Chapter XIII. Of the Slavery of Vices

And deservedly does this wicked World, with its vain promises, delude Souls, which forgetting their own proper nobility and condition, are not ashamed to be subjected to Hogs in their ministery and service, and to be associated to them in their appetites and desires; and yet after all, not to be able to satiate themselves with their unhappy food. For whence is this so great pusillanimity, and so miserable abjection, that an eminently noble Creature, capable of eternal Beatitude, and of the Glory of the great God, to wit, by whose Inspiration it was made, with whose Image it was stamped, with whose Blood it was redeemed, by whose Spirit adopted, and with whose Faith it was endowed, should not blush to be enslaved under the rottenness of corporeal Senses? Deservedly are they unable to overtake such Lovers, who forsake such a Spouse to follow after them. Deservedly did he hunger after husks, and could not get them, who chose rather to feed Hogs, than to be satiated with the dainties of his Father's Table. A mad labour it is to feed the barren, which brings forth no fruit, and to refuse to do good to the poor Widow: to omit the care of the Soul, and with eager desire to take care of the Body: to cherish and make fat the putrid Carcass, which we doubt not shall a little after be the food of worms. For to serve Mammon, and be avaritious, (which is the worship of Idols,) or to follow after vanity, who doubts but these are evident marks of a Soul wholly degenerated?