約伯倫理 第 1334 章

20. The devil, through lust, for the most part dominates both sexes of mankind. — The seed-beds of intercourse are said to be in the loins in men, but in women to reside in the navel. Hence it is that the Truth says to the disciples: 'Let your loins be girded' (Luke 12:35). Hence Peter, when he would restrain lust from the heart, admonished, saying: 'Having girded up the loins of your mind' (1 Peter 1:13). Hence Paul, when he said that through Abraham's sacrifice Melchizedek had tithed the priesthood at the time of Levi, showing where Levi then lay hidden in Abraham's body, said: 'For he was yet in the loins of his father' (Hebrews 7:10).

But that the seed-bed of lust is contained in women in the navel, the prophet testifies who, under the figure of a prostituted woman, rebuking the wantonness of Judaea, says: 'In the day of thy birth thy navel was not cut' (Ezekiel 16:4). For to cut the navel on the day of birth is, at the time of conversion, to cut away the lust of the flesh. For because it is difficult to correct things ill-begun, and to reform for the better what has once been formed deformedly, Judaea is reproved for her origin, who, while she was born in God, retained an uncut navel, because she did not cut off the flowings of lust.

Since, therefore, both sexes of either kind are greatly laid low by the weakness of lust under the power of the devil, both his strength is said to be in the loins against males, and his power against females in the navel. [Chapter 12.] 21. The corruption of the flesh is wont to follow the pride of the spirit. — But why, when He introduced that this Behemoth eats hay, did He subjoin the damage of lust as the first proofs of his deception, except because it is clearly plain to all that, after pride has once seized the spirit of man, it soon extends itself to the corruption of the flesh?

This we recognize also in those very first human beings who, when after committing pride they covered their shameful members, plainly indicated that after they had endeavoured inwardly, within themselves, to snatch at the things on high, they soon bore outwardly in the flesh things to be blushed at (Genesis 3:7). This Behemoth, therefore, raging insatiably and seeking to devour the whole man at once, now raises the mind into pride, now corrupts the flesh with the pleasure of lust. But rightly it is by no means said that his strength is in the loins or navel of those who are laid low, but 'his strength is in his loins, and his power in the navel of his belly.' As if it were openly said:

'His strength is in his own loins, and his power in the navel of his own belly,' because assuredly they become his own body who, deceived by the flatteries of base suggestions, succumb to him through the flowings of lust. There follows: