11. But who can comprehend that by human
understanding which not even nature has included in her laws? Or
who can explain in ordinary language that which is above the course of
nature? Virginity has brought from heaven that which it may
imitate on earth. And not unfittingly has she sought her manner
of life from heaven, who has found for herself a Spouse in
heaven. She, passing beyond the clouds, air, angels, and stars,
has found the Word of God in the very bosom of the Father, and has
drawn Him into herself with her whole heart. For who having found
so great a Good would forsake it? For “Thy Name is as
ointment poured out, therefore have the maidens loved Thee, and drawn
Thee.” Cant. i. 2, 3; S. Mark xii. 25. And
indeed what I have said is not my own, since they who marry not nor are
given in marriage are as the angels in heaven. Let us not, then,
be surprised if they are compared to the angels who are joined to the
Lord of angels. Who, then, can deny that this mode of life has
its source in heaven, which we don’t easily find on earth, except
since God came down into the members of an earthly body? Then a
Virgin conceived, and the Word became flesh that flesh might become
God.