A Treatise on the Spirit and the Letter: 23 (Lighthouse Church Fathers)

The person to whom I had addressed the three books entitled De Peccatorum Meritis et Remissione in which I carefully discussed also the baptism of infants informed me when acknowledging my communication that he was much disturbed because I declared it to be possible that a man might be without sin if he wanted not the will by the help of God although no man either had lived was living or would live in this life so perfect in righteousness. He asked how I could say that it was possible of which no example could be adduced. Owing to this inquiry on the part of this person I wrote the treatise entitled De Spiritu et Littera in which I considered at large the apostles statement The letter kills but the spirit giveth life. In this work so far as God enabled me I earnestly disputed with those who oppose that grace of God which justifies the servances of the Jews who abstain from sundry meats and drinks in accordance with their ancient law I mentioned the ceremonies of certain meats [quarumdam escarum cerimoniæ]--a phrase which though not used in Holy Scriptures seemed to me very convenient because I remembered that cerimoniæ is tantamount to carimoniæ as if from carere to be without and expresses the abstinence of the worshippers from certain things. If however there is any other derivation of the word which is inconsistent with the true religion I meant no reference whatever to it; I confined my use to the sense above indicated. This work of mine begins thus: After reading the short treatise which I lately drew up for you my beloved son Marcellinus etc.