These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
Ver. 4. Which were not defiled with women] Which have not moiled themselves with fornication corporal or spiritual, as those Israelites, Numbers 25:1,9, by Balaam's counsel, and as Papists at this day, seduced by those effeminate locusts, Revelation 9:8. As for their shavelings that plead this text to prove marriage defilement, let them hear the apostle, Hebrews 13:4, and another almost as ancient: Si quis coinquinationem vocet commixtionem legitimam, habet inhabitatorem dracohere apostatam; If any call lawful marriage a defilement, that man hath a devil dwelling in him. (Ignatius.)
These are they which follow the Lamb] As the seaman's needle doth the north pole; or as the hop, in its growing, winding about the pole, follows the course of the sun from east to west, and can by no means be drawn to the contrary, choosing rather to break than yield.
These were redeemed] For royal use. SeeRevelation 14:3 .
Being the firstfruits] Separated and sanctified unto him from the rest of the world.