Testimonia

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OF THE DISCIPLINE OF CHASTITY. 203 they may be hated; letthatmisshapen and degraded shame which belongs to sin be kept beforeour eyes. Repentance itself,with allitsstruggles,is a discreditabletestimonyto sins committed. Let not curiositybe indulged in scanning other people'scountenances. Let one'sspeechbe brief,and one'slaughtermoderate,for laughteris the signof an easy and a negligentdisposition;and let allcontact,even that which is becoming, be avoided. Let no indulgencebe per mitted to the body, when bodilyvice is to be avoided. Let it be consideredhow honourable it is to have conquered dishonour,how disgracefulto have been conquered by dis honour. 14. It must be said,moreover,that adulteryis not plea sure,but mutual contempt; nor can it delight,because it killsboth the soul and modesty. Let the soulrestrainthe provocationsof the flesh;letit bridlethe impulsesof the body. For ithas receivedthispower, that the limbsshould be subservientto itscommand ; and as a lawfuland accom plishedcharioteer,it should turn about the fleshlyimpulses when they liftthemselvesabove the allowed limitsof the body, by the reinsof the heavenlyprecepts,lestthatchariot of the body, carriedaway beyond itslimits,should hurry into itsown perilthe charioteerhimselfas wellas it. But in the midst of these things,nay, before these things,in oppositionto disturbancesand allvices,help must be sought for from the divinecamp ; for God alone,who has conde scended to make men, is powerful also to affordsufficient help to men. I have composed a few words, becauseI did not propose to writea volume,but to send you an address. Look ye to the Scriptures; seek out for yourselvesfrom those preceptsgreaterillustrationsof thismatter. Beloved brethren,farewell.

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