Codex: Clement of Rome
Book: First Epistle on Virginity
Continuation of the Remarks on Self-Denial; Object and Reward of True Virgins.
4:1 For he who covets for himself these things so great and excellent, withdraws and severs himself on this account from all the world,
4:2 that he may go and live a life divine and heavenly, like the holy angels, in work pure and holy, and "in the holiness of the Spirit of God," 1 xrefs
4:3 and that he may serve God Almighty through Jesus Christ for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.
4:4 On this account he severs himself from all the appetites of the body.
4:5 And not only does he excuse himself from this command, "Be fruitful, and multiply," but he longs for the "hope promised" and prepared "and laid up in heaven" 1 xrefs
4:6 by God, who has declared with His mouth, and He does not lie, that it is "better than sons and daughters," 2 xrefs
4:7 and that He will give to virgins a notable place in the house of God, which is something "better than sons and daughters,"
4:8 and better than the place of those who have passed a wedded life in sanctity, and whose "bed has not been defiled." 1 xrefs
4:9 For God will give to virgins the kingdom of heaven, as to the holy angels, by reason of this great and noble profession.
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