Caput XXV. In tentationibus impudicis recogitanda virginis Agnetis historia.
The Flesh's Sudden Heat
When temptation assails the recluse in sleep or through the tempter's craft, she is urged to recall the blessed virgin Agnes, who conquered the same unholy enemy in the tenderness of youth.
If, for someone on guard, the body's heat is suddenly stirred up—whether by the quiet of sleep or by the craft of the tempter—and the cunning foe has crept in to drag her toward sleep, and with varied thoughts has assailed the peace of chastity, has held out the pleasures of life and struck her with dread of something harsher—then bring to mind the blessed virgin who, in the tenderness of youth, so often won a victory over that most unholy enemy.
Agnes Counts All as Refuse
Agnes is presented as one who counted gold, silver, fine garments, precious stones, and all worldly pomp as so much refuse.
Consider most blessed Agnes, for whom gold, silver, the finest garments, precious stones, and all the pomp of worldly glory were counted as so much refuse.
From Brothel to Place of Prayer
Agnes scorned the judge's coaxing and threats, feared mercy more than punishment, and by angelic aid turned a foul brothel into a place of prayer, her attacker struck down.
Summoned to the tribunal, she did not fail to appear. The judge was coaxing her—she scorned him. He was threatening—she laughed at him, fearing more that he might spare her than that he might punish her. And she turned a foul brothel into a place of prayer: for when the angel entered with the virgin, he poured light into the darkness, and struck down the attacker of her chastity with death.
The Angel Will Not Be Absent
If the recluse has prayed and raised the weapons of tears against the inciter of lust, the same angel who guarded Agnes will not be absent from her chaste chamber.
So then, if you too have prayed and have raised the weapons of your tears against the inciter of lust, surely the angel will not be absent from your chaste chamber—the same angel who was not absent from the brothel.
The Flame of Love Against the Flame of the Flesh
Material fire could not burn Agnes because the flame of the flesh had grown cold, extinguished by the fire of love.
Rightly that material fire could not burn blessed Agnes, for whom the flame of the flesh had grown cold—the very flame that the fire of love had kindled.
God Searches Hearts and Reins
When forbidden suggestions press upon the recluse, she must remember that the one who searches hearts and reins is present, and all she does or thinks is under his eyes.
Whenever a wicked spirit has suggested forbidden things and a more intense burning has pressed down upon you, know that the one who searches hearts and reins is present, and that whatever you do or think is under his eyes.✦
I Have an Angel as My Protector
The recluse is told to hold the Lord in reverence, to trust he will stand by her, and to answer the plunderer that an angel guards her body with jealous zeal.
So hold the Lord in reverence—do not doubt that he will stand by you—and answer the plunderer: 'I have an angel as my protector, who guards my body with jealous zeal.'
Discreet Self-Control in Temptation
In such need, discreet self-control must strengthen the recluse's effort.
In such a need, may discreet self-control strengthen your effort.
Affiction Quenches Delight
Where there is much affliction of the flesh, there can be either no delight at all, or only a small, passing one.
Because where there's much affliction of the flesh, there can be either no delight at all, or only a small, passing one.
Read the original Latin
Si vigilanti subito, aut quiete soporis, aut arte tentatoris calor corporis fuerit excitatus, et in somnum callidus hostis invexerit, diversisque cogitationibus quietem pudicitiae infestaverit, proposueritque delicias, vitae durioris horrorem incusserit; veniat tibi in mentem beatae virginis, quae in tenera aetate tam crebro reportavit de impiissimo hoste triumphum. Cogita Agnem beatissimam a qua aurum, argentum, vestes pretiosissimae, lapides pretiosi et tota saecularis gloriae pompa quasi quaedam stercora sunt reputata. Vocata ad tribunal non abfuit; blandiebatur judex, contempsit; minabatur, irrisit, magis metuens ne parceret quam ne puniret: foedumque lupanar vertit in oratorium: quod cum virgine ingrediens angelus lucem infudit tenebris, et insectatorem pudicitiae morte multabat. Si igitur et tu oraveris, et contra libidinis incentorem lacrymarum tuarum arma levaveris, non certe angelus tuo casto deerit cubiculo, qui prostibulo non defuit. Merito beatam Agnem ignis iste materialis nequivit adurere, cui carnis flamma tepuerat, quam ignis succenderat charitatis. Quotiescumque nequam spiritus illicita quaeque suggesserit, vehementior incubuerit aestus; illum qui scrutatur corda et renes, scito esse praesentem, et sub ejus oculos esse quidquid agis vel cogitas. Habe proinde reverentiam Domino, quem tibi assistere, non dubites, et depraedatori responde: Angelum habeo amatorem, qui nimio zelo custodit corpus meum. Adjuvet conatum tuum in tali necessitate discreta abstinentia.
Quia ubi multa carnis afflictio, aut nulla, aut parva aliqua potest esse delectatio.
Scripture echoes
- ↩Ps.26.2;Jer.17.10 — Examine me, O LORD, and test me; refine my kidneys and my heart. Jer.17.10 — I, the LORD, search the heart, test the kidneys, and give to each person according to their ways, according to the fruit of their deeds.
De institutione inclusarum (A Rule of Life for a Recluse) companion
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Aelred built his sister's day around fixed times of prayer and meditation; Chosen Portion supplies the fixed daily portion that makes a modern rule of life keepable.
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