IV. Object of free choice; natural, civil, and spiritual goods distinguished
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IV.Its object is the good proposed by the intellect.Natural, civil, and spiritual good must be distinguished.Toward natural and civil goods the fallen human even now retains some liberty and powers, though weakened and often bent toward evil.But toward spiritual good — which is true conversion toward God, saving faith, and new obedience — natural powers do not suffice.Hence Augustine and the Reformed theologians teach that free choice in spiritual things after the fall is a slave — not so that the human does not act, but so that he cannot will the spiritual good unless prevented and helped by the Holy Spirit.
Latin
IV. Objectum eius est bonum ab intellectu propositum. Distinguendum est bonum naturale, civile, et spirituale. Ad bona naturalia et civilia homo lapsus etiamnum aliquam libertatem et vires retinet, licet debilitatas et saepe in malum flexas. Ad spirituale bonum vero, quod est vera erga Deum conversio, fides salvifica, et nova obedientia, vires naturales non sufficiunt. Hinc Augustinus et Theologi Reformati docent liberum arbitrium in spiritualibus post lapsum servum esse, non quidem ita ut homo non agat, sed ita ut non possit velle bonum spirituale nisi a Spiritu Sancto praeventus et adiutus.