Page:TheYoungMansGuide.djvu/344

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virtue. Therefore Holy Writ says: "Oh, how beautiful is the chaste generation with glory I For the memory thereof is immortal; because it is known both with God and with men" (Wis. iv. i).

LXI. The Vision of God

"How blest is he who pure in word and act Preserves baptismal innocence intact."

1.In these words the poet lauds the happiness of a pure and guileless heart. What would Jesus Christ say, were He to come down in person upon earth once more; how would He comfort and encourage the chaste? Not otherwise, assuredly, than He did formerly, in His Sermon on the Mount, when He thus addressed His hearers: "Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God." Yes, the vision of God is the reward of the conflict, the bright encouragement for the chaste.

"O how beautiful is the chaste generation with glory; it triumpheth crowned forever winning the reward of undenied conflicts" (Wis. iv. 2).

" Who shall ascend into the mountain of the Lord? Or who shall stand in His holy place? The innocent in hands and clean of heart" (Ps. xxiii. 4).