A Source Book for Ancient Church History - Mirrors

377heathen emperor raised an altar to Christ? While they demandthe restoration of things which have been, by their own examplethey show us how great reverence Christian emperors ought topay to the religion which they follow, since heathen ones offeredall to their superstitions.We began long since, and now they follow those whom theyexcluded. We glory in yielding our blood, an expense movesthem.… We have increased through loss, through want, throughpunishment; they do not believe that their rites can continuewithout contribution.11. Let the vestal virgins, he says, retain their privileges. Letthose speak thus who are unable to believe that virginity canexist without reward, let those who do not trust virtue, encourageit by gain. But how many virgins have their promised rewardsgained for them? Hardly are seven vestal virgins received. Seethe whole number whom the fillet and chaplets for the head,the robes of purple dye, the pomp of the litter surrounded by acompany of attendants, the greatest privileges, immense profits,and a prescribed time for virginity have gathered together.12. Let them lift up the eyes of soul and body, let them lookupon a people of modesty, a people of purity, an assembly ofvirginity. Not fillets are the ornament of their heads, but a veilcommon in use but ennobled by chastity; the enticement of beautynot sought out, but laid aside; none of those purple insignia,no delicious luxuries, but the practice of fasts; no privileges, nogains; all other things, in fine, of such a kind that one wouldthink them restrained from desire whilst practising their duties. [345]But whilst the duty is being practised the desire for it is aroused.Chastity is increased by its own sacrifice. That is not virginitywhich is bought with a price, and not kept through a desire forvirtue; that is not purity which is bought by auction for money orwhich is bid for a time.16. No one has denied gifts to shrines and legacies to soothsayers;their land only has been taken away, because they did not