17. Now therefore let us
return to that, wherefore we have said what we have. We have need
of Continence, and we know it to be a divine gift, that our heart
fall not away unto evil words, to make excuses in sins. But what
sin is there but that we have need of Continence, to restrain it
from being committed, since it is this very Continence which, in
case it have been committed, restrains it from being defended by
wicked pride? Universally therefore we have need of Continence, in
order to turn away from evil. But to do good seems to pertain to
another virtue, that is, to righteousness. This the sacred Psalm admonishes
us, where we read, “Turn away from evil, and do good.” But with
what end we do this, it adds bye and bye, saying, “Seek
peace, and ensue it.” For we shall then have perfect
peace, when, our nature cleaving inseparably to its Creator, we
shall have nothing of ourselves opposed to ourselves. This our
Saviour also Himself would have us to understand, so far as seems
to me when He said, “Let your loins be girt, and your lamps
burning.” What is
it, to gird the loins? To restrain lusts, which is the work of
continence. But to have lamps burning is to shine and glow with
good works, which is the work of righteousness. Nor was He here
silent with what end we do these things, adding and saying, “And
you like unto men waiting for their Lord, when He cometh from the
marriage.” But, when
He shall have come, He will reward us, who have kept ourselves from
those things which lust, and have done those things which charity
hath bidden us: that we may reign in His perfect and eternal peace, without any strife of evil, and with the highest delight of good.