79. For the Creator of all knows that the
dispositions of each are different, and therefore incited virtue by
rewards, instead of binding weakness by chains. And he, the
teacher of the Gentiles, the good guide of our conduct, and instructor
of our inmost affections, who had learnt in himself that the law of the
flesh resists the law of the mind, but yields to the grace of Christ,
he knows, I say, that various movements of the mind are opposed to each
other; and, therefore, so expresses his exhortations to chastity, as
not to do away with the grace of marriage, nor has he so exalted
marriage as to check the desire of chastity. But beginning with
the recommendation of chastity, he goes on to remedies against
incontinence, and having set before the stronger the prize of their
high calling, he suffers no one to faint by the way; approving those
who take the lead so as not to make little of those who follow.
For he, himself, had learnt that the Lord Jesus gave to some barley
bread S. John vi. 9. lest they should faint by the way, and
administered His Body to others, S. Matt. xxvi. 26. that
they might strive for the kingdom.