OF THE DISCIPLINE OF CHASTITY. 257 Christloved the church,and wives ought so to love their husbandsalsoas the church lovesChrist. 6. Christgave thisjudgment when, being inquiredof, He saidthat a wife must not be put away, save for the causeof adultery; such honour did He put upon chastity. Hence arosethe decree: " Ye shallnot sufferadulteressesto live."1 Hence the apostlesays: " This is the willof God, thatye abstainfrom fornication."2 Hence alsohe saysthe same thing: "That the members of Christ must not be joinedwith the members of an harlot."* Hence the man is deliveredover unto Satan for the destructionof the flesh, who, treadingunder foot the law of chastity,practisesthe vicesof the flesh. Hence with reason adulterersdo not attainthe kingdom of heaven. Hence it is thateverysin iswithoutthe body,but that the adultereralonesinsagainst hisown body. Hence other authoritativeutterancesof the instructor,allof which it is not necessaryat thistime to collect,especiallyamong you, who for the most part know and do them ; and you cannot findcauseforcomplaintcon cerningthese things,even though they are not described. For the adultererhas not an excuse,nor could he have,be causehe might takea wife. 7. But as laws are prescribedto matrons, who are so bound that they cannot thence be separated,while virginity and continencyare beyond alllaw,there is nothing in the laws of matrimony which pertainsto virginity;for by its loftinessittranscendsthem all. If any evilundertakingsof men endeavour to transcendlaws,virginityplacesitselfon an equalitywith angels;moreover,if we investigateit,even excelsthem, because strugglingin the fleshit gains the victoryeven againsta naturewhich angelshave not. What elseisvirginitythan the gloriouspreparationforthe future life? Virginity is of neithersex. Virginityis the con tinuance of infancy. Virginityis the triumph over plea sures. Virginityhas no children; but what is more, it has contempt for offspring: it has not fruitfulness,but neither hasitbereavement ; blessedthatitis free from the pain of 1 Lev.xx.10. * 1 Thess.iv.3. • 1 Cor.vi.15. CTP. VOL. n. B