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

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 daughter of Chelcias, the wife of Joachim, was exceedingly beautiful—more beautiful still in character. Her outward appearance added no charm to her, for she was simple: chastity had cultivated her; and in addition to chastity nature alone. With her, two of the elders had begun to be madly in love, mindful of nothing, neither of the fear of God, nor even of their age, already withering with years. Thus the flame of resuscitated lust recalled them into the glowing heats of their bygone youth. Robbers of chastity, they profess love, while they really hate. They threaten her with calumnies when she resists; the adulterers in wish declare themselves the accusers of adultery. And between these rocks of lust she sought help of the Lord, because she was not equal to prevailing against them by bodily strength. And the Lord heard from heaven chastity crying to Him; and when she, overwhelmed with injustice, was being led to punishment, she was delivered, and saw her revenge upon her enemies. Twice victorious, and in her peril so often and so fatally hedged in, she escaped both the lust and death. It will be endless if I continue to produce more examples; I am content with these two, especially as in these cases chastity has been defended with all their might.

IX. Sed non minus, ex parte diversa, aliud nobis 0824B pudicitiae simile de continentia feminarum exoritur exemplum. Fuit, ut legimus, Susanna (Dan. XIII) filia Helciae, uxor Joachim pulcherrima, pulchrior moribus. Hanc nullum ad decorem commendabat species; simplex enim erat. Excoluerat pudicitia, et cum pudicitia sola natura. Hanc e senioribus duo coeperant deperire, nihil memores nec divini timoris, sed nec suae annis jam marcescentis aetatis; ita illos in flagrantia transactae juventutis incendia, redivivae libidinis flamma revocabat: pudicitiae latrones amorem profitentur, sed oderant. Resistenti minantur calumnias, adulterii se dicunt accusatores voto adulteri. Inter quos libidinis scopulos auxilium de Domino petebat, quia viribus corporis repugnare non valebat. Et exaudivit de coelo clamantem ad se 0824C pudicitiam Dominus; et cum iniquitate oppressa duceretur ad poenam, vidit inimicorum liberata vindictam. Bis victrix, et in periculo suo tam funeste toties consepta, et libidinem evasit, et mortem. Infinitum erit si exempla prosequar plura: his duobus contentus sum, praesertim cum omnibus sit viribus per istos pudicitia defensa.