The First Epistle of the Blessed Clement, the…

 Two Epistles Concerning Virginity.

 Chapter II.—For True Virginity Perfect Virtue is Necessary.

 Chapter III.—True Virgins Prove Themselves Such by Self-Denial, as Does the True Believer by Good Works.

 Chapter IV.—Continuation of the Remarks on Self-Denial Object and Reward of True Virgins.

 Chapter V.—The Irksomeness and the Enemies of Virginity.

 Chapter VI.—Divinity of Virginity.

 Chapter VII.—The True Virgin.

 Chapter VIII.—Virgins, by the Laying Aside of All Carnal Affection, are Imitators of God.

 Chapter IX.—Continuation of the Subject of Mortification Dignity of Persons Consecrated to God.

 Chapter X.—Denunciation of Dangerous and Scandalous Association with Maidens.

 Chapter XI.—Perniciousness of Idleness Warning Against the Empty Longing to Be Teachers Advice About Teaching and the Use of Divine Gifts.

 Chapter XII.—Rules for Visits, Exorcisms, and How People are to Assist the Sick, and to Walk in All Things Without Offence.

 Chapter XIII.—What Priests Should Be and Should Not Be.

Two Epistles Concerning Virginity.

The First Epistle of the Blessed Clement, the Disciple of Peter the Apostle.

Chapter I.—The Salutation.

To all those who love and cherish their life which is in Christ through God the Father, and obey the truth of God in hope of eternal life; to those who bear affection towards their brethren and towards their neighbours in the love of God; to the blessed brother virgins,1 In later Greek παρθένος was used of both sexes (comp. Rev. xiv. 4). The Syriac original employs both a masculine and a feminine form. This will not always be indicated in the following translation. who devote themselves to preserve virginity “for the sake of the kingdom of heaven;”2 Matt. xix. 12. and to the holy sister virgins: the peace which is in God.3 Or “to the holy virgins who are in God: peace.” So Zingerle, and probably Wetstein.