Exhortation to Chastity

By Tertullian

Book Id: WPLBN0000134783
Format Type: PDF eBook:
File Size: 0.5 MB
Reproduction Date: 2005

Title:	Exhortation to Chastity
Author:	Tertullian
Volume:
Language:	English
Subject:	Literature, Literature & thought, Writing.
Collections:	Classic Literature Collection
Historic Publication Date:
Publisher:	World Ebook Library


Citation APA MLA Chicago Tertullian, B. (n.d.). Exhortation to Chastity. Retrieved from http://gutenberg.cc/

Excerpt
in cases of this kind, each individual ought to hold colloquy with his own faith, and consult its strength; still, inasmuch as, in this (particular) species trial), the necessity of the flesh (which generally is faith's antagonist at the bar of the same inner consciousness, to which I have alluded) sets cogitation astir, faith has need of counsel from without, as an advocate, as it were, to oppose the necessities of the flesh: which necessity, indeed, may very easily be circumscribed, if the will rather than the indulgence of God be considered. No one deserves (favour) by availing himself of the indulgence, but by rendering a prompt obedience to the will, (of his master). [2] The will of God is our sanctification, [3] for He wishes His image —us—to become likewise His likeness; [4] that we may be holy just as Himself is holy. [5] That good—sanctification, I mean—I distribute into several species, that in some one of those species we may be found. The first species is, virginity from one's birth: the second, virginity from one's birth, that is, from the font; which (second virginity) either in the marriage state keeps (its subject) pure by mutual compact, [6] or else perseveres in widowhood from choice: a third grade remains, monogamy, when, after the interception of a marriage once contracted, there is thereafter a renunciation of sexual connection. The first virginity is (the virginity) of happiness, (and consists in) total ignorance of that from which you will afterwards wish to be freed: the second, of virtue, (and consists in) contemning that the power of which you know full well: the remaining species, (that) of marrying no more after the disjunction of matrimony by death, besides being the glory of virtue, is (the glory) of moderation likewise; [7] for moderation is the not regretting a thing which has been taken away, and taken away by the Lord God, [8] without whose will neither does a leaf glide down from a tree, nor a sparrow of one farthing's worth fall to the earth. [9]...

Table of Contents
· CHAP. I.—INTRODUCTION. VIRGINITY CLASSIFIED UNDER THREE SEVERAL SPECIES. · CHAP. II.—THE BLAME OF OUR MISDEEDS NOT TO BE CAST UPON GOD. THE ONE POWER WHICH RESTS WITH MAN IS THE POWER OF VOLITION. · CHAP. III.—OF INDULGENCE AND PURE VOLITION. THE QUESTION ILLUSTRATED.[5] · CHAP. IV.—FURTHER REMARKS UPON THE APOSTLE'S LANGUAGE. · CHAP. V.—UNITY OF MARRIAGE TAUGHT BY ITS FIRST INSTITUTION, AND BY THE APOSTLE'S APPLICATION OF THAT PRIMAL TYPE TO CHRIST AND THE CHURCH. · CHAP. VII.—EVEN THE OLD DISCIPLINE WAS NOT WITHOUT PRECEDENTS TO ENFORCE MONOGAMY. BUT IN THIS AS IN OTHER RESPECTS, THE NEW HAS BROUGHT IN A HIGHER PERFECTION. · CHAP. VIII.—IF IT BE GRANTED THAT SECOND MARRIAGE IS LAWFUL, YET ALL THINGS LAWFUL ARE NOT EXPEDIENT. · CHAP. IX.—SECOND MARRIAGE A SPECIES OF ADULTERY, MARRIAGE ITSELF IMPUGNED, AS AKIN TO ADULTERY. · CHAP. X—APPLICATION OF THE SUBJECT. ADVANTAGES OF WIDOWHOOD. · CHAP. XI.—THE MORE THE WIVES, THE GREATER THE DISTRACTION OF THE SPIRIT. · CHAP. XII.—EXCUSES COMMONLY URGED IN DEFENCE OF SECOND MARRIAGE. THEIR FUTILITY, ESPECIALLY IN THE CASE OF CHRISTIANS, POINTED OUT. · CHAP. XIII.—EXAMPLES FROM AMONG THE HEATHEN, AS WELL AS FROM THE CHURCH, TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING EXHORTATION.