Chapter IV.--Continuation of the Remarks on Self-Denial; Object and Reward of True Virgins.
For he who covets for himself these things so great and excellent, withdraws and severs himself on this account from all the world, that he may go and live a life divine and heavenly, like the holy angels, in work pure and holy, and "in the holiness [319] of the Spirit of God," [320] and that he may serve God Almighty through Jesus Christ for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. On this account he severs himself from all the appetites of the body. And not only does he excuse himself from this command, "Be fruitful, and multiply," but he longs for the "hope promised" and prepared "and laid up in heaven" [321] by God, who has declared with His mouth, and He does not lie, that it is "better than sons and daughters," [322] and that He will give to virgins a notable place in the house of God, which is something "better than sons and daughters," and better than the place of those who have passed a wedded life in sanctity, and whose "bed has not been defiled." [323] For God will give to virgins the kingdom of heaven, as to the holy angels, by reason of this great and noble profession.
[319] "Sanctification."--Beelen. [So A.V. The R.V. correctly renders hagiasmos, "sanctification," in every instance.--R.]
[320] 2 Thess. ii. 13.
[321] Col. i. 5.
[322] Isa. lvi. 4, 5.
[323] Heb. xiii. 4.
Chapter V.--The Irksomeness and the Enemies of Virginity.
Thou desirest, then, to be a virgin? Knowest thou what hardship and irksomeness there is in true virginity--that which stands constantly at all seasons before God, and does not withdraw from His service, and "is anxious how it may please its Lord with a holy body, and with its spirit?" [324] Knowest thou what great glory pertains to virginity, and is it for this that thou dost set thyself to practise it? Dost thou really know and understand what it is thou art eager to do? Art thou acquainted with the noble task of holy virginity? Dost thou know how, like a man, to enter "lawfully" upon [325] this contest and "strive," [326] that, in the might of the Holy Spirit, [327] thou choosest this for thyself, that thou mayest be crowned with a crown of light, and that they may lead thee about in triumph through "the Jerusalem above"? [328] If so be, then, that thou longest for all these things, conquer the body; conquer the appetites of the flesh; conquer the world in the Spirit of God; conquer these vain things of time, which pass away and grow old, and decay, and come to an end; conquer the dragon; [329] conquer the lion; [330] conquer the serpent; [331] conquer Satan;--through Jesus Christ, who doth strengthen thee by the hearing of His words and the divine Eucharist. [332] "Take up thy cross and follow" [333] Him who makes thee clean, Jesus Christ thy Lord. Strive to run straight forward and boldly, not with fear, but with courage, relying on the promise of thy Lord, that thou shalt obtain the victor-crown [334] of thy "calling on high" [335] through Jesus Christ. For whosoever walks perfect in faith, and not fearing, doth in very deed receive the crown of virginity, which is great in its toil and great in its reward. Dost thou understand and know how honourable a thing is sanctity? [336] Dost thou understand how great and exalted and excellent is the glory of virginity? [337]
[324] 1 Cor. vii. 34.
[325] Lit. "descend to."
[326] 2 Tim. ii. 5.
[327] The words, "in the might of the Holy Spirit," appear to obscure the sense.--Beelen.
[328] Gal. iv. 26.
[329] Rev. xii. 7.
[330] 1 Pet. v. 8.
[331] 2 Cor. xi. 3.
[332] Lit. "the Eucharist of the Godhead." This is an evidence of later date than the sub-apostolic age.--R.]
[333] Matt. xvi. 24.
[334] Lit. "crown of victory."
[335] Phil. iii. 14.
[336] i.e. continency. [The use of the terms "sanctity," "holy," etc., in the limited sense of "continency," "chaste," etc., is strong evidence of the later origin.--R]
[337] The last two sentences properly belong to chap. vi.