{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/008/0080028.htm","path":"chr/ecf/008/0080028.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/008/0080028.htm","text":"Chapter III.\u2014True Virgins Prove Themselves Such by Self-Denial, as Does the True Believer by Good Works.\nFor 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. \u201cLet no one,\u201d therefore, \u201clead you astray with the empty words of error.\u201d 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 \u201cfoolish,\u201d 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 \u201chave the appearance only of the fear of God, but the power of it they deny.\u201d 307 For they \u201cthink with themselves that they are something, whilst they are nothing, and are deceived. But let every one constantly try 308 his works,\u201d 309 and know himself; for empty worship does he offer, whosoever he be that makes profession of virginity and p. 56 sanctity, \u201cand denies its power.\u201d For virginity of such a kind is impure, and disowned by all good works. For \u201cevery tree whatsoever is known from its fruits.\u201d 310 \u201cSee that thou understand 311 what I say: God will give thee understanding.\u201d 312 For whosoever engages before God to preserve sanctity must be girded with all the holy power of God. And, if with true fear 313 he crucify his body, he for the sake of the fear of God excuses himself from that word in which the Scripture 314 has said: \u201cBe fruitful, and multiply,\u201d 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 of 317 this world, and from its snares, and nets, and hindrances; and, whilst thou walkest 318 upon the earth, be zealous that thy work and thy business be in heaven.\nLit. \u201clet every one be trying.\u201d\n55:309 56:310\nMatt. xii. 33. [More probably Luke vi. 44.\u2014R.]\n56:311\nOr \u201cconsider.\u201d There is no play on words in the passage quoted (2 Tim. ii. 7), nor perhaps was this intended in the Syriac.\n56:312 56:313\nLit. \u201ctrue in fear of God.\u201d The reading is probably faulty.\u2014Beelen.\n56:314\nThe ellipsis is usually to be thus filled up in these epistles. [In similar cases which follow, italics will not be used.\u2014R.]\n56:315 56:316 56:317\nOr \u201cfrom all intercourse with.\u201d\n56:318\nEither something is here omitted by the transcriber, or Clement has varied the form of expression.\u2014Beelen.","title":"Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol VIII: Two Epistles Concerning Virginity.: Chapter III","type":"page"}