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| Veiling Consistent with the Other Rules of Discipline Observed by Virgins and Women in General.
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Chapter
IX.—Veiling Consistent with the Other Rules of Discipline
Observed by Virgins and Women in General.
Let us now see whether, as we have shown the
arguments drawn from nature and the matter itself to be applicable to
the virgin as well (as to other females), so likewise the
precepts of ecclesiastical discipline concerning women have an
eye to the virgin.
It is not permitted to a woman to speak in
the church;307
but neither (is it
permitted her) to teach, nor to baptize, nor to offer, nor to claim to
herself a lot in any manly function, not to say (in any) sacerdotal
office. Let us inquire whether any of these be lawful to a
virgin. If it is not lawful to a virgin, but
she is subjected on the self-same terms (as the woman), and the
necessity for humility is assigned her together with the woman,
whence will this one thing be lawful to her which is not lawful
to any and every female? If any is a virgin, and
has proposed to sanctify her flesh, what prerogative does she (thereby)
earn adverse to her own condition? Is the reason why it is
granted her to dispense with the veil, that she may be notable and
marked as she enters the church? that she may display the honour of
sanctity in the liberty of her head? More worthy distinction
could have been conferred on her by according her some prerogative of
manly rank or office! I know plainly, that in a certain place a
virgin of less than twenty years of age has been placed in the
order of widows! whereas if the bishop had been bound to accord
her any relief, he might, of course, have done it in some other way
without detriment to the respect due to discipline; that such a
miracle, not to say monster, should not be pointed at in the church, a
virgin-widow! the more portentous indeed, that not even as a
widow did she veil her head; denying herself either way; both as
virgin, in that she is counted a widow, and as
widow, in that she is styled a virgin. But the
authority which licenses her sitting in that seat uncovered is
the same which allows her to sit there as a virgin: a seat
to which (besides the “sixty years”308
not
merely “single-husbanded” (women)—that is,
married women—are at length elected, but
“mothers” to boot, yes, and “educators of
children;” in order, forsooth, that their experimental training
in all the affections may, on the one hand, have rendered them capable
of readily aiding all others with counsel and comfort, and that, on the
other, they may none the less have travelled down the whole course of
probation whereby a female can be tested. So true is it,
that, on the ground of her position, nothing in the way of public
honour is permitted to a virgin.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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