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| The Death of a Husband is God's Call to the Widow to Continence. Further Evidences from Scripture and from Heathenism. PREVIOUS SECTION - NEXT SECTION - HELP
Chapter
VII.—The Death of a Husband is God’s Call to the Widow to
Continence. Further Evidences from Scripture and from
Heathenism.
To us continence has been pointed out by the Lord of
salvation as an instrument for attaining eternity,410
410 i.e., eternal life;
comp. “consecutio æternitatis,” de
Bapt., c. ii. | and
as a testimony of (our) faith; as a commendation of this flesh of ours,
which is to be sustained for the “garment of
immortality,”411 which is one day to
supervene; for enduring, in fine, the will of God. Besides,
reflect, I advise you, that there is no one who is taken out of the
world412 but by the will of God, if, (as is the case,)
not even a leaf falls from off a tree without it. The same who
brings us into the world413 must of necessity
take us out of it too. Therefore when, through the will of God,
the husband is deceased, the marriage likewise, by the will of God,
deceases. Why should you restore what God has put an end to? Why do you, by repeating the
servitude of matrimony, spurn the liberty which is offered you?
“You have been bound to a wife,”414
414
“Matrimonio,” or “by matrimony.” Comp.
1 Cor. vii. 27: δέδεσαι
γυναικί; μὴ
ζήτει λύσιν·
λέλυσαι ἀπὸ
γυναικός; μὴ
ζήτει
γυναῖκα. Tertullian’s rendering, it will be
seen, is not verbatim. | says
the apostle; “seek not loosing. You have been loosed from a
wife;415
415
“Matrimonio,” or “by matrimony.” Comp.
1 Cor. vii. 27: δέδεσαι
γυναικί; μὴ
ζήτει λύσιν·
λέλυσαι ἀπὸ
γυναικός; μὴ
ζήτει
γυναῖκα. Tertullian’s rendering, it will be
seen, is not verbatim. | seek not binding.” For even if
you do not “sin” in re-marrying, still he says
“pressure of the flesh ensues.”416
Wherefore, so far as we can, let us love the opportunity of continence;
as soon as it offers itself, let us resolve to accept it, that what we
have not had strength417
417 Or, “been
able”—valuimus. But comp. c. vi. | (to follow) in
matrimony we may follow in widowhood. The occasion must be
embraced which puts an end to that which necessity418
418 See c. iii.,
“quod autem necessitas præstat, depretiat
ipsa,” etc. | commanded. How detrimental to faith,
how obstructive to holiness, second marriages are, the discipline of
the Church and the prescription of the apostle declare, when he suffers
not men twice married to preside (over a Church419
419 1 Tim. ii. 2; Tit. i. 6. | ),
when he would not grant a widow admittance into the order unless she
had been “the wife of one man;”420 for
it behoves God’s altar421 to be set forth
pure. That whole halo422
422 Comp. de Cor., c.
i., “et de martyrii candida melius
coronatus,” and Oehler’s note. | which encircles the
Church is represented (as consisting) of holiness. Priesthood is
(a function) of widowhood and of celibacies among the nations. Of
course (this is) in conformity with the devil’s principle of
rivalry. For the king of heathendom,423 the
chief pontiff,424
424 Or, “Pontifex
maximus.” | to marry a second
time is unlawful. How pleasing must holiness be to God, when even
His enemy affects it!—not, of course, as having any affinity with
anything good, but as contumeliously affecting what is pleasing
to425
425 Or, “has been
decreed by.” | God the Lord.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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