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
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
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