Extracts from Schmucker by Samuel Simon Schmucker

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 23, 1858

Extracts from Schmucker.

By Samuel Simon Schmucker

REV. XIV. 4. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. This passage has often been misapplied, to establish the doctrine of celibacy, and exalt the holiness of virginity beyond measure, in the Romish church, to which there is no direct reference in the prediction. The word, women, here signifies churches, and does not only refer to the Roman Catholic community, its different sects and adopted orders, the connection with which Protestants consider as spiritual whoredom and adultery, because of image-worship; but relates also to every other church, party or community in christendom. This company of the Lamb is here represented as defiled by none; having no bigoted attachment, or unreasonable partiality for the distinctions and by-opinions of any one, upon which others lay a superlative importance, and often more than upon all true religion. In this respect they are virgins, and not the adorers of Rabbies, Masters, or sectarians among men; but wholly and exclusively devoted to Christ and to his doctrine.