Catena Fidei

Augustine of Hippo, Of Holy Virginity. Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 3 (Schaff, 1887), public domain.

Passages · 57

Of Holy Virginity Chapter 1 — 1. We lately put forth a book “of the Good of Marriage,” in which also we admonished and admonish the virgins of Christ, not, on account of that greater gift which they have received, to despise, in comparison of…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 2 — 2. This we have undertaken in our present discourse: may Christ help us, the Son of a virgin, and the Spouse of virgins, born after the flesh of a virgin womb, and wedded after the Spirit in virgin marriage. Whereas,…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 3 — 3. It is written in the Gospel, of the mother and brethren of Christ, that is, His kindred after the flesh, that, when word had been brought to Him, and they were standing without, because they could not come to Him…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 4 — 4. Her virginity also itself was on this account more pleasing and accepted, in that it was not that Christ being conceived in her, rescued it beforehand from a husband who would violate it, Himself to preserve it;…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 5 — 5. There is, therefore, no reason why the virgins of God be sad, because themselves also cannot, keeping their virginity, be mothers of the flesh. For Him alone could virginity give birth to with fitting propriety,…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 6 — 6. And on this account, that one female, not only in the Spirit, but also in the flesh, is both a mother and a virgin. And a mother indeed in the Spirit, not of our Head, Which is the Saviour Himself, of Whom rather…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 7 — 7. I have said this, lest haply married fruitfulness dare to vie with virgin chastity, and to set forth Mary herself, and to say unto the virgins of God, She had in her flesh two things worthy of honor, virginity and…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 8 — 8. Therefore no fruitfulness of the flesh can be compared to holy virginity even of the flesh. For neither is itself also honored because it is virginity, but because it hath been dedicated to God, and, although it…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 9 — 9. Wherefore neither are we to believe that their fruitfulness of the flesh, who at this time seek in marriage nothing else save children, to make over unto Christ, can be set against the loss of virginity. Forsooth,…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 10 — 10. For not even herein ought such as are married to compare themselves with the deserts of the continent, in that of them virgins are born: for this is not a good of marriage, but of nature: which was so ordered of…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 11 — 11. Nor do we ourselves set forth this in virgins, that they are virgins; but that they are virgins dedicated unto God by pious continence. For it is not at a venture that I may say, a married woman seems to me…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 12 — 12. Let marriages possess their own good, not that they beget sons, but that honestly, that lawfully, that modestly, that in a spirit of fellowship they beget them, and educate them, after they have been begotten,…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 13 — 13. Whence they are marvellously void of wisdom, who think that the good of this continence is not necessary for the sake of the kingdom of heaven, but for the sake of the present world: in that, forsooth, married…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 14 — 14. It is, therefore, the present necessity that we are to avoid, but yet such as is a hindrance to somewhat of the good things to come; by which necessity the married life is forced to have thought of the things of…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 15 — 15. After that the same Apostle adds, and says, “Thou art bound to a wife, seek not loosening: thou art loosed from a wife, seek not a wife.” Of these two, that, which be set first, pertains unto command, against…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 16 — 16. Yet he added, “But such shall have tribulation of the flesh, but I spare you:” in this manner exhorting unto virginity, and continual continence, so as some little to alarm also from marriage, with all modesty,…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 17 — 17. Only by this, which I have briefly set down, the reader ought to be set on his guard against those, who, in this that is written, “but such shall have tribulation of the flesh but I spare you,” falsely charge…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 18 — 18. Wherefore I admonish both men and women who follow after perpetual continence and holy virginity, that they so set their own good before marriage, as that they judge not marriage an evil: and that they understand…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 19 — 19. But lest any should think that of two works, the good and the better, the rewards will be equal, on this account it was necessary to treat against those, who have so interpreted that saying of the Apostle, “But I…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 20 — 20. Far be it, therefore, that the Apostle so said, unto such as are married or are about to marry, “But I spare you,” as if he were unwilling to say what punishment is due to the married in another life. Far be it…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 21 — 21. Here some one will say, What has this to do with holy virginity, or perpetual continence, the setting forth of which was undertaken in this discourse? To whom I make answer in the first place, what I mentioned…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 22 — 22. And now by plainest witnesses of divine Scriptures, such as according to the small measure of our memory we shall be able to remember, let it more clearly appear, that, not on account of the present life of this…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 23 — 23. Lastly, let us hear the Lord Himself delivering most plain judgment on this matter. For, upon His speaking after a divine and fearful manner concerning husband and wife not separating, save on account of…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 24 — 24. But concerning what eunuchs speaketh God by the prophet Isaiah, unto whom He saith that He will give in His house and in His wall a place by name, much better than of sons and daughters, save concerning these,…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 25 — 25. Nor indeed hath the Holy Spirit failed to speak what should be of open and unshaken avail against these men, most shamelessly and madly obstinate, and should repel their assault, as of wild beasts, from His…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 26 — 26. What then, say they, is the meaning of that penny, which is given in payment to all alike when the work of the vineyard is ended? whether it be to those who have labored from the first hour, or to those who have…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 27 — 27. Therefore go on, Saints of God, boys and girls, males and females, unmarried men, and women; go on and persevere unto the end. Praise more sweetly the Lord, Whom ye think on more richly: hope more happily in Him,…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 28 — 28. Therefore let the rest of the faithful, who have lost virginity, follow the Lamb, not whithersoever He shall have gone, but so far as ever they shall have been able. But they are able every where, save when He…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 29 — 29. But, lo, That Lamb goeth by a Virgin road, how shall they go after Him, who have lost what there is no way for them to recover? Do ye, therefore, do ye go after Him, His virgins; do ye thither also go after Him,…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 30 — 30. Ye also who have not yet made this vow, who are able to receive it, receive it. Run with perseverance, that ye may obtain. Take ye each his sacrifices, and enter ye into the courts of the Lord, not of necessity,…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 31 — 31. Whence the greatness of this service, unto the undertaking of which we have according to our strength exhorted, the more excellent and divine it is, the more doth it warn our anxiety, to say something not only…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 32 — 32. Wherefore a few witnesses, which the Lord deigns to suggest to my mind, I proceed to mention, from out the teaching of Christ concerning humility, such as perhaps may be enough for my purpose. His discourse, the…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 33 — 33. Whereas, then, all Christians have to guard humility, forasmuch as it is from Christ that they are called Christians, Whose Gospel no one considers with care, but that he discovers Him to be a Teacher of…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 34 — 34. Paul the Apostle censures evil unmarried women, curious and prating, and says that this fault comes of idleness. “But at the same time,” saith he, “being idle they learn to go about to houses: but not only idle,…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 35 — 35. Certainly we are to contemplate in Christ Himself, the chief instruction and pattern of virginal purity. What further precept then concerning humility shall I give to the continent, than what He saith to all,…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 36 — 36. Let them hear Thee, and let them come to Thee, and let them learn of Thee to be meek and lowly, who seek Thy Mercy and Truth, by living unto Thee, unto Thee, not unto themselves. Let him hear this, laboring and…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 37 — 37. But regard the troops of virgins, holy boys and girls: this kind hath been trained up in Thy Church: there for Thee it hath been budding from its mother’s breasts; for Thy Name it hath loosed its tongue to speak,…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 38 — 38. I send thee not, soul that art religiously chaste, that hast not given the reins to fleshly appetite even so far as to allowed marriage, that hast not indulged thy body about to depart even to the begetting one…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 39 — 39. I fear, I say, greatly for thee, lest, when thou boastest that thou wilt follow the Lamb wheresoever He shall have gone, thou be unable by reason of swelling pride to follow Him through strait ways. It is good…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 40 — 40. And what members of the holy body, which is the Church, ought more to take care, that upon them the holy Spirit may rest, than such as profess virginal holiness? But how doth He rest, where He findeth not His own…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 41 — 41. Or are we indeed to believe that it is for any other reason, that God suffers to be mixed up with the number of your profession, many, both men and women, about to fall, than that by the fall of these your fear…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 42 — 42. Wherefore let this be the first thought for the putting on of humility, that God’s virgin think not that it is of herself that she is such, and not rather that this best “gift cometh down from above from the…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 43 — 43. Concerning continence also itself hath it not been most openly said, “And when I knew that no one can be continent unless God give it, this also itself was a part of wisdom, to know whose gift it was?” But…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 44 — 44. Next let not man, now that he knoweth that by the grace of God he is what he is, fall into another snare of pride, so as by lifting up himself for the very grace of God to despise the rest. By which fault that…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 45 — 45. Wherefore what shall we say? is there any thought which a virgin of God may truly have, by reason of which she dare not to set herself before a faithful woman, not only a widow, but even married? I say not a…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 46 — 46. But this is so great, that certain understand it to be the fruit an hundred-fold. For the authority of the Church bears a very conspicuous witness, in which it is known to the faithful in what place the Martyrs,…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 47 — 47. But, as I had begun to say, whether the fruit an hundred-fold be virginity dedicated to God, or whether we are to understand that interval of fruitfulness in some other way, either such as we have made mention…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 48 — 48. What now shall I say concerning the very carefulness and watchfulness against sin? “Who shall boast that he hath a chaste heart? or who shall boast that he is clean from sin?” Holy virginity is indeed inviolate…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 49 — 49. Wherefore also the virgins of God without blame indeed, “follow the Lamb whithersoever He shall have gone,” both the cleansing of sins being perfected, and virginity being kept, which, were it lost, could not…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 50 — 50. But, again, lest by occasion of this sentence, any one should sin with deadly security, and should allow himself to be carried away, as though his sins were soon by easy confession to be blotted out, he…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 51 — 51. But I contend not with those, who assert that a man can in this life live without any sin: I contend not, I gainsay not. For perhaps we take measure of the great from out our own misery, and, comparing ourselves…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 52 — 52. Here some one will say, This is now not to write of virginity, but of humility. As though truly it were any kind of virginity, and not that which is after God, which we had undertaken to set forth. And this good,…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 53 — 53. Wherefore this do ye, virgins of God, this do ye: follow ye the Lamb, whithersoever He shall have gone. But first come unto Him, Whom ye are to follow, and learn, in that He is meek and lowly of heart. Come ye in…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 54 — 54. Lo, already ye are such, as that in the rest of your conduct also ye correspond with the virginity which ye have professed and kept. Lo, already not only do ye abstain from murders, devilish sacrifices and…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 55 — 55. If, therefore, ye despise marriages of sons of men, from which to beget sons of men, love ye with your whole heart Him, Who is fair of form above the sons of men; ye have leisure; your heart is free from marriage…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 56 — 56. It is well that He seeks your beauty within, where He hath given unto you power to become daughters of God: He seeks not of you a fair flesh, but fair conduct, whereby to bridle also the flesh. He is not one unto…vatican.va
Of Holy Virginity Chapter 57 — 57. Thus, after our small measure, we have spoken enough both of sanctity, whereby ye are properly called “sanctimoniales,” and of humility, whereby whatever great name ye bear is kept. But more worthily let those…vatican.va

Scripture cited · 241 verses

Exodus 20:13 · Exodus 20:14 · Job 7:1 · Job 25:4 · Job 28:28 · Psalm 2:11 · Psalm 19:7 · Psalm 19:9 · Psalm 25:15 · Psalm 27:4 · Psalm 27:9 · Psalm 36:11 · Psalm 37:23 · Psalm 45:1 · Psalm 45:2 · Psalm 51:5 · Psalm 59:9 · Psalm 84:2 · Psalm 96:1 · Psalm 96:8 · Psalm 119:4 · Psalm 119:5 · Psalm 119:6 · Psalm 127:1 · Psalm 138:6 · Psalm 139:7 · Psalm 141:3 · Psalm 141:4 · Psalm 146:8 · Proverbs 20:9 · Wisdom 8:21 · Sirach 3:18 · Isaiah 26:18 · Isaiah 56:4 · Isaiah 56:5 · Isaiah 66:2 · Matthew 5:3 · Matthew 5:4 · Matthew 5:5 · Matthew 5:6 · Matthew 5:7 · Matthew 5:8 · Matthew 5:9 · Matthew 5:10 · Matthew 6:12 · Matthew 8:5 · Matthew 8:6 · Matthew 8:7 · Matthew 8:8 · Matthew 8:9 · Matthew 8:10 · Matthew 8:19 · Matthew 8:20 · Matthew 9:11 · Matthew 9:12 · Matthew 9:13 · Matthew 9:15 · Matthew 11:25 · Matthew 11:26 · Matthew 11:27 · Matthew 11:28 · Matthew 11:29 · Matthew 12:46 · Matthew 12:47 · Matthew 12:48 · Matthew 12:49 · Matthew 12:50 · Matthew 13:8 · Matthew 15:22 · Matthew 15:23 · Matthew 15:24 · Matthew 15:25 · Matthew 15:26 · Matthew 15:27 · Matthew 15:28 · Matthew 18:1 · Matthew 18:2 · Matthew 18:3 · Matthew 18:7 · Matthew 19:9 · Matthew 19:10 · Matthew 19:11 · Matthew 19:12 · Matthew 19:21 · Matthew 20:9 · Matthew 20:10 · Matthew 20:21 · Matthew 20:22 · Matthew 21:31 · Matthew 24:12 · Matthew 24:31 · Matthew 25:4 · Luke 1:34 · Luke 7:6 · Luke 7:7 · Luke 7:36 · Luke 7:37 · Luke 7:38 · Luke 7:39 · Luke 7:40 · Luke 7:41 · Luke 7:42 · Luke 7:43 · Luke 7:44 · Luke 7:45 · Luke 7:46 · Luke 7:47 · Luke 8:8 · Luke 10:30 · Luke 10:31 · Luke 10:32 · Luke 10:33 · Luke 10:34 · Luke 10:35 · Luke 11:27 · Luke 11:28 · Luke 12:35 · Luke 12:36 · Luke 18:10 · Luke 18:11 · Luke 18:12 · Luke 18:13 · Luke 18:14 · Luke 19:2 · Luke 19:3 · Luke 19:4 · Luke 19:5 · Luke 19:6 · Luke 19:7 · Luke 19:8 · Luke 19:41 · Luke 23:34 · John 1:12 · John 1:14 · John 1:29 · John 4:34 · John 6:38 · John 13:1 · John 13:2 · John 13:3 · John 13:4 · John 13:5 · John 13:6 · John 13:7 · John 13:8 · John 13:9 · John 13:10 · John 13:11 · John 13:12 · John 13:13 · John 13:14 · John 13:15 · John 13:16 · John 13:17 · John 14:2 · Acts 2:4 · Acts 2:32 · Acts 2:44 · Romans 5:20 · Romans 8:15 · and 81 more

Passages · 57

Scripture cited · 241 verses

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