more_o continent_n and_o in_o another_o place_n init_fw-la resolve_v oceanus_n his_o question_n whether_o carterius_n a_o spanish_a bishop_n who_o have_v marry_v one_o wife_n before_o and_o a_o second_o after_o baptism_n have_v not_o thereby_o violate_v the_o apostle_n injunction_n of_o a_o bishop_n be_v the_o husband_n of_o one_o wife_n he_o pronounce_v that_o he_o have_v not_o last_o the_o contrary_a opinion_n be_v build_v upon_o a_o false_a foundation_n for_o not_o to_o say_v that_o it_o be_v first_o set_v on_o foot_n by_o tertullian_n after_o he_o be_v become_v a_o montanist_n and_o from_o he_o receive_v by_o the_o latin_a father_n it_o rely_v whole_o upon_o these_o two_o false_a supposition_n first_o that_o according_a to_o any_o other_o sense_n the_o precept_n of_o the_o apostle_n will_v have_v be_v unnecessary_a the_o roman_a law_n never_o allow_v polygamy_n second_o that_o the_o apostle_n make_v use_v of_o the_o same_o phrase_n when_o he_o command_v 9_o a_o widow_n to_o be_v choose_v the_o wife_n of_o one_o husband_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d although_o no_o law_n or_o civilise_a nation_n ever_o permit_v woman_n to_o have_v two_o husband_n at_o the_o same_o time_n but_o both_o these_o reason_n vanish_v when_o oppose_v to_o our_o three_o interpretation_n for_o divorce_n be_v permit_v by_o the_o roman_a as_o well_o as_o jewish_a law_n for_o many_o other_o cause_n beside_o that_o of_o adultery_n which_o alone_o be_v allow_v by_o christ_n so_o that_o whosoever_o have_v put_v away_o his_o wife_n for_o any_o other_o cause_n and_o marry_v another_o may_v true_o be_v say_v to_o have_v two_o wife_n and_o any_o woman_n who_o have_v marry_v again_o after_o such_o a_o unlawful_a divorce_n have_v true_o two_o husband_n have_v thus_o refute_v the_o pretence_n of_o divine_a or_o apostolical_a institution_n i_o proceed_v to_o the_o second_o proposition_n that_o the_o celibacy_n of_o the_o clergy_n have_v nothing_o excellent_a in_o itself_o and_o produce_v no_o real_a advantage_n either_o to_o the_o church_n or_o the_o christian_a religion_n beyond_o marriage_n and_o here_o i_o be_o not_o ignorant_a what_o panegyric_n and_o encomium_n of_o virginity_n have_v be_v compose_v by_o many_o of_o the_o ancient_n and_o almost_o all_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o barbarous_a age_n this_o be_v a_o large_a field_n for_o they_o wherein_o to_o display_v their_o rhetoric_n a_o subject_n so_o specious_a in_o itself_o and_o glorious_a in_o its_o title_n that_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n it_o have_v be_v the_o theme_n of_o so_o many_o luxuriant_a wit_n many_o of_o which_o have_v little_o less_o than_o deify_v it_o and_o equal_v its_o merit_n to_o the_o collection_n of_o all_o other_o christian_a virtue_n i_o shall_v not_o here_o undertake_v nor_o be_v it_o necessary_a to_o make_v a_o harangue_n upon_o the_o praise_n of_o marriage_n much_o less_o to_o depress_v the_o excellency_n of_o the_o virgin_n state_n it_o will_v suffice_v to_o show_v the_o weakness_n and_o invalidity_n of_o the_o contrary_a argument_n and_o thereby_o reduce_v both_o marriage_n and_o virginity_n to_o that_o equilibrium_n wherein_o nature_n first_o place_v they_o and_o our_o saviour_n leave_v they_o first_o then_o i_o observe_v that_o this_o extraordinary_a affection_n and_o reverence_n of_o virginity_n be_v first_o start_v and_o introduce_v by_o a_o heretic_n tertullian_n who_o deceive_v by_o the_o enthusiasm_n of_o montanus_n endeavour_v to_o resine_fw-la the_o christian_a religion_n and_o advance_v it_o into_o a_o system_fw-la of_o angelic_a perfection_n he_o lead_v the_o way_n to_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o latin_a church_n who_o receive_v this_o prejudice_n from_o he_o propagate_v it_o in_o some_o measure_n among_o the_o greek_n although_o it_o never_o be_v by_o they_o embrace_v with_o that_o zeal_n and_o pursue_v with_o that_o fervour_n which_o always_o accompany_v it_o in_o the_o western_a church_n second_o it_o may_v be_v observe_v that_o this_o extravagant_a veneration_n of_o virginity_n prevail_v proportionable_o to_o the_o decay_n of_o learning_n and_o increase_v of_o ignorance_n in_o all_o age_n the_o reputation_n of_o celibacy_n be_v ever_o then_o high_a when_o knowledge_n be_v at_o its_o low_a ebb_n particular_o in_o the_o ten_o and_o eleven_o age_n the_o most_o scandalous_a and_o barbarous_a period_n of_o time_n that_o ever_o the_o church_n wade_v through_o when_o learning_n seem_v banish_v out_o of_o the_o whole_a world_n than_o celibacy_n triumph_v every_o where_o and_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o the_o consummation_n of_o all_o virtue_n marriage_n of_o the_o clergy_n decry_v and_o abolish_v and_o more_o monastery_n found_v than_o in_o all_o the_o age_n either_o before_o or_o since_o three_o this_o opinion_n be_v first_o produce_v and_o ever_o after_o advance_v and_o maintain_v by_o a_o gross_a mistake_n that_o there_o be_v somewhat_o of_o impurity_n or_o sinfulness_n in_o the_o use_n of_o marriage_n and_o that_o chastity_n can_v be_v retain_v in_o a_o marry_a state_n that_o the_o admirer_n of_o celibacy_n among_o the_o ancient_n be_v guilty_a of_o this_o mistake_n we_o shall_v have_v hereafter_o occasion_n to_o observe_v and_o although_o the_o more_o learned_a writer_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v ashamed_a of_o such_o a_o proposition_n yet_o do_v they_o constant_o fall_v back_o and_o recur_n to_o it_o when_o they_o assign_v the_o reason_n of_o impose_v celibacy_n upon_o the_o clergy_n so_o bellarmine_n after_o he_o have_v before_o disow_v it_o when_o his_o purpose_n require_v it_o doubt_v not_o to_o say_v 19_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o some_o impurity_n and_o pollution_n intervene_v in_o the_o act_n of_o marriage_n not_o what_o be_v a_o sin_n but_o what_o arise_v from_o sin_n if_o by_o this_o pollution_n and_o impurity_n he_o mean_v a_o natural_a one_o we_o grant_v it_o but_o then_o that_o affect_v not_o the_o soul_n nor_o depreciate_n the_o worth_n of_o marriage_n if_o a_o moral_a one_o that_o will_v indeed_o be_v true_o and_o proper_o a_o sin_n but_o this_o he_o dare_v not_o say_v beside_o his_o distinction_n of_o a_o sin_n and_o a_o consequence_n of_o a_o sin_n be_v whole_o vain_a for_o if_o in_o all_o use_n of_o marriage_n the_o effect_n of_o a_o sin_n interven_v then_o can_v marriage_n be_v use_v without_o some_o precedent_a sin_n a_o proposition_n so_o false_a and_o erroneous_a that_o the_o use_v of_o marriage_n be_v intend_v for_o our_o first_o parent_n in_o the_o state_n of_o innocence_n and_o will_v have_v be_v practise_v to_o this_o very_a day_n have_v they_o never_o fall_v nay_o far_o whether_o fall_v or_o not_o fall_v it_o be_v their_o duty_n to_o make_v use_n of_o marriage_n for_o the_o propagation_n of_o mankind_n and_o even_o for_o some_o age_n after_o the_o creation_n it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v meritorious_a that_o it_o be_v unlawful_a to_o continue_v virgin_n but_o if_o by_o the_o antecedent_n sin_n which_o produce_v this_o pollution_n in_o the_o act_n of_o marriage_n bellarmine_n mean_v only_o the_o original_a depravity_n of_o our_o nature_n if_o it_o be_v a_o necessary_a effect_n of_o this_o depravity_n than_o god_n can_v in_o justice_n and_o will_v not_o in_o mercy_n impute_v it_o to_o we_o if_o it_o be_v not_o a_o necessary_a effect_n of_o it_o than_o marriage_n may_v be_v use_v without_o it_o and_o his_o proposition_n will_v fall_v to_o the_o ground_n however_o because_o this_o ever_o be_v and_o be_v still_o the_o great_a engine_n of_o the_o patron_n of_o virginity_n wherewith_o they_o gain_v applause_n in_o the_o world_n and_o blind_v the_o eye_n of_o unwary_a people_n it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o clear_v this_o matter_n a_o little_a further_o and_o demonstrate_v that_o a_o true_a and_o proper_a chastity_n and_o continence_n may_v be_v observe_v in_o marriage_n which_o will_v also_o overthrow_v most_o of_o the_o authority_n produce_v out_o of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o more_o moderate_a and_o disinterest_v father_n as_o insinuate_v no_o more_o than_o a_o advice_n of_o chastity_n in_o the_o use_n of_o marriage_n if_o this_o proposition_n seem_v either_o harsh_a or_o like_o a_o paradox_n it_o be_v only_o because_o we_o be_v unacquainted_a with_o it_o and_o our_o judgement_n anticipate_v by_o false_a notion_n of_o chastity_n which_o consist_v as_o well_o in_o a_o moderate_a and_o well_o regulate_v use_v of_o matrimonial_a act_n as_o in_o a_o total_a abstinence_n from_o they_o nay_o the_o former_a will_n always_o be_v a_o virtue_n the_o latter_a sometime_o a_o sin_n as_o in_o the_o infancy_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o if_o one_o marry_v person_n total_o abstain_v without_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o other_o and_o in_o most_o case_n but_o a_o thing_n indifferent_a and_o then_o only_o a_o virtue_n when_o it_o administer_v occasion_n and_o opportunity_n to_o a_o great_a good_a than_o be_v the_o propagation_n of_o mankind_n and_o virtuous_a education_n of_o child_n for_o
from_o marry_a priest_n but_o much_o far_o in_o the_o time_n of_o hildebrand_n and_o once_o again_o advance_v into_o the_o formal_a heresy_n of_o the_o eustathian_o from_o the_o montanist_n the_o catholic_n receive_v their_o dislike_n of_o second_o marriage_n one_o of_o the_o most_o palpable_a error_n of_o antiquity_n since_o what_o the_o apostle_n express_o allow_v and_o in_o some_o case_n advise_v most_o of_o the_o ancient_n decry_v as_o scandalous_a and_o inconvenient_a ofttimes_o as_o a_o tolerable_a evil_n and_o sometime_o even_o as_o a_o grievous_a sin_n tertullian_n have_v write_v whole_a book_n against_o it_o athenagoras_n fin_n call_v it_o a_o decent_a adultery_n origen_n sin_n maintain_v that_o a_o digamist_n however_o otherwise_o a_o person_n of_o good_a conversation_n and_o adorn_v with_o all_o other_o virtue_n not_o to_o belong_v to_o the_o church_n i_o may_v add_v many_o other_o father_n and_o council_n who_o impose_v a_o tedious_a penance_n upon_o digamist_n but_o the_o thing_n be_v sufficient_o notorious_a this_o prejudice_n against_o digamy_n be_v first_o take_v up_o in_o the_o end_n of_o the_o second_o age._n before_o that_o time_n second_o marriage_n be_v think_v indifferent_a and_o whole_o innocent_a hermes_n 4._o in_o â—…he_n first_o age_n have_v determine_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o it_o and_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n 3._o in_o the_o next_o plead_v large_o for_o it_o from_o the_o gnostic_n the_o catholic_n receive_v a_o erroneous_a opinion_n of_o some_o impurity_n and_o sinfulness_n or_o at_o least_o imperfection_n in_o the_o use_n of_o marriage_n they_o scruple_v not_o to_o use_v the_o authority_n of_o book_n forge_v by_o those_o heretic_n in_o prejudice_n of_o marriage_n such_o as_o the_o gospel_n of_o the_o egyptian_n the_o act_n of_o paul_n and_o tecla_n and_o the_o like_a and_o in_o some_o measure_n adopt_v their_o error_n thus_o origen_n and_o one_o of_o the_o most_o early_a favourer_n of_o celibacy_n write_v thus_o of_o marriage_n num._n although_o i_o will_v not_o positive_o pronounce_v yet_o i_o suppose_v these_o be_v some_o ordinary_a action_n of_o man_n which_o however_o they_o be_v free_a from_o sin_n be_v not_o worthy_a to_o be_v honour_v with_o tbe_n presence_n of_o the_o holy_a gospel_n for_o instance_n lawful_a marriage_n be_v not_o indeed_o sinful_a yet_o while_o conjugal_a act_n be_v perform_v the_o holy_a ghost_n will_v not_o be_v present_a although_o he_o seem_v to_o be_v a_o prophet_n who_o perform_v they_o st._n hierom_n the_o great_a patron_n of_o celibacy_n in_o the_o next_o age_n go_v far_a and_o dispute_v against_o jovinian_a do_v in_o some_o place_n make_v marriage_n not_o only_o sinful_a but_o even_o damnable_a if_o it_o be_v good_a say_v he_o ibid._n for_o a_o man_n not_o to_o touch_v a_o woman_n than_o it_o be_v evil_a to_o touch_v she_o for_o nothing_o be_v contrary_a to_o good_a but_o evil._n while_o i_o perform_v the_o duty_n of_o a_o husband_n i_o do_v not_o the_o duty_n of_o a_o christian_n for_o the_o apostle_n command_v we_o shall_v always_o pray_v if_o so_o we_o must_v never_o serve_v the_o end_n of_o marriage_n for_o as_o often_o as_o i_o do_v that_o i_o can_v pray_v i_o suppose_v that_o the_o end_n of_o marriage_n be_v eternal_a death_n the_o earth_n indeed_o be_v fill_v by_o marriage_n but_o paradise_n by_o virginity_n and_o as_o the_o apostle_n permit_v not_o those_o who_o be_v already_o marry_v to_o put_v away_o their_o wife_n so_o he_o forbid_v virgin_n to_o marry_v marriage_n be_v permit_v only_o as_o a_o remedy_n of_o lust_n it_o be_v more_o tolerable_a to_o be_v prostitute_v to_o one_o man_n than_o many_o nor_o do_v this_o error_n expire_v with_o those_o heresy_n from_o whence_o they_o rise_v about_o the_o year_n 600._o when_o augustin_n archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n desire_v of_o pope_n gregory_n some_o instruction_n for_o his_o new_a convert_v in_o england_n and_o rule_n of_o ecclesiastical_a discipline_n he_o give_v he_o this_o for_o one_o 27._o a_o man_n after_o he_o have_v lay_v with_o his_o own_o wife_n ought_v not_o to_o enter_v into_o the_o church_n till_o he_o have_v wash_v himself_o with_o water_n nor_o must_v then_o immediate_o enter_v whereas_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n 3._o praise_v the_o simplicity_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n instance_v in_o this_o very_a ceremony_n which_o although_o use_v of_o old_a by_o the_o jew_n he_o say_v be_v no_o where_o practise_v in_o his_o time_n by_o the_o christian_n many_o other_o erroneon_n opinion_n obtain_v in_o the_o ancient_a church_n which_o proceed_v from_o no_o other_o cause_n but_o this_o i_o will_v observe_v but_o one_o more_o their_o opinion_n of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o self-murder_n to_o prevent_v the_o loss_n of_o virginity_n imagine_v somewhat_o of_o sinfulness_n and_o impurity_n be_v inseparable_o annex_v even_o to_o the_o natural_a act_n of_o generation_n so_o eusebius_n alibi_fw-la bestow_v large_a encomium_n upon_o some_o virgin_n and_o matron_n who_o have_v lay_v violent_a hand_n upon_o themselves_o to_o prevent_v the_o lust_n of_o heathen_n and_o aldhelmus_fw-la 1694._o cit_v a_o sentence_n of_o some_o father_n more_o ancient_a than_o himself_o self-murder_n be_v unlawful_a unless_o when_o chastity_n be_v endanger_v which_o he_o consirm_v and_o illustrate_v with_o many_o reason_n and_o example_n such_o weakness_n of_o the_o ancient_n have_v deserve_v indeed_o to_o be_v bury_v in_o oblivion_n if_o they_o have_v not_o influence_v their_o practice_n and_o lay_v the_o foundation_n of_o a_o error_n which_o continue_v even_o to_o this_o day_n that_o marriage_n be_v a_o state_n unbefitting_a and_o celibacy_n therefore_o necessary_a to_o the_o clergy_n a_o opinion_n first_o take_v up_o upon_o those_o prejudices_fw-la which_o we_o have_v just_a now_o mention_v and_o maintain_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o those_o who_o be_v lead_v away_o with_o these_o mistake_v so_o that_o to_o take_v away_o the_o plea_n of_o antiquity_n from_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n in_o the_o case_n of_o celibacy_n it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o show_v that_o the_o ancient_n receive_v and_o embrace_v it_o mere_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o these_o prejudices_fw-la and_o mistake_v which_o we_o have_v already_o do_v for_o these_o be_v the_o great_a and_o only_a argument_n of_o celibacy_n for_o the_o first_o thousand_o year_n while_o none_o be_v yet_o so_o foolish_a as_o to_o imagine_v it_o to_o be_v of_o divine_a or_o apostolical_a institution_n the_o preconceived_n opinion_n of_o the_o impurity_n of_o marriage_n in_o all_o and_o great_a indecency_n of_o it_o in_o those_o who_o administer_v holy_a thing_n tend_v direct_o to_o introduce_v the_o celibacy_n of_o the_o clergy_n for_o these_o reason_n num._n origen_n and_o fine_a eusebius_n who_o be_v the_o only_a orthodox_n writer_n before_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a who_o open_o prefer_v the_o celibacy_n of_o the_o clergy_n to_o their_o marriage_n desire_v it_o may_v be_v introduce_v for_o they_o rather_o faint_o wish_v the_o thing_n than_o dogmatical_o use_v it_o and_o by_o their_o wish_n manifest_a that_o it_o be_v not_o yet_o introduce_v as_o for_o their_o unreasonable_a prejudice_n against_o digamy_n that_o contribute_v no_o less_o to_o the_o cause_n of_o celibacy_n than_o the_o other_o mistake_v for_o the_o unlawfulness_n of_o digamy_n once_o suppose_v the_o force_n of_o the_o apostle_n precept_n of_o marriage_n to_o all_o who_o can_v not_o contain_v become_v whole_o enervate_a since_o a_o man_n be_v no_o less_o subject_n to_o incontinence_n after_o enjoyment_n of_o a_o wife_n for_o some_o few_o year_n perhaps_o day_n than_o he_o be_v before_o he_o ever_o marry_v beside_o all_o the_o patron_n of_o celibacy_n fail_v not_o to_o make_v use_n of_o this_o argument_n that_o if_o second_o marriage_n be_v unlawful_a or_o indecent_a to_o the_o laity_n even_o first_o marriage_n will_v be_v so_o to_o the_o clergy_n it_o be_v usual_a for_o they_o who_o disallow_v second_o marriage_n in_o all_o to_o think_v first_o marriage_n only_o a_o tolerable_a evil_n and_o permit_v in_o some_o as_o divorce_n be_v former_o to_o the_o jew_n and_o then_o it_o be_v a_o natural_a order_n of_o superstition_n first_o to_o forbid_v second_o and_o then_o all_o marriage_n to_o the_o clergy_n therefore_o we_o may_v observe_v that_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o three_o age_n 7._o tertullian_n affirm_v digamy_n to_o have_v be_v forbid_v to_o the_o clergy_n both_o by_o apostolical_a tradition_n and_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n and_o to_o be_v general_o discuss_v by_o they_o in_o his_o time_n as_o a_o scandalous_a imperfection_n if_o not_o a_o crime_n but_o we_o no_o where_o find_v marriage_n forbid_v to_o the_o clergy_n till_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostolic_a canon_n first_o publish_v in_o the_o end_n of_o this_o or_o beginning_n of_o the_o next_o age._n these_o mistake_v and_o prejudices_fw-la and_o reason_n of_o celibacy_n found_v upon_o they_o be_v common_a to_o both_o
church_n but_o there_o be_v one_o reason_n peculiar_a to_o the_o western_a church_n which_o however_o it_o may_v seem_v light_n be_v of_o great_a efficacy_n and_o that_o be_v the_o unhappy_a fall_n of_o tertullian_n into_o montanism_n that_o great_a and_o learned_a person_n natural_o endow_v with_o a_o ardent_a genius_n of_o a_o severe_a and_o inflexible_a temper_n of_o mind_n infinite_o zealous_a for_o all_o outward_a appearance_n of_o religious_a mortification_n and_o after_o his_o fall_n prompt_v with_o that_o enthusiastic_a spirit_n which_o be_v the_o peculiar_a character_n of_o the_o montanist_n set_v himself_o to_o advance_v the_o opinion_n of_o his_o sect_n with_o all_o imaginable_a vigour_n the_o unlawfulness_n of_o digamy_n be_v the_o chief_a tenet_n of_o that_o sect_n and_o that_o found_v upon_o a_o erroneous_a supposition_n of_o some_o imperfection_n in_o the_o use_v even_o of_o first_o marriage_n in_o maintain_v and_o recommend_v these_o error_n to_o the_o world_n tertullian_n employ_v all_o the_o force_n of_o his_o wit_n and_o eloquence_n to_o debase_v the_o dignity_n of_o marriage_n and_o extol_v the_o merit_n of_o a_o single-life_n whether_o widowhood_n or_o virginity_n the_o extraordinary_a reverence_n and_o esteem_v which_o his_o great_a learning_n and_o apparent_a zeal_n procure_v to_o he_o in_o succeed_a age_n mighty_o propagate_v his_o error_n and_o corrupt_v his_o reader_n with_o false_a prejudices_fw-la and_o notion_n of_o marriage_n and_o virginity_n for_o although_o it_o have_v be_v reasonable_a and_o sufficient_a to_o say_v of_o he_o what_o st._n helvid_n hierome_n once_o say_v when_o press_v hard_o with_o his_o authority_n he_o be_v a_o schismatic_a no_o writer_n of_o the_o church_n yet_o few_o consider_v that_o the_o persuasive_a force_n of_o his_o eloquence_n be_v more_o sensible_a than_o the_o remembrance_n of_o his_o schism_n and_o then_o few_o inquire_v which_o book_n he_o write_v before_o and_o which_o after_o his_o fall_n or_o rather_o it_o be_v a_o common_a error_n that_o he_o write_v very_o few_o after_o and_o almost_o all_o before_o his_o fall._n whereas_o in_o truth_n he_o write_v before_o his_o fall_n only_o the_o three_o little_a treatise_n of_o baptism_n repentance_n and_o prayer_n not_o the_o twenty_o part_n of_o his_o work_n now_o extant_a to_o this_o reputation_n of_o tertullian_n and_o the_o ill_a effect_n of_o it_o contribute_v not_o a_o little_a the_o infinite_a esteem_n and_o veneration_n which_o st._n cyprian_n have_v for_o his_o write_n while_o unwary_a person_n imagine_v that_o the_o deference_n which_o that_o bless_a martyr_n pay_v to_o his_o learning_n and_o zeal_n be_v a_o effect_n of_o the_o soundness_n and_o orthodoxy_n of_o his_o doctrine_n however_o certain_a it_o be_v that_o the_o fall_v of_o tertullian_n advance_v and_o increase_v the_o former_a prejudices_fw-la and_o this_o i_o take_v to_o be_v the_o only_a reason_n why_o celibacy_n ever_o prevail_v more_o in_o the_o western_a than_o in_o the_o eastern_a church_n all_o these_o prejudices_fw-la be_v in_o themselves_o unlawful_a but_o there_o be_v other_o reason_n of_o prefer_v celibacy_n in_o the_o ancient_a church_n which_o may_v have_v be_v allow_v if_o not_o attend_v with_o such_o fatal_a consequence_n and_o first_o many_o catholic_n open_o espouse_v the_o cause_n of_o celibacy_n and_o other_o wink_v at_o their_o policy_n mere_o to_o prevent_v the_o delusion_n of_o more_o simple_a catholic_n by_o the_o no_o less_o glorious_a than_o fraudulent_a pretence_n of_o the_o encratites_n virgin._n who_o to_o use_v st._n hierome_n word_n because_o they_o know_v the_o name_n of_o virginity_n be_v venerable_a cover_v the_o wolf_n under_o sheeps-clothing_n antichrist_n pretend_v to_o act_v the_o part_n of_o christ_n and_o veil_v the_o uncleanness_n of_o their_o life_n with_o the_o false_a honour_n of_o that_o usurp_a name_n they_o esteem_v it_o a_o laudable_a policy_n to_o prevent_v the_o mischief_n by_o propose_v to_o the_o practice_n of_o man_n that_o very_a perfection_n which_o the_o heretic_n so_o much_o boast_v of_o and_o the_o multitude_n be_v apt_a to_o admire_v as_o be_v always_o casy_o lead_v with_o great_a pretence_n than_o sober_a truth_n a_o not_o unlike_a policy_n with_o this_o be_v afterward_o use_v by_o 8._o st._n chrysostome_n against_o the_o arian_n when_o fear_v the_o people_n will_v be_v seduce_v by_o their_o enthusiastical_a sing_n of_o hymn_n he_o set_v up_o the_o same_o way_n of_o sing_v of_o hymn_n among_o the_o catholic_n and_o thereby_o prevent_v the_o design_n of_o the_o arian_n a_o stratagem_n as_o the_o 〈◊〉_d historian_n observe_v and_o may_v be_v apply_v to_o our_o case_n which_o however_o specious_a be_v the_o occasion_n of_o very_a ill_a consequence_n while_o celibacy_n thus_o gain_v ground_n by_o the_o artisice_n of_o heretic_n and_o connivance_n of_o catholic_n few_o interpose_v themselves_o to_o undeceive_v mankind_n and_o stop_v the_o torrent_n of_o these_o vulgar_a prejudices_fw-la as_o well_o because_o the_o immoderate_a esteem_n of_o celibacy_n seem_v a_o matter_n of_o no_o great_a moment_n while_o it_o be_v forcible_o impose_v upon_o none_o nor_o make_v necessary_a to_o any_o as_o because_o the_o disfavour_n and_o unjust_a suspicion_n of_o the_o multitude_n will_v probable_o have_v attend_v such_o a_o undertake_n while_o unreasonable_a man_n will_v have_v esteem_v such_o a_o person_n as_o a_o libertine_n a_o enemy_n of_o refine_a and_o more_o severe_a religion_n and_o think_v he_o to_o have_v therein_o plead_v only_o for_o his_o own_o passion_n and_o inclination_n and_o when_o celibacy_n become_v once_o universal_o esteem_v and_o great_a number_n of_o layman_n vow_v virginity_n voluntary_o abstain_v from_o marriage_n who_o by_o their_o suppose_a sanctity_n and_o specious_a abstinence_n draw_v to_o themselves_o the_o eye_n and_o admiration_n of_o all_o man_n the_o clergy_n also_o be_v necessitate_v to_o make_v some_o advance_n in_o the_o use_n of_o celibacy_n that_o they_o may_v not_o suffer_v loss_n of_o reputation_n and_o seem_v less_o virtuous_a and_o spiritual_a than_o layman_n hence_o st._n hierome_n frequent_o urge_v the_o celibacy_n of_o the_o clergy_n by_o the_o example_n of_o lay-virgin_n affirm_v it_o to_o be_v high_o indecent_a that_o the_o laity_n shall_v exceed_v the_o clergy_n even_o in_o voluntary_a act_n of_o piety_n and_o mortification_n this_o reason_n afterward_o receive_v great_a advantage_n from_o the_o wonderful_a increase_n of_o monkery_n and_o vow_n of_o continence_n in_o the_o four_o and_o five_o age_n insomuch_o that_o 30._o faustus_n the_o manichee_n object_v to_o st._n austin_n that_o the_o immoderate_a commendation_n of_o virginity_n have_v among_o the_o catholic_n produce_v this_o effect_n that_o in_o all_o their_o church_n there_o seem_v to_o be_v a_o great_a number_n of_o profess_a virgin_n than_o marry_v woman_n no_o wonder_n then_o if_o reverence_n attend_v the_o unmarried_a and_o contempt_n the_o marry_a clegry_n celibacy_n prevail_v in_o the_o church_n and_o marriage_n by_o be_v dis-esteeemed_n become_v also_o dis-used_n especial_o since_o ambition_n contribute_v not_o a_o little_a to_o it_o for_o from_o the_o end_n of_o the_o four_o age_n the_o bishop_n and_o great_a clergy_n be_v general_o choose_v out_o of_o the_o monk_n and_o thereby_o celibacy_n become_v the_o near_a way_n to_o preferment_n but_o to_o return_v to_o the_o three_o age_n the_o frequent_a persecution_n of_o that_o time_n do_v not_o a_o little_a advance_v the_o cause_n of_o celibacy_n it_o be_v high_o convenient_a to_o the_o church_n that_o the_o clergy_n shall_v show_v a_o example_n of_o constancy_n and_o resolution_n to_o all_o other_o christian_n which_o it_o be_v believe_v they_o will_v more_o ready_o perform_v when_o free_v from_o the_o encumbrance_n of_o a_o marry_a state_n and_o not_o withheld_a with_o the_o temptation_n of_o wife_n and_o child_n for_o the_o fury_n of_o the_o heathen_a persecutor_n general_o fall_v most_o heavy_a upon_o the_o clergy_n and_o sometime_o be_v direct_v against_o they_o only_o so_o that_o to_o be_v promote_v to_o any_o eminent_a place_n in_o the_o church_n be_v to_o be_v expose_v to_o certain_a martyrdom_n for_o this_o reason_n as_o eusebius_n somewhere_o relate_v in_o the_o choice_n of_o bishop_n single_a person_n be_v common_o prefer_v before_o marry_v man_n in_o time_n of_o persecution_n and_o then_o celibacy_n be_v no_o grievous_a and_o intolerable_a burden_n when_o attend_v with_o a_o continual_a expectation_n of_o death_n and_o be_v hurry_v away_o to_o execution_n to_o which_o may_v be_v add_v that_o few_o be_v then_o receive_v into_o the_o priesthood_n but_o age_a man_n who_o by_o a_o long_a course_n of_o virtue_n have_v give_v sufficient_a proof_n of_o their_o continence_n and_o unspotted_a chastity_n whereas_o in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n boys_n be_v admit_v to_o profess_v or_o make_v a_o vow_n of_o continence_n at_o fourteen_o girl_n at_o twelve_o year_n of_o age_n till_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n which_o reduce_v it_o
to_o sixteen_o all_o these_o reason_n concur_v in_o the_o first_o age_n to_o increase_v the_o esteem_n of_o celibacy_n and_o prejudice_v the_o marriage_n of_o the_o clergy_n the_o way_n be_v open_v by_o forbid_v second_o marriage_n to_o the_o clergy_n and_o receive_v none_o into_o holy_a order_n who_o have_v marry_v twice_o after_o baptism_n for_o if_o a_o man_n marry_v once_o before_o and_o again_o after_o baptism_n he_o be_v common_o repute_v no_o digamist_n this_o prejudice_n against_o second_o marriage_n increase_v so_o far_o that_o all_o be_v make_v uncapable_a of_o holy_a order_n who_o have_v marry_v widow_n lest_o they_o shall_v seem_v to_o countenance_v thereby_o the_o suppose_a scandal_n of_o digamy_n i_o mean_v not_o hereby_o that_o second_o marriage_n be_v forbid_v to_o the_o clergy_n by_o any_o council_n or_o order_n deny_v to_o all_o digamist_n none_o except_v for_o neither_o the_o one_o nor_o the_o other_o of_o those_o supposition_n be_v true_a but_o only_o that_o it_o become_v the_o general_a and_o ordinary_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n not_o to_o permit_v second_o marriage_n to_o those_o already_o ordain_v nor_o order_n to_o those_o already_o twice_o marry_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n a_o custom_n be_v introduce_v and_o by_o the_o end_n of_o the_o three_o age_n establish_v in_o the_o church_n that_o the_o clergy_n may_v indeed_o free_o retain_v their_o wife_n marry_v before_o the_o reception_n of_o order_n but_o not_o marry_v after_o order_n once_o receive_v not_o that_o this_o be_v yet_o forbid_v by_o any_o canon_n nor_o practise_v without_o exception_n for_o the_o contrary_a of_o that_o we_o shall_v immediate_o demonstrate_v but_o only_o be_v the_o usual_a and_o more_o ordinary_a discipline_n of_o the_o church_n whence_o both_o the_o prohibition_n of_o digamy_n and_o marriage_n after_o order_n to_o the_o clergy_n be_v insert_v among_o the_o apostolical_a canon_n wherein_o that_o be_v the_o sixteen_o this_o the_o twenty_o five_o 〈◊〉_d canon_n these_o apostolical_a canon_n be_v not_o the_o constitution_n of_o any_o council_n much_o less_o precept_n and_o institution_n of_o the_o apostle_n but_o only_o the_o custom_n and_o usage_n of_o the_o eastern_a church_n in_o the_o end_n of_o the_o three_o and_o beginning_n of_o the_o four_o age_n which_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v collect_v about_o that_o time_n by_o some_o private_a hand_n however_o then_o authorize_v by_o the_o use_n and_o afterward_o confirm_v by_o the_o decree_n of_o the_o church_n this_o custom_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n however_o it_o may_v seem_v almost_o equivalent_a to_o a_o imposition_n of_o celibacy_n be_v yet_o far_o from_o it_o for_o first_o it_o be_v not_o so_o strict_a and_o universal_a as_o to_o admit_v no_o exception_n marriage_n be_v permit_v to_o many_o even_o after_o the_o reception_n of_o order_n as_o we_o shall_v show_v by_o and_o by_o from_o the_o canon_n of_o ancyra_n and_o allow_v indifferent_o to_o all_o if_o they_o recede_v from_o the_o execution_n of_o their_o office_n and_o return_v to_o lay-communion_n in_o order_n to_o it_o as_o we_o shall_v also_o hereafter_o prove_v second_o if_o any_o person_n to_o be_v ordain_v be_v not_o yet_o marry_v and_o do_v in_o the_o least_o suspect_n he_o shall_v not_o be_v able_a afterward_o to_o contain_v without_o marriage_n he_o be_v not_o only_o permit_v but_o even_o advise_v by_o the_o church_n first_o to_o marry_o and_o then_o to_o receive_v order_n so_o that_o they_o frequent_o marry_v while_o candidate_n of_o the_o priesthood_n and_o already_o design_v to_o that_o holy_a office_n perhaps_o but_o some_o few_o day_n before_o their_o admittance_n into_o it_o so_o the_o six_o general_n council_n renew_v this_o very_a apostolic_a canon_n forbid_v any_o to_o marry_v after_o order_n once_o receive_v and_o add_v 6._o but_o if_o any_o one_o who_o come_v to_o be_v ordain_v have_v a_o mind_n to_o join_v himself_o unto_o a_o wife_n with_o the_o bond_n of_o marriage_n let_v he_o do_v it_o before_o he_o be_v ordain_v deacon_n or_o sub-deacon_a or_o priest_n and_o then_o receive_v order_n three_o by_o allow_v to_o the_o clergy_n the_o free_a use_n of_o marriage_n contract_v before_o their_o ordination_n they_o acknowledge_v both_o the_o lawfulness_n and_o decency_n of_o their_o marriage_n whether_o contract_v before_o or_o after_o ordination_n for_o if_o there_o be_v any_o indecency_n in_o marriage_n which_o make_v it_o unbecoming_a the_o dignity_n and_o holiness_n of_o the_o priesthood_n it_o must_v be_v in_o the_o use_n of_o it_o as_o all_o confess_v and_o if_o so_o the_o use_n of_o marriage_n contract_v before_o as_o well_o as_o after_o ordination_n will_v become_v indecent_a for_o the_o contract_n itself_o be_v a_o thing_n most_o honest_a and_o decorous_a so_o far_o from_o carry_v any_o impurity_n and_o indecency_n along_o with_o it_o that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n believe_v it_o to_o be_v a_o sacrament_n what_o be_v the_o particular_a reason_n why_o the_o ancient_a church_n permit_v to_o the_o clergy_n the_o use_n of_o the_o one_o marriage_n and_o disallow_v the_o other_o may_v be_v probable_o reduce_v from_o what_o we_o have_v already_o say_v for_o those_o man_n who_o be_v lead_v away_o by_o the_o mistake_v and_o prejudices_fw-la produce_v in_o the_o church_n by_o the_o heresy_n of_o the_o encratites_n endeavour_v at_o least_o to_o introduce_v this_o custom_n when_o they_o despair_v of_o a_o total_a abrogation_n of_o the_o clergy_n marriage_n and_o perhaps_o think_v that_o intolerable_a in_o itself_o or_o inconvenient_a to_o the_o church_n and_o then_o those_o who_o otherwise_o clear_o perceive_v the_o falsehood_n of_o these_o prejudices_fw-la content_v themselves_o with_o silence_n and_o connive_v at_o the_o introduction_n of_o this_o custom_n as_o well_o for_o fear_v of_o a_o popular_a odium_n and_o disesteem_n as_o because_o they_o be_v convince_v by_o the_o reason_n last_o mention_v that_o such_o a_o custom_n if_o it_o proceed_v no_o far_o be_v little_o less_o than_o equivalent_a to_o a_o total_a permission_n of_o marriage_n to_o which_o may_v be_v add_v that_o the_o rite_n of_o marriage_n be_v ancient_o especial_o among_o the_o greek_n always_o celebrate_v with_o great_a riot_n and_o luxury_n continue_v for_o many_o day_n together_o it_o be_v think_v unbefitting_a the_o gravity_n of_o a_o clergyman_n to_o be_v present_a at_o much_o more_o to_o be_v chief_a actor_n in_o such_o licentious_a solemnity_n upon_o which_o account_n the_o council_n of_o 54._o laodicea_n and_o 39_o agatha_n forbid_v the_o clergy_n to_o be_v present_a at_o nuptial_a feast_n although_o the_o 24._o quinisext_a council_n restrain_v that_o prohibition_n only_o to_o the_o judicrous_a and_o more_o trifle_a part_n of_o the_o solemnity_n in_o some_o of_o the_o clergy_n these_o prejudices_fw-la of_o the_o excellency_n of_o celibacy_n and_o the_o inconvenience_n of_o marriage_n to_o the_o dignity_n of_o their_o order_n prevail_v so_o far_o that_o upon_o pretence_n of_o continence_n and_o great_a purity_n they_o sequester_v their_o wife_n although_o unwilling_a from_o their_o bed_n and_o sometime_o from_o their_o society_n the_o superstitious_a and_o scandalous_a conduct_n of_o these_o man_n be_v universal_o condemn_v and_o censure_v by_o the_o church_n whence_o among_o the_o apostolic_a canon_n this_o be_v one_o 5_o let_v no_o bishop_n priest_n or_o deacon_n put_v away_o his_o wife_n upon_o pretence_n of_o religion_n if_o he_o do_v let_v he_o be_v excommunicate_v and_o if_o he_o continue_v obstinate_a be_v degrade_v our_o adversary_n indeed_o pretend_v that_o this_o canon_n be_v not_o oppose_v to_o a_o denial_n of_o nuptial_a duty_n by_o the_o clergy_n to_o their_o wife_n but_o to_o a_o denial_n of_o maintenance_n and_o turn_v they_o out_o of_o door_n to_o beg_v their_o live_n but_o the_o vanity_n of_o this_o plea_n be_v evident_a for_o not_o to_o say_v that_o the_o constant_a acceptance_n of_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d import_v no_o more_o than_o a_o sequestration_n from_o the_o bed_n the_o canon_n in_o the_o sense_n of_o our_o adversary_n will_v be_v useless_a and_o trifle_a for_o we_o do_v not_o find_v nor_o can_v imagine_v that_o so_o great_a a_o abuse_n ever_o obtain_v in_o the_o church_n as_o that_o the_o clergy_n shall_v eject_v their_o innocent_a wife_n and_o expose_v they_o to_o want_v and_o poverty_n whereas_o that_o many_o remove_v they_o from_o their_o bed_n and_o believe_v their_o embrace_n unlawful_a after_o order_n receive_v be_v already_o clear_o prove_v and_o on_o all_o side_n confess_v the_o error_n of_o the_o impurity_n of_o marriage_n have_v so_o far_o obtain_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o many_o that_o it_o be_v necessary_a for_o the_o church_n to_o interpose_v her_o judgement_n and_o vindicate_v the_o cause_n of_o injure_a marriage_n for_o as_o aristenus_n 16._o true_o paraphrase_n this_o canon_n a_o clergyman_n by_o sequester_v his_o wife_n from_o his_o bed_n
dwell_v with_o you_o you_o ought_v not_o to_o have_v choose_v virginity_n but_o to_o have_v marry_v for_o it_o have_v be_v much_o better_a so_o to_o have_v marry_v than_o thus_o to_o profess_v virginity_n for_o such_o a_o marriage_n neither_o god_n condemn_v nor_o man_n blame_v for_o it_o be_v a_o honourable_a state_n injurious_a to_o none_o scandalous_a to_o none_o but_o this_o virginity_n perform_v in_o the_o company_n of_o man_n be_v accuse_v by_o all_o man_n as_o worse_a than_o open_a fornication_n last_o thus_o st._n hierom_n describe_v they_o virgin._n i_o be_o ashamed_a to_o speak_v it_o it_o be_v sad_a but_o true_a whence_o do_v this_o plague_n of_o housekeeper_n enter_v into_o the_o church_n whence_o without_o marriage_n another_o name_n for_o wife_n yea_o whence_o this_o new_a kind_n of_o concubine_n i_o will_v say_v more_o whence_o these_o whore_n tie_v to_o the_o oompany_n of_o one_o man_n they_o lodge_v in_o the_o same_o house_n in_o one_o chamber_n and_o ofttimes_o in_o one_o bed_n and_o yet_o they_o call_v we_o unreasonable_o suspicious_a if_o we_o think_v any_o thing_n amiss_o such_o than_o be_v these_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d first_o introduce_v in_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o three_o age_n and_o notwithstanding_o the_o frequent_a prohibition_n of_o council_n and_o declimation_n of_o father_n continue_v in_o the_o church_n but_o with_o great_a scandal_n about_o the_o year_n 400._o till_o at_o last_o they_o degenerate_v into_o open_a concubine_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n in_o which_o state_n the_o reformation_n find_v they_o general_o then_o think_v lawful_a or_o at_o least_o a_o venial_a sin_n although_o none_o since_o have_v dare_v to_o defend_v they_o they_o be_v forbid_v in_o the_o ancient_a church_n by_o the_o council_n of_o 27._o eliberis_n 19_o ancyra_n 3._o nice_n the_o 3._o first_o and_o 17._o third_z of_o carthage_n the_o 5._o three_o of_o constantinople_n the_o 18._o second_o of_o nice_a 39_o aquisgran_n and_o many_o other_o and_o by_o the_o emperor_n justinian_n in_o his_o 123._o novel_n as_o for_o emasculation_n that_o be_v severe_o forbid_v by_o the_o apostolic_a 21._o canon_n and_o the_o council_n of_o 1._o nice_a and_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v dis-used_n before_o the_o year_n 500_o upon_o occasion_n of_o these_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d it_o will_v not_o be_v here_o inconvenient_a to_o speak_v somewhat_o of_o the_o book_n de_fw-fr singularitate_fw-la clericorum_fw-la which_o we_o just_a now_o cite_v this_o book_n however_o in_o its_o title_n it_o may_v seem_v to_o oppose_v the_o marriage_n of_o the_o clergy_n be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o pregnant_a evidence_n of_o the_o use_n of_o it_o in_o the_o ancient_a church_n that_o be_v now_o extant_a it_o be_v by_o some_o ascribe_v to_o origen_n by_o other_o to_o st._n augustin_n but_o by_o most_o to_o st._n cyprian_n however_o all_o learned_a man_n now_o agree_v that_o it_o belong_v to_o none_o of_o they_o the_o late_a learned_a editor_n of_o st._n cyprian_n work_n at_o oxford_n conjecture_v it_o to_o have_v be_v write_v about_o the_o time_n of_o bede_n rather_o it_o be_v most_o certain_o write_v before_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o five_o age_n because_o the_o author_n of_o it_o make_v use_v of_o the_o old_a italic_a version_n which_o be_v in_o use_n in_o the_o latin_a church_n before_o st._n hierom_n translation_n most_o probable_o therefore_o it_o be_v write_v in_o the_o four_o age._n the_o scope_n of_o it_o be_v to_o decry_v and_o reform_v the_o abuse_n of_o housekeeper_n which_o as_o the_o author_n say_v dormtre_fw-la be_v then_o become_v so_o scandalous_a in_o the_o church_n that_o the_o unmarried_a clergy_n can_v not_o endure_v to_o sleep_v without_o the_o company_n of_o a_o woman_n if_o in_o the_o heat_n of_o disputation_n he_o let_v fall_v any_o thing_n injurious_a to_o marriage_n it_o be_v such_o as_o oppose_v no_o less_o the_o marriage_n of_o the_o laity_n than_o of_o the_o clergy_n and_o indeed_o the_o former_a part_n of_o the_o treatise_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o satyr_n against_o woman_n but_o the_o design_n of_o the_o author_n and_o the_o lawfulness_n and_o use_n of_o the_o clergy_n marriage_n in_o his_o time_n may_v be_v evident_o collect_v from_o many_o place_n i_o will_v produce_v one_o or_o two_o of_o they_o premise_v this_o observation_n that_o the_o author_n rank_n those_o woman_n also_o among_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d who_o live_v in_o the_o house_n with_o marry_a clergyman_n if_o they_o have_v no_o relation_n of_o kindred_n or_o marriage_n to_o they_o that_o the_o company_n of_o near_a relation_n be_v never_o deny_v to_o the_o clergy_n since_o proximity_n of_o blood_n and_o the_o dictate_v of_o nature_n sufficient_o secure_v their_o honour_n and_o that_o all_o other_o woman_n but_o relation_n and_o wife_n be_v by_o this_o author_n term_v alienae_n and_o extraneae_fw-la strange_a woman_n med._n if_o then_o say_v he_o the_o clergy_n instead_o of_o put_v away_o their_o wife_n so_o fond_o adhere_v to_o strange_a woman_n what_o will_v they_o do_v if_o they_o be_v command_v to_o put_v away_o their_o wife_n and_o child_n or_o how_o will_v they_o be_v able_a to_o renounce_v their_o kindred_n for_o christ_n who_o prefer_v to_o the_o command_v of_o christ_n woman_n endear_v to_o they_o by_o no_o other_o obligation_n and_o in_o another_o place_n sine_fw-la i_o affectionate_o entreat_v you_o o_o clergyman_n if_o any_o of_o you_o have_v a_o mother_n a_o daughter_n a_o sister_n a_o wife_n or_o a_o kinswoman_n live_v with_o you_o you_o so_o save_v she_o that_o no_o waiting-maid_n live_v with_o they_o nor_o any_o other_o strange_a woman_n have_v access_n lest_o you_o be_v suspect_v to_o retain_v your_o relation_n with_o you_o for_o this_o only_a reason_n that_o you_o may_v under_o that_o pretence_n take_v strange_a woman_n into_o your_o house_n if_o they_o can_v want_v the_o service_n or_o assistance_n of_o maid_n or_o the_o company_n of_o friend_n of_o their_o own_o sex_n it_o be_v better_a that_o they_o shall_v remove_v into_o another_o house_n than_o that_o you_o shall_v entertain_v strange_a woman_n for_o their_o sake_n for_o as_o it_o will_v be_v unfit_a that_o a_o clergyman_n shall_v deprive_v they_o of_o the_o necessary_a assistance_n of_o their_o sex_n so_o it_o be_v indecent_a that_o they_o shall_v injure_v his_o reputation_n by_o bring_v suspicious_a woman_n into_o his_o company_n to_o which_o may_v be_v add_v the_o testimony_n before_o cite_v wherein_o the_o author_n upbraid_v to_o those_o clergyman_n who_o can_v not_o live_v without_o housekeeper_n theâ—…_n 〈◊〉_d to_o marry_v wife_n we_o be_v now_o come_v to_o the_o great_a and_o famous_a council_n of_o nice_a wherein_o the_o cause_n of_o celibacy_n be_v debate_v and_o decide_v i_o will_v represent_v the_o whole_a matter_n in_o the_o word_n of_o socrates_n the_o historian_n c_o it_o seem_v good_a to_o some_o bishop_n to_o introduce_v 11._o a_o new_a law_n into_o the_o church_n that_o the_o clergy_n i_o mean_v bishop_n priest_n and_o deacon_n shall_v not_o lay_v with_o their_o wife_n which_o they_o have_v marry_v be_v yet_o layman_n and_o when_o the_o thing_n be_v propose_v to_o he_o consult_v of_o paphnutius_fw-la stand_v up_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o assembly_n of_o the_o bishop_n contend_v vehement_o that_o so_o heavy_a a_o yoke_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v impose_v upon_o the_o clergy_n say_v that_o even_o marriage_n be_v undefiled_a or_o chaste_a and_o the_o use_v of_o it_o honourable_a that_o they_o shall_v take_v heed_n of_o rather_o injure_v the_o church_n by_o this_o excess_n of_o severity_n for_o that_o all_o can_v not_o contain_v neither_o perhaps_o can_v the_o chastity_n of_o every_o one_o wife_n be_v preserve_v or_o as_o sozomen_n express_v it_o for_o that_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n very_o hard_o to_o be_v bear_v and_o will_v perhaps_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o incontinence_n both_o to_o themselves_o and_o to_o their_o wife_n but_o he_o assert_v the_o company_n of_o a_o lawful_a wife_n to_o be_v chastity_n that_o it_o be_v sufficient_a that_o he_o who_o be_v first_o ordain_v shall_v not_o marry_v after_o it_o according_a to_o the_o ancient_a discipline_n of_o the_o church_n but_o that_o none_o ought_v to_o be_v separate_v from_o that_o wife_n which_o he_o have_v before_o marry_v while_o he_o be_v yet_o a_o layman_n and_o this_o he_o say_v be_v himself_o unmarried_a and_o bring_v up_o from_o his_o youth_n in_o a_o monastic_a and_o ascetic_a life_n the_o whole_a council_n yield_v to_o the_o argument_n of_o paphnutius_fw-la and_o therefore_o cease_v any_o far_a debate_n leave_v it_o to_o the_o will_n of_o every_o one_o whether_o they_o will_v abstain_v from_o the_o company_n of_o their_o wife_n or_o not_o 23._o sozomen_n and_o 19_o nicephorus_n relate_v it_o almost_o in_o the_o same_o word_n 〈◊〉_d suidas_n in_o the_o
shall_v hear_v mass_n from_o nor_o communicate_v with_o a_o marry_a priest._n these_o constitution_n he_o vigorous_o endeavour_v to_o put_v in_o execâ—…tion_n by_o force_n of_o arm_n threat_n and_o flattery_n thunder_v out_o excommunication_n against_o those_o bishop_n who_o blind_o employ_v not_o their_o whole_a power_n and_o interest_n to_o execute_v his_o command_n by_o these_o violent_a method_n he_o obtain_v the_o confirmation_n of_o his_o decree_n from_o the_o council_n of_o poictou_n 9_o in_o the_o year_n 1078._o of_o islebonne_n 3._o the_o same_o year_n of_o quintilineburg_n 3._o in_o the_o year_n 1085._o and_o many_o other_o provincial_a council_n most_o of_o the_o succeed_a pope_n pursue_v the_o same_o design_n and_o many_o council_n second_v they_o in_o it_o as_o that_o of_o melphi_n 2._o in_o the_o year_n 1089._o clermont_n 9_o 1095._o and_o other_o not_o worthy_a a_o particular_a relation_n the_o force_n and_o violence_n which_o these_o pope_n and_o bishop_n use_v to_o separate_v the_o clergy_n from_o their_o wife_n be_v know_v to_o all_o who_o have_v converse_v in_o the_o history_n of_o those_o time_n but_o their_o fraud_n and_o imposture_n gross_a ignorance_n and_o trifle_a prejudices_fw-la deserve_v a_o more_o particular_a consideration_n the_o mistake_n and_o error_n of_o precedent_a age_n which_o they_o adopt_a and_o improve_v need_v no_o repetition_n i_o will_v insist_v upon_o those_o only_o which_o be_v peculiar_a to_o this_o and_o the_o former_a age._n a_o universal_a ignorance_n have_v fit_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n to_o be_v abuse_v and_o deceive_v and_o the_o patron_n of_o celibacy_n fail_v not_o to_o make_v use_n of_o this_o advantage_n they_o pretend_v the_o marriage_n of_o the_o clergy_n to_o be_v in_o itself_o null_a and_o void_a and_o therefore_o in_o their_o decree_n and_o canon_n give_v to_o the_o wife_n of_o the_o clergy_n no_o other_o name_n than_o that_o of_o concubine_n and_o ever_o term_v their_o marriage_n adultery_n concubinacy_n and_o 30._o the_o inveterate_a disease_n of_o fornication_n of_o the_o clergy_n many_o have_v before_o forbid_v marriage_n to_o the_o clergy_n but_o none_o have_v yet_o dare_v to_o call_v the_o use_n of_o it_o fornication_n which_o clemens_n alex._n â—…_n affirm_v to_o be_v a_o opposition_n of_o the_o law_n and_o gospel_n and_o no_o other_o than_o downright_a blasphemy_n then_o be_v the_o three_o canon_n of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a allege_v in_o against_o the_o marriage_n of_o the_o clergy_n and_o all_o the_o spurious_a decretal_n of_o ancient_a pope_n the_o late_a forgery_n of_o isidore_n mercator_n produce_v in_o favour_n of_o the_o imposition_n of_o celibacy_n which_o fraud_n be_v at_o this_o day_n continue_v by_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n who_o be_v not_o ashamed_a to_o cite_v the_o epistle_n of_o pope_n calixtus_n the_o first_o the_o roman_a council_n under_o pope_n silvester_n the_o act_n of_o paul_n and_o tecla_n the_o history_n of_o abdias_n and_o many_o other_o spurious_a write_n the_o product_n of_o latter_a age_n or_o foolish_a impostor_n another_o artifice_n be_v then_o set_v on_o foot_n which_o nothing_o but_o the_o high_a impudence_n can_v devise_v or_o maintain_v and_o that_o be_v to_o accuse_v the_o greek_a church_n of_o impose_v marriage_n upon_o the_o clergy_n pretend_v the_o 13_o canon_n of_o quinisext_a council_n have_v decree_v none_o shall_v be_v admit_v into_o priest_n order_n who_o have_v not_o first_o marry_v a_o wife_n this_o calumny_n also_o be_v espouse_v by_o the_o present_a writer_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o particular_o bellarmin_n 19_o who_o can_v not_o but_o know_v the_o falseness_n of_o it_o and_o that_o marriage_n be_v no_o where_o make_v necessary_a to_o the_o clergy_n but_o in_o the_o church_n of_o russia_n the_o imputation_n of_o heresy_n to_o the_o defender_n of_o the_o clergy_n marriage_n be_v start_v in_o this_o age_n and_o the_o opprobrious_a title_n of_o nicolaites_n fasten_v on_o they_o this_o new_a heresy_n be_v thus_o describe_v by_o petrus_n damiani_n the_o great_a agent_n of_o the_o pope_n in_o the_o cause_n of_o celibacy_n praefixâ_fw-la the_o nicolaites_n be_v those_o clergyman_n who_o against_o the_o rule_n of_o ecclesiastical_a chastity_n accompany_v with_o woman_n who_o then_o true_o become_v fornicator_n when_o they_o add_v marriage_n to_o this_o unlawful_a society_n and_o be_v then_o deserve_o call_v nicolaites_n when_o they_o defend_v as_o lawful_a this_o mortal_a heresy_n last_o to_o crown_v these_o imposture_n miracle_n be_v forge_v as_o the_o most_o proper_a artifice_n to_o impose_v upon_o mankind_n in_o a_o superstitious_a age_n when_o that_o cause_n be_v triumphant_a not_o which_o be_v most_o rational_a but_o who_o follower_n can_v by_o a_o pretence_n of_o miracle_n delude_v the_o world_n with_o great_a art_n and_o impudence_n hence_o the_o admire_a fable_n of_o the_o 1100_o virgin_n martyr_n the_o imposture_n fin_n of_o the_o crucifix_n in_o the_o synod_n of_o canterbury_n open_o give_v its_o vote_n for_o dunstan_n against_o the_o marry_a clergy_n and_o capgrave_n the_o whole_a college_n of_o marry_a priest_n of_o elingen_n turn_v into_o eel_n when_o by_o the_o favour_n of_o the_o emperor_n they_o retain_v their_o wife_n against_o the_o threat_n and_o curse_n of_o the_o pope_n with_o a_o thousand_o other_o ridiculous_a tale_n which_o may_v terrify_v the_o marry_a clergy_n amuse_v the_o credulous_a multitude_n and_o advance_v the_o interest_n of_o the_o greedy_a monk_n who_o then_o build_v their_o fortune_n apace_o upon_o the_o ruin_n of_o the_o secular_a clergy_n but_o to_o give_v a_o evident_a testimony_n of_o the_o fraud_n and_o imposture_n which_o promote_v celibacy_n in_o this_o age_n i_o will_v instance_n in_o 315._o a_o anonymous_n author_n of_o this_o time_n who_o the_o collector_n of_o the_o council_n think_v worthy_a to_o insert_v into_o their_o edition_n and_o who_o if_o i_o be_v not_o mistake_v be_v the_o first_o that_o ever_o dare_v affirm_v the_o celibacy_n of_o the_o clergy_n to_o be_v of_o divine_a or_o apostolical_a institution_n this_o writer_n in_o a_o apology_n for_o the_o decree_n of_o hildebrand_n publish_v in_o the_o roman_a synod_n anno_fw-la 1074._o plead_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o imposition_n of_o celibacy_n in_o his_o plea_n he_o allege_v the_o three_o canon_n of_o nice_a the_o first_o of_o neocaesarea_n and_o the_o decretal_n of_o silvester_n whatsoever_o be_v say_v by_o st._n hierom_n or_o other_o ancient_a father_n against_o the_o housekeeper_n he_o apply_v to_o the_o wife_n of_o the_o clergy_n affirm_v nicolas_n the_o heresiarch_n to_o have_v be_v the_o first_o author_n and_o introducer_n of_o the_o clergy_n marriage_n reckon_v paulus_n samosatenus_fw-la condemn_v and_o depose_v by_o the_o synod_n of_o antioch_n for_o his_o scandalous_a use_n of_o housekeeper_n among_o the_o defender_n of_o their_o marriage_n urge_v all_o the_o spurious_a decretal_n of_o ancient_a pope_n alexander_n the_o first_o clement_n and_o other_o and_o doubt_v not_o to_o affirm_v from_o clemens_n alex._n that_o nicolas_n the_o deacon_n prostitute_v his_o wife_n to_o the_o lust_n of_o all_o person_n whenas_o that_o learned_a father_n relate_v the_o direct_a contrary_n as_o we_o before_o show_v no_o wonder_n then_o if_o amid_o so_o gross_a ignorance_n and_o shameless_a imposture_n when_o the_o interest_n of_o the_o see_v of_o rome_n require_v and_o the_o ambition_n of_o the_o whole_a monastic_a order_n promote_v it_o when_o forge_a decretal_n be_v receive_v and_o foolish_a miracle_n believe_v when_o ancient_a canon_n be_v secure_o falsify_v and_o the_o practice_n of_o other_o church_n misrepresent_v when_o the_o bishop_n and_o roll_a part_n of_o the_o clergy_n be_v either_o take_v out_o of_o monastery_n or_o otherwise_o at_o the_o devotion_n of_o the_o court_n of_o rome_n celibacy_n triumph_v and_o the_o marriage_n of_o the_o clergy_n be_v decry_v and_o run_v down_o the_o lamentable_a and_o scandalous_a effect_n of_o these_o proceed_n be_v at_o large_a relate_v by_o the_o historian_n of_o those_o time_n which_o i_o will_v here_o only_o brief_o touch_v matthew_n paris_n 1074._o and_o radulphus_fw-la de_fw-la diceto_fw-la 1074._o have_v relate_v pope_n gregory_n the_o seventh_n prohibition_n of_o marriage_n to_o the_o clergy_n use_v these_o word_n hence_o arise_v so_o great_a a_o scandal_n that_o not_o even_o in_o the_o time_n of_o any_o heresy_n have_v the_o church_n ever_o be_v divide_v with_o a_o more_o grievous_a schism_n one_o party_n contend_v for_o justice_n the_o otheâ—…â—…gainst_a it_o beside_o few_o of_o the_o clergy_n preserve_v continence_n some_o dissemble_n their_o lust_n either_o for_o gain_n or_o vainglory_n but_o many_o aggravate_v their_o incontinence_n with_o perjury_n and_o continual_a adultery_n the_o laity_n refuse_v to_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n from_o marry_a priest_n burn_v the_o tithe_n due_a to_o they_o and_o oftentimes_o tread_v under_o foot_n the_o body_n of_o our_o lord_n consecrate_v by_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