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Preface
5 Planes of Existence
Introduction
Five Planes of Manifestation
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VIRGIN; VIRGINITY
Symbols of the purified emotions, or purified
lower nature, no longer fructified by the desire-mind (man).
"For the congress of men for the procreation of children makes
virgins women. But when God begins to associate with the soul, He
brings it to pass that she who was formerly woman becomes virgin
again. For, banishing the foreign and degenerate and non-virile
desires by which it was made womanish, He substitutes for them
native and noble and pure virtues."
"For it is fitting God should converse with an undefiled, an
untouched and pure nature, with her who is in very truth the
Virgin." - PHILO JUDÆUS, De Cherub., § 14, 15.
“What is the virginity of the mind? Entire faith, firm hope, sincere
charity." - AUGUSTINE, Gospel of John, Vol. I. p. 191.
Exceeding wonderful and glorious is virginity. This most noble and
fair practice is the flower and first fruits of incorruption. We
must understand that virginity, while walking upon the earth,
reaches the heavens. The state of virginity, which is the goal of
the incarnation, though all may not yet reach it (Bishop Methodius).
- HARNACK, History of Dogma, Vol. III. pp. 110, 111.
Here, “virginity on earth reaches the heavens," can be explained by
the purified lower nature (earth) becoming raised and united with
the higher nature (heavens), which union is the goal of the
incarnation of the souls, or the goal of Christ the Higher Self
primordially involved in matter.
"The idea of a special tie between the virgin soul and Christ, comes
to the front (in the works of Ambrose)." - Ibid., Vol. III. p. 130.
"Thou Virgin Mother, daughter of thy Son, Humble and high beyond all
other creatures." - DANTE, Divina Commedia, last canto.
“The virgin and daughter of Zion is mentioned in many places; by
whom is not meant any virgin or daughter there, but the church as to
the affection of good and truth, the same as by the Lamb's bride.
Mount Zion signifies heaven and the church as to love." -
SWEDENBORG, Apocalypse Revealed, n. 612.
"The character of virgins is principally given to those that adhere
steadfastly to Christ, and abhor everything that has any show of
violating their fidelity to him. The apostle says, 'I have espoused
you to one Husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to
Christ' (2 Cor. xi. 2)." - Cruden's Explanations. p. 356.
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