35. Boys also and virgins
dedicating unto God actual chastity we do before all things
admonish, that they be aware that they must guard their life
meanwhile upon earth with so great humility, by how much the more
what they have vowed is heavenly. Forsooth it is written, “How
great soever thou art, by so much humble thyself in all
things.”2023
Therefore
it is our part to say something of their greatness, it is their
part to have thought of great
humility. Therefore, except certain,
those holy fathers and mothers who were
married, than whom these
although they be not
married are not better, for this reason, that,
if they were
married, they would not be equal, let them not doubt
that they
surpass all the
rest of this time, either
married, or
after
trial made of
marriage, exercising continence; not so
far as
Anna surpasses Susanna; but so
far as
Mary surpasses both. I am
speaking of what pertains unto the holy chastity itself of the
flesh; for who knows not, what other
deserts Mary hath? Therefore
let them add to this so high purpose
conduct suitable, that they
may have an assured
security of the surpassing
reward; knowing of a
truth, that, unto themselves and unto all the
faithful,
beloved and
chosen members of
Christ, coming many from the East, and from the
West, although shining with
light of
glory that differeth one from
another, according to their
deserts, there is this great
gift
bestowed in common, to sit down in the
kingdom of
God with
Abraham,
and
Isaac, and
Jacob,
2024
who not for the sake of this
world, but for the sake of Christ, were husbands, for the sake of
Christ were fathers.
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