Trust then the spirit. “’Tis the letter kills”—repeat.
Thy body mortify; thy flesh consume with pains.
Behind it hid thou’lt find God’s unity—thy gains.
If thou the body vex not,—bring not low betimes,
The flesh will thee destroy, my friend, in fiery flames.
The flesh it is that shows itself to human heart;
The flesh it is demands asceticism’s sharp smart.
We simple were; one essence was the source of all.
Nor head, nor foot had we; one pristine lot did fall.375
One substance held us; we were clear as is the sun;