132. The soul has to depart from the
surroundings of this life, and the pollutions of the earthly body, and
to press on to those heavenly companies, though it is for the saints
alone, to attain to them, and to sing praise to God (as in the
prophet’s words we hear of those who are harping Rev. xiv. 2. and saying: “For great are Thy
marvellous works, O Lord God Almighty, just and true are Thy ways, Thou
King of the nations; who shall not fear and magnify Thy Name, for Thou
only art holy, for all nations shall come and worship before
Thee”), Rev. xv. 3, 4. and to see Thy
marriage feast, O Lord Jesus, in which the Bride is led from earthly to
heavenly things, while all rejoice in harmony, for “to Thee shall
all flesh come,” Ps. lxv. [lxiv.]
3. now no longer
subject to transitory things, but joined to the Spirit, to see the
chambers adorned with linen, roses, lilies, and garlands. Of whom
else is the marriage so adorned? For it is adorned with the
purple stripes of confessors, the blood of martyrs, the lilies of
virgins, and the crowns of priests.