Chapter XII.-Virgins
are Called to the Imitation of the Church in the Wilderness Overcoming the
Dragon.
The Church, then, coming
hither into this wilderness, a place unproductive of evils, is nourished,
flying on the heavenward wings of virginity, which the Word called the
"wings of great eagle,"39 having conquered the
serpent, and driven away from her full moon the wintry clouds. It is for the
sake of these things, meanwhile, that all these discourses are held, teaching
us, O fair virgins, to imitate according to our strength our mother, and not to
be troubled by the pains and changes and afflictions of life, that you may
enter in exulting with her into the bride-chamber, showing your lamps. Do not,
therefore, lose courage on account of the schemes and slanders of the beast,
but bravely prepare for the battle, armed with the helmet of salvation,40
and the breastplate, and the greaves. For you will bring upon him an immense
consternation when you attack him with great advantage and courage; nor will he
at all resist, seeing his adversaries set in array by One more powerful; but
the many-headed and many-faced beast will immediately allow you to carry off
the spoils of the seven contests:-"Lion in front, but dragon all behind,
And in the midst a she-goat breathing forth Profuse the violence of flaming
fire.
Her slew Bellerophon in
truth. And this Slew Christ the King; for many she destroyed,
Nor could they bear the
fetid foam which burst
From out the fountain of
her horrid jaws; "41 unless Christ had first weakened
and overcome her, making her powerless and contemptible before us.
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