(NOTE: The electronic text obtained from The Electronic Bible Society was
not completely corrected. EWTN has corrected all discovered errors.)
SULPITIUS SEVERUS
APOCRYPHAL LETTERS
[Translated by Alexander Roberts, D.D., Professor of Humanity, St. Andrews,
Scotland]
LETTER I.
A LETTER OF THE HOLY PRESBYTER SEVERUS TO HIS SISTER CLAUDIA CONCERNING THE
LAST JUDGMENT.
CHAPTER I
ON reading your letters, my feelings were, in many ways, deeply moved,
and I could not refrain from tears. For I both wept for joy because I could
perceive from the very language of your letters, that you were living
according to the precepts of the Lord God, and out of my exceeding desire
after you, I could not help lamenting that, without any fault on my part, I
was parted from you l and I would have felt this still more strongly had
you not sent me a letter. Should I not, then, enjoy the company of such a
sister? But I call your salvation to witness, that I have very often wished
to come to you, but have up till now been prevented, through the opposition
of him[1] who is accustomed to hinder us. For, in my eager desire, I was
both urgent to satisfy my wishes by seeing you; and we seemed, if we should
meet, likely to accomplish more effectually the work of the Lord, since by
comforting one another we should live with the heavy load of this world
trodden under our feet. But I do not now fix the day or time of visiting
you, because, as often as I have done so, I have not been able to fulfil my
purpose. I shall wait on the will of the Lord, and hope that, by my
supplications and your prayers, he may bring it about that we reap some
advantage from our perseverance.[2]
CHAPTER II.
But because you have desired from me in all my letters which I had sent
to you precepts to nourish your life and faith, it has come to pass that,
through the frequency of my writings to you, I have now exhausted language
of that kind; and I can really write nothing new to you, so as to avoid
what I have written before. And in truth, through the goodness of God, you
do not now need to be exhorted, inasmuch as, perfecting your faith at the
very beginning of your saintly life, you display a devoted love in Christ.
One thing, however, I do press upon you, that you do not go back on things
you have already passed away from, that you do not long again for things
you have already scorned, and that, having put your hand to the plow, you
do not look back[1] again, retracing your steps; for, undoubtedly, by
falling into this fault, your furrow will lose its straightness, and the
cultivator will not receive his own proper reward. Moreover, he does not
secure even a measure of the reward, if he has, in a measure, failed. For,
as we must flee from sin to righteousness, so he who has entered on the
practice of righteousness must beware lest he lay himself open to sin. For
it is written that "his righteousness shall not profit the righteous on the
day on which he has gone astray."[2] For this, then, we must take our
stand, for this we must labor, that we, who have escaped from sins, do not
lose the prepared rewards. For the enemy stands ready against us, that he
may at once strike the man who has been stripped of the shield of faith.
Our shield, therefore, is not to be cast aside, lest our side be exposed to
attack; and our sword is not to be put away, lest the enemy then begin to
give up all fear: moreover, we know that if he sees a man fully armed, he
will retreat. Nor are we ignorant that it is a hard and difficult thing
daily to fight against the flesh and the world. But if you reflect upon
eternity, and if you consider the kingdom of heaven, which undoubtedly the
Lord will condescend to bestow upon us although we are sinners, what
suffering, I ask, is sufficiently great, by which we may merit such things?
And besides, our struggle in this world is but for a short time; for
although death do not speedily overtake us, old age will come. The years
flow on, and time glides by; while, as I hope, the Lord Jesus will speedily
call us to himself, as being dear to his heart.
CHAPTER III.
O How happy shall be that departure of ours, when Christ shall receive
us into his own abode after we have been purged[1] from the stains of sin
through the experience[2] of a better life! Martyrs and prophets will meet
with us, apostles will join themselves to us, angels will be glad,
archangel; will rejoice, and Satan, being conquered, will look pale, though
still retaining his cruel countenance, inasmuch as he will lose all[3]
advantage from our sins which he had secured for himself in us. He will see
glory granted us through mercy, and merits honored by means of glory. We
shall triumph over our conquered foe. Where shall now the wise men of the
world appear? Where shall the covetous man, where shall the adulterer,
where shall the irreligious, where shall the drunkard, where shall the
evil-speaker be recognized? What shall these wretched beings say in their
own defense? "We did not know thee, Lord; we did not see that thou wast in
the world: thou didst not send the prophets: thou didst not give the law to
the world: we did not see the patriarchs: we did not read the lives of the
saints. Thy Christ never was upon the earth: Peter was silent: Paul refused
to preach: no Evangelist taught. There were no martyrs whose example we
should follow: no one predicted thy future judgment no one commanded us to
clothe the poor: no one enjoined us to restrain lust: no one persuaded us
to fight against covetousness: we fell through ignorance, not knowing what
we did."
CHAPTER IV.
Against these, from among the company of the saints, righteous Noah
shall first proclaim, "I, Lord, predicted that a deluge was about to. come
on account of the sins of men, and after the deluge I set an example to
the good in my own person; since I did not perish with the wicked who
perished, that they might know both what was the salvation of the innocent,
and what the punishment of sinners." After him, faithful Abraham will say
in opposition to them, "I, Lord, about the mid-time[1] of the age of the
world, laid the foundation of the faith by which the human race should
believe in thee; I was chosen as the father of the nations, that they might
follow my example; I did not hesitate, Lord, to offer Isaac, while yet a
youth, as a sacrifice to thee, that they might understand that there is
nothing which ought not to be presented to the Lord, when they perceived
that I did not spare even my only son: I left, Lord, my country, and my
family, at thy command, that they also might have an example teaching them
to leave the wickedness of the world and the age: I, Lord, was the first to
recognize thee, though under a corporeal[2] form, nor did I hesitate to
believe who it was that I beheld, although thou didst appear to me in a
different form from thine own, that these might learn to judge, not
according to the flesh, but according to the spirit." Him the blessed Moses
will support in his pleadings, saying: "I Lord, delivered the law to all
these, at thy command, that those whom a free[3] faith did not influence,
the spoken law at least might restrain: I said, 'Thou shalt not[4] commit
adultery,' in order that I might prevent the licentiousness of fornication:
I said, 'Thou shalt love[5] thy neighbor,' that affection might abound; I
said, 'Thou shalt worship the Lord alone,'[7] in order that these might not
sacrifice to idols, or allow temples to exist; I commanded that false
witness should not be spoken, that I might shut the lips of these people
against all falsehood. I set forth the things which had been done and said
from the beginning of the world, through the working within me of the
spirit of thy power, that a knowledge of things past might convey to these
people instruction about things to come. I predicted, O Lord Jesus, thy
coming, that it might not be an unexpected thing to these people, when they
were called to acknowledge him whom I had before announced as about to
come."
CHAPTER V.
After him, there will stand up David worthy of his descendant the Lord,
and declare: "I, Lord, proclaimed thee by every means; I set forth that
only thy name was to be worshiped; I said, 'Blessed is the man[1] who fears
the Lord'; I said too, 'The saints shall[2] be joyful in glory'; and I
said, 'The desire of the wicked[3] shall perish,' that these people might
acknowledge thee and cease to sin. I, whet I had become possessed of royal
power, clothed in sackcloth, with dust spread beneath me, and with the
emblems of my greatness laid aside, lay down in my clothes, that an example
might be given to these people of gentleness and humility. I spared my
enemies who desired to slay me, that these people might approve of my
mercifulness, as worthy of being imitated." After him, Isaiah, who was
worthy of the Spirit of God, will not be silent; but will say: "I, Lord,
whilst thou wast speaking through my mouth, gave this warning,-- 'Woe to
those[4] who join house to house,' that I might set a limit to
covetousness. I bore witness that thine anger came upon the wicked, that at
any rate fear of punishment, if not hope of reward, might keep back these
people from their evil deeds."
CHAPTER VI.
After these, and several others who have discharged for us the duties
of instruction, the Son of God himself will speak thus: "I, certainly,
exalted on a lofty seat, holding heaven in my hand, and the earth in my
fist, extended within and without, in the inside of all things which are
produced, and on the outside of all[1] things that move, inconceivable,
infinite in the power[2] of nature, invisible to sight, inaccessible to
touch, in order that I might exist as the least of you (for the purpose of
subduing the hardness of your heart and for softening your faithlessness by
sound doctrines), condescended to be born in flesh, and, having laid aside
the glory of God, I assumed the form of a servant, so that, sharing with
you in bodily infirmity, I might in turn bring you to a participation in my
glory, through obedience to the precept of salvation. I restored health to
the sick and infirm, hearing to the deaf, sight to the blind, the power of
speech to the dumb, and the use of their feet to the lame; that I might
influence you, by heavenly signs, all the more easily to believe in me, and
in those things which I had announced, I promised you the kingdom of
heaven; I also, in order that you might have an example of escape from
punishment, placed in Paradise the robber who acknowledged me almost at the
moment of his death, that ye might follow even the faith of him who had
been thought worthy of having his sins forgiven him. And that by my example
in your behalf, ye yourselves also might be able to suffer; I suffered for
you, that no man might hesitate to suffer for himself what God[3] had
endured for man. I showed myself after my resurrection, in order that your
faith might not be overthrown. I admonished the Jews in the person of
Peter; I preached to the Gentiles in the person of Paul; and I do not
regret doing so, for good results followed. The good have understood my
work; the faithful have perfected it; the righteous have completed it; the
merciful have consummated it: there have been a large number of martyrs,
and i a large number of saints. Those to whom I thus refer were undoubtedly
in the same body and in the same world as you. Why, then, do I find no good
work in you, ye descendants of vipers? Ye have shown no repentance for
your wicked deeds, even at the very end of your earthly course. And what
does it profit that ye honor me with your lips, when you deny me by your
deeds and works? Where are now your riches, where your honors, where your
powers, and where your pleasures? I pronounce no new sentence over you: you
simply incur the judgment which I formerly predicted."
CHAPTER VII.
Then will the Evangelist repeat this to the wretched beings, "Go ye[1]
into outer darkness, where shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." O ye
miserable men, whom these words do not now impress! They shall then see
their own punishment, and the glory of others. Let them use this present
world, provided they do not enjoy that eternity which is prepared for the
saints. Let them abound in riches: let them rest on gold; provided that
there they be found needy and destitute. Let them be wealthy in this world,
provided they be poor in eternity, for it is written regarding them, "The
rich were in[2] want, and suffered hunger." But the Scripture has added
what follows respecting the good,--"but those who seek the Lord shall not
want any good thing."
Therefore, my sister, although those people mock at us, and although
they call us foolish and unhappy, let us all the more joyfully exult in
such reproaches, by which glory is heaped up for us, and punishment for
them. And do not let us laugh at their folly, but rather grieve over their
unhappiness; because there is among :hem a large number of our own people,
whom if we win over, our glory shall be increased. But however they may
conduct themselves, let them be to us as Gentiles and publicans; but let us
keep ourselves safe and sound. If they rejoice now over us lamenting, it
will be our turn afterwards to rejoice over their suffering. Farewell,
dearest sister, and tenderly beloved in Christ.
LETTER II.
A LETTER OF SULPITIUS SEVERUS TO HIS SISTER CLAUDIA CONCERNING VIRGINITY.
CHAPTER I.
How great blessedness, among heavenly gifts, belongs to holy virginity,
besides the testimonies of the Scriptures, we learn also from the practice
of the Church, by which we are taught that a peculiar merit belongs to
those who have devoted themselves to it by special consecration. For while
the whole multitude of those that believe receive equal gifts of grace, and
all rejoice in the same blessings of the sacraments, those who are virgins
possess something above the rest, since, out of the holy and unstained
company of the Church, they are chosen by the Holy Spirit, and are
presented by the bishop[1] at the altar of God, as if being more holy and
pure sacrifices, on account of the merits of their voluntary dedication.
This is truly a sacrifice worthy of God, inasmuch as it is the offering of
so precious a being, and none will please him more than the sacrifice of
his own image. For I think that the Apostle especially referred to a
sacrifice of this kind, when he said, "Now, I beseech you, brethren, by the
mercy of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and
acceptable[2] to God." Virginity, therefore, possesses both that which
others have, and that which others have not; while it obtains both common
and special grace, and rejoices (so to speak) in its own peculiar privilege
of consecration. For ecclesiastical authority permits us to style virgins
also the brides of Christ; while, after the manner of brides, it veils
those whom it consecrates to the Lord, openly exhibiting those as very
especially about to possess spiritual marriage who have fled away from
carnal fellowship. And those are worthily united, after a spiritual manner,
to God, in accordance with the analogy of marriage, who, from love to him,
have set at nought human alliances. In their case, that saying of the
apostle finds its fullest possible fulfillment, "He who is joined to the
Lord,[3] is one spirit."
CHAPTER II.
FOR it is a great and a divine thing, almost beyond a corporeal nature,
to lay aside[1] luxury, and to extinguish, by strength of mind, the flame
of concupiscence, kindled by the torch of youth; to put down by spiritual
effort the force of natural delight; to live in opposition to the practice
of the human race; to despise the comforts of wedlock; to disdain the sweet
enjoyments derived from children; and to regard as nothing, in the hope of
future blessedness, everything that is reckoned among the advantages of
this present life. This is, as I have said, a great and admirable virtue,
and is not undeservedly destined to a vast reward, in proportion to the
greatness of its labor. The Scripture says, "I will give to the eunuchs,
saith the Lord, a place in my house and within my walls, a place counted
better than[2] sons and daughters; I will give them an eternal name, and it
shall not[3] fail." The Lord again speaks concerning such enunchs in the
Gospel, saying, "For there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for
the kingdom of heaven's sake."[4] Great, indeed, is the struggle connected
with chastity, but greater is the reward; the restraint is temporal, but
the reward will be eternal. For the blessed Apostle John also speaks
concerning these, saying that "they follow the Lamb whithersoever he
goeth."[5] This, I think, is to be understood to the following effect, that
there will be no place in the court of heaven closed against them, but that
all the habitations of the divine mansions will be thrown open before them.
CHAPTER III.
But that the merit of virginity may shine forth more clearly, and that
there may be a better understanding as to how worthy it is of God, let this
be considered, that the Lord God, our Saviour, when, for the salvation of
the human race, he condescended to assume mankind, chose no other than a
virgin's womb, that he might show how virtue of this kind especially
pleased him; and that he might point out the blessedness of chastity to
both sexes, he had a virgin mother, while he himself was ever to remain in
a like condition. He thus furnished in his own person to men, and in the
person of his mother to women, an example of virginity, by which it might
be proved, with respect to both sexes, hat the blessed state of purity
possessed the fullness of divinity,[1] for whatever dwelt in the Son was
also wholly in the mother. But why should I take pains to make known the
excellent and surpassing merit of chastity, and to set forth the glorious
good of virginity, when I am not ignorant that many have discoursed on this
subject, and have proved its blessedness by most conclusive reasons, and
since it can never be a matter of doubt to any reflecting mind, that a
thing has all the more merit, the more difficult it is of accomplishment?
For if any one judges chastity to be of no moment or only of small
consequence, it is certain that he is either ignorant of the matter, or is
not willing to incur the trouble it implies. Hence it comes to pass that
those always derogate from the importance of chastity, who either do not
possess it, or who are unwillingly compelled to maintain it.
CHAPTER IV.
Now, therefore, since we have set forth, although in few words, both
the difficulty and the merit of purity, great care must be taken lest a
matter which in itself implies great virtue, and is also destined to a vast
reward, should fail to produce its proper fruits. For the more precious
every sort of thing is, the more it is guarded with anxious solicitude. And
since there are many things which fail to secure their proper excellence,
unless they are assisted by the aid of other things, as is, for instance,
the case with honey, which, unless it is preserved by the protection of
wax, and by the cells of the honeycombs, and is indeed, to state the matter
more truly, sustained by these, loses its deliciousness and cannot exist
apart by itself; and again as it is with wine, which: unless it be kept in
vessels of a pleasant odor, and with the pitch frequently renewed, loses
the power of its natural sweetness; so great care must be taken lest
perchance some things may be necessary also to virginity, without which it
can by no means produce its proper fruits, and thus a matter of so great
difficulty may be of no advantage (while all the time it is believed to be
of advantage), because it is possessed without the other necessary
adjuncts. For unless I am mistaken, chastity is preserved in its entirety,
for the sake of the reward to be obtained in the kingdom of heaven, which
it is perfectly certain no one can obtain who does[1] not deserve eternal
life. But that eternal life cannot be merited except by the keeping of all
the divine commandments, the Scripture testifies, saying, "If thou wilt
enter into life, keep the commandments."[2] Therefore no one has that life,
except the man who has kept all the precepts of the law, and he who has not
such life cannot be a possessor of the kingdom of heaven, in which it is
not the dead, but the living who shall reign. Therefore virginity, which
hopes for the glory of the kingdom of heaven, will profit nothing by
itself, unless it also possess that to which eternal life is promised, by
means of which the reward of the kingdom of heaven is possessed. Above all
things, therefore, the commandments which have been enjoined upon us must
be kept by those who preserve chastity in its entireness, and who are
hoping for its reward from the justice of God, lest otherwise the pains
taken to maintain a glorious chastity and continence come to nothing. No
one acquainted with the law does not know that virginity is above[3] the
commandment or precept, as the Apostle says, "Now, as to virgins, I have no
precept of the Lord, but I give my advice."[4] When, therefore, he simply
gives advice about maintaining virginity, and lays down no precept, he
acknowledges that it is above the commandment. Those, therefore, who
preserve virginity, do more than the commandment requires. But it will then
only profit you to have done more than was commanded, if you also do that
which is commanded. For how can you boast that you have done more, if, in
respect to some point, you do less? Desiring to fulfill the Divine
counsel, see that, above all things, you keep the commandment: wishing to
attain to the reward of virginity, see that you keep fast hold of what is
necessary to merit life, that your chastity may be such as can receive a
recompense. For as the observance of the commandments ensures life, so, on
the other hand, does the violation give rise to death. And he who through
disobedience has been doomed to death cannot hope for the crown pertaining
to virginity; nor, when really handed over to punishment, can he expect the
reward promised to chastity.
CHAPTER V.
Now, there are three kinds of virtue, by means of which the possession
of the kingdom of heaven is secured. The first is chastity, the second,
contempt of the world, and the third, righteousness, which, as when joined
together, they very greatly benefit their possessors, so, when separated,
they can hardly be of any advantage, since every one of them is required,
not for its own sake only, but for the sake of another. First of all, then,
chastity is demanded, that contempt of the world may more easily follow,
because the world can be more easily despised by those who are not held
fast in the bonds of matrimony. Contempt of the world, again, is required,
in order that righteousness may be maintained, which those can with
difficulty fully preserve who are involved in desires after worldly
advantages, and in the pursuit of mundane pleasures. Whosoever, therefore,
possesses the first kind of virtue, chastity, but does not, at the same
time, have the second, which is contempt of the world, possesses the first
almost to no purpose, since he does not have the second, for the sake of
which the first was required. And if any one possesses the first and
second, but is destitute of the third which is righteousness, he labors in
vain, since the former two are principally required for the sake of the
third. For what profits it to possess chastity in order to contempt of the
world, and yet not to have that on account of which you have the other? Or
why should you despise the things of the world, if you do not observe
righteousness, for the sake of which it is fitting that you should possess
chastity, as well as contempt for the world? For as the first kind of
virtue is on account of the second, and the second on account of the third,
so the first and the second are on account of the third; and if it does not
exist, neither the first nor the second will prove of any advantage.
CHAPTER VI.
But you perhaps say here, "Teach me, then, what righteousness is, so
that knowing it, I may be able more easily to fully practice it." Well, I
shall briefly explain it to you, as I am able, and shah use the simplicity
of common words, seeing that the subject of which we treat is such as ought
by no means to be obscured by attempts at eloquent description, but should
be opened up by the simplest forms of expression. For a matter which is
necessary to all in common ought to be set forth in a common sort of
speech. Righteousness, then, is nothing else than not to commit sin; and
not to commit sin is just to keep the precepts of the law. Now, the
observance of these precepts is maintained in a two-fold way--thus, that
one do none of those things which are forbidden, and that he strive to
fulfill the things which are commanded. This is he meaning of the following
statement: "Depart from evil, and do[1] good." For I do not wish you to
think that righteousness consists imply in not doing evil, since not to do
good is also evil, and a transgression of the law takes n place in both,
since he who said, "Depart from evil" said also, "and do good." If you
depart from evil, and do not do good, you are a transgressor of the law,
which is fulfilled, not simply by abhorring all evil deeds, but also by the
performance of good works. For, indeed, you have not merely received this
commandment, that you should not deprive one who is clothed of his
garments, but that you should cover with your own the man who has been
deprived of his; nor that you should not take away bread of his own from
one who has it, but that you should willingly impart of your bread to him
who has none; nor that you should not simply not drive away a poor man from
a shelter of his own, but that you should receive him when he has been
driven out, and has no shelter, into your own. For the precept which has
beer, given us is "to weep with them that[2] weep." But how can we weep
with them, if we share in none of their necessities, and afford no help to
them in those matters on account of which they lament? For God does not
call for the fruitless moisture of our tears; but, because tears are an
indication of grief, he wishes you to feel the distresses of another as if
they were your own. And just as you would wish aid to be given you if you
were in such tribulation, so should you help another in accordance with the
statement, "Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even
so[3] to them." For to weep with one that weeps, and at the same time to
refuse to help, when you can, him that weeps, is a proof of mockery, and
not of piety. In short, our Saviour wept with Mary and Martha, the sisters
of Lazarus, and proved the feeling of infinite compassion within him by the
witness of his tears. But works, as the proofs of true affection soon
followed, when Lazarus, for whose sake the tears were shed, was raised up
and restored to his sisters. This was sincerely to weep with those who
wept, when the occasion of the weeping was removed. But he did it, you will
say, as having the power. Well, nothing is demanded of you which it is
impossible for you to perform: he has fulfilled his entire duty who has
done what he could.
CHAPTER VII.
But (as we had begun to remark) it is not sufficient for a Christian to
keep himself from wickedness, unless he also has fulfilled the duties
implied in good works, as is very distinctly proved by that statement in
which the Lord threatened that those will be doomed to eternal fire, who,
although they have done no evil, have not done all that is good, declaring
"Then will the king say to those who are on his fight hand: depart from me,
ye cursed, into eternal fire, which my Father has prepared for the devil
and his angels; for I was hungry, and ye gave me not to eat; I was thirsty,
and ye gave me no[1] drink," with what follows. He did not say, "Depart
from me, ye cursed, because ye have committed murder, or adultery, or
theft"; for it is not because they had done evil, but because they had not
done good, that they are condemned, and doomed to the punishments of the
eternal Gehenna; nor because they had committed things which were
forbidden, but because they had not been willing to do those things which
had been commanded. And from this it is to be observed what hope those can
have, who, in addition, do some of those things which are forbidden, when
even such are doomed to eternal fire as have simply not done the things
which are commanded. For I do not wish you to flatter yourself in this
way,--if you have not done certain things, because you have done certain
other things, since it is written, "Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and
yet offend in one point, has become guilty of all."[2] For Adam sinned
once, and died; and do you think that you can live, when you are often
doing that which. killed another person, when he had only done it once? Or
do you imagine that he committed a great crime, and was therefore justly
condemned to a severer punishment? Let us consider, then, what it was he
really did. He ate of the fruit of the tree, contrary to the commandment.
What then? Did God punish man with death for the sake of the fruit of a
tree? No: not on account of the fruit of the tree, but on account of the
contempt of the commandment. The question, therefore, is not about the
nature of the offense, but about the transgression of the commandment. And
the same being who told Adam not to eat of the fruit of the tree, has
commanded you not to speak evil, not to lie, not to detract, not to listen
to a detractor, to swear not at all, not to covet, not to envy, not to be
drunken, not to be greedy, not to render evil for evil to any one, to love
your enemies, to bless them that curse you, to pray for them that malign
and persecute you, to turn the other cheek to one smiting you, and not to
go to law before a worldly tribunal, so that, if any one seeks to take away
your goods, you should joyfully lose them, to flee from the charge of
avarice, to beware of the sin of all pride and boastfulness, and live,
humble and meek, after the example of Christ, avoiding fellowship with the
wicked so completely that you will not even eat with fornicators, or
covetous persons, or those that speak evil of others, or the envious, or
detractors, or the drunken, or the rapacious. Now, if you despise him in
any such matter, then, if he spared Adam, he will also spare you. Yea, he
might have been spared with better reason than you, inasmuch as he was
still ignorant and inexperienced, and was restrained by the example of no
one who had previously sinned, and who had died on account of his sin. But
after such examples as you possess, after the law, after the prophets,
after the gospels, and after the apostles, if you still set your mind on
transgressing, I see not in what way pardon can be extended to you.
CHAPTER VIII.
Do you flatter yourself on account of the attribute of virginity?
Remember Adam and Eve fell when they were virgins, and that the perfect
purity of their bodies did not profit them when they sinned. The virgin who
sins is to be compared to Eve, and not to Mary. We do not deny that, in the
present life, there is the remedy of repentance, but we remind you rather
to hope for reward, than to look for pardon. For it is disgraceful that
those should ask for indulgence who are expecting the crown of virginity,
and that those should commit anything unlawful who have even cut themselves
off from things lawful; for it must be remembered that it is lawful to
contract an alliance by marriage. And as those are to be praised who, from
love to Christ, and for the glory of the kingdom of heaven, have despised
the tie of wedlock, so those are to be condemned who, through the pleasure
of incontinence, after they have vowed themselves to God, have recourse to
the Apostolic remedy. Therefore, as we have said, those who decline
marriage despise not things unlawful, but things lawful. And if that class
of people swear, if they speak evil of others, if they are detractors, or
if they patiently listen to detractors, if they return evil for evil, if
they incur the charge of covetousness with respect to other people's
property, or of avarice in regard to their own, if they cherish the poison
of revenge or envy, if they either say or think anything unbefitting
against the institutions of the law or the Apostles, if with a desire of
pleasing in the flesh, they exhibit themselves dressed up and adorned, if
they do any other unlawful things, as is only too common, what will it
profit them to have spurned what is lawful, while they practice what is not
lawful? If you wish it to be of advantage to you, that you have despised
things lawful, take care that you do not any of those things which are not
lawful. For, it is foolish to have dreaded that which is in its nature
less, and not to dread that which is intrinsically more [or not to avoid
those things[1] which are interdicted, while such things as are permitted
meet with contempt]. For the Apostle says, "She that is unmarried careth
for the things of the Lord, how she may please God, that she may be holy
both in body and spirit; but she who is married careth for the things of
this world, how she may please [2] her husband." He thus affirms that the
married woman pleases her husband by thinking of worldly things, while the
unmarried woman pleases God, inasmuch as she has no anxiety about the
things of the world. Let him tell me, then, whom she desires to please, who
has no husband, and yet cares for the things of the world? Shall not the
married woman, in such a case, be preferred to her? Yes, since she by
caring for the things of the world pleases at least her husband, but the
other neither pleases her husband, since she does not have one, nor can she
please God.[3] But it is not fitting that we should pass over in silence
that which he said: "The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord,
how she may please God, that she may be holy both in body and spirit" [she
careth, he says, for the things of the Lord; she does not care for the
things of the world, or of men, but for the things of God]. What, then, are
the things of the Lord? Let the Apostle tell: "Whatsoever[4] things are
holy, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever
things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any
praise of doctrine": these are the things of the Lord, which holy and truly
apostolic virgins meditate upon, and think of, day and night, without any
interval of time. Of the Lord is the resurrection of the dead, of the Lord
is immortality, of the Lord is incorruption, of the Lord is that splendor
of the sun which is promised to the saints, as it is written in the Gospel,
"Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their
Father":[5] of the Lord are the many mansions of the righteous in the
heavens of the Lord is the fruit which is produced, whether thirty fold, or
sixty fold, or an hundred fold. Those virgins who think on these things,
and by what works they may be able to merit them, think of the things of
the Lord. Of the Lord, too, is the law of the new and old testament, in
which shine forth the holy utterances of his lips; and if any virgins
meditate without intermission on these things, they think of the things of
the Lord. In that case, there is fulfilled in them the saying of the
prophet: "The eternal[6] foundations are upon a solid rock, and the
commands of God are in the heart of the holy woman."
CHAPTER IX.
THERE follows the clause "how she may please God,"--God, I say, not
men,--" that she may be holy both in body and spirit." He does not say that
she may be holy only in a member or in the body, but that she may be holy
in body and spirit. For a member is only one part of the body, but the body
is a union of all the members. When, therefore, he says that she may be
holy in the body, he testifies that she ought to be sanctified in all her
members, because the sanctification of the other members will not avail, if
corruption be found remaining in one. Also, she will not be holy in body
(which consists of all the members), who is defiled by the pollution of
even one of them. But in order that what I say may be made more obvious and
clear, suppose the case of a woman who is purified by the sanctification of
all her other members, and sins only with her tongue, inasmuch as she
either speaks evil[1] of people or bears false testimony, will all her
other members secure the acquittal of one, or will all the rest be judged
on account of the one? If, therefore, the sanctification of the other
members will not avail, even when one only is at fault, how much more, if
all are corrupted by the guilt of various sins, will the perfection of one
be of no avail?
CHAPTER X.
Wherefore, I beseech you, O virgin, do not flatter yourself on the
ground of your purity alone, and do not trust in the perfection of one
member; but according to the Apostle, maintain the sanctity of your body
throughout. Cleanse thy head from all defilement, because it is a disgrace
that it, after the sanctifying oil has been applied to it, should be
polluted with the juice or powder of either crocus, or any other pigment,
or should be adorned with gold or gems or any other earthly ornament,
because it already shines with the radiance of heavenly adornment. It is
undoubtedly a grave insult to Divine grace to prefer to it any mundane and
worldly ornament. And next, cleanse thy forehead, that it may blush at
human, and not at Divine works, and may display that shame which gives rise
not to sin, but to the favor of God, as the sacred Scripture declares,
"There is a shame that causes sin, and there is a shame that brings with it
the favor[1] of God." Cleanse, too, thy neck, that it may not carry thy[2]
locks in a golden net and necklaces hung round it, but may rather bear
about it those ornaments of which the Scripture says, "Let not[3] mercy and
faith depart from thee," and hang them upon thy heart as upon thy neck.
Cleanse thine eyes, whilst thou dost withdraw them from all concupiscence,
and dost never turn them away from the sight of the poor, and dost keep
them from all dyes, in that purity in which they were made by God. Cleanse
thy tongue from falsehood, because "a mouth[4] which tells lies destroys
the soul": cleanse it from detraction, from swearing, and from perjury. I
beg you not to think it is an inverted order that I have said the tongue
should be cleansed from swearing before perjury, for one will then the more
easily escape perjury, if he swears not at all, so that there may be
fulfilled in him that statement, "Keep[5] thy tongue from evil, and thy
lips from speaking guile." And be mindful of the Apostle who says, "Bless,
and[6] curse not." But often call to mind the following words, "See that no
one render evil for evil to any man, or cursing for cursing, but on the
contrary, do ye bless them, because to this ye have been called, that ye
should possess a blessing[7] by inheritance"; and this other passage, "If
any[8] one offend not in tongue, he is a perfect man." For it is shameful
that those lips, by which you confess God, pray to him, bless him, and
praise him, should be defiled by the pollution of any sin. I know not with
what conscience any one can pray to God with that tongue with which he
either speaks falsehood, or calumniates, or detracts. God listens to holy
lips, and speedily answers those prayers which an unpolluted tongue pours
forth. Cleanse also thine ears, so that they may not listen except to holy
and true discourse, that they never admit into them obscene, or infamous,
or worldly words, or tolerate any one detracting from another, on account
of that which is written, "Hedge up[9] thine ears with thorns, and do not
listen to a wicked tongue, that you may have your part with him, of whom it
is said, that he was[10] righteous in hearing and seeing; i.e. he sinned
neither with his eyes nor his ears. Cleanse, too, thy hands, "that they n
be not stretched out to receive, but shut against giving," and that they be
not prompt to strike, but ever ready for all the works of mercy and piety.
In fine, cleanse thy feet, that they follow not the broad and ample way
which leads to grand and costly worldly banquets, but that they tread
rather the difficult and narrow path, which guides to heaven, for it is
written, "Make a[12] straight path for your feet." Acknowledge that your
members were formed for you by God the Maker, not for vices, but for
virtues; and, when you have cleansed the whole of your limbs from every
stain of sin, and they have become sanctified throughout your whole body,
then understand that this purity will profit you, and look forward with all
confidence to the prize of virginity.
CHAPTER XI.
I believe that I have now set forth, briefly indeed, but, at the same
time, fully, what is implied in a woman's purity of body: it remains that
we should learn what it is to be pure also in spirit; i.e. that what it is
unlawful for one to do in act, it is also unlawful for one even to imagine
in thought. For she is holy, alike in body and in spirit, who sins neither
in mind nor heart, knowing that God is one who examines also the heart;
and, therefore, she takes every pains to possess a mind as well as a body
free from sin. Such a person is aware that it is written, "Keep thy[1]
heart with all diligence"; and again, "God loveth[2] holy hearts, and all
the undefiled are acceptable to him"; and elsewhere, "Blessed[3] are those
of a pure heart; for they shall see God." I think that this last statement
is made regarding those whom conscience accuses of the guilt of no sin;
concerning whom I think that John also spoke in his Epistle when he said,
"If our heart [4] condemn us not, then have we confidence towards God, and
whatsoever we ask we shall receive from him." I do not wish you to think
that you have escaped the accusation of sin, although act does not follow
desire, since it is written, "Whosoever[5] looketh on a woman to lust after
her, hath already committed adultery with her in his heart." And do not
say, "I had the thought, indeed, but I did not carry it out in act"; for it
is unlawful even to desire that which it is unlawful to do. Wherefore also
blessed Peter issues a precept to this effect: "purify your[6] souls"; and
if he had not been aware of such a thing as defilement of the soul, he
would not have expressed a desire that it should be purified. But we should
also very carefully consider that passage which says, "These[7] are they
who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins, and
they follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth"; and should reflect whether,
if these are joined to the Divine retinue, and traverse all the regions of
the heavens, through the merit of chastity and purity alone, there may be
also other means by which virginity being assisted may attain to the glory
of so great blessedness. But whence shall we be able to know this? From
the following passages (if I mistake not) in which it is written, "These
were[8] purchased from among men as the first fruits to God and the Lamb,
and in their mouth there was found no falsehood, for they are without spot
before the throne of God." You see, then, that they are spoken of as
closely following in the footsteps of the Lord, not in virtue of one member
only, but those are said to do so, who, besides virginity, had passed a
life freed from all the pollution of sin. Wherefore, let the virgin
especially despise marriage on this account, that, while she is safer than
others, she may the more easily accomplish what is also required from those
who are married; viz. keep herself from all sin, and obey all the
commandments of the law. For if she does not marry, and nevertheless
indulges in those things from which even married women are enjoined to keep
themselves free, what will it profit her not to have married? For although
it is not allowed to any Christian to commit sin, and it befits all without
exception who are purified through the sanctification of the spiritual
bath, to lead an unstained life, that they may be thoroughly identified[9]
with the Church, which is described as being "without[10] spot, or wrinkle,
or any such thing," much more is it requisite that a virgin should reach
this standard, whom neither the existence of a husband, nor of sons, nor of
any other necessity, prevents from fully carrying out the demands of holy
Scripture; nor shall she be able, if she fail, to defend herself by any
sort of excuse.
CHAPTER XII.
O Virgin, maintain thy purpose which is destined for a great reward.
Eminent with the Lord is the virtue of virginity and purity, if it be not
disfigured by other kinds of lapses into sins and wickedness. Realize your
state, realize your position, realize your purpose. You are called the
bride of Christ; see that you commit no act which is unworthy of him to
whom you profess to be betrothed. He will quickly write a bill of
divorcement, if he perceive in you even one act of unfaithfulness.
Accordingly, whosoever receives those gifts which, as an earnest, are
bestowed in the case of human betrothals, immediately begins earnestly and
diligently to enquire of domestics, intimates, and friends, what is the
character of the young man, what he especially loves, what he receives, in
what style he lives, what habits he practices, what luxuries he indulges
in, and in what pursuits he finds his chief pleasure and delight. And when
she has learned these things, she so conducts herself, in all respects,
that her service, her cheerfulness, her diligence, and her whole mode of
life, may be in harmony with the character of her betrothed. And do thou,
who hast Christ as thy bridegroom, enquire from the domestics and intimates
of that bridegroom of thine what is his character; yes, do thou zealously
and skillfully enquire in what things he specially delights, what sort of
arrangement he loves in thy dress, and what kind of adornment he desires.
Let his most intimate associate Peter tell thee, who does not allow
personal adorning even to married women, as he has written in his epistle,
"Let wives,[1] in like manner, be subject to their own husbands, so that,
if any believe not the word, they may, without the word, be won over by the
conduct of their wives, contemplating their chaste behavior in the fear of
God; and let theirs not be an outward adornment of the hair, or the putting
on of gold, or elegance in the apparel which is adopted, but let there be
the hidden man of the heart in the stainlessness[2] of a peaceful and
modest spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." Let another
apostle also tell thee, the blessed Paul, who, writing to Timothy, gives
his approval to the same things in regard to the conduct of believing
women: "Let wives[3] in like manner adorn themselves with the ornament of a
habit of modesty and sobriety, not with curled hair, or gold, or pearls, or
costly array, but as becomes women that profess chastity, with good and
upright behavior."
CHAPTER XIII.
But perhaps you say, "Why did not the Apostles enjoin these things on
virgins?" Because they did not think that necessary, lest such an
exhortation, if given to them, might rather seem an insult than a means of
edification. Nor, in fact, would they have believed that virgins could ever
proceed to such an extreme of hardihood, as to claim for themselves carnal
and worldly ornaments, not permitted even to married women. Undoubtedly,
the virgin ought to adorn and array herself; for how can she be able to
please her betrothed, if she does not come forth in a neat and ornamental
form? Let her be adorned by all means, but let her ornaments be of an
internal and spiritual kind, and not of a carnal nature; for God desires in
her a beauty not of the body, but of the soul. Do thou, therefore, who
desirest that thy soul should be loved and dwelt in by God, array it with
all diligence, and adorn it with spiritual garments. Let nothing
unbecoming, nothing repulsive, be seen in it. Let it shine with the gold of
righteousness, and gleam with the gems of holiness, and glitter with the
most precious pearl of purity; instead of fine linen and silk, let it be
strayed in the robe of mercifulness and piety, according to what is
written, "Put ye[1] on, therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved
bowels of mercy, kindness, humility," and so forth. And let the virgin not
ask for the beauty due to ceruse,[2] or any other pigment, but let her have
the brightness of innocence and simplicity, the rosy hue of modesty, and
the purple glow of honorable shamefacedness. Let her be washed with the
nitre of heavenly doctrine, and purified by all spiritual lavements.[3] Let
no stain of malice or sin be left in her. And lest, at any time, she should
give forth the evil odor of sin, let her be imbued, through and through,
with the most pleasant ointment of wisdom and knowledge.
CHAPTER XIV.
GOD seeks for adornment of this kind, and desires a soul arrayed in
such a manner. Remember that you are called the daughter of God, according
to what he says, "Hearken,[1] O daughter, and consider." But you yourself
also, as often as you call God your Father, bear witness that you are the
daughter of God. Wherefore, if you are the daughter of God, take care that
you do none of those things which are unworthy of God, your Father; but do
all things as being the daughter of God. Reflect how the daughters of
nobles in this world conduct themselves, to what habits they are accustomed
and by what exercises they train themselves. In some of them, there is so
great modesty, so great dignity, so great self-restraint, that they excel
the habits of other human beings in regard to human nobleness, and, lest
they should attach any mark of disgrace on their honorable parents by their
failure, they strive to acquire another[2] nature for themselves by the
mode of their acting in the world. And do you, therefore, have regard to
your origin, consider your descent, attend to the glory of your nobility.
Acknowledge that you are not merely the daughter of man, but of God, and
adorned with the nobility of a divine birth. So present yourself to the
world that your heavenly birth be seen in you, and your divine nobleness
shine clearly forth. Let there be in you a new dignity, an admirable
virtue, a notable modesty, a marvelous patience, a gait becoming a virgin
with a bearing of true shamefacedness, speech always modest, and such as is
uttered only at the proper time, so that whosoever beholds you may
admiringly exclaim: "What is this exhibition of new dignity among men? What
is this striking modesty, what this well-balanced excellence, what this
ripeness of wisdom? This is not the outcome of human training or of mere
human discipline. Something heavenly sheds its fragrance on me in that
earthly body. I really believe that God does reside in some human beings."
And when he comes to know that you are a handmaid of Christ, he will be
seized with the greater amazement, and will reflect how marvelous must be
the Master, when his handmaid manifests such excellence.
CHAPTER XV.
IF you wish, then, to be with Christ, you must live according to the
example of Christ, who was so far removed from all evil and wickedness,
that he did not render a recompense even to his enemies, but rather even
prayed for them. For I do not wish you to reckon those souls Christian, who
(I do not say) hate either their brothers or sisters, but who do not,
before God as a witness, love their neighbors with their whole heart and
conscience, since it is a bounden duty for Christians, after the example of
Christ himself, even to love their enemies. If you desire to possess
fellowship with the saints, cleanse your heart from the thought of malice
and sin. Let no one circumvent you; let no one delude you by beguiling
speech. The court of heaven will admit none except the holy, and righteous,
and simple, and innocent, and pure. Evil has no place in the presence of
God. It is necessary that he who desires to reign with Christ should be
free from all wickedness and guile. Nothing is so offensive, and nothing so
detestable to God, as to hate any one, to wish to harm any one; while
nothing is so acceptable to him as to love all men. The prophet knowing
this bears witness to it when he teaches, "Ye who[1] love the Lord, hate
evil."
CHAPTER XVI.
Take heed that ye love not human glory in any respect, lest your
portion also be reckoned among those to whom it was said, "How[1] can ye
believe, who seek glory, one from another?" and of whom it is said through
the prophet, "Increase[2] evils to them; increase evils to the boastful of
the earth"; and elsewhere, "Ye are confounded[3] from your boasting, from
your reproaching in the sight of the Lord." For I do not wish you to have
regard to those, who are virgins of the world, and not of Christ; who
unmindful of their purpose and profession, rejoice in delicacies, are
delighted with riches, and boast of their descent from a merely carnal
nobility; who, if they assuredly believed themselves to be the daughters of
God, would never, after their divine ancestry, admire mere human nobility,
nor glory in any honored earthly father: if they felt that they had God as
their Father, they would not love any nobility connected with the flesh.
Why, thou foolish woman, dost thou flatter thyself about the nobleness of
thy descent, and take delight in it? God, at the beginning, created two
human beings, from whom the whole multitude of the human race has
descended; and thus it is not the equity of nature, but the ambition of
evil desire, which has given rise to worldly nobility. Unquestionably, we
are all rendered equal by the grace of the divine[4] bath, and there can be
no difference among those, whom the second birth has generated, by means of
which alike the rich man and the poor man, the free man and the slave, the
nobly born and the lowly born, is rendered a son of God. Thus mere earthly
rank is overshadowed by the brilliance of heavenly glory, and henceforth is
taken no account of, while those who formerly had been unequal in worldly
honors are now equally strayed in the glory of a heavenly and divine
nobility. There is now among such no place for lowness of birth; nor is any
one inferior to another whom the majesty of the divine birth adorns; except
in the estimation of those who do not think that the things of heaven are
to be preferred to those of earth. There can be no worldly boasting among
them, if they reflect how vain a thing it is that they should, in smaller
matters, prefer themselves to those whom they know to be equal to
themselves in greater matters, and should regard, as placed below
themselves on earth, those whom they believe to be equal to themselves in
what relates to heaven. But do thou, who art a virgin of Christ, and not of
the world, flee from all the glory of this present life, that thou mayest
attain to the glory which is promised in the world to come.
CHAPTER XVII.
AVOID words of contention and causes of animosity: flee also from all
occasions of discord and strife. For if, according to the doctrine of the
Apostle "the servant[1] of the Lord must not strive," how much more does
this become the handmaid of the Lord, whose mind ought to be more gentle,
as her sex is more bashful and retiring. Restrain thy tongue from evil
speaking, and put the bridle of the law upon thy mouth; so that you shall
speak, if you speak at all, only when it would be a sin to be silent.
Beware lest you utter anything which might be justly found fault with. A
word once spoken is like a stone which has been thrown: wherefore it should
be long thought over before it is uttered. Blessed, assuredly, are the
lips, which never utter what they would wish to recall. The talk of a
chaste mind ought itself also to be chaste, such as may always rather edify
than injure the hearers, according to that commandment of the Apostle when
he says, "Let no[2] corrupt communications proceed out of your mouth, but
that which is good for the edification of faith, that it may convey grace
to them that hear." Precious to God is that tongue which knows not to form
words except about divine things, and holy is that mouth from which
heavenly utterances continually flow forth. Put down by the authority of
Scripture calumniators of those who are absent, as being evil-minded
persons, because the prophet mentions this also as among the virtues of a
perfect man, if, in the presence of the righteous an evil-minded man, who
brings forward things against his neighbor which cannot be proved, is
brought down to nothing. For it is not lawful for you patiently to listen
to evil-speaking against another, inasmuch as you would not wish that to be
done by others when directed against yourself. Certainly, everything is
unrighteous which goes against the Gospel of Christ, and that is the case,
if you quietly permit anything to be done to another, which you would feel
painful, if done by any one to yourself. Accustom your tongue always to
speak about those who are good, and lend your ears rather to listen to the
praises of good men than to the condemnation of such as are wicked. Take
heed that all the good actions you perform are done for the sake of God,
knowing that for every such deed you will only receive a reward, so far as
you have done it out of regard to his fear and love. Study rather to be
holy than to appear so, because it is of no avail to be reckoned what you
are not; and the guilt of a twofold sin is contracted when you do not have
what you are credited with having, and when you pretend to possess what you
do not possess.
CHAPTER XVIII.
DELIGHT thyself rather in fastings than in feastings, mindful of that
widow who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and
prayers day and night. Now, if she who was a widow, and a Jewish widow,
proved herself such, what is it fitting that a virgin of Christ should now
attain to? Love more than any other thing the feast of the divine word,
and desire that you be filled with spiritual dainties, while you seek for
such food as refreshes the soul, rather than for that which only pleases
the body. Flee from all kinds of flesh and wine, as being the sources of
heat and provocatives to lust. And only then, if need be, use a little
wine, when the stomach's uneasiness, or great infirmity of body, requires
you to do so. Subdue anger, restrain enmity, and whatever there may be
which gives rise to remorse when it is done, avoid as an abomination giving
rise[1] to immediate sin. It is fitting that that mind should be very
tranquil and quiet, as well as free from all the tumults of anger, which
desires to be the dwelling-place of God, as he testifies through the
prophet, saying, "Upon[2] what other man shall I rest than upon him who is
humble and quiet, and who trembleth at my words?" Believe that God is a
witness of all thy deeds and thoughts, and take good heed lest you either
do or think anything which is unworthy of the divine eyesight. When you
desire to engage in prayer, show yourself in such a frame of mind as
becomes one who is to speak with the Lord.
CHAPTER XIX.
When you repeat[1] a psalm, consider whose words you are repeating and
delight yourself more with true contrition of soul, than with the
pleasantness of a trilling voice. For God sets a higher value on the tears
of one thus praising[2] him, than on the beauty of his voice; as the
prophet says, "Serve[3] the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling."
Now, where there are fear and trembling, there is no lifting up of the
voice, but humility of mind with lamentation and tears. Display diligence
in all thy doings; for it is written, "Cursed[4] is the man who carelessly
performs the work of the Lord." Let grace grow in you with years; let
righteousness increase with age; and let your faith appear the more perfect
the older you become; for Jesus, who has left us an example how to live,
increased not only in years as respected his body, but in wisdom and
spiritual grace before God and men. Reckon all the time in which you do not
perceive yourself growing better as positively lost. Maintain to the last
that purpose of virginity which you have formed; for it is the part of
virtue not merely to begin, but to finish, as the Lord says in the Gospel,
"Whosoever[5] shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved." Beware,
therefore, lest you furnish to any one an occasion even of evil desire,
because thy God, betrothed to thee, is jealous; for an adulteress against
Christ is more guilty than one against her husband. Be thou, therefore, a
model of life to all; be an example; and excel in actual conduct those whom
you precede in your consecration[6] to chastity. Show thyself in all
respects a virgin; and let no stain of corruption be brought as a charge
against thy person. And let one whose body is perfect in its purity be also
irreproachable in conduct. Now, as we said in the beginning of this letter,
that you have become a sacrifice pertaining to God, such a sacrifice as
undoubtedly imparts its own sanctity also to others, that, as every one
worthily receives from it, he himself also may be a partaker of
sanctification, so then, let the other virgins also be sanctified through
you, as by means of a divine offering. Show yourself to them so holy in all
things, that, whosoever comes in contact with thy life, whether by hearing
or seeing, may experience the power of sanctification, and may feel that
such an amount of grace passes to him from your manner of acting, that,
while he desires to imitate thee, he himself becomes worthy of being a
sacrifice devoted to God.
LETTER III.
A LETTER OF SEVERUS TO HOLY PAUL THE BISHOP.
After I learned that all thy cooks had given [1] up thy kitchen (I
believe because they felt indignant at having to fulfill the duty towards
cheap dishes of pulse[2]), I sent a little boy to you out of our own
workshop. He is quite skillful enough to cook pale beans and to pickle
homely beet-root, with vinegar and sauce, as well as to prepare cheap
porridge for the jaws of the hungry monks. He knows nothing, however, of
pepper or of laser,[3] but he is quite at home with cumin, and is
especially clever in plying the noisy mortar with sweetly smelling plants.
He has one fault, that he is no kindly foe to admit to any garden; for if
let in, he will mow down with a sword all things within his reach, and he
will never be satisfied with the slaughter simply of mallows. However, in
furnishing himself with fuel he will not swindle you. He will burn whatever
comes in his way; he will cut down and not hesitate to lay hands upon
buildings, and to carry off old beams from the household. We present him,
then, to you, with this character and these virtues; and we wish you to
regard him not as a servant, but as a son, because you are not ashamed to
be the father of very small creatures. I myself would have wished to serve
you instead of him; but if good-will may be taken as in some measure
standing for the deed do you only, in return, take care to remember me amid
your breakfasts and delightful dinners because it is more proper to be your
slave, than the master of others. Pray for me.[4]
LETTER IV.
TO THE SAME, ON HIS WISDOM AND GENTLENESS.
THE faithful exponent of our holy religion so arranges all things that
no place be found in future for transgressors: for what else do you, for
instance, promise us by so great sanctity of character, than that, all
errors being laid aside, we should lead a blessed life? In this matter, I
see that the greatest praise befits thy virtues, because you have changed
even an uninstructed mind by your exhortations, and drown it over to an
excellent condition. But it would not seem so wonderful, if you had simply
strengthened educated minds by instilling wisdom into them for intelligent
men have a sort of relationship to devotion, but rustic natures are not
easily won over to the side of severity.[1] Just as those who shape the
forms of animals out of stone, undertake a business of a pretty difficult
kind, when they strike very hard rocks with their chisels, while those who
make their attempts on substances of a softer nature feel that their hands
are aided by the ease of fashioning these materials, and it is deemed
proper that the labor of the workman; when difficult, should be held in the
highest honor, so, Sir, singular commendation ought so be given to you,
because you have made unpolished and rustic minds, set free from the
darkness of sin, both to think what is human, and to understand what is
divine.
No less is Xenocrates, by far the most learned of the philosophers,
held in estimation, who succeeded by severe exhortations in having luxury
conquered. For when a certain Polemo, heavy with wine, staggered openly out
of a nocturnal revel at the time when his hearers were flocking to the
school of Xenocrates, he, too, entered the place, and impudently took his
seat among the crowd of disciples, in that dress in which he had come forth
from the banquet. A chaplet of flowers covered his head, and yet he did not
feel ashamed that he would seem unlike all the others, because, in truth,
indulgence in a long drinking-bout had upset his brains, which are the seat
of reason. As the rest of those there present began to murmur grievously,
because so unsuitable a hearer had found his way in among a multitude of
men of letters, the master himself was not in the slightest degree
disturbed, but, on the contrary, began to discourse on the science of
morals, and the laws of moderation. And so powerful proved the influence of
the teacher that the mind of that impudent intruder was persuaded to the
love of modesty. First of all, then, Polemo, in utter confusion, took off
the chaplet from his head, and professed himself a disciple. And in course
of time he conformed himself so thoroughly to the duties implied in
dignity, and surrendered himself so entirely to the exhibition of modesty,
that a glorious amendment of character threw a cloak over the habits of his
former life. Now we admire this very thing in your instructions, that,
without the use of any threats, and without having recourse to terrors of
any kind, you have turned infatuated minds to the worship of God; so that
even a badly ordered intellect should believe it preferable[2] to live well
and happily with all, rather than to hold unrighteous opinions with a few.
LETTER V.
TO AN UNKNOWN PERSON, ENTREATING HIM TO DEAL GENTLY WITH HIS BROTHER,
ALTHOUGH my lord and brother has already begged of your nobleness that
you would see that Tutus should be most[1] safe, yet it has been allowed to
me to Commend the same person in a letter, in order that, by the petition
being doubled, he may be held all the safer. For let it be granted that a
youthful fault and error of a yet unsettled age has injured him, so as to
inflict a stare on his early years; still one, who did not yet know what
was due to right conduct, has gone wrong almost without contracting blame.
For when he came to a fight state of mind and to reflection, he understood
on better thoughts that a theatrical life was to be condemned. However, he
could not be completely cleared of his fault, unless he should wash its
guilt away by the aid[2] of Deity, since, by the remedy obtained through
the Catholic religion, changing his views, he has denied himself the
enjoyment of a less honorable place, and has withdrawn himself from the
eyes of the people.
OF THE MASTER AS ABOVE.[3]
Since, therefore, both divine and state laws do not permit a faithful
body and sanctified minds to exhibit disgraceful though pleasing
spectacles, and to set forth vulgar means of enjoyment, especially since an
injury seems in some degree to accrue to the chaste dedication of one's
self, in case any one who has been renewed by holy baptism should fall back
upon his old licentiousness, it behooves your Excellency to show favor to
good intentions, so that he who, by the goodness of God, has entered on a
pious duty, should not be forced to sink into the pitfall of the theatre.
He does not, however, refuse compliance with the judgment of you all, if
you enjoin other fitting actions on his part in behalf of the requirements
of our common country.[4]
LETTER VI.
TO SALVIUS: A COMPLAINT THAT THE COUNTRY PEOPLE WERE HARASSED, AND THEIR
POSSESSIONS PLUNDERED.
FORENSIC excitement ought to be at full heat during the time of
business in the law- courts; for it is fitting that the arms of industry,
as it struggles daily, should display energetic movements. But when loud-
toned eloquence has sounded a retreat, and has retired to peaceful groves
and pleasant dwelling-places, it is right that one lay aside idle murmurs,
and cease to utter ineffectual threats. For we know that palm-bearing
steeds, when they have retired from the circus, rest with the utmost
quietness in their stables. Neither constant fear nor doubtful palms of
victory distress them, but at length, haltered to the peaceful cribs, they
now no longer stand in awe of the master urging them on, enjoying sweet
oblivion of the restless rivalry which had prevailed. In like manner, let
it delight the boastful soldier after his term of service is completed, to
hang up his trophies, and patiently to bear the burden of age.
But I do not quite understand why you should take a delight in
terrifying miserable husbandmen; and I do not comprehend why you wish to
harass my rustics with the fear of want of sustenance;[1] as if, indeed, I
did not know how to console them, and to deliver them from fear, and to
show them that there is not so great a reason to fear as you pretend. I
confess that, while we were occupied in the plain, I was often frightened
by the arms of your eloquence, but frequently I returned you corresponding
blows, as far as I was able. I certainly learned along with you, by what
right, and in what order, the husbandmen are demanded back, to whom a legal
process is competent, and to whom the issue of a process is not competent.
You say that the Volusians wished you brought back, and frequently, in your
wrath, you repeat that you will withdraw the country people from my
little keep; and you, the very man, as I hope and desire, bound to me by
the ties of old relationship, now rashly threaten that, casting our
agreement to the winds, you will lay hold upon my men. I ask of your
illustrious knowledge, whether there is one law for advocates, and another
for private persons, whether one thing is just at Rome, and quite another
thing at Matarum.
In the meantime, I do not know that you were ever lord of the Volusian
property, since Dionysius is said to have preserved the right of possession
to it, and he never wanted heirs; who, while he lived, was accustomed to
hurl the envenomed jibes of his low language upon a multitude of
individuals? There was, at that time, one Porphyrius, the son of
Zibberinus, and yet he was not properly named the son of Zibberinus. He
kept hidden, by military service, the question as to his birth, and, that
he might dispel the cloud from his forehead, he took part in officious
services and willing acts of submission. He was much with me both at home
and in the forum, having often employed me as his defender with my father,
and as his advocate before the judge. Sometimes I even kept back Dionysius,
feeling that he ought not, for the sake of twenty acres to discharge vulgar
abuse upon Porphyrius.
See, here is the reason why thy remarkable prudence threatened my
agents, so that, though you are not the owner of the place, you everywhere
make mention of my husbandmen. But if you give yourself out as the
successor of Porphyrius, you must know that the narrow space of twenty
acres cannot certainly be managed by one cultivator, or, if mindful of your
proper dignity and determined to maintain it, you shrink from naming
yourself the heir of Porphyrius, it is certain and obvious that he can
commence proceedings,[3] to whom the right of doing so belongs, so as to go
to law with those who have no property in that land. But if you diligently
look into the matter, you will see that the endeavor to recover it most
especially devolves on me. Wherefore, my much esteemed lord and brother, it
behooves you to be at peace, and to return to friendship with me, while you
condescend to come to a private conference. Cease, I pray you, to disturb
inactive and easily frightened persons, and utter your boastful words at a
distance. Believe me, however, that I am delighted with your high spirit,
and by no means offended; for we are neither of a harsh disposition, nor
destitute of learning, Let Maximinus at least render you gentle.[4]
LETTER VII.
TO AN UNKNOWN PERSON, BEGGING THE FAVOR OF A LETTER.
THE faith and piety of souls, no doubt, remain, but this should be made
known by the evidence of a letter, in order that an increase of affection
may be gained by such mutual courtesy. For just as a fertile field cannot
bring forth abundant fruits, if its cultivation has been neglected, and the
good qualities of soil are lost through the indolence of one who rests,
instead of working, so I think that the love and kindly feelings of the
mind grow feeble, unless those who are absent are visited, as if present,
by means of a letter.[1]
Taken from "The Early Church Fathers and Other Works" originally published
by Wm. B. Eerdmans Pub. Co. in English in Edinburgh, Scotland, beginning in
1867. (LNPF II/XI, Schaff and Wace). The digital version is by The
Electronic Bible Society, P.O. Box 701356, Dallas, TX 75370, 214-407-WORD.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
The electronic form of this document is copyrighted.
Copyright (c) Eternal Word Television Network 1996.
Provided courtesy of:
EWTN On-Line Services
PO Box 3610
Manassas, VA 22110
Voice: 703-791-2576
Fax: 703-791-4250
Data: 703-791-4336
FTP: ftp.ewtn.com
Telnet: ewtn.com
WWW:
http://www.ewtn.com.
Email address:
[email protected]
-------------------------------------------------------------------
