1. I do not conceive that I have exceeded any portions of my duty, in always striving as much as possible, by daily discussions of the Gospels, to aff

 2. Although, therefore, I exhort you always, as you are aware, to many things, and to the precepts of the Lord’s admonition—for what else can be desir

 3. Chastity is the dignity of the body, the ornament of morality, the sacredness of the sexes, the bond of modesty, the source of purity, the peaceful

 4. But chastity maintains the first rank in virgins, the second in those who are continent, the third in the case of wedlock. Yet in all it is gloriou

 5. The precepts of chastity, brethren, are ancient. Wherefore do I say ancient? Because they were ordained at the same time as men themselves. For bot

 6. Christ gave this judgment when, being inquired of, He said that a wife must not be put away, save for the cause of adultery such honour did He put

 7. But as laws are prescribed to matrons, who are so bound that they cannot thence be separated, while virginity and continency are beyond all law, th

 8. But since the precepts of chastity have thus briefly been set forth to us, let us now give an instance of chastity. For it is more profitable when

 9. But not less from a different direction arises to us another similar instance of chastity from the continence of women. Susanna, as we read, the da

 10. The memory of noble descent could not enervate them, although to some this is a suggestive licence to lasciviousness nor the comeliness of their

 11. Nothing so delights the faithful soul as the healthy consciousness of an unstained modesty. To have vanquished pleasure is the greatest pleasure

 12. For what is chastity but a virtuous mind added to watchfulness over the body so that modesty observed in respect of the sexual relations, atteste

 13. But to return to what I began with: chastity is ever to be cultivated by men and women it is to be kept with all watchfulness within its bounds.

 14. It must be said, moreover, that adultery is not pleasure, but mutual contempt nor can it delight, because it kills both the soul and modesty. Let

14. It must be said, moreover, that adultery is not pleasure, but mutual contempt; nor can it delight, because it kills both the soul and modesty. Let the soul restrain the provocations of the flesh; let it bridle the impulses of the body. For it has received this power, that the limbs should be subservient to its command; and as a lawful and accomplished charioteer, it should turn about the fleshly impulses when they lift themselves above the allowed limits of the body, by the reins of the heavenly precepts, lest that chariot of the body, carried away beyond its limits, should hurry into its own peril the charioteer himself as well as it. But in the midst of these things, nay, before these things, in opposition to disturbances and all vices, help must be sought for from the divine camp; for God alone, who has condescended to make men, is powerful also to afford sufficient help to men. I have composed a few words, because I did not propose to write a volume, but to send you an address. Look ye to the Scriptures; seek out for yourselves from those precepts greater illustrations of this matter.16    [Everything in antiquity breathes this spirit of “searching the Scriptures.” Compare Hippol., p. 219, note 4, supra.] Beloved brethren, farewell.

XIV. Dicendum etiam quod adulterium voluptas non est, sed mutua contumelia, nec delectare potest, quod et animam interficiat et pudorem. Coerceat animus stimulos carnis, refraenet impetum corporis. Accepit enim hanc potestatem, ut illi ad imperium ejus membra servirent, et quasi legitimus ac perfectus 0828A auriga, ultra concessas corporis metas extollentes se carnis impetus, coelestium praeceptorum habenis reflectat; ne ultra terminos suos currus iste corporis raptus, in periculum suum secum et ipsum rapiat aurigam. Sed inter haec, immo et ante haec, contra turbas et vitia omnia de divinis castris auxilium petendum est: solus enim potens est Deus qui homines dignatus est facere, et plena hominibus auxilia praestare. Ego pauca dictavi, quoniam non est propositum volumen scribere, sed allocutionem transmittere. Vos Scripturas aspicite, exempla vobis de ipsis praeceptis hujus rei majora conquirite. Fratres charrissimi, bene valete.