28. Therefore let the rest of the faithful, who have lost virginity, follow the Lamb, not whithersoever He shall have gone, but so far as ever they shall have been able. But they are able every where, save when He walks in the grace of virginity. “Blessed are the poor in spirit;”57    Matt. v. 3–10 imitate Him, Who, whereas “He was rich, was made poor for your sakes.”58    2 Cor. viii. 9 “Blessed are the meek;” imitate Him, Who said, “Learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly of heart.”59    Matt. xi. 29 “Blessed are they that mourn;” imitate Him, Who “wept over” Jerusalem.60    Luke xix. 41 “Blessed are they, who hunger and thirst after righteousness;” imitate Him, Who said, “My meat is to do the will of Him Who sent Me.”61    John iv. 34 “Blessed are the merciful;” imitate Him, Who came to the help of him who was wounded by robbers, and who lay in the way half-dead and despaired of.62    Luke x. 30–35 “Blessed are the pure in heart;” imitate Him, “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth.”63    1 Peter ii. 22 “Blessed are the peace-makers;” imitate Him, Who said on behalf of His persecutors, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”64    Luke xxiii. 34 “Blessed are they, who suffer persecution for righteousness sake;” imitate Him, Who “suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye follow His steps.”65    1 Peter ii. 21 These things, whoso imitate, in these they follow the Lamb. But surely even married persons may go in those steps, although not setting their foot perfectly in the same print,66    Forma yet walking in the same paths.

CAPUT XXVIII.

28. Quousque sequi Agnum omnes possunt. Sequantur itaque Agnum caeteri fideles qui virginitatem corporis amiserunt, non quocumque ille ierit, sed quousque ipsi potuerint. Possunt autem ubique, praeter cum in decore virginitatis incedit. Beati pauperes spiritu; imitamini eum, qui propter vos pauper factus est, cum dives esset (II Cor. VIII, 9). Beati mites; imitamini eum qui dixit, Discite a me quoniam mitis sum et humilis corde (Matth. XI, 29). Beati lugentes; imitamini eum qui flevit super Jerusalem (Luc. XIX, 41). Beati qui esuriunt et sitiunt justitiam; imitamini eum qui dixit, Meus cibus est ut faciam voluntatem ejus qui misit me (Joan. IV, 34). Beati misericordes; imitamini eum qui vulnerato a latronibus et in via jacenti semivivo desperatoque subvenit (Luc. X, 30-35). Beati mundicordes; imitamini eum qui peccatum non fecit, nec inventus est dolus in ore ejus (I Petr. II, 22). Beati pacifici; imitamini eum qui pro suis persecutoribus dixit, Pater, ignosce illis, quia nesciunt quid faciunt (Luc. XXIII, 34). Beati qui persecutionem patiuntur propter justitiam (Matth. V, 3-10); imitamini eum qui pro vobis passus est, relinquens vobis exemplum, ut sequamini vestigia ejus (I Petr. II, 21). Haec qui imitantur, in his Agnum sequuntur. Sed certe etiam conjugati possunt ire per ista vestigia, etsi non perfecte in eadem forma ponentes pedem, verumtamen in eisdem semitis gradientes.