for the vicious desires are contrary to those of the spirit, and the inclinations of the spirit are contrary to those of the animal part; these are opposite to each other, so that you do not the things that you would.

of which number we all have formerly been, leading our dissolute lives in gratifying the desires of our sensual imaginations: and were indeed obnoxious to the divine displeasure, as other. Gentiles were:

teaching us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and to practise temperance, justice and piety in this present world;

for even we ourselves were once inconsiderate, disobedient, deluded, addicted to variety of passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, the deserving objects of mutual hatred.

as obedient children be no longer influenc'd by those passions, which were the effects of your former ignorance.

but at present have obtain'd it. I exhort you, my dear brethren, as strangers and travellers to avoid all sensual passions, as destructive to your

so that for the future he does not pass the rest of this life in gratifying his sensual passions, but in conformity to the divine precepts.

especially those, who prostitute themselves to sensual infamous passions: who despise magistrates, who being audacious, and insolent, intrepidly calumniate the higher powers;

These are murmurers, complainers, who pursue their own passions: their language swells with flattery, which they offer to the personages of men from a prospect of gain.

And the lust

Again, the devil accompanyed him up a very high mountain, and representing to him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them: all these things,

then the devil took him to the top of a high mountain, and in an instant represented to him all the kingdoms of the world.

And the pride

the merchants of the earth shall bewail and mourn over her, because there are none to purchase their cargo:

Is not

such wisdom is not derived from heaven; but is terrestrial, sensual, demoniacal.

General references

Lay not up for your selves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal.

some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choaked it, so that it yielded no fruit.

in like manner every one of you must count upon renouncing all that he has, otherwise he cannot be my disciple.