Writings of Methodius, Alexander of Lycopolis, Peter of Alexandria, and Several Fragments

As King David, openly confessing with tears in the mountains, cried out, "My wounds stink and are corrupt,"Psalm 38:5 because he had not salted himself with the exercises of self-control and so subdued his carnal appetites, but had self-indulgently yielded to them and became corrupted in adultery. And hence, in Leviticus,Leviticus 2:13; Mark 9:49 every gift, unless it be seasoned with salt, is forbidden to be offered as an oblation to the Lord God. Now, the whole spiritual meditation of the Scriptures is given to us as salt which stings in order to benefit, and which disinfects; without which it is impossible for a soul, by means of reason, to be brought to the Almighty. For "you are the salt of the earth,"Matthew 5:13 said the Lord to the apostles.

It is fitting, then, that a virgin should always love things which are honorable, be distinguished among the foremost for wisdom, and be addicted to nothing slothful or luxurious. Instead, she should excel and set her mind upon things worthy of the state of virginity, always putting away, by the word, the foulness of luxury, lest in any way some slight, hidden corruption should breed the worm of incontinence; for "the unmarried woman cares for the things of the Lord," how she may please the Lord, "that she may be holy both in body and in spirit,"1 Corinthians 7:34 says the blessed Paul. But many of them who consider the hearing of the word quite a secondary matter think they do great things if they give their attention to it for a little while. However, discrimination must be exercised with respect to these; for it is not fitting to impart divine instruction to a nature which is careful about trifles, and low, and which counterfeits wisdom. For would it not be laughable to go on talking to those who direct all their energy toward things of little value—so that they may complete most accurately those trivial tasks—but do not think that the greatest pains are to be taken with those necessary things by which, most of all, the love of chastity would be increased in them?