2. But if the Catechumens, my Brethren, are to be exhorted not to delay to approach to
this so great grace of regeneration; what great care ought we to have in building up the
faithful, that their approaching may profit them, and that they eat and drink not such a
Banquet unto their own judgment? Now that they may not eat and drink unto judgment,
let them live well. Be ye exhorters, not by words, but by your conduct; that they who have
not been baptized, may in such wise hasten to follow you, that they perish not by imitating
you. Do ye who are married keep the fidelity of the marriage-bed with your wives. Render
what you require. As a husband thou requirest chastity from thy wife; give her an example,
not words. Thou art the head, look where thou goest. For thou oughtest to go where it may
not be dangerous for her to follow: yea, thou oughtest to walk thyself where thou wouldest
have her follow. Thou requirest strength from the weaker sex; the lust of the flesh ye have
both of you: let him that is the stronger, be the first to conquer. And yet, which is to be
lamented, many men are conquered by the women. Women preserve chastity, which men
will not preserve; and in that they preserve it not, would wish to appear men: as though he
was in sex the stronger, only that the enemy might more easily subdue him. There is a
struggle, a war, a combat. The man is stronger than the woman, the “man is the head of the
woman.”3955 The woman combats and overcomes; dost thou succumb to the enemy? The
body stands firm, and does the head lie low? But those of you who have not yet wives, and
who yet already approach to the Lord’s Table, and eat the Flesh of Christ, and drink His
Blood, if ye are about to marry, keep yourselves for your wives. As ye would have them come
to you, such ought they also to find you. What young man is there who would not wish to
marry a chaste wife? And if he were to espouse a virgin who would not desire she should
be unpolluted? Thou lookest for one unpolluted, be unpolluted thyself. Thou lookest for
one pure, be not thyself impure. For it is not that she is able, and thou art not able. If it were
not possible, then could not she be so. But, seeing that she can, let this teach thee, that it is
possible. And that she may have this power, God is her ruler. But thou wilt have greater
glory if thou shalt do it. Why greater glory? The vigilance of parents is a check to her, the
very modesty of the weaker sex is a bridle to her; lastly, she is in fear of the laws of which
thou art not afraid. Therefore it is then that thou wilt have greater glory if thou shalt do it;
because if thou do it, thou fearest God. She has many things to fear besides God, thou fearest
God alone. But He whom thou fearest is greater than all. He is to be feared in public, He in
secret. Thou goest out, thou art seen; thou goest in, thou art seen; the lamp is lighted, He
seeth thee; the lamp is extinguished, He seeth thee; thou enterest into thy closet, He seeth
thee; in the retirement3956 of thine own heart, He seeth thee. Fear Him, Him whose care it
3955 Eph. v. 23.
3956 In corde versaris.
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On the words of the Gospel, John vi. 55,’For my flesh is meat indeed, and…