Psalms 148:12

19. And to Thee is there nothing at all evil, and not only to Thee, but to Thy whole creation; because there is nothing without which can break in, and mar that order which Thou hast appointed it. But in the parts thereof, some things, because they harmonize not with others, are considered evil; whereas those very things harmonize with others, and are good, and in themselves are good. And all these things which do not harmonize together harmonize with the inferior part which we call earth, having its own cloudy and windy sky concordant to it. …

10. Then he mentioneth, that they may praise the Lord, “mountains and hills, fruitful trees and all cedars” ( ver. 9 ): “beasts and all cattle, creeping things, and winged fowls” ( ver. 10 ). Then he goeth to men; “kings of the earth and all people, princes and all judges of the earth” ( ver. 11 ): “young men and maidens, old men and young, let them praise the Name of the Lord” ( ver. 12 ). Ended is the praise from heaven, ended is the praise from earth. “For His Name only is exalted” ( ver. 13 ). Let no man seek to exalt his own name. Wilt thou be exalted? Subject thyself to Him who cannot be humbled. “His confession is in earth and heaven” ( ver. 14 ). What is “His confession”? Is it the confession wherewith He confesseth? No, but that whereby all things confess Him, all things cry aloud: the beauty of all things is in a manner their voice, whereby they praise God. …

But even if they bring in the testimony of those others, yet so the tokens of victory would be with us. Because the Scripture is wont to put the word “youth,” for “virginity;” and this with respect not to women only, but also to men. For it is said, “young men and maidens, old men with younger ones.” And again, speaking of the damsel who is attacked, it saith, “if the young woman cry out,”meaning the virgin.

34. But let us all by God’s grace run the race of chastity, young men and maidens, old men and children ; not going after wantonness, but praising the name of Christ. Let us not be ignorant of the glory of chastity: for its crown is angelic, and its excellence above man. Let us be chary of our bodies which are to shine as the sun: let us not for short pleasure defile so great, so noble a body: for short and momentary is the sin, but the shame for many years and for ever. Angels walking upon earth are they who practise chastity: the Virgins have their portion with Mary the Virgin. Let all vain ornament be banished, and every hurtful glance, and all wanton gait, and every flowing robe, and perfume enticing to pleasure. …