Ante-Nicene Fathers/Volume VIII/Pseudo-Clementine Literature/The Clementine Homilies/Homily XIII/Chapter 14

Chapter XIV.&#8212;Peter&#8217;s Speech Continued.

&#8220;But some one will say, &#8216;How many have perished on account of chastity!&#8217;&#160; Yes; but it was because they did not perceive the danger.&#160; For the woman who perceives that she is in love with any one, or is beloved by any one, should immediately shun all association with him as she would shun a blazing fire or a mad dog.&#160; And this is exactly what your mother did, for she really loved chastity as a blessing:&#160; wherefore she was preserved, and, along with you, obtained the full knowledge of the everlasting kingdom.&#160; The woman who wishes to be chaste, ought to know that she is envied by wickedness, and that because of love many lie in wait for her.&#160; If, then, she remain holy through a stedfast persistence in chastity, she will gain the victory over all temptations, and be saved; whereas, even if she were to do all that is right, and yet should once commit the sin of adultery, she must be punished, as said the prophet.