25. Forsooth continence is a
virtue, not of the body, but of the soul. But the virtues of the
soul are sometimes shown in work, sometimes lie hid in habit, as
the virtue of martyrdom shone forth and appeared by enduring
sufferings; but how many are there of the same virtue of mind, unto
whom trial is wanting, whereby what is within, in the sight of God,
may go forth also into the sight of men, and not to men begin to
exist, but only become known? For there was already in Job
patience, which God knew, and to which He bore witness: but it
became known unto men by test of trial:2001
and what lay hid within was not
produced, but shown, by the things that were brought on him from
without. Timothy also certainly had the
virtue of abstaining from
wine,
2002
which
Paul
took not from him, by advising him to use a moderate portion of
wine, “for the sake of his
stomach and his often
infirmities,”
otherwise he taught him a
deadly lesson, that for the sake of the
health of the body there should be a loss of
virtue in the
soul: but because what he advised could take place with
safety to
that
virtue, the
profit of drinking was so left free to the body,
as that the
habit of continence continued in the
soul. For it is
the
habit itself, whereby any thing is done, when there is need;
2003
but when
it is not done, it can be done, only there is no need. This
habit,
in the matter of that continence which is from sexual intercourse,
they have not, unto whom it is said, “If they contain not, let
them be
married.”
2004
But this they have, unto whom it
is said, “Whoso can receive, let him receive.”
2005
Thus have
perfect souls used earthly goods, that are necessary for something
else, through this
habit of continence, so as, by it, not to be
bound by them, and so as by it, to have
power also not to use them,
in case there were no need. Nor doth any use them well,
save who
hath
power also not to use them. Many indeed with more ease
practise
abstinence, so as not to use, than practise
temperance, so
as to use well. But no one can wisely use them,
save who can also
continently not use them. From this
habit Paul also said, “I know
both to abound, and to
suffer want.”
2006
Forsooth to
suffer want is the
part of any men soever; but to know to suffer want is the part of
great men. So, also, to abound, who cannot? but to know also to
abound, is not, save of those, whom abundance corrupts
not.
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