Adam at first was without clothing, faring
daintily in Paradise: and after he had received the commandment,
but failed to keep it, and wickedly stretched forth his hand (not
because the hand wished this, but because his will stretched forth his
hand to that which was forbidden), because of his disobedience he lost
also the good things he had received. Thus the members are not
the cause of sin to those who use them, but the wicked mind, as the
Lord says, For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, fornications,
adulteries, envyings, and such like. In what things thou
choosest, therein thy limbs serve thee; they are excellently made for
the service of the soul: they are provided as servants to thy
reason. Guide them well by the motion of piety; bridle them by
the fear of God; bring them into subjection to the desire
of temperance and abstinence, and
they will never rise up against thee to tyrannise over thee; but rather
they will guard thee, and help thee more mightily in thy victory over
the devil, while expecting also the incorruptible and everlasting crown
of the victory. Who openeth the chambers of the womb? Who,
&c.”