Vol. 2

CHAPTER VIII. 431the divine gifts, and of all modesty. 3d, It causeshim to wander and run about after the creatures,and to fly from his own heart, which is his house, andthe proper place of his retirement.4th, It changesthis house, which ought to be holy, and to be thetemple of the Holy Ghost, into a stinking sepulchre,full of infection. My God, suflPer not this change.Lord, preserve those from corruption who make butone body with thyself I O Holy Spirit, defend thytemple from this profanation !" 28. When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and felldown before him, and with a loud voice said. Whathave I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God mosthigh ? I beseech thee, torment me not."The 5th eflPect of the sin of uncleanness in onepossessed with it, is, that it causes him to look uponChrist, who is purity itself, as a mortal enemy. The6th effect is, that it renders all converse and intercoursewith Christ insupportable to him; and inclineshim to make, if possible,even that of religionsubservient to his brutal passion. What union isthere not betwixt the head and the members, andwhat conformity ought there not to be answerableto this union ? But what separation, what disparitydoes not the sin of impurity cause? The 7th effectof the passion of an unchaste person is, that it causeshim both to fear lest God should come and disturbthe bad peace of his conscience with some remorse,and audaciously to accuse him of injustice, when hewould take him off from his impure life.Lord, wereI ever to be so miserable, hearken not to the complaintsor desires of my corrupt heart, but to thevoice of thy own mercy. Torment me, and shake