Carnal men abuse virginity Vide bk. ii. ch.
30., and the pleasure-loving bring forward
the following verse in proof, Cursed be every one that raiseth not
up seed in Israel Deut.. But
we, made confident by God the Word that was made flesh of the Virgin,
answer that virginity was implanted in man’s nature from above
and in the beginning. For man was formed of virgin soil.
From Adam alone was Eve created. In Paradise virginity held
sway. Indeed, Divine Scripture tells that both Adam and Eve
were naked and were not ashamed Gen. ii. 23.. But
after their transgression they knew that they were naked, and in their
shame they sewed aprons for themselves Ibid. iv.
7.. And when, after the transgression,
Adam heard, dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou
return Ibid.
19., when death
entered into the world by reason of the transgression, then Adam
knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bare seed Gen. iv. 1.. So that to prevent the wearing
out and destruction of the race by death, marriage was devised that the
race of men may be preserved through the procreation of
children Greg. Nyss.,
De opif., hom. 16..