23. Lastly, let us hear the
Lord Himself delivering most plain judgment on this matter. For,
upon His speaking after a divine and fearful manner concerning
husband and wife not separating, save on account of fornication,
His disciples said to Him, “If the case be such with a wife, it
is not good to marry.”20662066 To whom He saith, “Not all
receive this saying. For there are eunuchs who were so born: but
there are others who were made by men: and there are eunuchs, who
made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven:
whoso can receive, let him receive.” What could be said more
true, what more clear? Christ saith, the Truth saith, the Power and
Wisdom of God saith, that they, who of pious purpose have contained
from marrying a wife, make themselves eunuchs for the sake of the
kingdom of heaven: and against this, human vanity with impious
rashness contends, that they, who do so, shun only the present
necessity of the troubles of married life, but in the kingdom of
heaven have no more than others.