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.