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Testament of Our Lord

tr. Cooper and Maclean, 1902

46. Book I, Chapter 46

Of Male and Female Virgins

A male or female virgin is not instituted¹ or appointed² by man,³ but is voluntarily separated and named [a virgin]. But a hand is not laid on him, as for virginity. For this division⁴ is of [their] own free will. But it is right for virgins⁵ that they be fixed and bound in the suffering of a sound body, that they be constant in fasts and in prayers, in weeping and in mourning daily; but that they alway expect a departure from the flesh, and strive as at the departure. Let them not serve⁶ raging or debauchery or drunkenness or vain talking, or [be engaged] in worldly work or in distraction,⁷ but they are as one who is on⁸ the cross; let their hearts be [lifted] up, with all meekness of thought and comeliness, with meditation on the Holy Scriptures, with faithful thoughts, with kind consolations, so that when they pray they may be answered concerning those things which they ask for the faithful who wish to provide for them. Let them not despise⁹ [these things (?)], so that through them also a portion of life may be divided to those.¹⁰ Let them be confirmed in love and kindness and in true and perfect grace.¹¹ Let them be constant in consolation, consoling their neighbours, catechising¹² and teaching those who have lately been made faithful, in understanding and in knowledge and in kindness, inciting those who are very young, being examples¹³ of holiness among them in all good things. Similarly also let the females do. But in order and in grace¹¹ and in knowledge let them speak and work,¹⁴ that they may truly be the salt of the earth¹⁵ as it is called. But let females who are virgins have their heads covered in the church, and let them hide only their hair; but let them be counted worthy of honour from every one, in order that the rest [of the women] who desire, may emulate them.

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