Chapter 7
Of the great peace, which our Lord God giveth to them that fight manfully against this Enemy; & of the much that it importeth us, for the overcoming of him, to fly from familiarity with women.
ALL these skirmishes are wont to be made, in the war against chastity; when our Lord permitteth it, for the trial of his Cavaliers, whether indeed they truly love him, and chastity, for which they fight. And after, that he hath found them faithful, he sendeth down his omnipotent favour, and commandeth our adversary, not to give impediment to our peace, and private speech with him. Then doth a man taste the fruit of his labours, and they are full of savour to him, and more full of merit.
It is also necessary, and very necessary, for the conservation of chastity, that familiar conversation of men with women be avoided; how much so ever they be of virtue, and how near soever in blood. For1 the foul, and strange falls, which have been given, and taken in the world, by occasion of this, aught to be a continual remembrancer to us, of our frailty; and a quick warning, at the cost of others, whereby we may unbeguyle ourselves, in respect of the false security, which our pride, would fain make promise off; saying, That we should pass on, without receiving of any hurt; we, I say, who are weak; wherein others, who were so strong, so wise, and (which more imports) so great Saints, were most miserably wounded.
Who would trust the bond of blood, when he reads of that bestiality, which Amon2 committed with his sister Thamar? with many other, as foul examples as this, and more, which have happened in the world, to persons, whom the brutish passion of flesh, and blood made blind.3 And who would trust to the sanctity, either of himself, or any other, when he seethe David; who was a man made after the hart of God, drawn down, by such obscurity of mind, into so many and so filthy sins, by only looking upon a woman? And who will not tremble, to think of his own frailty, when he considereth the sanctity, and wisdom of King Solomon in his youth; and his deformed falls from chastity; which did hammer so fast upon his hart, in his old age, as to induce him, to erect a number4 of Idols, and to adore them, after the example of those women, whom he loved.
Let no man in this, deceive himself; nor confide in his chastity, either past or present; though he find his mind as strong, and as hard against the contrary vice, as any rock. For it was a great truth, which the experienced Hierome delivered to us, That luxuriousness of the flesh, subdueth souls that are made of iron. And S. Augustine, would not dwell with his own sister, saying, They that will converse with my sister, are no sisters of mine. By5 this way of caution, all the Saints have walked, & them we must follow, unless we have a mind to lose our way.
Be not therefore, thou, O Child of Christ, remiss herein; but hear, and perform that which S. Bernard saith; That virgins, who are truly virgins, are fearful in all occasions, yea even in such, as are secure from danger. And they who proceed not thus, shall quickly see themselves as miserably fallen; as formerly, by means of a false security, they were miserably deceived. And although, by penance, a pardon of the sin is obtained; yet reacheth it not, to a recovery of the crown of Virginity, which is lost. And a poor thing it is, saith, S Hierome, that a virgin who expected a crown, must be glad of a pardon, for not having kept it. As it would be, if any King6 should have a daughter, whom he loved much, and whom he kept for marriage, according to her rank, & when the occasion thereof should present itself, this daughter of his should tell him, that she asked his pardon, for that she was not fit for marriage, as having vilely lost her Virginity. The remedies of Penance, are miserable remedies, as saith S. Hierome; since there is not any greater misfortune or misery, then to commit a mortal sin, for the remedy whereof, it is necessary to resort to Penance. Therefore must thou, with all vigilancy, attend to be loyal to him, that chose thee; and to make that good, which thou hast7 promised to him; that so thou mayst not try, by experience, that which is written, Know thou, and see, what a bitter thing it is, to have left the Lord thy God, and that his fear did not continued in thee; but do thou enjoy the fruit, as well as the name, of his chaste Spouse; and the crown, which is provided, by him, for such.
Footnotes
Chapter 9 of 115