to be moved by the affections to that which is right is good, but to that which is corrupt is evil. For sensual desire, if it does not wander from its lawful object, although it be ardent, yet is without fault. But if it desires an unlawful object, although it be moderate, yet it is a great vice. Therefore it is not a disease to be angry, nor to desire, nor to be excited by lust; but to be passionate, to be covetous or licentious, is a disease. For he who is passionate is angry even with him with whom he ought not to be angry or at times when he ought not. He who is covetous desires even that which is unnecessary. He who is licentious pursues even that which is forbidden by the laws.” (Divine Institutes, Book Six, chap. 16)3

  1. Here and in many similar passages of the Institutes, Lactantius takes a very negative view of the physical body, which was no doubt influential in the strong asceticism of so much the Church in his day and afterward.
  2. Here, Lactantius’ negative view of the physical element of mankind definitely leads him into an error that the Church has never condoned, but has always allowed honorable marital intercourse after the age of childbearing. But for more, see below.
  3. A principle which seems to be at variance with what Lactantius has said elsewhere concerning marital intercourse, etc.

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