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Carnal men abuse virginity, and the pleasure-loving bring forward the
following verse in proof, Cursed be every one that raiseth not up seed
in Israel. But we, made confident by God the Word that was made
flesh of the Virgin, answer that virginity was implanted in man's
nature from above and in the beginning. For man was formed of virgin
soil. From Adam alone was Eve created. In Paradise virginity held
sway. Indeed, Divine Scripture tells that both Adam and Eve were
naked and were not ashamed. But after their transgression they knew
that they were naked, and in their shame they sewed aprons for
themselves. And when, after the transgression, Adam heard, dust
thou art and unto dust shalt thou return, when death entered into the
world by reason of the transgression, then Adam knew Eve his wife,
and she conceived and bare seed. So that to prevent the wearing out
and destruction of the race by death, marriage was devised that the
race of men may be preserved through the procreation of children.
But they will perhaps ask, what then is the meaning of "male and
female," and "Be fruitful and multiply?" In answer we shall say
that "Be fruitful and multiply" does not altogether refer to the
multiplying by the marriage connection. For God had power to multiply
the race also in different ways, if they kept the precept unbroken to
the end. But God, Who knoweth all things before they have
existence, knowing in His foreknowledge that they would fall into
transgression in the future and be condemned to death, anticipated this
and made "male and female," and bade them "be fruitful and
multiply." Let us, then, proceed on our way and see the glories of
virginity: and this also includes chastity.
Noah when he was commanded to enter the ark and was entrusted with the
preservation of the seed of the world received this command, Go in,
saith the Lord, thou and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons'
wives. He separated them from their wives in order that with purity
they might escape the flood and that shipwreck of the whole world.
After the cessation of the flood, however, He said, Go forth of
the ark, thou and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives.
Lo, again, marriage is granted for the sake of the multiplication of
the race. Next, Elias, the fire-breathing charioteer and sojourner
in heaven did not embrace celibacy, and yet was not his virtue attested
by his super-human ascension? Who closed the heavens? Who raised
the dead? Who divided Jordan? Was it not the virginal Elias? And
did not Elisha, his disciple, after he had given proof of equal
virtue, ask and obtain as an inheritance a double portion of the grace
of the Spirit? What of the three youths? Did they not by practising
virginity become mightier than fire, their bodies through virginity
being made proof against the fire? And was it not Daniel's body that
was so hardened by virginity that the wild beasts' teeth could not
fasten in it. Did not God, when He wished the Israelites to see
Him, bid them purify the body? Did not the priests purify themselves
and so approach the temple's shrine and offer victims? And did not
the law call chastity the great vow?
The precept of the law, therefore, is to be taken in a more spiritual
sense. For there is spiritual seed which is conceived through the love
and fear of God in the spiritual womb, travailing and bringing forth
the spirit of salvation. And in this sense must be understood this
verse: Blessed is he who hath seed in Zion and posterity in
Jerusalem. For does it mean that, although he be a whoremonger and a
drunkard and an idolater, he is still blessed if only he hath seed in
Sion and posterity in Jerusalem? No one in his senses will say
this.
Virginity is the rule of life among the angels, the property of all
incorporeal nature. This we say without speaking ill of marriage:
God forbid! (for we know that the Lord blessed marriage by His
presence, and we know him who said, Marriage is and the bed
undefiled), but knowing that virginity is better than marriage,
however good. For among the virtues, equally as among the vices,
there are higher and lower grades. We know that all mortals after the
first parents of the race are the offspring of marriage. For the first
parents were the work of virginity and not of marriage. But celibacy
is, as we said, an imitation of the angels. Wherefore virginity is
as much more honourable than marriage, as the angel is higher than
man. But why do I say angel? Christ Himself is the glory of
virginity, who was not only-begotten of the Father without beginning
or emission or connection, but also became man in our image, being
made flesh for our sakes of the Virgin without connection, and
manifesting in Himself the true and perfect virginity. Wherefore,
although He did not enjoin that on us by law (for as He said, all
men cannot receive this saying), yet in actual fact He taught us that
and gave us strength for it. For it is surely clear to every one that
virginity now is flourishing among men.
Good indeed is the procreation of children enjoined by the law, and
good is marriage on account of fornications, for it does away with
these, and by lawful intercourse does not permit the madness of desire
to he caromed into unlawful acts. Good is marriage for those who have
no continence: but that virginity is better which increases the
fruitfulness of the soul and offers to God the seasonable fruit of
prayer. Marriage is honourable and the bed undefiled, but
whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
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