for the putting on of humility, that God's ance; 46
OF HOLY VIRGINITY. 433 equity He maketh, it is not lawful to doubt. "What," therefore, '' hast thou, which thou hast not received ?"* And by what perversity dost thou less love Him, of Whom thou hast received more?
gift that it is possessed, by His help that it is fulfilled, yet more openly is it said by reason of obedience, '' By the Lord the steps of a man are directed, and He shall will His way:"5 and of repentance the Apostle says,
42. Wherefore let this be the first thought for the putting on of humility, that God's virgin think not that it is of herself that she is such, and not rather that this best '' gift cometh down from above from the Father of Lights, with Whom is no change nor shadow of motion.'?? For thus she will not think that little hath been forgiven her, so as for her to love little, and, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and wishing to establish her own, not to be made subject to the righteousness of God. In which fault was that Simon, who was surpassed by the woman, unto whom many sins were forgiven, because she loved much. But she will have more cautious and true thoughts, that we are so to account all sins as though forgiven, from which God keeps us that we commit them not. Witnesses are those expressions of pious prayers in holy Scriptures, whereby it is shown, that those very things, which are commanded by God, are not done save by His Gift and help, Who commands. For there is a falsehood in the asking for them, if we could do them without the help of His grace. What is there so generally and chiefly charged, as obedience whereby the Commandments of God are kept? And yet we find this wished for.
"'if haply God may grant unto them repentance; 46
43. Concerning continence also itself hath it not been most openly said, ''And when I knew that no one can be continent unless God give it, this also itself was a part of wisdom, to know whose gift it was?''? But perhaps continence is the gift of God, but wisdom man bestows upon himself, whereby to understand, that that gift 'is, not his own, but of God. Yea, ''The Lord maketh wise the blind: "*® and, '' The testimony of the Lord is faithful, it giveth wisdom unto little ones:''? and, ''If any one want wisdom, let him ask of God, Who giveth unto all liberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given to him," 7°? But it becometh virgins to be wise, that their lamps be not extinguished. How
wise," save '' not having high thoughts, but consenting unto the lowly." For Wisdom Itself hath said unto man, '* Lo, piety is wisdom!''"3 If therefore thou hast nothing, which thou hast not received, '' Be not highminded, but fear.''% And love not thou little, as though Him by Whom little hath been forgiven to thee; but, rather, love Him much, by Whom much hath been giventothee. For if he loves, unto whom it hath been given not to repay: how much more ought he to love, unto whom it hath been given to possess. For both, whosoever continues chaste from the beginning, is ruled by Him; and whosoever is made chaste instead of unchaste, is corrected by Him; and whosoever is unchaste even unto the end, is abandoned by Him. But this He can do by secret counsel, by unrighteous He cannot: and perhaps it is for this end that it lies hid, that there may be more: fear, and less pride.
"" Thou," saith he, '* hast charged, that Thy commandments be greatly kept.'' Then it follows, '"O that my ways were directed to keep Thy righteousnesses: then shall I not be confounded, whilst I look unto all Thy commandments,''3 That which he had set down above that God had commanded, that he wished might of himself be fulfilled. This is done assuredly, that there be not sin; but, if there hath been sin, the command is that one repent; lest by defense and excuse of sin he perish through pride, who hath done it, whilst he is unwilling that what he hath done perish through repentance. This also is asked of God, so that it may be understood that it is not done, save by His grant from Whom it is asked. '' Set," saith he, '* O Lord, a watch to my mouth, and a door of continence around my lips: let not my heart turn away unto evil words, to make excuses in sins, with men that work unrighteousness.''4 If, therefore, both obedience, whereby we keep His commandments, and repentance whereby we excuse not our sins, are wished for and asked, it is plain that, when it is done, it is by His
44. Next let not man, now that he knoweth that by the grace of God he is what he is, fall into another snare of pride, so as by lifting up himself for the very grace of God to despise the rest. By which fault that other Pharisee both gave thanks unto God for the goods which he had, and yet vaunted himself above the Publican confessing his sins. What therefore should a virgin do, what should she think, that she vaunt not herself above those, men or women, who have not this so great gift? For she ought not to feign humility,
7 Wisd. viti. 21. x0 Jam 5 Ps, xxxvii. 23. CS dave 13 Job xxviii. 28. LXX, 8 Ps. cxlvi. 8. tr Matt. xxv. 4. 14 Rom. xi. 20.
62 Tim. ii, 25,
S$ Ps. x1x. 7. 12 Rom. xii. 16.
t x Cor. iv. 7. 2 yames i, 17. [See R. V.] 3 Ps. cxix. 4-6. 4 Ps. exll. 3, 4. 28