24.  And to the doctrine of chastity let the first to give heed be the order of Solitaries μονάζοντες.  Compare xii. 33; xvi. 22.  The origin of Monasticism is usually traced to the time of the Decian persecution, the middle of the third century.  Previously “there were no monks, but only ascetics in the Church; from that time to the reign of Constantine, Monachism was confined to the anchorets living in private cells in the wilderness:  but when Pachomius had erected monasteries in Egypt, other countries presently followed the example.…Hilarion, who was scholar to Antonius, was the first monk that ever lived in Palestine or Syria.”  Bingham, VII. i. 4. and of Virgins, who maintain the angelic life in the world; and let the rest of the Church’s people follow them.  For you, brethren, a great crown is laid up:  barter not away a great dignity for a petty pleasure:  listen to the Apostle speaking:  Lest there be any fornicator or profane person, as Esau, who for one mess of meat sold his own birthright Heb. xii. 16..  Enrolled henceforth in the Angelic books for thy profession of chastity, see that thou be not blotted out again for thy practice of fornication.