Codex: Clement of Rome
Book: First Epistle on Virginity
The Irksomeness and the Enemies of Virginity.
5:1 You desire, then, to be a virgin? Do you know what hardship and irksomeness there is in true virginity—
5:2 that which stands constantly at all seasons before God, and does not withdraw from His service, and "is anxious how it may please its Lord with a holy body, and with its spirit?" 1 xrefs
5:3 Do you know what great glory pertains to virginity, and is it for this that you set yourself to practise it?
5:4 Do you really know and understand what it is you are eager to do?
5:5 Are you acquainted with the noble task of holy virginity?
5:7 that, in the might of the Holy Spirit, you choose this for yourself, that you may be crowned with a crown of light, and that they may lead you about in triumph through "the Jerusalem above"? 1 xrefs
5:8 If so be, then, that you long for all these things, conquer the body; conquer the appetites of the flesh; conquer the world in the Spirit of God;
5:9 conquer these vain things of time, which pass away and grow old, and decay, and come to an end;
5:11 conquer Satan — through Jesus Christ, who does strengthen you by the hearing of His words and the divine Eucharist.
5:13 Strive to run straight forward and boldly, not with fear, but with courage, relying on the promise of your Lord, that you shall obtain the victor-crown of your "calling on high" through Jesus Christ. 1 xrefs
5:14 For whosoever walks perfect in faith, and not fearing, does in very deed receive the crown of virginity, which is great in its toil and great in its reward.
5:15 Do you understand and know how honourable a thing is sanctity? Do you understand how great and exalted and excellent is the glory of virginity?
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