BOOK III, CHAP. XXIII,5 - Sin and humility: the meaning of Adam's girdle
THE case of Adam, however, had no analogy with
this, but was altogether different. For, having been beguiled by another
under the pretext of immortality, he is immediately seized with terror,
and hides himself; not as if he were able to escape from God; but, in a
state of confusion at having transgressed His command, he feels unworthy
to appear before and to hold converse with God. Now, «the fear of
the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;» the sense of sin leads to
repentance, and God bestows His compassion upon those who are penitent.
For [Adam] showed his repentance by his conduct, through means of the girdle
[which he used], covering himself with fig-leaves, while there were many
other leaves, which would have irritated his body in a less degree. He,
however, adopted a dress conformable to his disobedience, being awed by
the fear of God; and resisting the erring, the lustful propensity of his
flesh (since he had lost his natural disposition and child-like mind, and
had come to the knowledge of evil things), he girded a bridle of continence
upon himself and his wife, fearing God, and waiting for His coming, and
indicating, as it were, some such thing [as follows]: Inasmuch as, he says,
I have by disobedience lost that robe of sanctity which I had from the
Spirit, I do now also acknowledge that I am deserving of a covering of
this nature, which affords no gratification, but which gnaws have retained
this clothing for ever, thus humbling himself, if God, who is merciful,
had not clothed them with tunics of skins instead of fig-leaves. For this
purpose, too, He interrogates them, that the blame might light upon the
woman; and again, He interrogates her, that she might convey the blame
to the serpent. For she related what had occurred. «The serpent,»
says she, «beguiled me, and I did eat.» But He put no question
to the serpent; for He knew that he had been the prime mover in the guilty
deed; but He pronounced the curse upon him in the first instance, that
it might fall upon man with a mitigated rebuke. For God detested him who
had led man astray, but by degrees, and little by little, He showed compassion
to him who had been beguiled.
