11 She whom the apostle warns against the guile of the serpent by which you have been corrupted, that he may present her as a chaste virgin to Christ, her only husband, acknowledges the God of the prophets as the true God, and her own God. So many of His promises have already been fulfilled to her, that she looks confidently for the fulfillment of the rest. Nor can any one say that these prophecies have been forged to suit the present time, for they are found in the books of the Jews.
What could be more unlikely than that all nations should be blessed in Abraham's seed, as it was promised? And yet how plainly is this promise now fulfilled! The last promise is made in the following short prophecy: "Blessed are they that dwell in Your house: they shall ever praise You." When trial is past, and death, the last enemy, is destroyed, there will be rest in the constant occupation of praising God, where there shall be no arrivals and no departures. So the prophet says elsewhere: "Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem; celebrate your God, O Zion: for He has strengthened the bars of your gates; He has blessed your children within you." The gates are shut, so that none can go in or out.
The Bridegroom Himself says in the Gospel, that He will not open to the foolish virgins though they knock. This Jerusalem, the holy Church, the bride of Christ, is described fully in the Revelation of John. And that which commends the promises of future bliss to the belief of this chaste virgin is, that now she is in possession of what was foretold of her by the same prophets. For she is thus described: "Hearken, O daughter, and regard, and incline your ear; forget also your own people, and your father's house.
For the King has greatly desired your beauty; and He is your God. The daughters of Tyre shall worship Him with gifts; the rich among the people shall entreat your favor. The daughter of the King is all glorious within; her clothing is of wrought gold. The virgins following her shall be brought unto the King: her companions shall be brought unto you; with gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought into the temple of the King. Instead of your fathers, children shall be born to you, whom you shall make princes over all the earth.
Your name shall be remembered to all generations: therefore shall the people praise you for ever and ever." Unhappy victim of the serpent's guile, the inward beauty of the daughter of the King is not for you even to think of. For this purity of mind is that which you have lost in opening your eyes to love and worship the sun and moon. And so by the just judgment of God you are estranged from the tree of life, which is eternal and internal wisdom; and with you nothing is called or accounted truth or wisdom but that light which enters the eyes opened to evil, and which in your impure mind expands and shapes itself into fanciful images.
These are your abominable whoredoms. Still the truth calls on you to reflect and return. Return to me, and you shall be cleansed and restored, if your shame leads you to repentance. Hear these words of the true Truth, who neither with feigned shapes fought against the race of darkness, nor with feigned blood redeemed you.
Source: Reply to Faustus the Manichaean (New Advent)