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| True Virgins Prove Themselves Such by Self-Denial, as Does the True Believer by Good Works. PREVIOUS SECTION - NEXT SECTION - HELP
Chapter
III.—True Virgins Prove Themselves Such by Self-Denial, as Does
the True Believer by Good Works.
For virgins are a beautiful pattern to believers,
and to those who shall believe. The name alone, indeed, without
works, does not introduce into the kingdom of heaven; but, if a man be
truly a believer, such an one can be saved. For, if a person be
only called a believer in name, whilst he is not such in works, he
cannot possibly be a believer. “Let no one,”
therefore, “lead you astray with the empty words of
error.”305 For, merely
because a person is called a virgin, if he be destitute of works
excellent and comely, and suitable to virginity, he cannot possibly be
saved. For our Lord called such virginity as that
“foolish,” as He said in the Gospel;306 and because it had neither oil nor light,
it was left outside of the kingdom of heaven, and was shut out from the
joy of the bridegroom, and was reckoned with His enemies. For
such persons as these “have the appearance only of the fear of
God, but the power of it they deny.”307 For they “think with
themselves that they are something, whilst they are nothing, and are
deceived. But let every one constantly try308
308 Lit.
“let every one be trying.” | his works,”309 and
know himself; for empty worship does he offer, whosoever he be that
makes profession of virginity and sanctity, “and denies its
power.” For virginity of such a kind is impure, and
disowned by all good works. For “every tree whatsoever is
known from its fruits.”310 “See
that thou understand311
311 Or
“consider.” There is no play on words in the passage
quoted (2 Tim. ii.
7), nor perhaps was this
intended in the Syriac. | what I say:
God will give thee understanding.”312 For whosoever engages before God to
preserve sanctity must be girded with all the holy power of God.
And, if with true fear313
313 Lit.
“true in fear of God.” The reading is probably
faulty.—Beelen. | he crucify his
body, he for the sake of the fear of God excuses himself from that word
in which the Scripture314
314 The ellipsis is
usually to be thus filled up in these epistles. [In similar cases
which follow, italics will not be used.—R.] | has
said: “Be fruitful, and multiply,”315 and shuns all the display, and care,
and sensuality,316 and fascination of
this world, and its revelries and its drunkenness, and all its luxury
and ease, and withdraws from the entire life of317
317 Or “from all
intercourse with.” |
this world, and from its snares, and nets, and hindrances; and, whilst
thou walkest318
318 Either
something is here omitted by the transcriber, or Clement has varied the
form of expression.—Beelen. | upon the earth,
be zealous that thy work and thy business be in
heaven.
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