There are two elements which are in conflict in a person who is becoming spiritual instead of natural; these are generally called the spirit and the flesh. Since the love of marriage belongs to the spirit and the love of adultery to the flesh, they are in conflict. If the love of marriage wins, it tames and subdues the love of adultery by moving it away. But if it happens that the lust of the flesh is aroused beyond the level at which it can be controlled by the spirit guided by reason, it follows that the condition is turned upside down, and the tide of lust swamps the spirit with its lures, so that it is no longer subject to its own reason, and thus in control of itself. This is what is meant by adultery in the second degree. Such acts are committed by those who are certainly able to consult their intellect, but are unable to do so at those moment due to contingent events.

[2] Examples will illustrate this. For instance, if a promiscuous wife captivates a man's mind by her wiles, enticing him into her bedroom, and arousing him to the point where he becomes incapable of judgment, and the more so, if she then threatens to expose him, if he will not. Equally if a promiscuous wife is skilled in witchcraft, or inflames a man with drugs to such a point that the drive of the flesh deprives the intellect of the freedom to act with reason. Likewise if a man leads on with sweet blandishments another's wife, until her will is so inflamed as to be no longer controllable; and other similar events. These and the like contingent events reduce the gravity of adultery and allow a milder view of the opprobrium incurred by the man or woman seduced; this reason supports and approves. The imputation of adultery in this degree will be discussed next.