47. In the moderate style there is that praise of virginity (continued)
in Cyprian:[53]
Now our words are addressed to virgins, whose solicitude must be all the greater, the more sublime their honor. Here is the blossom on the Church's boughs, the splendid ornament of spiritual grace, the joyful genius of praise and honor, a work unimpaired and unspoiled, the image of God responding to the utter holiness of the Lord, the more illustrious portion of Christ's flock. The glorious fruitfulness of mother Church rejoices through them, and flourishes in them abundantly; and the more that glorious virginity adds to its numbers, the greater grows the mother's joy.
And in another place at the end of the letter:
Just as we have borne, he says, the image of the one from the mire, so let us also bear the image of the one from heaven (l Cor 15:49). Virginity bears this image, unimpaired wholeness bears it, holiness and truth bear it, those who are mindful of God's discipline bear it, those who combine justice with religion, who are steady in faith, humble in fear, strong to endure everything, meek in bearing with insults, prompt in showing kindness, of one mind and heart in fraternal peace. Each and everyone of these things you, O good virgins, ought to observe, to love, to fulfill, you that give all your time to God and Christ, and so go ahead of the rest of us to the Lord, having chosen the greater and the better part.[54] Those of you advanced in years, act as tutors to the younger ones; those who are younger, give a lead to your peers, stir each other up with mutual encouragement, urge one another on to glory with enviable examples of virtue. Persevere bravely, proceed spiritually along the way, arrive happily at journey's end; only please remember us then, when your virginity finally receives the honor that is its due.[55]
48. Ambrose also uses the moderate and flowery style of speaking, when he is proposing to professed virgins a kind of model for them to imitate in their way of life; and he says:[56]
She was a virgin not only in body but also in mind, so that she did not adulterate the sincerity of her affections with any timeserving deceit; she was humble of heart, serious in her words, of a prudent spirit, sparing of speech, always readier to read; not placing her hope in the uncertainty of riches (1 Tm 6:17) but in the prayers of the poor; intent upon her work, bashful in her