P. 232 I. The second chief manifestation of the virtue of Temperance is Chastity. The first one regulates the maintenance of life in the individual, this regulates its maintenance in the species. The species is of more importance in the universe than the individual, and the natural impulses which regard specific life are therefore the more important and the more forcible. Like all other impulses, these too may be perverted from their proper use so as to frustrate their natural aim, and transmute themselves into vices hostile to man's natural and spiritual evolution. If this be the case, the injury which they produce must be proportioned to their importance and their energy. Thus the primary forces of life generate the most powerful, prevalent and fatal vices, if they be released from the moderating influences of instinct, reason and grace. The law of nature is in itself wholesome, constructive and progressive. The impulses of sense are only one factor in that law; and if they be taken as the sole one, to the exclusion of those factors which are supplied by the higher faculties, the effect will be disintegrating and fatal to individual life, physical and mental, to family life, social life, national life. The deluge, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrha, the extermination of the "Canaanites, the putrefaction of great nations in ancient and modern times, in fine the greatest part of human calamities on earth and in hell are due chiefly to the fact that "all flesh had corrupted its way upon the earth" (Gen. vi. 12). Chastity, in restraining these evils, is the source of the greatest earthly blessings. "As for him who is pure, his work is right" (Prov. xxi. 8).
II. In its spiritual aspect Chastity is the most brilliant, beautiful and angelic of virtues. The voice of God has said: "Oh how beautiful is the chaste generation with glory! For the memory thereof is immortal, because it is known both with God and with men" (Wisd. iv. 1). The Most Holy delights in pure souls and manifests Himself to them: "Blessed are the clean of heart for they shall see God" (Matt. v. 8). Wholesomeness of the physical life is the necessary basis of that higher life which is in God, for "wisdom will not enter into a malicious soul, nor dwell in a body subject to sins" (Wisd. i. 4). An unchaste race is physically as well as spiritually decadent; it is like the rotten skin-bottles which cannot contain strong wine the conception of the Most Holy, the religious sense, or any high moral perceptions. This vice is the chief cause of the hatred of religion and of God's faithful servants, "They think it strange that you run not with them into the same confusion of riotousness, speaking ill of you" (1 Pet. iv. 4). As things are, Chastity is practically the touchstone between the followers of Christ and of Satan.
III. This virtue, so elevated above man's fallen state, and so necessary for our natural and supernatural welfare, is difficult of attainment; and to those who abjure the supernatural life, it is incomprehensible and well-nigh impossible. So Solomon says: "I knew I could not otherwise be continent except God gave it" (Wisd. viii. 21). This high spiritual ideal is not beyond the power of men when helped by grace; the supernatural law is not the abrogation of natural law but its perfection. God has not given man impossible commands; and if they are difficult, He gives a grace that corresponds to them by its efficacy. This is contained in the infused virtue of Temperance, which is given to all who enter the state of grace; and thus, that which is impossible to man becomes possible when God acts in him. "We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency may be of the power of God and not of us" (2 Cor. iv. 7). All care is needed for its preservation. Lead the life of the Spirit and not of the flesh. Live now in such a way that you may be a fit companion of the angels and of the God of perfect holiness.
