Question VIII: On chastity

Chastity is defined by St. Bonaventure, 3. part. Centil. sect. 42.: It is abstinence from every illicit sexual union.

I assert that it is a virtue.

It is proved by St. Bonaventure, de profectu religiosi, lib. 2. cap. 42. and in Diaeta, tit. 3. cap. 4. first from Ecclesiasticus 16: The consideration of a continent soul is not worthy of weighing, and Matthew 13, and 2 Corinthians 4, where it is called the treasure of the soul.

It is proved by him by reason, because it is concerned with a special and arduous object, which is the moderation of venereal matters, which is different from the moderation of foods, even though the latter is a strong disposition toward it, as the Holy Doctor discusses admirably and more fully in the alleged places.

The Seraphic Doctor also describes its degrees de gradibus virtutum, cap. 4.: the lowest degree indeed is conjugal chastity; higher is viduity; highest of all virginal, such as that of John, as the Holy Doctor says in 4. dist. 33. dub. 3. where he also says that Abraham had this in habit, namely that insofar as it lay with him, he would have wished to be a virgin and to have remained one, since he was so holy and temperate; but he took a wife for the sake of succession.

He says, however, in 3. dist. 26. quaest. 2. ad 4. that the truly chaste man takes pleasure in the act and use of this virtue, as Aristotle teaches 7. Eth. and first Rhetor.

I beseech you, read through the Seraphic Doctor treating of Chastity in the alleged places, who also in the Bibl. pauperum, cap. 90. brings forward many things about Chastity from the Scriptures.