5. I conceive however that it is spoken not so much of garments as of manners, and of our habits and actions, in that one kind of act becomes a man, the other a woman. Wherefore the Apostle also says, as the interpreter of the Law, 1 Cor. xiv. 34, 35. Let your women keep silence in the Churches; for it is not permitted unto them to speak, but Gen. iii. 16. they are to be under obedience, as also saith the Law. And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home. And to Timothy: 1 Tim. ii. 11, 12. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection; but I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man.
6. But how unseemly is it for a man to do the works of a woman! As for those who curl their hair, like women, let them conceive also, let them bring forth. Yet the one sex wears veils, the other wages war. Let them however be excused who follow their national usages, barbarous though they be, the Persians and Goths and Armenians. Nature is superior to country.
7. And what shall we say of others who think it belongs to luxury to have in their service slaves wearing curls and ornaments of the neck? It is but just that chastity should be lost where the distinction of sexes is not preserved, a point wherein the teaching of nature is unambiguous, according to the Apostle’s words; 1 Cor. xi. 13–15. Is it comely that a womanpray unto God uncovered? Doth not even nature itself teach you that if a man have long hair it is a shame unto him: but if a woman hath long hair, it is a glory unto her; for her hair is given her for a covering. Such is the answer which you may make to those who have referred to you.
Farewell; love me as a son, for I love you as a father.
LETTER LXX.
S. AMBROSE in this Letter considers a part of the prophecy of Micah as describing the recovery of a fallen soul.
AMBROSE TO HORONTIANUS.
1. THE Prophets indeed announced the gathering together of the Gentiles, and the future establishment of the Church; but as the Church sees not only the continuous progress of strong souls, but likewise the relapse of weak ones, and their subsequent conversion, we are able to gather from the Prophetical books both how the gracious and strong soul advances without stumbling, and also how the weak soul falls, and how she repairs her falls and recovers her steps.
2. Accordingly as in the Song of Songs we read of this continuous progress of blessed souls, so let us now consider, as set forth in the prophet Micah, concerning whom we have begun to speak, the conversion of a fallen soul. For it is not without good reason that the prophet’s words, Mic. v. 2. But thou Bethlehem Ephratah, excited your attention. For how can that house where Christ was born be the house of wrath? Such is, indeed, what the name of the place signifies, but certain mysterious operations are declared thereby.