Page:Aelfric's Lives of Saints Vol 1.djvu/371

 and doeth  it  for  ostentation,  if  he  will  give  any  dole,

and then  is  fame  the  reward  of  his  deeds,

and his  punishment  awaiteth  him  in  the  future  world.

The eighth  sin  is  called  Superbia,

that is  called  Pride,  in  English,

which is  the  beginning  and  end  of  every  sin;

it made  angels  into  horrible  devils,

and will  make  the  man  also,  if  he  prideth  himself  too  much,

the companion  of  the  devil,  who  first  fell  thereby.

Now there  are  eight  Chief  Virtues,  which  may  overcome

these aforesaid  devils,  through  the  Lord's  assistance.

One is  Te.m'perantia,  that  is  in  English,  Moderation,

this is,  that  a  man  be  moderate,  and  do  not  take  too  much

either in  food  or  drink,  neither  take  his  meals  before  the  time.

Beasts eat  as  soon  as  they  have  it,

but the  discreet  man  ought  to  keep  to  his  mealtime,

and then,  also  with  discretion,  observe  his  regular  custom;

thus may  he  then  overcome  Gluttony.

The second  virtue  is  Castitas,  that  is  in  English,  Purity,

which is,  that  a  layman  keep  himself  without  adultery,

in lawful  wedlock  with  discretion,

and the  consecrated  servant  of  God  keep  his  virginity;

thus will  Adultery  be  also  overcome.

The third  virtue  is  Largitas,  that  is  in  English,  Liberality,

which is,  that  a  man  spend  his  possessions  wisely,  not  for  worldly ostentation,

the things  which  God  lent  him  to  enjoy  in  this  life.

God willeth  not  that  we  should  be  greedy  misers,

neither throw  away  our  goods  in  worldly  ostentation.