De arte praedicatoria

To virgins it is said: I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.¹ And the prophet says: Hear, O daughter, and see, etc.² O virgin, who are marked with the seal of virginity, with the title of chastity, do not betray that which nature entrusted to you especially, with which she marked you more gracefully.

Do not lose for a small pleasure that which can in no way be restored. This is the treasure of nature, which once lost does not return: this is the flower which, once it has bloomed, blooms no more.

This is the star which, once set, does not return to its rising: this is the gift which, once lost, is not compensated, and because it is the one thing you cannot restore, you ought to guard it all the more diligently. By this alone does man, living in the flesh, imitate the angel; by this alone does man conquer himself; this preserves the integrity of one's reputation, guards the flesh from uncleanness. Hear, then, O daughter, not only with the ear of the body, but also with the ear of the mind, and see with the eye of the heart that you may understand, and incline your material ear that you may obey, and thus forget your people.³ The people is the gathering of carnal thoughts, which suggests to the virgin that she should enjoy marriage, that she should rejoice in the embraces of a husband, that she should be made fruitful with offspring, that she should enjoy carnal delight.

But forget such a people, because that people is of Babylon; a nation of confusion, which strives to lead the daughter of Zion captive. Forget also your father's house.⁴ Your father is the tinder of sin which begot you, which brought you forth from your mother, whose house and dwelling is concupiscence, in which that tinder commands, reigns, dominates and orders. And thus the king will desire your beauty,⁵ namely that King who is the King of kings, and Lord of lords, of whom it is said: On the sides of the north, the city of the great King.⁶ And elsewhere: The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof.⁷ O virgin, if you wish to marry an earthly husband, because of the flower of youth, consider that either death plucks that flower, or at least it fades away in the winter of old age.

Marry, then, that husband who alone has immortality, with whom there is no change, nor shadow of alteration.⁸ If you wish to marry an earthly husband for the sake of riches, consider that earthly riches are deceptive and transitory, for either they pass away in this present life, or at least they are left behind at death. Marry, then, him with whom are incomparable treasures, and unchangeable riches; which neither thief steals, nor moth destroys.⁹ If, however, you wish to marry an earthly husband because he is distinguished by beauty, consider that either weakness diminishes beauty, or old age uproots it, or at least the hour of death annihilates it. Marry, then, him whose beauty the sun and moon admire. If you wish to marry an earthly husband for the nobility of his lineage, marry him of whom it is said: Who shall declare his generation?¹⁰ If you wish to marry an earthly husband for worldly honor, or earthly dignity, consider that it is denied to the highest things to stand long, and that heavy falls come under too great a weight. Marry, then, him of whom it is said: Who shall resist his power?¹¹ And elsewhere: Of his kingdom there shall be no end.¹²