a_o treatise_n of_o the_o celibacy_n of_o the_o clergy_n wherein_o its_o rise_n and_o progress_n be_v historical_o consider_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d epiphan_n haeres_fw-la xliii_o in_o init_fw-la london_n print_v by_o h._n clark_n for_o james_n adamson_n at_o the_o angel_n and_o crown_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n 1688._o the_o preface_n among_o the_o error_n and_o corruption_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n there_o be_v such_o which_o have_v neither_o any_o foundation_n nor_o show_n of_o antiquity_n but_o be_v the_o mere_a invention_n of_o latter_o ignorant_a and_o barbarous_a age_n other_o which_o obtain_v not_o indeed_o in_o the_o ancient_a church_n but_o arise_v from_o the_o degeneracy_n of_o some_o belief_n or_o corruptiin_n of_o some_o practice_n receive_v and_o use_v by_o the_o ancient_a christian_n of_o the_o first_o sort_n be_v transubstantiation_n half-communion_n supremacy_n of_o the_o pope_n worship_n of_o image_n and_o the_o like_a groundless_a opinion_n and_o practice_n which_o the_o ancient_a church_n never_o think_v of_o much_o less_o admit_v of_o the_o latter_a kind_n be_v invocation_n of_o saint_n which_o arise_v from_o a_o extraordinary_a veneration_n pay_v to_o the_o memory_n and_o relic_n of_o bless_a saint_n and_o martyr_n degenerate_v in_o latter_a age_n into_o downright_a superstition_n and_o impiety_n purgatory_n advance_v from_o a_o belief_n general_o receive_v in_o the_o ancient_a church_n that_o the_o soul_n of_o the_o depart_a be_v not_o admit_v to_o the_o beatisical_a vision_n before_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n into_o a_o foolish_a opinion_n of_o a_o fictitious_a place_n of_o torment_n which_o may_v receive_v they_o in_o that_o interval_n of_o time_n and_o infallibility_n of_o council_n raise_v from_o a_o external_a submission_n of_o ancient_a christian_n to_o their_o decree_n into_o a_o obligation_n of_o yield_v a_o internal_a assent_n to_o their_o definition_n the_o beginning_n and_o rise_v of_o the_o error_n of_o the_o first_o sort_n be_v unknown_a and_o uncertain_a as_o be_v found_v in_o dark_a and_o ignorant_a age_n who_o action_n be_v now_o no_o less_o obscure_a than_o be_v then_o their_o notion_n but_o the_o latter_a sort_n admit_v a_o more_o clear_a and_o more_o certain_a knowledge_n their_o several_a step_n progress_n and_o gradation_n may_v without_o much_o difficulty_n be_v trace_v out_o and_o expose_v to_o the_o view_n of_o all_o mankind_n as_o have_v be_v often_o do_v by_o the_o divine_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n but_o the_o most_o eminent_a instance_n of_o the_o latter_a kind_n be_v the_o imposition_n of_o celibacy_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n which_o arise_v from_o a_o immoderate_a affection_n and_o reverence_n of_o virginity_n in_o the_o ancient_a universal_a church_n and_o example_n of_o many_o particular_a church_n upon_o which_o account_n i_o may_v bold_o affirm_v that_o the_o imposition_n of_o celibacy_n have_v great_a advantage_n to_o recommend_v and_o justify_v it_o to_o the_o world_n than_o any_o other_o erroneous_a practice_n or_o opinion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n whatsoever_o many_o other_o indeed_o proceed_v from_o the_o imitation_n and_o advancement_n of_o some_o ancient_a doctrine_n or_o practice_n but_o then_o that_o practice_n degenerate_v into_o abuse_n and_o that_o doctrine_n be_v advance_v into_o error_n whereas_o the_o imposition_n of_o celibacy_n can_v plead_v not_o only_o the_o countenance_n and_o resemblance_n of_o ancient_a time_n but_o produce_v the_o example_n and_o authority_n of_o pope_n council_n and_o doctor_n who_o ancient_o impose_v celibacy_n upon_o the_o clergy_n and_o urge_v the_o imposition_n of_o it_o with_o no_o less_o fervour_n than_o it_o be_v at_o this_o day_n continue_v in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n however_o celibacy_n be_v confirm_v by_o these_o great_a authority_n and_o recommend_v by_o this_o peculiar_a advantage_n of_o undoubted_a antiquity_n few_o divine_n of_o our_o church_n have_v handle_v this_o controversy_n or_o endeavour_v to_o show_v the_o inclusiveness_n of_o those_o authority_n and_o weakness_n of_o this_o antiquity_n some_o few_o have_v produce_v authority_n of_o the_o ancient_a writer_n in_o favour_n of_o the_o contrary_a practice_n or_o in_o treat_v of_o other_o argument_n have_v brief_o touch_v of_o it_o and_o all_o have_v pass_v it_o over_o in_o a_o few_o word_n as_o a_o matter_n of_o less_o moment_n at_o lest_o none_o that_o i_o know_v of_o have_v handle_v this_o controversy_n in_o a_o particular_a treatise_n nor_o show_v the_o beginning_n occasion_n advances_n and_o success_n of_o the_o imposition_n of_o celibacy_n in_o the_o several_a age_n of_o the_o church_n this_o enquiry_n have_v be_v omit_v not_o because_o truth_n be_v want_v to_o our_o side_n or_o the_o whole_a stream_n of_o antiquity_n run_v contrary_a to_o we_o but_o because_o this_o be_v one_o of_o the_o less_o momentous_a controversy_n and_o our_o clergy_n who_o peculiar_a glory_n it_o be_v to_o be_v less_o solicitous_a of_o their_o interest_n even_o in_o thing_n lawful_a and_o indifferent_a decline_v the_o controversy_n lest_o in_o plead_v for_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o marriage_n and_o they_o shall_v be_v think_v by_o a_o censorious_a world_n to_o plead_v for_o their_o own_o passion_n and_o inclination_n and_o perhaps_o practise_v too_o to_o supply_v this_o defect_n be_v the_o design_n of_o this_o treatise_n to_o vindicate_v the_o injure_a cause_n of_o marriage_n and_o show_v that_o the_o ancient_a esteem_n of_o celibacy_n be_v neither_o rational_a nor_o universal_a that_o both_o ancient_a and_o modern_a imposition_n of_o it_o be_v unlawful_a and_o that_o the_o ancient_a use_n of_o it_o be_v no_o reasonable_a nor_o necessary_a precedent_n of_o the_o modern_a practice_n of_o it_o to_o show_v the_o occasion_n of_o that_o esteem_n and_o beginning_n of_o this_o imposition_n and_o carry_v the_o history_n of_o the_o celibacy_n and_o marriage_n of_o the_o clergy_n through_o the_o several_a age_n of_o the_o church_n this_o i_o have_v here_o undertake_v and_o as_o i_o hope_v in_o some_o measure_n perform_v perhaps_o with_o so_o much_o the_o better_a success_n because_o induce_v by_o no_o prejudices_fw-la nor_o plead_v for_o any_o peculiar_a interest_n for_o the_o reader_n may_v be_v assure_v that_o the_o author_n of_o this_o treatise_n have_v neither_o experience_v the_o pleasure_n of_o marriage_n nor_o have_v the_o honour_n to_o be_v a_o priest_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n it_o may_v not_o be_v amiss_o because_o our_o adversary_n common_o object_v to_o we_o falsify_v of_o citation_n and_o borrow_v they_o from_o one_o another_o a_o crime_n which_o the_o romish_a priest_n of_o england_n be_v true_o guilty_a of_o perhaps_o therein_o to_o be_v excuse_v because_o the_o badness_n of_o their_o cause_n require_v the_o former_a and_o their_o own_o ignorance_n necessitate_v the_o latter_a 〈◊〉_d far_o to_o advertise_v the_o reader_n that_o of_o all_o the_o citation_n which_o he_o shall_v find_v in_o this_o treatise_n no_o one_o be_v take_v up_o at_o the_o second_o hand_n for_o the_o first_o 1300._o year_n and_o after_o that_o time_n no_o more_o than_o three_o writer_n cite_v upon_o the_o faith_n of_o other_o viz._n alvarus_n pelagius_n panormitan_n and_o polydore_n virgil_n who_o write_n i_o have_v not_o then_o by_o i_o nor_o have_v any_o opportunity_n to_o consult_v a_o treatise_n of_o the_o celibacy_n of_o the_o clergy_n wherein_o its_o rise_n and_o progress_n be_v historical_o consider_v virginity_n be_v a_o thing_n so_o plausible_a and_o if_o true_a so_o venerable_a so_o countenance_v by_o antiquity_n and_o admire_v by_o the_o unthinking_a multitude_n so_o high_o subservient_fw-fr to_o the_o secular_a interest_n and_o outward_a grandeur_n of_o the_o clergy_n that_o among_o all_o the_o artifices_fw-la wherewith_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n uphold_v a_o sink_a and_o decay_a cause_n it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o she_o more_o especial_o make_v use_n of_o this_o it_o may_v just_o deserve_v our_o reverence_n and_o excite_v our_o emulation_n if_o her_o clergy_n make_v good_a their_o glorious_a pretence_n of_o virginity_n by_o a_o real_a and_o unspotted_a chastity_n but_o since_o when_o we_o depart_v from_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n we_o resume_v that_o ancient_a privilege_n of_o mankind_n of_o believe_v our_o sense_n since_o reason_n and_o revelation_n assure_v we_o that_o so_o great_a a_o part_n of_o mankind_n can_v and_o experience_n demonstrate_v that_o it_o do_v not_o enjoy_v a_o perfection_n so_o extraordinary_a since_o a_o enforce_a virtue_n and_o servile_a piety_n be_v neither_o acceptable_a to_o god_n nor_o venerable_a to_o man_n we_o slight_v their_o virginity_n because_o impose_v and_o do_v not_o believe_v it_o because_o we_o do_v not_o see_v it_o the_o plea_n indeed_o of_o antiquity_n be_v not_o only_o specious_a but_o in_o some_o measure_n true_a in_o the_o ancient_a church_n they_o retain_v a_o infinite_a esteem_n and_o veneration_n for_o virginity_n many_o extol_v it_o as_o the_o glory_n and_o
wherewith_o the_o ancient_n be_v induce_v to_o make_v this_o constitution_n be_v not_o only_o now_o cease_v but_o be_v even_o become_v opposite_a for_o first_o we_o see_v that_o by_o this_o decree_n chastity_n and_o continence_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v promote_v in_o the_o clergy_n that_o thereby_o a_o door_n be_v rather_o open_v to_o all_o kind_n of_o lust_n and_o villainy_n and_o covetousness_n in_o the_o clergy_n so_o far_o from_o be_v restrain_v by_o it_o that_o it_o seem_v hence_o to_o have_v receive_v no_o small_a increase_n ii_o to_o confute_v our_o adversary_n pretence_n of_o antiquity_n and_o establish_v my_o design_n it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o produce_v the_o authority_n of_o some_o father_n who_o think_v the_o imposition_n of_o celibacy_n unlawful_a or_o inconvenient_a to_o the_o church_n to_o allege_v the_o testimony_n of_o some_o historian_n assure_v we_o that_o marriage_n be_v in_o their_o time_n use_v indifferent_o by_o the_o clergy_n and_o propose_v the_o example_n of_o some_o marry_a clergy_n although_o some_o father_n and_o writer_n be_v of_o a_o contrary_a opinion_n or_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o clergy_n perhaps_o practise_v celibacy_n for_o this_o will_v undeniable_o prove_v that_o both_o marriage_n and_o celibacy_n be_v leave_v indifferent_a to_o all_o that_o neither_o be_v a_o point_n of_o faith_n a_o institution_n of_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n or_o a_o matter_n of_o universal_a practice_n whereas_o our_o adversary_n pretend_v herein_o to_o a_o uninterrupted_a tradition_n and_o constant_a practice_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n in_o all_o age_n must_v to_o that_o end_n produce_v a_o perfect_a consent_n of_o all_o doctor_n historian_n and_o writer_n and_o a_o universal_a practice_n of_o all_o time_n if_o any_o one_o writer_n occur_v not_o condemn_v or_o any_o one_o example_n not_o censure_v by_o the_o church_n the_o plea_n of_o tradition_n must_v fall_v some_o indeed_o of_o the_o roman_a church_n as_o erasmus_n and_o cassander_n pretend_v not_o to_o so_o universal_a a_o tradition_n and_o practice_n but_o then_o they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o defend_v the_o present_a constitution_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o ancient_n that_o they_o be_v open_a enemy_n to_o the_o imposinion_n of_o celibacy_n however_o the_o dissent_n of_o ancient_a doctor_n and_o council_n and_o the_o diverse_a practice_n of_o private_a clergyman_n will_v manifest_o demonstrate_v that_o celibacy_n be_v neither_o universal_o impose_v nor_o practise_v in_o the_o ancient_a church_n as_o it_o be_v at_o this_o day_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n but_o that_o as_o well_o as_o marriage_n leave_v indifferent_a both_o to_o clergy_n and_o laity_n if_o not_o in_o some_o particular_a province_n yet_o at_o least_o in_o the_o universal_a church_n iii_o the_o number_n of_o the_o marry_a clergy_n in_o the_o ancient_a church_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v estimate_v only_o from_o the_o account_n of_o they_o which_o we_o find_v in_o ecclesiastical_a history_n of_o monument_n of_o antiquity_n for_o the_o relation_n of_o wife_n or_o child_n add_v neither_o ornament_n nor_o use_n to_o history_n nor_o have_v any_o part_n in_o it_o unless_o upon_o extraordinary_a occasion_n which_o rare_o happen_v it_o concern_v not_o posterity_n to_o know_v whether_o aristotle_n or_o plato_n be_v marry_v since_o neither_o marriage_n nor_o celibacy_n will_v enhance_v their_o virtue_n or_o diminish_v their_o worth._n and_o if_o mention_v of_o wife_n be_v rare_o find_v in_o civil_a much_o less_o will_v it_o in_o ecclesiastical_a history_n for_o woman_n sometime_o bear_v a_o share_n in_o civil_a matter_n but_o in_o public_a act_n of_o religion_n and_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n it_o be_v even_o unlawful_a for_o they_o to_o intermeddle_v so_o that_o if_o but_o a_o few_o example_n of_o marriage_n in_o the_o clergy_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n can_v be_v produce_v we_o may_v thence_o reasonable_o conclude_v that_o the_o marry_a clergy_n be_v then_o very_o numerous_a iv._o the_o reader_n may_v observe_v that_o almost_o all_o those_o place_n which_o we_o shall_v produce_v out_o of_o the_o ancient_a doctor_n for_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o marriage_n in_o the_o clergy_n and_o against_o the_o imposition_n of_o it_o be_v take_v either_o from_o their_o dogmatical_a treatise_n which_o be_v write_v deliberate_o and_o in_o a_o sedate_n temper_n of_o mind_n or_o from_o their_o harangue_n of_o virginity_n where_o the_o very_a force_n of_o truth_n extort_a from_o they_o those_o confession_n whereas_o the_o testimony_n make_v use_v of_o by_o our_o adversary_n for_o the_o necessity_n or_o convenience_n of_o celibacy_n in_o the_o clergy_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n draw_v either_o from_o these_o encomiastic_a discourse_n of_o virginity_n where_o they_o employ_v all_o the_o force_n of_o their_o eloquence_n to_o magnisie_v the_o merit_n of_o that_o state_n and_o recommend_v it_o to_o the_o world_n or_o from_o their_o polemic_a write_n against_o the_o adversary_n of_o celibacy_n wherein_o they_o be_v more_o intent_n to_o destroy_v error_n than_o establish_v truth_n and_o no_o wonder_n if_o in_o both_o these_o occasion_n corrupt_v with_o prejudice_n or_o transport_v with_o passion_n they_o bend_v the_o bow_n to_o much_o and_o recede_v from_o that_o exactness_n of_o truth_n which_o be_v seat_v in_o the_o middle_a way_n to_o these_o observation_n i_o may_v add_v the_o confession_n of_o many_o great_a man_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n who_o allow_v celibacy_n neither_o to_o have_v be_v impose_v nor_o universal_o practise_v in_o the_o ancient_a church_n to_o pass_v by_o then_o cassander_n erasmus_n and_o the_o more_o moderate_a divine_n of_o that_o church_n i_o will_v produce_v only_a gratian_n and_o mendosa_n the_o last_o 66._o of_o which_o acknowledge_v that_o marriage_n be_v always_o allow_v to_o the_o clergy_n and_o every_o where_o think_v indifferent_a till_o forbid_v by_o the_o council_n of_o illiberis_n in_o the_o four_o age_n the_o first_o go_v further_a in_o these_o word_n 13._o from_o this_o authority_n a_o epistle_n of_o pope_n pelagius_n in_o the_o six_o age_n it_o appear_v that_o the_o clergy_n of_o the_o aforementioned_a order_n priest_n deacon_n and_o subdeacons_a may_v then_o lawful_o use_v marriage_n and_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o council_n of_o ancyra_n in_o the_o four_o age_n the_o continence_n of_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o altar_n be_v not_o yet_o introduce_v although_o perhaps_o by_o this_o last_o passage_n only_o deacon_n and_o subdeacons_n be_v understand_v however_o in_o another_o place_n he_o speak_v more_o general_o 13._o when_o therefore_o we_o read_v that_o the_o son_n of_o the_o clergy_n be_v promote_v to_o be_v pope_n or_o bishop_n they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v think_v to_o have_v be_v bear_v of_o fornication_n but_o of_o lawful_a marriage_n which_o be_v every_o where_o permit_v to_o the_o clergy_n before_o the_o prohibition_n and_o be_v to_o this_o day_n permit_v to_o they_o in_o the_o eastern_a church_n have_v premise_v these_o few_o preliminary_a observation_n i_o proceed_v to_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o begin_v with_o the_o apostle_n than_o who_o none_o better_a know_v the_o intention_n of_o their_o master_n or_o the_o convenience_n of_o the_o church_n and_o be_v the_o best_a pattern_n of_o the_o clergy_n for_o all_o future_a age_n st._n basil_n seem_v to_o have_v believe_v that_o all_o the_o apostle_n be_v marry_v where_o speak_v of_o the_o excellency_n of_o of_o marriage_n init_fw-la he_o bring_v in_o the_o example_n of_o peter_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o interpolater_n of_o ignatius_n his_o epistle_n who_o live_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o six_o age_n in_o like_a manner_n produce_v the_o example_n of_o peter_n paul_n and_o philadelph_n the_o other_o apostle_n or_o as_o the_o latin_a translator_n ancient_a than_o ado_n viennensis_n who_o flourish_v in_o the_o year_n 875._o render_v it_o ibid._n the_o rest_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o author_n of_o the_o commentary_n upon_o the_o epistle_n of_o st._n paul_n in_o st._n ambrose_n work_n who_o be_v hilary_n a_o deacon_n of_o rome_n except_v 11._o st._n paul_n and_o st._n john_n and_o affirm_v all_o the_o rest_n to_o have_v be_v marry_v that_o st._n peter_n be_v marry_v we_o be_v assure_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n 14._o that_o he_o have_v a_o daughter_n by_o her_o the_o ancient_a book_n of_o his_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o travel_n 1._o write_v before_o the_o time_n of_o origen_n manifest_a to_o who_o the_o latter_a legendary_a writer_n give_v the_o name_n of_o petronilla_n st._n peter_n be_v kniw_v to_o have_v have_v a_o wife_n and_o the_o begit_v of_o child_n hinder_v he_o not_o from_o obtain_v precedency_n among_o the_o apostle_n say_v the_o abovementioned_a fin_n hilary_n in_o his_o question_n upon_o both_o testament_n false_o ascribe_v to_o st._n austin_n for_o that_o he_o be_v
seem_v to_o accuse_v marriage_n as_o if_o he_o think_v the_o lawful_a pleasure_n of_o it_o to_o be_v impious_a the_o same_o say_v zonaras_n can._n upon_o this_o canon_n this_o be_v also_o the_o occasion_n of_o the_o like_a precept_n in_o the_o apostolic_a constitution_n a_o work_n of_o the_o same_o age_n and_o authority_n with_o the_o canon_n where_o the_o apostle_n be_v introduce_v thus_o speak_v 13._o he_o which_o make_v a_o vow_n of_o virginity_n which_o we_o leave_v to_o every_o one_o choice_n only_o advise_v that_o it_o be_v not_o do_v rash_o and_o light_o let_v he_o demonstrate_v his_o profession_n to_o be_v sincere_a and_o undertake_v for_o a_o better_a opportunity_n of_o piety_n not_o for_o dislike_v of_o marriage_n the_o same_o precept_n may_v be_v find_v in_o the_o interpolated_a epistle_n of_o st._n ignatius_n to_o the_o philadelphinas_fw-la but_o what_o clear_v the_o matter_n beyond_o all_o doubt_n be_v that_o when_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a reject_v the_o motion_n of_o those_o who_o propose_v a_o total_a celibacy_n of_o the_o clergy_n and_o upon_o the_o persuasion_n of_o paphnutius_fw-la permit_v to_o they_o the_o use_n of_o wife_n marry_v before_o ordination_n they_o form_v a_o decree_n to_o that_o purpose_n in_o the_o very_a word_n of_o this_o apostolic_a canon_n 32._o that_o the_o clergy_n ought_v not_o every_o one_o to_o put_v away_o his_o wife_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o four_o age_n celibacy_n receive_v great_a advances_n from_o the_o increase_n of_o error_n and_o prejudices_fw-la take_v up_o in_o the_o former_a age_n and_o the_o length_n and_o a_o sharpness_n of_o the_o last_o prosecution_n begin_v by_o dioclesian_n and_o continue_v by_o maximus_n and_o licinius_n which_o infuse_v melancholy_a thought_n into_o all_o christian_n and_o a_o unusual_a reverence_n for_o all_o show_v of_o austerity_n and_o mortification_n then_o be_v marriage_n first_o forbid_v to_o priest_n and_o bishop_n after_o ordination_n by_o a_o judiciary_n act_n of_o the_o church_n but_o that_o form_v in_o a_o provincial_n and_o inconsiderable_a council_n who_o canon_n be_v never_o take_v notice_n of_o or_o ratify_v by_o any_o subsequent_a council_n or_o even_a pope_n till_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o nine_o age_n i_o mean_v the_o council_n of_o neocasarea_n which_o in_o the_o year_n 314._o make_v this_o canon_n 1._o if_o a_o presbyter_n marry_v let_v he_o be_v depose_v from_o his_o order_n but_o if_o he_o commit_v fornication_n or_o adultery_n let_v he_o be_v cast_v out_o of_o the_o church_n and_o put_v to_o penance_n where_o it_o may_v be_v observe_v 1._o that_o this_o canon_n forbid_v not_o the_o use_n of_o wife_n marry_v before_o ordination_n 2._o that_o it_o forbid_v not_o to_o deacon_n and_o subdeacons_n to_o contract_n marriage_n even_o after_o ordination_n 3._o that_o it_o manifest_o distinguish_v between_o fornication_n and_o marriage_n after_o ordination_n 4._o that_o it_o do_v not_o command_v a_o separation_n from_o wife_n so_o marry_v but_o only_o a_o dimission_n of_o the_o holy_a office._n however_o the_o pretension_n of_o celibacy_n receive_v no_o small_a check_n from_o the_o council_n of_o ancyra_n hold_v the_o same_o year_n a_o council_n of_o far_o great_a esteem_n and_o authority_n which_o be_v ratify_v and_o confirm_v by_o many_o subsequent_a council_n and_o pope_n particular_o by_o leo_n the_o first_o 1._o and_o who_o canon_n be_v receive_v into_o the_o ancient_a code_n of_o canon_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n the_o father_n of_o this_o council_n consider_v the_o inconvenience_n of_o force_a celibacy_n and_o right_n which_o all_o man_n have_v to_o marriage_n decree_v 10._o that_o if_o deacon_n yet_o unmarried_a protest_v of_o the_o time_n of_o their_o ordination_n their_o intention_n and_o necessity_n of_o marry_v as_o not_o be_v able_a to_o continue_v unmarried_a they_o may_v marry_v after_o their_o ordination_n and_o continue_v in_o their_o office._n but_o if_o they_o make_v no_o such_o protestation_n of_o their_o ordination_n and_o afterward_o marry_v they_o shall_v relinquish_v their_o office._n the_o pretension_n of_o baronius_n and_o binius_fw-la that_o in_o both_o case_n deacon_n marry_v after_o their_o ordination_n be_v oblige_v to_o lay_v down_o their_o office_n deserve_v not_o to_o be_v consider_v since_o nothing_o can_v be_v invent_v more_o direct_o contrary_a to_o the_o plain_a word_n of_o the_o canon_n it_o be_v more_o considerable_a that_o aristenus_n vi_o extend_v this_o canon_n also_o to_o presbyter_n read_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o affirm_v that_o by_o virtue_n of_o it_o both_o presbyter_n and_o deacon_n be_v always_o allow_v marriage_n in_o the_o greek_a church_n after_o ordination_n if_o they_o have_v not_o neglect_v to_o make_v their_o ptotestation_n till_o this_o permission_n be_v repeal_v by_o the_o quinisext_a council_n in_o the_o year_n 692._o that_o this_o canon_n take_v place_n in_o the_o western_a church_n appear_v not_o particular_o except_o from_o the_o universal_a approbation_n of_o the_o act_n of_o this_o ancyran_n council_n although_o somewhat_o like_v it_o be_v enact_v in_o the_o eleven_o council_n of_o toledo_n 1._o in_o the_o year_n 531._o to_o which_o we_o may_v add_v what_o sir_n h._n spelman_n relate_v in_o the_o british_a council_n 43._o that_o restitutus_n bishop_n of_o london_n return_v from_o the_o council_n of_o arles_n in_o the_o year_n 314._o bring_v with_o he_o into_o england_n the_o canon_n of_o that_o council_n among_o which_o one_o be_v this_o very_a canon_n of_o the_o council_n of_o ancyra_n indeed_o no_o such_o canon_n be_v now_o find_v in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o council_n of_o arles_n publish_v by_o sirmond_n but_o then_o we_o be_v to_o remember_v that_o these_o act_n be_v not_o entire_a and_o perhaps_o not_o genuine_a the_o decree_n of_o ancyra_n be_v indeed_o favourable_a to_o the_o marriage_n of_o the_o clergy_n but_o the_o restless_a importunity_n and_o scandalous_a practice_n of_o the_o sectatour_n of_o celibacy_n oblige_v the_o church_n to_o proceed_v yet_o far_o and_o declare_v itself_o more_o open_o in_o favour_n of_o their_o marriage_n for_o eustathius_n bishop_n of_o sebastea_fw-la in_o armenia_n and_o first_o founder_n of_o a_o monastic_a 24._o life_n in_o armenia_n and_o cappadocia_n have_v form_v a_o new_a but_o then_o plausible_a heresy_n that_o holy_a thing_n and_o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o church_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v administer_v by_o the_o marry_a clergy_n and_o that_o the_o people_n ought_v not_o to_o communicate_v from_o their_o hand_n with_o this_o doctrine_n he_o have_v draw_v great_a number_n into_o schism_n and_o create_v no_o small_a disturbance_n in_o the_o church_n upon_o which_o account_n the_o council_n of_o gangra_n meet_v about_o the_o year_n 324._o who_o condemn_v this_o hercsie_n and_o depose_v the_o author_n of_o it_o publish_v this_o follow_a canon_n 4._o if_o any_o one_o separate_v from_o a_o marry_a priest_n as_o if_o it_o be_v unlawful_a to_o communicate_v when_o he_o officiate_n let_v he_o be_v anathema_n a_o canon_n the_o more_o considerable_a for_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o council_n which_o make_v it_o for_o this_o be_v ever_o most_o repute_v of_o all_o particular_a council_n in_o the_o ancient_a church_n confirm_v by_o many_o general_a council_n and_o pope_n and_o receive_v into_o the_o ancient_a code_n of_o canon_n this_o be_v the_o progress_n and_o condition_n of_o celibacy_n in_o the_o eastern_a church_n before_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a in_o the_o west_n if_o we_o except_v perhaps_o that_o of_o arles_n for_o the_o roman_a synod_n under_o pope_n sylvester_n be_v confess_o spurious_a no_o council_n have_v determine_v any_o thing_n in_o it_o but_o that_o of_o eliberis_n in_o the_o year_n 305._o which_o ordain_v 33._o that_o bishop_n priest_n and_o deacon_n and_o all_o the_o clergy_n place_v in_o the_o ministry_n or_o while_o they_o minister_v shall_v abstain_v from_o their_o wife_n and_o not_o attend_v to_o procreation_n if_o any_o do_v let_v he_o be_v depose_v from_o the_o order_n of_o the_o clergy_n here_o to_o pass_v by_o the_o opinion_n of_o those_o mention_v by_o albas_n pinaeâ—…s_n can._n who_o expound_v the_o word_n of_o this_o canon_n in_o their_o grammatical_a sense_n for_o the_o latin_a run_v thus_o we_o absolute_o forbid_v the_o clergy_n to_o abstain_v from_o their_o wife_n in_o which_o case_n it_o will_v be_v coincident_a with_o the_o five_o apostolic_a canon_n our_o adversary_n maintain_v that_o it_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o a_o total_a abstinence_n of_o the_o clergy_n from_o their_o wife_n if_o we_o shall_v grant_v this_o it_o will_v not_o much_o prejudice_v our_o cause_n since_o this_o be_v that_o foolish_a council_n which_o forbid_v 34._o candle_n to_o be_v light_v in_o churchyard_n in_o the_o day_n time_n lest_o the_o soul_n of_o the_o dead_a saint_n shall_v be_v disquiet_v a_o council_n of_o so_o little_a reputation_n that_o it_o never_o be_v
the_o clergy_n the_o use_n of_o marriage_n appear_v from_o the_o decretal_a of_o pope_n stephen_n cite_v by_o gratian_n in_o these_o word_n 14._o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o eastern_a church_n be_v different_a from_o that_o of_o the_o holy_a church_n of_o rome_n for_o in_o they_o priest_n deacon_n and_o subdeacons_n be_v join_v in_o marriage_n matrimonio_fw-la copulantur_fw-la i._n e._n enjoy_v the_o use_n of_o marriage_n as_o mendoza_n 66._o have_v learned_o prove_v the_o meaning_n of_o those_o word_n to_o be_v but_o in_o this_o or_o the_o western_a church_n none_o of_o the_o clergy_n from_o a_o subdeacon_n to_o a_o bishop_n have_v liberty_n to_o use_v marriage_n here_o the_o pope_n express_o confess_v the_o use_n of_o marriage_n by_o the_o clergy_n to_o have_v be_v always_o the_o tradition_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o eastern_a church_n and_o if_o so_o it_o must_v have_v be_v also_o sometime_o of_o the_o western_a for_o be_v never_o practise_v in_o the_o east_n it_o can_v not_o be_v of_o apostolical_a institution_n and_o therefore_o must_v have_v be_v introduce_v in_o the_o west_n by_o some_o subsequent_a decree_n of_o the_o church_n this_o be_v the_o state_n of_o celibacy_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n for_o the_o first_o thousand_o year_n nowhere_a impose_v in_o the_o better_o and_o pure_a age_n of_o christianity_n introduce_v into_o the_o roman_a patriarchate_n by_o a_o rash_a pope_n command_v by_o many_o provincial_a council_n of_o the_o west_n but_o in_o no_o place_n universal_o observe_v the_o imposition_n of_o it_o always_o disuse_v and_o at_o last_o condemn_v in_o the_o eastern_a church_n and_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o in_o these_o latter_a age_n become_v obsolete_a in_o the_o west_n it_o will_v not_o now_o be_v amiss_o to_o look_v back_o a_o little_a and_o make_v some_o observation_n upon_o the_o author_n and_o advance_v of_o celibacy_n whereby_o we_o may_v the_o better_a judge_n how_o far_o the_o authority_n and_o example_n of_o those_o time_n ought_v herein_o to_o influence_n and_o direct_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o present_a age._n first_o then_o the_o celibacy_n of_o the_o clergy_n be_v hitherto_o esteem_v by_o all_o a_o matter_n of_o mere_a discipline_n first_o introduce_v for_o reason_n of_o decency_n convenience_n and_o suppose_a edification_n which_o have_v not_o only_o long_a since_o cease_v but_o celibacy_n be_v now_o become_v a_o snare_n to_o the_o clergy_n and_o a_o scandal_n to_o the_o whole_a church_n so_o that_o the_o obligation_n of_o the_o law_n of_o celibacy_n even_o in_o those_o particular_a church_n where_o it_o be_v ancient_o introduce_v and_o command_v have_v long_o since_o cease_v the_o pretence_n of_o divine_a or_o apostolical_a institution_n be_v not_o hear_v of_o till_o the_o day_n of_o hildebrand_n and_o be_v but_o faint_o maintain_v in_o these_o time_n that_o the_o ancient_a imposer_n of_o celibacy_n never_o think_v of_o this_o pretence_n be_v evident_a because_o they_o never_o make_v that_o plea._n this_o we_o before_o observe_v particular_o of_o the_o decree_n of_o siricius_n and_o innocent_n and_o may_v be_v affirm_v of_o all_o pope_n and_o council_n which_o favour_v or_o command_v celibacy_n in_o those_o time_n not_o to_o say_v that_o some_o council_n as_o the_o quinisext_n ii_o of_o toledo_n and_o other_o express_o acknowledge_v the_o permission_n of_o marriage_n to_o the_o clergy_n to_o be_v of_o apostolical_a institution_n ii_o the_o example_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n in_o this_o case_n be_v not_o only_o not_o conclusive_a but_o even_o of_o no_o authority_n it_o neither_o necessitate_v nor_o recommend_v celibacy_n to_o the_o present_a church_n for_o all_o the_o deference_n which_o we_o owe_v to_o the_o authority_n and_o example_n of_o these_o time_n proceed_v from_o a_o probable_a supposition_n that_o the_o ancient_a church_n have_v great_a and_o better_a opportunity_n of_o know_v the_o mind_n of_o christ_n the_o intention_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o exigence_n of_o the_o church_n than_o the_o present_a age_n can_v pretend_v to_o as_o be_v more_o remove_v from_o the_o fountain_n head_n and_o animate_v with_o a_o less_o vigorous_a and_o impartial_a zeal_n for_o the_o knowledge_n of_o truth_n and_o increase_v of_o piety_n but_o when_o this_o supposition_n become_v not_o only_o improbable_a but_o be_v evident_o false_a when_o we_o be_v assure_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n be_v occasion_v and_o introduce_v by_o prejudices_fw-la and_o mistake_v false_a notion_n of_o piety_n and_o gross_a error_n about_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n imitation_n will_v not_o only_o be_v not_o laudable_a but_o even_o foolish_a and_o perhaps_o unlawful_a lest_o the_o continuance_n of_o such_o a_o practice_n shall_v uphold_v the_o error_n which_o first_o produce_v it_o at_o least_o when_o these_o mistake_n be_v discover_v these_o prejudices_fw-la remove_v the_o authority_n of_o this_o example_n will_v vanish_v with_o they_o that_o this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o celibacy_n in_o the_o ancient_a church_n we_o have_v all_o along_o observe_v and_o prove_v and_o need_v not_o here_o repeat_v our_o argument_n iii_o if_o we_o shall_v allow_v the_o usage_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n â—…o_o be_v in_o all_o case_n a_o rule_n and_o pattern_n to_o the_o present_a age_n yet_o will_v celibacy_n receive_v no_o advantage_n from_o it_o the_o marriage_n of_o the_o clergy_n may_v put_v in_o a_o large_a and_o much_o better_a plea_n of_o antiquity_n as_o be_v able_a to_o produce_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n in_o the_o four_o first_o age_n of_o christianity_n of_o the_o whole_a eastern_a and_o many_o part_n of_o the_o western_a church_n to_o this_o day_n and_o allege_v the_o suffrage_n of_o two_o general_a council_n the_o first_o and_o four_o which_o confirm_v and_o allow_v it_o whereas_o the_o imposition_n of_o celibacy_n be_v unknown_a to_o the_o first_o and_o better_a age_n not_o universal_o practise_v in_o the_o latter_a reject_v by_o one_o and_o condemn_v by_o another_o general_a council_n and_o never_o confirm_v by_o other_o than_o provincial_a synod_n who_o act_n may_v be_v annul_v and_o decree_v abolish_v by_o the_o single_a authority_n of_o any_o particular_a church_n and_o certain_o if_o what_o most_o of_o our_o adversary_n pretend_v the_o tradition_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o present_a universal_a church_n be_v the_o only_a certain_a method_n of_o know_v the_o opinion_n and_o doctrine_n of_o all_o precedent_a age_n the_o lawfulness_n and_o convenience_n of_o the_o clergy_n marriage_n must_v have_v be_v the_o belief_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n since_o all_o the_o eastern_a church_n the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n not_o to_o speak_v of_o the_o reform_a church_n in_o the_o west_n do_v at_o this_o day_n permit_v the_o use_n of_o marriage_n to_o the_o clergy_n and_o maintain_v the_o impositioâ—…_n of_o celibacy_n to_o be_v unlawful_a which_o also_o be_v no_o small_a prejudice_n to_o the_o cause_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n if_o there_o be_v any_o truth_n or_o solidity_n in_o that_o grand_a argument_n of_o our_o adversary_n that_o in_o the_o case_n of_o two_o dissent_v church_n when_o the_o one_o open_o condemn_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o other_o and_o receive_v not_o the_o same_o severe_a sentence_n from_o her_o adversary_n truth_n and_o justice_n must_v necessary_o lie_v on_o that_o side_n for_o however_o the_o greek_a church_n have_v always_o condemn_v as_o impious_a and_o unjust_a the_o imposition_n of_o celibacy_n in_o the_o latin_a church_n the_o latin_n never_o dare_v to_o return_v the_o same_o sentence_n upon_o the_o permission_n of_o marriage_n to_o the_o clergy_n in_o the_o greek_a church_n rather_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o eastern_a church_n have_v be_v allow_v and_o ratify_v by_o the_o public_a authority_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n for_o to_o omit_v the_o great_a late_a an_o council_n under_o pope_n innocent_a the_o three_o wherein_o our_o adversary_n confess_v that_o permission_n of_o marriage_n be_v continue_v to_o the_o greek_a priest_n thus_o pope_n nicolas_n the_o first_o answer_v to_o the_o inquiry_n of_o the_o bulgarian_n 540._o you_o ask_v whether_o you_o ought_v to_o maintain_v and_o honour_v a_o priest_n have_v a_o wife_n or_o to_o remove_v he_o from_o you_o to_o which_o we_o answer_v that_o although_o they_o be_v very_o unblamable_a you_o ought_v not_o to_o cast_v they_o off_o and_o bellarmine_n 21._o acknowledge_v that_o although_o the_o roman_a church_n approve_v not_o herein_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o greek_a church_n and_o judge_v it_o to_o be_v a_o abuse_n yet_o she_o permit_v it_o to_o the_o greek_n so_o that_o if_o they_o have_v no_o other_o error_n a_o peace_n may_v easy_o be_v accord_v between_o the_o two_o church_n iv._o the_o practice_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n in_o the_o imposition_n of_o celibacy_n be_v various_a and_o divers_a and_o consequent_o neither_o celibacy_n itself_o
will_v say_v that_o bigamy_n be_v unlawful_a much_o less_o that_o it_o be_v adultery_n i_o may_v mention_v many_o other_o council_n which_o inflict_v only_o a_o temporary_a penance_n on_o those_o marriage_n pope_n leo_n i._o decree_v that_o a_o 12._o monk_n who_o forsake_v the_o profession_n of_o continence_n either_o become_v a_o soldier_n or_o marry_v shall_v expiate_v his_o fault_n by_o public_a penance_n because_o although_o warfare_n may_v be_v innocent_a and_o marriage_n honest_a yet_o it_o be_v a_o crime_n to_o forsake_v the_o better_a choice_n pelagius_n the_o heretic_n who_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o vow_n and_o marriage_n be_v as_o orthodox_n as_o any_o in_o his_o epistle_n to_o demetrias_n the_o virgin_n false_o ascribe_v both_o to_o st._n hierome_n and_o st._n augustine_n say_v aug._n let_v the_o consecrate_a virgin_n either_o marry_o if_o they_o can_v contain_v or_o contain_v if_o they_o will_v not_o marry_v pope_n gelasius_n in_o the_o end_n of_o the_o five_o century_n define_v thus_o 21._o if_o any_o widow_n shall_v through_o inconstancy_n violate_v their_o profession_n of_o chastity_n willing_o undertake_v it_o concern_v they_o to_o take_v care_n with_o what_o satisfaction_n they_o may_v appease_v god._n for_o as_o if_o they_o can_v not_o perhaps_o contain_v they_o be_v not_o at_o all_o forbidben_n to_o marry_v so_o when_o they_o have_v once_o deliberate_o promise_v chastity_n to_o god_n they_o ought_v to_o have_v keep_v it_o yet_o ought_v not_o we_o to_o lay_v a_o snare_n or_o impose_v a_o necessity_n upon_o any_o such_o but_o propose_v to_o they_o the_o merit_n of_o continence_n and_o danger_n of_o break_v of_o a_o vow_n leave_v the_o matter_n to_o their_o own_o conscience_n in_o the_o seven_o age_n theodorus_n archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n in_o his_o penitential_a which_o be_v the_o canon_n law_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n for_o some_o age_n order_v that_o 3._o if_o any_o man_n have_v a_o simple_a vow_n of_o virginity_n marry_v a_o wife_n he_o shall_v not_o put_v away_o his_o wife_n but_o only_o do_v penance_n in_o which_o word_n lest_o bellarmine_n distinction_n of_o a_o simple_a and_o solemn_a vow_n shall_v be_v think_v to_o take_v place_n it_o may_v be_v observe_v that_o naldus_n in_o his_o annotation_n upon_o gratian_n confess_v the_o word_n simplex_n be_v want_v in_o all_o the_o manuscript_n copies_n in_o the_o end_n of_o the_o eleven_o age_n even_o after_o the_o decree_n of_o hildebrand_n be_v publish_v 218._o ivo_n bishop_n of_o chartres_n the_o great_a canonist_n of_o his_o age_n relate_v how_o a_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n of_o paris_n contract_a marriage_n and_o maintain_v that_o that_o marriage_n neither_o can_v nor_o aught_o to_o be_v dissolve_v in_o the_o next_o age_n gratian_n the_o compiler_n of_o the_o canon_n law_n confirm_v by_o eugenius_n iii_o and_o at_o this_o day_n in_o use_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v express_v for_o the_o validity_n of_o these_o marriage_n 1._o if_o a_o deacon_n say_v he_o will_v lay_v down_o his_o office_n he_o may_v lawful_o use_v marriage_n when_o once_o contract_v for_o although_o he_o make_v a_o vow_n of_o chastity_n at_o his_o ordination_n yet_o so_o great_a be_v the_o force_n of_o the_o sacrament_n of_o marriage_n that_o not_o even_o by_o the_o violation_n of_o the_o vow_n can_v the_o marriage_n be_v dissolve_v in_o the_o thirteen_o age_n innocent_a iii_o and_o the_o whole_a 168._o lateran_n conncil_n acknowledge_v the_o marriage_n of_o priest_n in_o some_o western_a province_n to_o be_v firm_a and_o valid_a and_o the_o use_v of_o it_o to_o be_v lawful_a in_o the_o fifteen_o age_n 307._o aeneas_n silvius_n afterward_o pope_n by_o the_o name_n of_o pius_n ii_o and_o the_o most_o learned_a of_o all_o that_o have_v sit_v in_o st._n peter_n chair_n for_o these_o last_o thousand_o year_n be_v when_o cardinal_n of_o sienna_n desire_v by_o a_o priest_n of_o his_o acquaintance_n who_o find_v he_o can_v no_o long_o contain_v to_o obtain_v for_o he_o a_o dispensation_n from_o the_o pope_n to_o marry_v return_v he_o answer_v that_o the_o pope_n refuse_v it_o and_o at_o the_o same_o aim_n give_v he_o this_o advice_n ibid._n i_o acknowledge_v you_o do_v not_o act_v imprudent_o if_o when_o you_o can_v contain_v you_o seek_v to_o marry_v although_o that_o aught_o to_o have_v be_v consider_v before_o you_o enter_v into_o holy_a order_n but_o we_o be_v not_o all_o god_n to_o soresee_v future_a necessity_n see_v the_o case_n be_v so_o that_o you_o can_v any_o long_o resist_v the_o law_n of_o the_o flesh_n it_o be_v better_a to_o marry_o than_o to_o burn._n thus_o we_o have_v prove_v that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o invalidity_n of_o marriage_n contract_v after_o a_o vow_n of_o continence_n be_v unknown_a in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o christianity_n oppose_v in_o the_o last_o and_o not_o universal_o receive_v in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n until_o define_v with_o a_o anathema_n by_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n which_o thereby_o leave_v the_o controversy_n in_o a_o worse_a condition_n than_o they_o find_v it_o have_v thus_o dispatch_v the_o controversial_a i_o pass_v to_o the_o historical_a part_n of_o my_o design_n and_o therein_o will_v evince_v that_o the_o celibacy_n of_o the_o clergy_n be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o thing_n indifferent_a in_o the_o two_o first_o century_n propose_v in_o the_o three_o magnify_v in_o the_o four_o and_o in_o some_o place_n impose_v in_o the_o five_o yet_o so_o as_o that_o even_o that_o imposition_n do_v infinite_o differ_v from_o the_o present_a doctrine_n and_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n that_o however_o command_v in_o some_o province_n of_o the_o west_n it_o be_v no_o where_o universal_o practise_v that_o in_o a_o few_o age_n this_o imposition_n become_v obsolete_a this_o yoke_n intolerable_a and_o marriage_n universal_o prevail_v till_o condemn_v and_o forbid_v by_o the_o pope_n of_o the_o eleven_o age_n that_o even_o their_o decree_n and_o canon_n become_v ineffectual_a by_o a_o universal_a opposition_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n and_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o marriage_n in_o the_o clergy_n be_v afteward_n allow_v and_o permit_v by_o many_o pope_n and_o one_o general_n council_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n that_o all_o this_o while_n celibacy_n never_o be_v impose_v or_o practife_v in_o the_o eastern_a church_n from_o the_o apostle_n time_n but_o the_o imposition_n of_o it_o be_v reject_v by_o one_o and_o condemn_v by_o another_o council_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n and_o obtain_v not_o even_o in_o the_o west_n till_o the_o ambition_n and_o usurpation_n of_o the_o pope_n draw_v to_o themselves_o the_o disposition_n of_o all_o great_a ecclesiastical_a preferment_n poverty_n become_v necessary_a to_o the_o marry_a clergy_n which_o cause_v marriage_n to_o be_v whole_o lay_v aside_o by_o they_o about_o two_o hundred_o year_n before_o the_o reformation_n the_o proof_n of_o these_o thing_n shall_v be_v the_o subject_a of_o the_o remain_a part_n of_o my_o discourse_n but_o first_o i_o shall_v premise_v these_o few_o consideration_n i._o although_o the_o ancient_a church_n shall_v have_v impose_v or_o universal_o practise_v celibacy_n yet_o the_o obligation_n of_o that_o law_n and_o authority_n of_o that_o example_n will_v be_v no_o reasonable_a much_o less_o necessary_a motive_n to_o the_o present_a church_n to_o continue_v the_o imposition_n since_o the_o reason_n which_o may_v have_v induce_v the_o ancient_n to_o enjoin_v or_o use_v it_o be_v long_o since_o cease_v those_o reason_n be_v to_o make_v the_o clergy_n more_o ready_a and_o willing_a to_o renounce_v the_o pleasure_n of_o the_o world_n and_o suffer_v martyrdom_n in_o time_n of_o persecution_n and_o by_o their_o brave_a example_n incite_v the_o laity_n to_o the_o same_o generous_a constancy_n of_o mind_n in_o the_o flourish_a and_o peaceable_a time_n of_o the_o church_n there_o can_v be_v no_o other_o reason_n of_o enjoin_v it_o than_o to_o procure_v a_o extraordinary_a veneration_n to_o the_o clergy_n by_o their_o abstinence_n from_o permit_v pleasure_n and_o thereby_o facilitate_v and_o promote_v the_o common_a edification_n of_o the_o church_n as_o for_o the_o reason_n of_o some_o admirer_n of_o celibacy_n who_o be_v lead_v aside_o with_o false_a prejudices_fw-la and_o preconceived_n error_n they_o vanish_v together_o with_o the_o detection_n of_o their_o falsity_n and_o do_v no_o long_o oblige_v than_o those_o error_n be_v maintain_v but_o as_o for_o the_o other_o more_o solid_a reason_n providence_n have_v annul_v the_o first_o by_o give_v rest_n unto_o the_o church_n and_o a_o universal_a decay_n of_o piety_n as_o well_o in_o clergy_n as_o laity_n have_v defeat_v the_o second_o since_o what_o perhaps_o be_v before_o exemplary_a be_v now_o become_v a_o scandal_n to_o the_o whole_a christian_n world._n this_o cassander_n ingenuous_o confess_v in_o these_o word_n 23._o for_o those_o reason_n
the_o author_n of_o they_o be_v abundant_o demonstrate_v by_o the_o learned_a garnerius_n 8._o that_o he_o lead_v about_o his_o wife_n with_o he_o in_o his_o travel_n and_o preach_v st._n paul_n plain_o intimate_v in_o these_o word_n 5._o have_v we_o not_o power_n to_o lead_v about_o a_o sister_n a_o wife_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o well_o as_o other_o apostle_n or_o rather_o as_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o apostle_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o as_o the_o brethren_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o cephas_n our_o adversary_n indeed_o pretend_v that_o by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o this_o place_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v not_o a_o wife_n but_o a_o assistant_n woman_n common_o of_o the_o rich_a and_o more_o age_a sort_n carry_v about_o by_o the_o apostle_n to_o minister_v to_o their_o necessity_n provide_v they_o maintenance_n and_o serve_v they_o in_o the_o quality_n of_o deaconess_n and_o thus_o it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o ancient_n do_v interpret_v it_o however_o i_o will_v oppose_v to_o that_o opinion_n some_o considerable_a and_o perhaps_o convictive_a argument_n as_o first_o the_o ordinary_a acception_n of_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d both_o in_o the_o septuagint_n and_o the_o new_a testament_n where_o the_o name_n wife_n be_v never_o design_v by_o any_o other_o word_n second_o this_o interpretation_n be_v by_o the_o ancient_n receive_v from_o tertullian_n who_o first_o propose_v it_o in_o his_o book_n of_o monogamy_n which_o he_o write_v after_o he_o be_v become_v a_o montanist_n three_o the_o contrary_a opinion_n of_o all_o the_o catholic_n in_o tertullian_n time_n for_o in_o his_o exhortation_n to_o chastity_n write_v likewise_o after_o his_o fall_n decry_v the_o excellency_n of_o marriage_n he_o introduce_v the_o catholic_n thus_o object_v to_o he_o 8._o it_o be_v lawful_a even_o for_o the_o apostle_n to_o marry_v and_o to_o lead_v about_o their_o wife_n with_o they_o and_o indeed_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n the_o most_o learned_a and_o orthodox_n of_o all_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o three_o first_o century_n express_o interpret_v 3._o this_o place_n of_o wife_n and_o further_o add_v that_o st._n peter_n have_v several_a child_n by_o his_o wife_n not_o to_o mention_v cardinal_n humbert_n in_o latter_a age_n who_o 720._o although_o a_o bitter_a enemy_n of_o priest_n marriage_n allow_v and_o follow_v this_o interpretation_n that_o be_v more_o considerable_a which_o eusebius_n 30._o relate_v from_o the_o same_o clemens_n that_o st._n peter_n see_v his_o wife_n suffer_v martyrdom_n and_o stand_v by_o she_o exhort_v she_o generous_o to_o undergo_v it_o which_o alone_o may_v demonstrate_v that_o she_o accompany_v he_o in_o all_o his_o travel_n since_o except_v st._n stephen_n and_o st._n james_n the_o great_a none_o suffer_v death_n for_o the_o christian_a faith_n till_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o nero_n reign_n when_o st._n peter_n be_v whole_o employ_v in_o the_o west_n the_o marriage_n of_o st._n paul_n however_o common_o deny_v by_o the_o ancient_n and_o universal_o by_o the_o modern_n be_v attest_v by_o great_a authority_n clemens_n alexandrinus_n the_o disciple_n of_o pantaenus_n who_o by_o the_o testimony_n of_o photius_n 118._o have_v those_o for_o his_o master_n who_o have_v see_v and_o converse_v with_o the_o apostle_n and_o who_o himself_o write_v within_o 125_o year_n after_o the_o death_n of_o st._n paul_n and_o have_v travel_v into_o palestine_n express_o affirm_v 3._o it_o from_o he_o euseâ—…ius_n 30._o receive_v this_o tradition_n transcribe_v and_o approve_v it_o these_o two_o authority_n be_v sufficient_a alone_o to_o create_v a_o probability_n however_o i_o will_v observe_v that_o many_o still_o retain_v the_o same_o opinion_n in_o the_o end_n of_o the_o four_o age._n so_o st._n hierom_n eustocâ—…ium_fw-la assure_v we_o some_o believe_v in_o his_o time_n st._n chrysostom_n philipp_n acknowledge_v the_o same_o thing_n and_o add_v that_o many_o in_o his_o time_n maintain_v st._n paul_n direct_v those_o word_n to_o his_o wife_n philipp_n 4._o 3._o i_o entreat_v thou_o also_o true_a yoke-fellow_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o those_o word_n in_o the_o attic_a dialect_n the_o most_o elegant_a of_o the_o greek_a tongue_n may_v be_v translate_v my_o faithful_a wife_n nay_o in_o the_o six_o age_n the_o interpolator_n of_o ignatius_n epistle_n have_v these_o word_n philadelph_n in_o praise_v virginity_n i_o do_v not_o blame_v all_o other_o holy_a man_n because_o they_o use_v marriage_n for_o i_o desire_v only_o to_o be_v think_v worthy_a of_o god_n to_o be_v place_v at_o their_o foot_n in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n as_o of_o abraham_n isaac_n jacob_n joseph_n and_o the_o other_o prophet_n as_o of_o peter_n and_o paul_n and_o the_o other_o apostle_n who_o use_v marriage_n this_o place_n the_o ancient_a latin_a interpreter_n who_o live_v about_o the_o eight_o age_n have_v retain_v and_o translate_v with_o 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17._o see_v and_o find_v to_o be_v no_o old_a than_o the_o year_n 1490._o that_o the_o reform_a printer_n corrupt_v not_o this_o place_n appear_v from_o all_o the_o edition_n before_o the_o reformation_n particular_o those_o of_o fabor_n stapulensis_n paris_n 1498._o strasbourg_n 1502._o and_o jod_a clichtovaus_fw-la paris_n 1515._o and_o many_o edition_n set_v forth_o by_o papist_n since_o the_o reformation_n wherein_o the_o name_n of_o st._n paul_n be_v find_v the_o greek_n be_v no_o less_o clear_v from_o all_o fraud_n herein_o by_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o latin_a copy_n particular_o of_o one_o 800._o year_n old_a in_o balliol_n college_n in_o oxford_n mention_v by_o dr._n james_n 57_o wherein_o although_o some_o zealous_a romanist_n have_v blot_v out_o the_o name_n of_o st._n paul_n and_o the_o other_o apostle_n yet_o they_o have_v do_v it_o so_o slight_o that_o the_o word_n be_v still_o easy_o legible_a now_o whether_o st._n peter_n lead_v about_o his_o wife_n with_o he_o or_o st._n paul_n be_v marry_v be_v not_o of_o so_o great_a moment_n to_o our_o case_n as_o be_v the_o conclusion_n which_o may_v be_v evident_o draw_v from_o the_o belief_n entertain_v by_o some_o of_o the_o ancient_n both_o of_o the_o one_o and_o of_o the_o other_o for_o even_o if_o we_o shall_v grant_v their_o opinion_n to_o have_v be_v erroneous_a yet_o it_o manifest_o demonstrate_v that_o in_o their_o time_n the_o celibacy_n of_o the_o clergy_n be_v neither_o believe_v to_o have_v be_v institute_v by_o the_o apostle_n nor_o universal_o practise_v by_o the_o precede_a age_n nor_o the_o use_n of_o marriage_n inconvenient_a much_o less_o incompatible_a to_o the_o priesthood_n have_v any_o of_o these_o opinion_n be_v general_o receive_v in_o their_o time_n it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v have_v be_v so_o stupid_a as_o to_o believe_v the_o apostle_n have_v do_v a_o thing_n contrary_n to_o their_o own_o institution_n or_o the_o laudable_a practice_n of_o succeed_a age_n or_o the_o dignity_n of_o their_o office._n of_o the_o other_o apostle_n st._n philip_n have_v three_o daughter_n who_o by_o the_o testimony_n of_o 3._o clemens_n alex._n he_o marry_v to_o so_o many_o husband_n of_o the_o four_o virgin_n daughter_n of_o philip_n the_o deacon_n we_o read_v in_o the_o 9_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o marriage_n of_o nicholas_n the_o deacon_n be_v famous_a in_o ecclesiastical_a history_n which_o because_o the_o misrepresentation_n of_o it_o give_v occasion_n to_o many_o error_n and_o the_o imposer_n of_o celibacy_n in_o the_o eleven_o age_n constant_o traduce_v the_o marriage_n of_o priest_n with_o the_o title_n of_o nicolaite_n heresy_n it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o here_o to_o rectify_v clemens_n alex._n the_o most_o ancient_a of_o all_o who_o mention_v it_o for_o 27._o st._n irenaeus_n say_v only_o that_o the_o nicolaites_n come_v from_o nicolas_n the_o deacon_n relate_v it_o it_o thus_o 3._o nicolas_n have_v a_o very_a beautiful_a wife_n become_v
of_o marriage_n draw_v from_o the_o old_a mistake_n of_o a_o unworthiness_n to_o administer_v thing_n contract_v by_o the_o suppose_a impurity_n of_o marriage_n command_v 7._o priest_n and_o deacon_n thence_o forward_o to_o abstain_v from_o the_o company_n of_o their_o wife_n upon_o pain_n of_o deposition_n from_o their_o office_n from_o the_o preface_n of_o this_o constitution_n it_o appear_v that_o the_o use_v of_o marriage_n be_v then_o indifferent_o use_v by_o the_o clergy_n and_o defend_v as_o lawful_a against_o the_o oppugner_n of_o it_o i_o understand_v say_v ibid._n siricius_n that_o many_o priest_n and_o deacon_n have_v a_o long_a time_n after_o their_o ordination_n have_v child_n as_o well_o by_o their_o own_o wife_n as_o by_o fornication_n and_o defend_v this_o their_o do_v by_o prescription_n because_o in_o the_o old_a testament_n marriage_n be_v permit_v to_o the_o priest_n it_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v by_o this_o time_n become_v a_o general_a custom_n in_o the_o particular_a church_n of_o rome_n and_o all_o the_o great_a church_n of_o italy_n for_o bishop_n priest_n and_o deacon_n to_o abstain_v from_o the_o company_n of_o their_o wife_n this_o they_o do_v voluntary_o there_o be_v yet_o no_o ecclesiastical_a constitution_n to_o enforce_v it_o and_o in_o that_o case_n remove_v their_o wife_n out_o of_o their_o family_n and_o live_v separately_z from_o they_o that_o this_o be_v voluntary_o be_v manifest_a as_o well_o because_o no_o command_n of_o any_o such_o abstinence_n as_o yet_o make_v by_o the_o church_n can_v be_v produce_v as_o from_o several_a example_n of_o the_o italian_a clergy_n of_o this_o time_n who_o enjoy_v the_o company_n of_o their_o wife_n after_o ordination_n as_o we_o shall_v hereafter_o prove_v that_o this_o custom_n extend_v not_o into_o the_o remote_a province_n be_v manifest_a from_o the_o word_n of_o st._n ambrose_n who_o write_v about_o this_o time_n and_o persuade_v this_o total_a abstinence_n to_o his_o clergy_n of_o milan_n say_v 50._o in_o many_o remote_a place_n the_o clergy_n beget_v child_n in_o the_o time_n of_o their_o deaconship_n or_o even_o priesthood_n and_o this_o they_o defend_v by_o ancient_a custom_n where_o the_o last_o word_n be_v very_o remarkable_a siricius_n therefore_o seduce_v with_o the_o common_a prejudices_fw-la of_o that_o age_n and_o imagine_v it_o to_o be_v no_o small_a crime_n in_o the_o clergy_n of_o spain_n not_o to_o canform_v to_o the_o custom_n of_o rome_n interpose_v his_o authority_n and_o command_v they_o to_o do_v that_o which_o he_o see_v they_o will_v never_o perform_v of_o their_o own_o accord_n the_o embrace_v of_o the_o vulgar_a prejudices_fw-la about_o celibacy_n be_v not_o the_o only_a argument_n of_o siricius_n his_o simplicity_n this_o very_a epistle_n carry_v other_o evident_a token_n of_o it_o along_o with_o it_o for_o to_o omit_v the_o many_o superstitious_a caution_n about_o the_o marriage_n of_o the_o inferior_a clergy_n he_o forbid_v marriage_n to_o all_o person_n whatsoever_o who_o have_v ever_o do_v public_a penance_n for_o fornication_n a_o command_n which_o whole_o evacuate_v the_o apostle_n precept_n of_o marriage_n make_v 5._o fornication_n a_o impediment_n of_o marriage_n which_o by_o the_o apostle_n be_v assign_v as_o a_o remedy_n of_o it_o the_o next_o year_n siricius_n write_v to_o the_o bishop_n of_o africa_n pursue_v the_o same_o design_n but_o here_o remember_v that_o he_o act_v out_o of_o his_o own_o patriarchate_o he_o presume_v not_o to_o command_v but_o only_o advise_v celibacy_n 4._o i_o persuade_v advise_v admonish_v entreat_v that_o priest_n and_o deacon_n will_v not_o accompany_v with_o their_o wife_n and_o all_o upon_o the_o same_o topic_a of_o the_o incongruity_n of_o conjugal_a embrace_n with_o the_o priestly_a office._n let_v we_o now_o see_v what_o effect_n this_o command_n of_o siricius_n have_v in_o spain_n or_o his_o admonition_n in_o africa_n in_o spain_n the_o first_o council_n of_o toledo_n be_v hold_v in_o the_o year_n 400._o which_o decree_v 1._o that_o those_o deacon_n who_o have_v not_o abstain_v from_o their_o wife_n after_o ordination_n shall_v continue_v in_o their_o office_n but_o be_v make_v incapable_a of_o ever_o rise_v to_o the_o priesthood_n and_o in_o like_a manner_n priest_n who_o have_v not_o abstain_v shall_v be_v incapable_a of_o the_o episcopal_a dignity_n inflict_v on_o they_o no_o further_o punishment_n the_o same_o command_n have_v it_o seem_v be_v send_v by_o siricius_n to_o the_o bishop_n of_o piedmont_n who_o meet_v in_o a_o council_n at_o turin_n an._n dom._n 397._o make_v a_o 6._o canon_n of_o the_o same_o nature_n with_o that_o of_o toledo_n only_o debar_v the_o clergy_n who_o will_v not_o submit_v to_o a_o total_a abstinence_n from_o ascend_v to_o high_a dignity_n in_o the_o church_n in_o africa_n the_o pope_n receive_v a_o repulse_v the_o eleven_o council_n of_o carthage_n be_v in_o the_o year_n 390._o wherein_n a_o motion_n be_v make_v by_o faustianus_fw-la the_o pope_n legate_n that_o bishop_n priest_n and_o deacon_n shall_v be_v enjoin_v 2._o to_o total_a abstinence_n the_o synod_n will_v not_o yield_v to_o that_o but_o only_o decree_v holsten_n that_o bishop_n priest_n and_o deacon_n or_o those_o who_o administer_v the_o sacrament_n shall_v always_o preserve_v chastity_n and_o when_o they_o minister_v at_o the_o altar_n even_o abstain_v from_o their_o wife_n for_o that_o the_o ancient_n believe_v chastity_n not_o to_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o use_n of_o marriage_n we_o before_o prove_v and_o this_o partial_a abstinence_n of_o the_o clergy_n in_o the_o time_n of_o their_o wait_v at_o the_o altar_n full_o satisfy_v siricius_n his_o argument_n which_o proceed_v upon_o the_o indecency_n of_o perform_v the_o duty_n of_o marriage_n and_o the_o administration_n of_o holy_a thing_n at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o this_o be_v the_o trne_a sense_n of_o the_o canon_n we_o shall_v demonstrate_v by_o prove_v that_o the_o canon_n which_o we_o shall_v next_o relate_v mean_v no_o more_o for_o that_o both_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v in_o the_o same_o sense_n all_o agree_v in_o the_o year_n therefore_o 398._o be_v hold_v the_o five_o council_n of_o carthage_n which_o make_v this_o follow_a canon_n 3._o be_v it_o enact_v that_o bishop_n priest_n and_o deacon_n abstain_v even_o from_o their_o wife_n in_o their_o own_o course_n which_o if_o they_o do_v not_o let_v they_o be_v depose_v but_o that_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o clergy_n be_v not_o compel_v to_o do_v this_o but_o the_o custom_n of_o every_o particular_a church_n be_v to_o be_v observe_v bellarmin_n binius_fw-la and_o other_o writer_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n maintain_v that_o a_o total_a abstinence_n be_v here_o enjoin_v to_o the_o clergy_n contrary_a to_o the_o plain_a sense_n of_o the_o canon_n for_o this_o they_o allege_v only_o the_o authority_n of_o st._n austin_n 20._o and_o that_o decree_n of_o gratian_n which_o instead_o of_o secundum_fw-la propria_fw-la statuta_fw-la whereinis_fw-la the_o stress_n of_o the_o canon_n lie_v read_v secundnm_fw-la priora_fw-la statuta_fw-la according_a to_o former_a constitution_n as_o for_o the_o authority_n of_o 13._o gratian_n that_o be_v of_o no_o moment_n when_o oppose_v to_o the_o constant_a agreement_n of_o all_o the_o latin_a copy_n of_o the_o act_n of_o this_o council_n nor_o even_o can_v we_o be_v assure_v that_o gratian_n copy_n read_v it_o secundum_fw-la priora_fw-la statuta_fw-la since_o it_o be_v very_o usual_a with_o he_o to_o represent_v the_o ancient_a monument_n of_o the_o church_n not_o exact_o in_o their_o own_o word_n but_o accommodate_v to_o the_o sentiment_n and_o practice_n of_o his_o own_o time_n as_o for_o st._n austin_n his_o authority_n indeed_o will_v be_v sufficient_a for_o he_o be_v present_a in_o the_o council_n but_o he_o say_v nothing_o of_o it_o in_o the_o place_n allege_v only_o propose_v to_o the_o laity_n who_o hardly_o endure_v to_o be_v restrain_v to_o the_o embrace_n of_o one_o woman_n the_o example_n of_o the_o clergy_n who_o practise_v a_o total_a astinence_n for_o this_o infer_v no_o more_o than_o that_o some_o or_o many_o of_o the_o clergy_n do_v total_o abstain_v which_o none_o deny_v and_o we_o ready_o grant_v the_o confutation_n of_o our_o adversary_n reason_n be_v sufficient_a in_o this_o case_n however_o i_o will_v produce_v some_o further_a reason_n in_o confirmation_n of_o that_o sense_n of_o the_o canon_n which_o we_o follow_v and_o the_o word_n do_v natural_o import_v first_o then_o the_o ancient_a greek_a code_n 70._o of_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o african_a church_n compsose_v before_o the_o time_n of_o the_o six_o council_n follow_v this_o sense_n translate_n the_o word_n into_o question_n by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o their_o proper_a course_n or_o time_n of_o wait_v second_o the_o father_n of_o the_o quinisext_a council_n command_v priest_n and_o deacon_n whole_o to_o contain_v 13._o in_o the_o time_n
clergy_n he_o command_v priest_n and_o deacon_n for_o subdeacons_n he_o mention_n not_o who_o abstain_v not_o from_o their_o wife_n in_o obedience_n to_o the_o constitution_n of_o siricius_n to_o be_v depose_v except_o perhaps_o they_o have_v be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o constitution_n for_o in_o that_o case_n he_o will_v only_o have_v they_o oblige_v to_o continence_n for_o the_o future_a that_o these_o and_o indeed_o all_o the_o first_o twenty_o six_o epistle_n of_o this_o pope_n be_v spurious_a many_o learned_a man_n have_v endeavour_v to_o prove_v with_o many_o argument_n but_o i_o will_v not_o insist_v on_o that_o it_o be_v not_o improbable_a that_o he_o make_v such_o a_o decree_n celibacy_n be_v then_o fit_v to_o the_o genius_n of_o the_o age_n and_o particular_o of_o the_o see_v of_o rome_n after_o innocent_a pope_n leo_n i._o carry_v on_o the_o design_n yet_o further_o and_o in_o a_o epistle_n 4._o to_o anastasius_n bishop_n of_o thessalonica_n forbid_v the_o use_n of_o marriage_n to_o subdeacons_n also_o thereby_o perfect_v the_o system_fw-la of_o celibacy_n at_o this_o day_n use_v in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n the_o same_o constitution_n he_o reinforce_v in_o a_o epistle_n presbyteris_fw-la to_o rusticus_n bishop_n of_o narbon_n prescribe_v the_o same_o law_n of_o continence_n to_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o altar_n viz._n deacon_n and_o subdeacons_n as_o to_o bishop_n and_o priest_n these_o be_v the_o decree_n of_o the_o pope_n of_o râ—…me_n which_o be_v oâ—…t-times_n renew_v and_o sometime_o relax_v by_o the_o follow_a pope_n as_o for_o the_o western_a council_n of_o this_o and_o the_o follow_a age_n they_o be_v all_o provincial_n and_o pretend_v to_o no_o authority_n out_o of_o their_o own_o province_n the_o council_n of_o orange_n be_v the_o first_o which_o ever_o impose_v total_a abstinence_n upon_o the_o clergy_n it_o be_v a_o convention_n of_o no_o more_o than_o seventeen_o bishop_n in_o the_o year_n 441._o who_o then_o make_v this_o canon_n 23._o if_o any_o one_o after_o he_o have_v receive_v deacon_n order_n be_v find_v incontinent_a with_o his_o wife_n let_v he_o be_v depose_v from_o his_o office._n provide_v in_o the_o follow_a canon_n that_o this_o punishment_n extend_v not_o to_o those_o who_o have_v retain_v the_o use_n of_o their_o wife_n before_o this_o canon_n be_v make_v whence_o it_o may_v be_v gather_v that_o total_a abstinence_n be_v not_o yet_o enjoin_v to_o the_o clergy_n of_o the_o gallican_n church_n by_o any_o public_a authority_n and_o that_o the_o decree_n of_o pope_n innocent_a direct_v to_o the_o bishop_n of_o rouen_n and_o tholouse_n as_o act_v out_o of_o his_o own_o patriarchat_n have_v not_o be_v receive_v the_o second_o council_n of_o arles_n in_o the_o year_n 452._o come_v next_o which_o in_o the_o second_o canon_n forbid_v any_o marry_a man_n to_o be_v ordain_v priest_n who_o do_v not_o vow_n continence_n in_o the_o forty_o three_o canon_n extend_v the_o same_o to_o deacon_n in_o the_o forty_o four_o canon_n forbid_v to_o deacon_n the_o use_n of_o marriage_n in_o the_o word_n of_o the_o council_n of_o orange_n in_o the_o three_o canon_n forbid_v bishop_n priest_n and_o deacon_n to_o keep_v their_o wife_n with_o they_o in_o the_o same_o house_n unless_o they_o also_o have_v vow_v continence_n upon_o pain_n of_o excommunication_n this_o punishment_n be_v think_v too_o great_a and_o be_v therefore_o moderate_v by_o the_o first_o council_n of_o tours_n a._n d._n 461._o who_o enjoin_v 1._o total_a abstinence_n from_o their_o wife_n to_o priest_n and_o deacon_n enact_v 2._o withal_o that_o if_o any_o priest_n or_o deacon_n use_v the_o company_n of_o his_o wife_n he_o be_v not_o excommunicate_v but_o only_o reduce_v to_o lay-communion_n in_o the_o year_n 506._o the_o council_n of_o agatha_n receive_v 9_o and_o confirm_v the_o constitution_n of_o siricius_n and_o innocent_n about_o the_o continence_n of_o priest_n and_o deacon_n and_o further_o enjoin_v 16_o that_o their_o wife_n be_v not_o permit_v to_o dwell_v with_o they_o although_o they_o also_o promise_v continence_n 517._o in_o the_o year_n 531._o the_o second_o council_n of_o toledo_n decree_v 1._o that_o those_o who_o from_o their_o childhood_n be_v by_o their_o parent_n dedicate_v to_o the_o holy_a office_n and_o be_v to_o that_o end_n bring_v up_o at_o the_o charge_n of_o the_o church_n shall_v when_o they_o come_v to_o the_o age_n of_o eighteen_o be_v ask_v public_o by_o the_o bishop_n in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o church_n whether_o they_o be_v willing_a to_o oblige_v themselves_o never_o to_o marry_v if_o they_o be_v than_o they_o may_v be_v ordain_v subdeacons_n and_o gradual_o arise_v to_o the_o high_a office_n of_o the_o church_n if_o not_o than_o they_o may_v have_v leave_n to_o marry_v and_o whensoever_o both_o marry_a party_n shall_v promise_v continence_n the_o husband_n shall_v be_v receive_v into_o order_n here_o be_v the_o first_o mention_n of_o a_o vow_n of_o continence_n exact_v of_o those_o that_o be_v to_o be_v ordain_v that_o can_v be_v find_v in_o ecclesiastical_a history_n and_o here_o also_o it_o be_v first_o forbid_v to_o subdeacons_n to_z marry_v wife_n after_o their_o ordination_n for_o this_o concern_v not_o those_o subdeacons_n who_o marry_v before_o ordination_n whereas_o in_o all_o the_o precedent_a council_n it_o be_v leave_v free_a to_o subdeacons_n as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o other_o inferior_a order_n to_o enjoy_v their_o wife_n marry_v either_o before_o or_o after_o their_o ordination_n to_o that_o office._n the_o council_n of_o clermont_n anno_fw-la 535._o complain_v 13._o that_o many_o priest_n and_o deacon_n notwithstanding_o the_o prohibition_n of_o the_o church_n have_v use_v the_o company_n of_o their_o wife_n and_o beget_v child_n of_o they_o command_v all_o such_o to_o be_v degrade_v from_o their_o office._n the_o four_o council_n of_o orleans_n in_o the_o year_n 541._o order_v 17._o that_o priest_n and_o deacon_n shall_v not_o be_v permit_v to_o dwell_v with_o their_o wife_n upon_o pain_n of_o deposition_n thereby_o to_o take_v away_o ever_o all_o suspicion_n of_o forbid_a commerce_n the_o three_o council_n of_o orleans_n have_v before_o in_o the_o year_n 538._o forbid_v 2._o the_o use_n of_o marriage_n not_o only_o to_o priest_n and_o deacon_n but_o also_o to_o subdeacons_n the_o five_o council_n of_o orleans_n 549._o command_v ordinis_fw-la all_o clergyman_n of_o whatsoever_o dignity_n or_o order_n who_o return_v to_o the_o embrace_n of_o their_o wife_n after_o ordination_n to_o be_v for_o ever_o degrade_v and_o reduce_v to_o lay-communion_n the_o council_n of_o auxerre_n in_o the_o year_n 578._o enjoin_v 21_o priest_n deacon_n and_o subdeacons_n upon_o pain_n of_o deprivation_n not_o to_o accompany_v with_o their_o wife_n call_z that_o a_o carnal_a sin._n the_o first_o council_n of_o mascon_n in_o the_o year_n 581._o repeat_v 11._o and_o renew_v the_o canon_n of_o the_o council_n of_o clermont_n the_o three_o council_n of_o lion_n in_o the_o year_n 583._o forbid_v 1._o the_o use_n of_o marriage_n to_o bishop_n priest_n deacon_n and_o subdeacons_n and_o the_o cohabitation_n of_o their_o wife_n to_o the_o three_o first_o order_n in_o a_o french_a council_n about_o the_o year_n 620._o all_o marriage_n and_o cohabitation_n of_o woman_n be_v forbid_v 1656._o to_o priest_n and_o deacon_n in_o the_o four_o council_n of_o toledo_n anno_fw-la 633._o it_o be_v order_v 27._o that_o priest_n and_o deacon_n shall_v promise_v continence_n before_o their_o bishop_n when_o they_o be_v induct_v into_o their_o live_n and_o preferment_n the_o eight_o council_n of_o toledo_n in_o the_o year_n 653._o lament_n 6._o the_o obstinacy_n of_o many_o priest_n and_o deacon_n retain_v their_o wife_n and_o even_o marry_v after_o ordination_n against_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n and_o severe_o forbid_v it_o for_o the_o future_a in_o the_o year_n 868._o the_o council_n of_o worm_n command_v 9_o bishop_n priest_n deacon_n and_o subdeacons_n to_o abstain_v from_o their_o wife_n upon_o pain_n of_o deprivation_n many_o other_o council_n between_o the_o year_n 600_o and_o a_o 1000_o forbid_v the_o cohabitation_n of_o all_o woman_n and_o consequent_o also_o of_o wife_n to_o the_o clergy_n and_o many_o other_o permit_v only_a mother_n sister_n and_o aunt_n to_o dwell_v with_o the_o clergy_n reject_v all_o other_o woman_n under_o the_o name_n of_o extraneae_fw-la wherein_o they_o seem_v to_o have_v mistake_v the_o meaning_n of_o the_o three_o canon_n of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a last_o some_o council_n proceed_v so_o far_o as_o to_o inhibit_v to_o the_o clergy_n the_o cohabitation_n of_o all_o woman_n whatsoever_o even_o mother_n sister_n aunt_n and_o the_o near_a relation_n permit_v by_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a thus_o do_v the_o council_n of_o mentz_n 10._o in_o the_o year_n 888._o observe_v that_o some_o priest_n have_v commit_v incest_n with_o their_o own_o sister_n see_v
the_o effect_n of_o enforce_a celibacy_n and_o the_o council_n of_o metz_n 5._o in_o the_o same_o year_n upon_o the_o same_o account_n the_o next_o year_n riculfus_n bishop_n of_o soissons_fw-fr publish_v his_o constitution_n 416._o wherein_o 14._o he_o not_o only_o renew_v the_o canon_n of_o these_o two_o last_o council_n but_o also_o forbid_v the_o clergy_n to_o talk_v with_o woman_n in_o private_a or_o even_o speak_v to_o they_o without_o some_o witness_n stand_v by_o these_o be_v the_o progress_n and_o gradation_n of_o celibacy_n in_o the_o western_a church_n from_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a to_o the_o time_n of_o hildebrand_n propose_v it_o be_v by_o some_o doctor_n of_o great_a authority_n enforce_v by_o pope_n and_o enjoin_v by_o council_n yet_o can_v not_o all_o these_o authority_n effectual_o recommend_v to_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o clergy_n a_o doctrine_n so_o contrary_a to_o the_o first_o notion_n of_o reason_n and_o common_a inclination_n of_o mankind_n the_o frequent_a and_o continual_a repetition_n and_o renew_n of_o decree_n and_o canon_n to_o the_o establishment_n of_o it_o argue_v the_o universal_a opposition_n which_o it_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o world_n every_o late_a decree_n manifest_v that_o the_o former_a be_v unsuccessful_a and_o indeed_o most_o of_o these_o constitution_n be_v usher_v in_o with_o a_o preface_n of_o the_o obstinacy_n of_o the_o clergy_n in_o retain_v their_o wife_n against_o the_o express_a prohibition_n of_o the_o church_n all_o the_o aforementioned_a council_n be_v provincial_a and_o pope_n have_v not_o yet_o claim_v the_o government_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n so_o that_o all_o these_o decree_n affect_v not_o the_o eastern_a church_n at_o all_o nor_o those_o part_n even_o of_o the_o western_a church_n which_o be_v neither_o subject_n to_o the_o roman_a patriarchat_n nor_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o particular_a council_n and_o even_o in_o those_o church_n which_o be_v then_o subject_a to_o either_o of_o they_o the_o law_n of_o celibacy_n be_v never_o universal_o receive_v and_o obey_v and_o at_o last_o so_o far_o neglect_v and_o grow_v obsolete_a that_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o eleven_o age_n marriage_n of_o the_o clergy_n be_v as_o free_o use_v and_o as_o general_o practise_v in_o most_o part_n of_o the_o western_a church_n as_o it_o be_v at_o this_o day_n in_o the_o reform_a church_n this_o i_o come_v next_o to_o prove_v where_o i_o may_v just_o have_v omit_v to_o speak_v of_o the_o eastern_a church_n if_o our_o adversary_n do_v not_o pretend_v a_o universal_a practice_n of_o celibacy_n in_o the_o eastern_a as_o well_o as_o western_a church_n till_o the_o time_n of_o the_o quinisext_a council_n the_o refutation_n of_o this_o pretence_n will_v necessitate_v we_o to_o speak_v in_o general_a of_o the_o practice_n and_o discipline_n of_o the_o ancient_a universal_a church_n in_o the_o â—…ase_n of_o celibacy_n and_o first_o to_o take_v away_o all_o prejudice_n which_o may_v possess_v the_o reader_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a at_o least_o improbable_a that_o a_o custom_n persuade_v by_o many_o doctor_n command_v by_o pope_n and_o council_n successive_o in_o several_a age_n and_o which_o divers_a of_o the_o father_n affirm_v to_o have_v be_v universal_o practise_v in_o their_o time_n shall_v never_o be_v general_o use_v by_o the_o clergy_n i_o will_v produce_v a_o example_n of_o a_o matter_n of_o discipline_n of_o far_o less_o moment_n which_o be_v urge_v and_o enjoin_v with_o great_a advantage_n and_o authority_n and_o the_o universal_a practice_n of_o it_o attest_v by_o more_o writer_n which_o yet_o after_o all_o never_o general_o obtain_v in_o the_o church_n and_o be_v indeed_o disuse_v in_o all_o age_n i_o mean_v the_o case_n of_o bigamist_n who_o by_o a_o early_a custom_n of_o the_o church_n begin_v before_o the_o end_n of_o the_o second_o century_n be_v exclude_v from_o the_o clergy_n this_o exclusion_n be_v command_v by_o the_o apostolic_a canon_n 16._o by_o the_o apostolic_a constitution_n 17._o by_o st._n basil_n canonical_a epistle_n 12._o to_o amphilochius_n by_o the_o council_n of_o valence_n 1._o agatha_n 1._o four_o of_o arles_n 3._o three_o of_o constantinople_n 3._o of_o rome_n 2._o under_o pope_n hilarus_n of_o aquisgran_n 9_o and_o infinite_a other_o by_o the_o pope_n siricius_n 1._o innocent_n 5._o leo_n 1_o gelasius_n 22._o and_o gregory_z 25._o tertullian_n 7._o say_v the_o ordination_n of_o bigamist_n be_v forbid_v by_o apostolical_a tradition_n and_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n origen_n luc._n affirm_v that_o in_o his_o time_n bishop_n priest_n and_o deacon_n can_v not_o be_v bigamist_n st._n ambrose_n assert_v vercell_n this_o prohibition_n to_o have_v be_v confirm_v by_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a pope_n innocent_a 2._o say_v no_o question_n ought_v to_o be_v make_v of_o it_o it_o be_v manifest_o of_o divine_a institution_n pope_n leo_n 4._o that_o this_o precept_n be_v ever_o hold_v sacred_a and_o 1._o that_o nâ—…ither_o law_n nor_o gospel_n will_v permit_v such_o to_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o clergy_n epiphanius_n 4._o in_o truth_n the_o holy_a command_n of_o god_n after_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n receive_v not_o into_o the_o clergy_n those_o who_o after_o the_o death_n of_o their_o first_o wife_n contract_v a_o second_o marriage_n st._n hierom_n 1._o a_o bigamist_n can_v be_v choose_v into_o the_o clergy_n and_o monog_n a_o layman_n be_v not_o choose_v into_o the_o clergy_n if_o he_o be_v a_o bigamist_n st._n augustin_n 18._o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a to_o ordain_v any_o but_o the_o husband_n of_o one_o wife_n hilary_n the_o deacon_n 12._o no_o bigamist_n be_v ordain_v and_o by_o all_o the_o same_o authority_n he_o who_o have_v keep_v a_o concubine_n be_v make_v uncapable_a of_o the_o clergy_n after_o so_o many_o and_o so_o great_a authority_n the_o common_a tradition_n of_o both_o church_n command_v of_o general_n council_n and_o belief_n of_o divine_a institution_n all_o which_o advantage_n the_o celibacy_n of_o the_o clergy_n want_v who_o can_v imagine_v any_o otherwise_o than_o that_o this_o point_n of_o discipline_n be_v â—…niversally_o receive_v and_o practise_v without_o exception_n or_o limitation_n yet_o nothing_o less_o textullian_n object_n this_o to_o the_o catholic_n as_o a_o main_a argument_n of_o his_o separation_n and_o departure_n to_o the_o montanist_n that_o they_o admit_v bigamist_n even_o to_o the_o episcopal_a dignity_n among_o you_o say_v he_o 12._o how_o many_o bigamists_n preside_v and_o when_o theodoret_n ordain_v count_n irenaeus_n a_o bigamist_n then_o in_o disfavour_n at_o court_n bishop_n of_o tyre_n and_o his_o enemy_n lay_v hold_v of_o that_o pretence_n to_o accuse_v he_o of_o the_o violation_n of_o the_o canon_n he_o defend_v domnum_fw-la himself_o by_o the_o authority_n of_o all_o the_o bishop_n of_o phoenicia_n who_o give_v their_o suffrage_n to_o the_o ordination_n by_o the_o example_n and_o tradition_n of_o his_o predecessor_n by_o the_o example_n of_o alexander_n patriarch_n of_o antioch_n and_o praylius_fw-la of_o jerusalem_n who_o have_v ordain_v bishop_n diogenes_n and_o domninus_n both_o digamist_n that_o he_o follow_v herein_o custom_n and_o famous_a man_n celebrate_v for_o their_o knowledge_n and_o piety_n and_o that_o proclus_n patriarch_n of_o constantinople_n the_o metropolitan_o of_o pontus_n and_o all_o the_o bishop_n of_o palestine_n have_v not_o only_o allow_v but_o also_o commend_v this_o ordination_n and_o not_o the_o least_o doubt_v make_v of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o it_o last_o st._n augustin_n be_v ordain_v bishop_n of_o hippo_n by_o the_o common_a consent_n of_o all_o the_o bishop_n of_o africa_n who_o have_v far_o exceed_v 15._o the_o suppose_a scandal_n of_o digamy_n by_o a_o open_a cohabitation_n of_o two_o concubine_n successive_o and_o which_o deserve_v the_o first_o place_n st._n hierom_n answer_v the_o doubt_n of_o oceanus_n whether_o carterius_n a_o digamist_n be_v canonical_o ordain_v bishop_n sai_z ocean_n i_o wonder_v you_o produce_v the_o example_n of_o no_o more_o than_o one_o whenas_o the_o whole_a world_n be_v full_a of_o these_o ordination_n i_o speak_v not_o of_o priest_n nor_o of_o the_o inferior_a order_n i_o come_v to_o bishop_n who_o if_o i_o shall_v name_v single_o so_o great_a a_o number_n will_v arise_v that_o the_o multitude_n of_o the_o synod_n of_o ariminum_n the_o most_o numerous_a council_n which_o have_v be_v then_o hold_v will_v be_v exceed_v that_o the_o law_n of_o celibacy_n be_v no_o less_o disobey_v and_o all_o the_o ancient_a testimony_n of_o the_o universal_a practice_n of_o it_o be_v no_o less_o wide_a mistake_n i_o come_v next_o to_o prove_v and_o will_v begin_v with_o the_o eastern_a church_n st._n athanasius_n not_o long_o after_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a write_v to_o dracontius_n a_o holy_a monk_n rebuke_n he_o for_o decline_v the_o episcopal_a office_n and_o refute_v the_o reason_n of_o his_o refusal_n the_o chief_a of_o which_o
they_o maintain_v the_o open_a use_n of_o it_o to_o be_v a_o great_a sin_n than_o fornication_n and_o then_o huldericus_n plain_o intimate_v that_o celibacy_n be_v never_o yet_o introduce_v into_o the_o church_n of_o germany_n for_o he_o allow_v that_o those_o who_o have_v make_v a_o vow_n of_o continence_n aught_o in_o no_o case_n to_o violate_v it_o but_o may_v be_v even_o force_v to_o perform_v it_o but_o plead_v that_o the_o clergy_n have_v make_v no_o such_o vow_n bellarmine_n to_o avoid_v the_o authority_n of_o this_o epistle_n maintain_v 22._o it_o be_v spurious_a and_o endeavour_n to_o confirm_v his_o pretence_n from_o chronology_n and_o to_o prove_v there_o be_v no_o huldericus_n bishop_n of_o augspurg_n contemporary_a with_o pope_n nicholas_n that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o of_o that_o name_n bishop_n of_o that_o see_v who_o be_v create_v bishop_n in_o the_o year_n 924._o or_o 903._o and_o die_v in_o the_o eighty_o three_o year_n of_o his_o age_n and_o fifty_o of_o his_o episcopacy_n and_o that_o there_o be_v two_o hulderici_n bishop_n of_o augspurg_n be_v a_o mere_a invention_n of_o the_o magdeburg_n centuriator_n to_o this_o may_v be_v answer_v that_o bellarmin_n do_v no_o less_o gratis_o deny_v than_o the_o centuriator_n do_v affirm_v the_o existence_n of_o two_o hulderici_n and_o in_o that_o case_n the_o authority_n of_o the_o manuscript_n copies_n be_v sufficient_a to_o satisfy_v we_o beside_o this_o be_v no_o obscure_a write_v find_v out_o and_o obtrude_v on_o the_o world_n since_o the_o reformation_n it_o be_v famous_a and_o note_v more_o than_o six_o hundred_o year_n since_o for_o bertoldus_n of_o constance_n in_o his_o continuation_n of_o hermannus_n contractus_fw-la relate_v 1670._o that_o gregory_n vii_o in_o a_o synod_n hold_v at_o rome_n in_o the_o year_n 1079._o condemn_v the_o epistle_n of_o st._n udalricus_n to_o pope_n nicholas_n about_o the_o marriage_n of_o the_o clergy_n and_o aeneas_n silvius_n 1053._o own_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o whole_a matter_n when_o relate_v his_o journey_n through_o germany_n we_o pass_v through_o augspurg_n say_v he_o st._n udalricus_n be_v bishop_n of_o this_o city_n who_o oppose_v the_o pope_n in_o case_n of_o the_o clergy_n concubine_n for_o so_o they_o call_v the_o wife_n of_o the_o clergy_n after_o the_o day_n of_o hildebrand_n last_o that_o there_o be_v a_o huldericus_n bishop_n of_o augspurg_n contemporary_a to_o pope_n nicholas_n may_v be_v prove_v from_o the_o authority_n of_o jacobus_n de_fw-fr voragine_fw-la who_o say_v 1496._o st._n udalricus_n die_v after_o many_o miracle_n in_o the_o year_n 900._o the_o eighty_o three_o of_o his_o age_n and_o fifty_o of_o his_o consecration_n by_o which_o computation_n huldericus_n both_o precede_v and_o survive_v the_o popedom_n of_o nicholas_n thus_o we_o have_v prove_v that_o the_o law_n of_o celibacy_n be_v never_o universal_o receive_v in_o the_o ancient_a western_a church_n in_o some_o province_n even_o not_o impose_v and_o in_o none_o practise_v the_o matter_n will_v be_v far_o clear_v by_o particular_a example_n of_o marry_a clergyman_n the_o marriage_n of_o restitutus_n bishop_n of_o london_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o four_o age_n be_v attest_v by_o three_o accurate_a and_o learned_a writer_n of_o our_o british_a antiquity_n bale_n 5._o bishop_n godwin_n 227._o and_o sir_n h._n spelman_n 43._o in_o the_o middle_n of_o that_o age_n st._n hilary_n bishop_n of_o poitiers_n be_v know_v to_o have_v be_v marry_v for_o to_o omit_v the_o epistle_n to_o his_o daughter_n abra_n which_o i_o deny_v not_o to_o be_v spurious_a this_o be_v evince_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o venantius_n fortunatus_n his_o successor_n who_o write_v his_o life_n 13_o and_o therein_o relate_v that_o hilary_n have_v a_o wife_n and_o a_o daughter_n live_v when_o he_o be_v promote_v to_o the_o episcopal_a order_n which_o both_o continue_a to_o cohabit_v with_o he_o that_o when_o he_o be_v banish_v by_o constantius_n into_o asia_n he_o leave_v his_o daughter_n abra_n together_o with_o her_o mother_n at_o poitiers_n that_o return_v from_o banishment_n he_o persuade_v she_o to_o devote_v herself_o to_o god_n and_o profess_v perpetual_a virginity_n which_o when_o the_o mother_n see_v she_o never_o cease_v to_o solicit_v her_o husband_n till_o he_o give_v she_o leave_v also_o to_o dedicate_v herself_o to_o god_n and_o make_v a_o vow_n of_o continence_n a_o passage_n which_o most_o evident_o demonstrate_v that_o she_o have_v hitherto_o enjoy_v the_o company_n of_o her_o husband_n and_o all_o the_o pleasure_n of_o a_o chaste_a marriage_n and_o have_v not_o vow_v continence_n at_o his_o assumption_n to_o the_o episcopal_a order_n s._n paulinus_n bishop_n of_o nola_n come_v next_o who_o example_n be_v most_o remarkable_a as_o well_o because_o he_o be_v one_o of_o the_o sincere_o pious_a man_n of_o all_o antiquity_n who_o st._n martin_n 26._o be_v wont_a to_o propose_v as_o the_o pattern_n of_o all_o perfection_n as_o because_o he_o be_v make_v bishop_n in_o the_o roman_a patriarchate_n not_o long_o after_o the_o promulgation_n of_o siricius_n his_o constitution_n and_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v persecute_v by_o that_o pope_n mere_o for_o retain_v the_o company_n of_o his_o wife_n in_o opposition_n to_o his_o decree_n he_o be_v descend_v from_o the_o great_a family_n of_o rome_n have_v bear_v the_o consulship_n and_o be_v in_o all_o respect_n the_o second_o person_n of_o the_o empire_n when_o quit_v all_o secular_a honour_n in_o the_o year_n 393._o he_o be_v ordain_v priest_n at_o barcetona_n in_o spain_n his_o wife_n therasia_n then_o live_v with_o he_o the_o inseparable_a companion_n of_o all_o his_o travel_n and_o his_o whole_a life_n paulinus_n be_v then_o in_o the_o 40th_o year_n of_o his_o age_n and_o she_o somewhat_o young_a yet_o do_v they_o continue_v to_o live_v together_o in_o the_o same_o house_n and_o in_o the_o same_o cell_n till_o separate_v by_o death_n after_o some_o stay_n there_o paulinus_n return_v with_o his_o wife_n to_o rome_n where_o he_o be_v receive_v with_o infinite_a applause_n by_o the_o common_a people_n but_o with_o great_a rudeness_n by_o pope_n siricius_n who_o pride_n and_o churlishness_n paulinus_n 10._o himself_o complain_v of_o the_o occasion_n of_o this_o deportment_n of_o siricius_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v the_o prejudice_n which_o he_o fear_v his_o constitution_n of_o the_o continence_n of_o priest_n and_o deacon_n may_v suffer_v from_o the_o cohabitation_n of_o paulinus_n with_o his_o wife_n the_o example_n of_o a_o person_n so_o illustrious_a and_o so_o high_o repute_v for_o sanctity_n be_v alone_o sufficient_a to_o restore_v marriage_n to_o its_o due_a esteem_n retire_v thence_o to_o nola_n in_o campania_n he_o be_v not_o long_o after_o make_v bishop_n of_o that_o place_n that_o his_o wife_n live_v with_o he_o in_o the_o same_o little_a cell_n even_o after_o his_o consecration_n sacchinus_fw-la init_fw-la confess_v and_o indeed_o be_v most_o evident_a st._n ambrose_n sabin_n speak_v of_o paulinus_n retirement_n at_o nola_n say_v his_o wife_n accompany_v he_o and_o content_v there_o with_o the_o voluntary_a poverty_n of_o her_o husband_n comfort_v herself_o with_o the_o riches_n of_o piety_n and_o charity_n many_o of_o his_o epistle_n write_v from_o nola_n be_v direct_v in_o both_o their_o name_n have_v this_o inscription_n 46._o paulinus_n &_o therasia_n peccatores_fw-la and_o almost_o all_o be_v dictate_v in_o the_o plural_a number_n st._n augustin_n and_o st._n hierom_n in_o their_o epistle_n to_o paulinus_n write_v after_o his_o assumption_n to_o the_o episcopal_a office_n for_o their_o acquaintance_n begin_v late_o never_o fail_v to_o salute_v his_o wife_n therasia_n and_o st._n augustin_n 34._o invite_v they_o both_o together_o into_o africa_n and_o gregory_n turonensis_n 107._o relate_v a_o memorable_a passage_n of_o they_o that_o when_o dwell_v together_o in_o their_o little_a cottage_n at_o nola_n therasia_n once_o hinder_v the_o prodigal_a charity_n of_o her_o husband_n by_o overmuch_a frugality_n diminish_v the_o blessing_n of_o heaven_n to_o they_o both_o that_o he_o make_v any_o vow_n of_o continence_n from_o his_o wife_n at_o his_o ordination_n can_v never_o be_v prove_v rather_o st._n hierom_n plain_o intimate_v the_o contrary_a that_o he_o deny_v not_o himself_o the_o pleasure_n of_o marriage_n at_o least_o be_v not_o repute_v to_o do_v it_o when_o in_o his_o epistle_n to_o he_o he_o doubt_v whether_o although_o equal_v the_o perfection_n and_o piety_n of_o a_o monastic_a life_n he_o may_v proper_o call_v he_o a_o monk_n paulinum_n because_o he_o be_v yoke_v with_o the_o bond_n of_o marriage_n and_o thereby_o be_v hinder_v from_o practise_v the_o utmost_a perfection_n of_o a_o monastic_a profession_n among_o paulinus_n his_o epistle_n there_o be_v two_o 31._o direct_v to_o aper_n a_o presbyter_n and_o amanda_n his_o wife_n who_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n renounce_v the_o honour_n and_o riches_n of_o the_o
shall_v have_v his_o own_o wife_n and_o express_o teach_v all_o have_v not_o the_o gift_n of_o continence_n that_o the_o apostle_n advice_n of_o virginity_n be_v temporary_a himself_o profess_v that_o he_o cast_v no_o snare_n upon_o we_o that_o as_o for_o themselves_o they_o profess_v they_o can_v not_o contain_v without_o the_o use_n of_o marriage_n and_o therefore_o by_o the_o precept_n of_o the_o apostle_n have_v a_o right_a to_o marry_v that_o it_o be_v a_o vain_a and_o false_a pretence_n that_o this_o indulgence_n be_v give_v by_o the_o apostle_n only_o to_o the_o laity_n and_o not_o to_o the_o clergy_n that_o the_o yoke_n of_o celibacy_n be_v unlawful_a and_o intolerable_a condemn_v of_o old_a by_o dionysius_n corinthius_n and_o paphnutius_fw-la lay_v not_o therefore_o we_o beseech_v you_o this_o heavy_a burden_n upon_o we_o which_o we_o be_v not_o able_a to_o bear_v nor_o violate_v the_o reverence_n due_a to_o holy_a order_n and_o the_o sacred_a mystery_n for_o our_o sake_n certain_o you_o render_v both_o contemptible_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o man_n whilst_o you_o forbid_v the_o sacrament_n to_o be_v receive_v from_o our_o hand_n a_o prohibition_n direct_o contrary_a to_o the_o ancient_a canon_n which_o define_v that_o the_o sacrament_n lose_v not_o their_o efficacy_n by_o the_o unworthiness_n of_o he_o that_o administer_v they_o by_o these_o authority_n and_o reason_n you_o ought_v to_o be_v persuade_v and_o neither_o remove_v we_o from_o the_o sacred_a office_n nor_o deprive_v the_o laity_n of_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o sacrament_n conclude_v with_o a_o protestation_n that_o they_o can_v not_o contain_v without_o marriage_n nor_o obtain_v continence_n any_o otherwise_o than_o by_o the_o peculiar_a gift_n of_o god._n thus_o the_o marry_a clergy_n want_v neither_o learning_n nor_o courage_n to_o defend_v the_o justice_n of_o their_o cause_n and_o however_o they_o be_v overbear_v by_o the_o violence_n of_o the_o court_n of_o rome_n and_o prevail_a interest_n of_o the_o monastic_a order_n yet_o many_o of_o they_o retain_v their_o wife_n for_o some_o age_n after_o the_o time_n of_o hildebrand_n although_o from_o his_o popedom_n the_o marriage_n of_o the_o clergy_n gradual_o decrease_v and_o at_o last_o be_v bear_v down_o by_o a_o universal_a celibacy_n for_o some_o time_n after_o that_o the_o priest_n of_o germany_n public_o cohabit_v with_o their_o wife_n say_v aventinus_n 1554._o as_o other_o christian_n do_v and_o beget_v child_n as_o appear_v from_o the_o record_n of_o grant_n make_v by_o they_o to_o church_n priest_n or_o monk_n wherein_o their_o wife_n by_o name_n subscribe_v as_o witness_n together_o with_o their_o husband_n and_o be_v call_v by_o the_o honest_a name_n of_o priestesses_z presbytâ—…rissae_n this_o constancy_n of_o the_o clergy_n in_o retain_v their_o wife_n be_v the_o only_a reason_n of_o the_o frequent_a renovation_n of_o the_o law_n of_o celibacy_n by_o the_o pope_n and_o council_n of_o the_o 12_o and_o 13_o age_n these_o law_n seem_v not_o to_o have_v be_v introduce_v into_o dalmatia_n till_o the_o year_n 1199._o when_o a_o council_n be_v hold_v there_o by_o the_o pope_n legate_n this_o canon_n 2._o be_v make_v whereas_o the_o priest_n of_o god_n ought_v to_o live_v continent_o they_o be_v say_v to_o hold_v both_o their_o wife_n and_o church_n in_o the_o part_n of_o dalmatia_n and_o dioclia_n wherefore_o we_o enact_v that_o clergyman_n have_v wife_n marry_v before_o ordination_n live_v with_o they_o and_o resign_v their_o benefice_n but_o that_o those_o who_o have_v wife_n marry_v after_o ordination_n dismiss_v their_o wife_n and_o retain_v their_o benefice_n to_o pass_v by_o other_o council_n i_o will_v produce_v only_o the_o great_a lateran_n council_n under_o innocent_a the_o three_o in_o the_o year_n 1215._o which_o not_o only_o allow_v the_o marriage_n of_o the_o clergy_n when_o contract_v to_o be_v valid_a but_o also_o permit_v marriage_n to_o the_o clergy_n of_o some_o province_n wherein_o the_o law_n of_o celibacy_n have_v not_o yet_o be_v receive_v the_o first_o appear_v from_o the_o 31_o canon_n conceive_v in_o these_o word_n to_o abolish_v a_o great_a corruption_n which_o 31._o have_v be_v introduce_v in_o divers_a church_n we_o straight_o forbid_v that_o the_o son_n of_o prebendary_n especial_o their_o bastard_n son_n be_v make_v prebendary_n in_o the_o secular_a church_n wherein_o their_o father_n be_v institute_v where_o by_o exclude_v especial_o the_o bastard_n son_n of_o the_o clergy_n it_o be_v acknowledge_v that_o their_o child_n bear_v in_o marriage_n be_v not_o bastard_n the_o latter_a be_v no_o less_o evident_a from_o the_o 14_o canon_n which_o enjoin_v continence_n to_o the_o clergy_n add_v this_o proviso_n but_o whereas_o 14._o many_o of_o the_o clergy_n according_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o their_o country_n have_v not_o renounce_v their_o wife_n if_o any_o of_o these_o commit_v fornication_n or_o adultery_n let_v they_o be_v more_o severe_o punish_v because_o they_o can_v make_v use_n of_o lawful_a marriage_n the_o latter_a writer_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n to_o â—…lude_v the_o authority_n of_o a_o council_n so_o much_o reverence_v by_o they_o declare_v in_o favour_n of_o the_o clergy_n marriage_n will_v have_v this_o clause_n understand_v of_o the_o greek_a clergy_n but_o produce_v not_o the_o least_o show_n of_o reason_n for_o their_o pretence_n no_o mention_n be_v make_v of_o the_o greek_a clergy_n either_o before_o or_o after_o nor_o do_v the_o father_n of_o the_o council_n in_o form_v this_o canon_n any_o more_o dream_n of_o they_o than_o of_o the_o clergy_n of_o the_o abyssine_a church_n last_o almost_o the_o whole_a 17_o title_n of_o the_o first_o book_n of_o decretal_n of_o gregory_n the_o nine_o be_v make_v up_o of_o epistle_n write_v by_o alexander_n the_o second_o to_o the_o bishop_n of_o england_n about_z admitting_z or_o not_o admit_v the_o son_n of_o priest_n into_o the_o benefice_n of_o their_o father_n without_o any_o intermediate_v successor_n in_o these_o epistle_n bastardy_n be_v nowhere_o object_v to_o the_o son_n of_o the_o clergy_n but_o only_o the_o danger_n which_o may_v accrue_v to_o the_o church_n if_o ecclesiastical_a benefice_n shall_v descend_v like_o a_o lay_v inheritance_n from_o father_n to_o son._n and_o this_o danger_n the_o pope_n sometime_o dispense_v with_o for_o it_o be_v manifest_a from_o the_o 9th_o chapter_n that_o he_o have_v give_v a_o faculty_n to_o the_o archbishop_n of_o york_n of_o induct_v the_o son_n of_o the_o clergy_n into_o the_o benefice_n of_o their_o father_n immediate_o after_o the_o death_n or_o session_n of_o the_o latter_a the_o 12_o chapter_n have_v these_o word_n clement_n iii_o possunt_fw-la to_o the_o archbishop_n of_o cassels_n whereas_o your_o brotherhood_n inquire_v of_o we_o the_o son_n of_o priest_n or_o bishop_n may_v be_v promote_v to_o holy_a order_n if_o they_o be_v adorn_v with_o knowledge_n and_o sobriety_n know_v that_o if_o they_o be_v bear_v of_o lawful_a marriage_n and_o there_o be_v no_o other_o canonical_a impediment_n they_o may_v lawful_o ascend_v to_o holy_a order_n where_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o the_o son_n of_o which_o pope_n clement_n speak_v be_v bear_v after_o the_o ordination_n of_o their_o father_n for_o none_o be_v ever_o so_o mad_a as_o to_o doubt_v whether_o the_o son_n of_o clergyman_n bear_v before_o their_o ordination_n be_v capable_a of_o holy_a order_n but_o if_o any_o scruple_n remain_v the_o 14_o chapter_n will_v remove_v it_o which_o be_v this_o we_o understand_v that_o n._n beget_v in_o priesthood_n bear_v conceptus_fw-la and_o conceive_v of_o a_o lawful_a wife_n desire_v to_o be_v admit_v into_o holy_a order_n wherefore_o let_v it_o be_v do_v thus_o do_v pope_n general_a council_n and_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n after_o the_o time_n of_o hildebrand_n acknowledge_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o the_o clergy_n marriage_n and_o connive_v at_o it_o till_o the_o papal_a ambition_n draw_v the_o disposition_n of_o all_o ecclesiastical_a preferment_n to_o themselves_o and_o allow_v the_o use_n of_o concubine_n to_o the_o clergy_n marriage_n be_v at_o last_o force_v to_o yield_v to_o the_o more_o advantageous_a and_o easy_a way_n of_o fornication_n it_o remain_v that_o we_o speak_v somewhat_o more_o particular_o of_o the_o state_n of_o celibacy_n in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n which_o more_o peculiar_o concern_v we_o and_o probable_o the_o last_o of_o all_o the_o church_n in_o the_o west_n submit_v to_o the_o imposition_n of_o it_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v no_o part_n of_o the_o roman_a patriarchate_n nor_o intervening_a by_o her_o bishop_n in_o those_o western_a council_n which_o enjoin_v celibacy_n take_v no_o notice_n of_o nor_o give_v any_o obedience_n to_o the_o decree_n of_o pope_n or_o constitution_n of_o council_n in_o that_o matter_n but_o allow_v a_o uninterrupted_a freedom_n of_o marriage_n to_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o her_o