the_o clergy_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n now_o at_o this_o time_n in_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n some_o young_a widow_n have_v imprudent_o be_v choose_v into_o the_o number_n of_o deaconess_n who_o either_o not_o be_v able_a or_o not_o will_v to_o contain_v have_v some_o of_o they_o marry_v and_o other_o as_o the_o apostle_n seem_v to_o imply_v have_v give_v scandal_n by_o their_o loose_a carriage_n the_o apostle_n therefore_o ratify_v the_o marriage_n of_o those_o who_o be_v already_o marry_v and_o give_v free_a leave_n to_o the_o rest_n to_o marry_o but_o for_o the_o future_a command_v that_o none_o be_v admit_v into_o that_o order_n under_o threescore_o year_n old_a at_o which_o age_n there_o be_v no_o danger_n of_o incontinency_n now_o that_o the_o apostle_n treat_v here_o of_o these_o deaconess_n or_o widow_n who_o have_v promise_v to_o the_o church_n to_o observe_v continence_n appear_v as_o well_o from_o the_o context_n as_o from_o the_o common_a interpretation_n of_o the_o father_n many_o of_o who_o 24._o bellarmine_n reckon_v up_o and_o embrace_v their_o opinion_n after_o the_o apostle_n succeed_v the_o father_n st._n clemens_n alex._n the_o great_a defender_n of_o marriage_n and_o most_o learned_a of_o all_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o three_o first_o century_n 1._o second_o marriage_n after_o a_o promise_n of_o continence_n be_v unlawful_a not_o in_o the_o contract_n but_o in_o the_o breach_n of_o promise_n pomponium_n st._n cyprian_n speak_v of_o virgin_n that_o have_v profess_v chastity_n but_o if_o they_o will_v not_o or_o can_v persevere_v it_o be_v better_a they_o shall_v marry_v than_o fall_v into_o incontinency_n by_o their_o fault_n epiphanius_n although_o otherwise_o a_o great_a bigot_n of_o virginity_n speak_v of_o those_o who_o after_o a_o solemn_a vow_n of_o continence_n and_o undertake_v a_o monastic_a life_n find_v themselves_o tempt_v with_o lust_n give_v they_o this_o advice_n fine_a it_o be_v better_a to_o commit_v one_o sin_n by_o violate_v the_o vow_n than_o many_o by_o indulge_v a_o wander_a lust_n it_o be_v best_o for_o he_o who_o can_v perform_v his_o undertake_n open_o to_o marry_v a_o wife_n according_a to_o the_o law._n st._n basil_n blame_v some_o virgin_n who_o after_o they_o have_v solemn_o devote_v themselves_o to_o god_n and_o vow_v perpetual_a chastity_n behave_v themselves_o unseemly_a say_v 728._o it_o be_v much_o better_o for_o they_o be_v marry_v to_o a_o husband_n to_o receive_v from_o he_o direction_n of_o life_n and_o recompense_v the_o benefit_n of_o his_o government_n by_o assist_v he_o in_o the_o care_n of_o the_o family_n and_o educate_v a_o succession_n of_o hopeful_a child_n and_o so_o preserve_v her_o chastity_n although_o it_o be_v only_o to_o avoid_v the_o jealousy_n of_o her_o husband_n there_o be_v extant_a among_o st._n chrysostom_n work_n two_o eloquent_a and_o passionate_a treatise_n write_v by_o he_o whilst_o young_a to_o his_o friend_n theodorus_n afterward_o the_o great_a and_o learned_a bishop_n of_o mopsuestia_n who_o in_o his_o youth_n have_v enter_v into_o a_o monastic_a life_n have_v in_o the_o twenty_o year_n of_o his_o age_n quit_v it_o for_o the_o love_n of_o hermione_n a_o fair_a virgin_n who_o he_o resolve_v to_o marry_v here_o chrysostome_n employ_v all_o the_o strength_n of_o his_o rhetoric_n to_o exaggerate_v the_o heinousness_n of_o his_o sin_n commit_v in_o violate_v his_o vow_n make_v to_o god_n yet_o no_o where_o adventure_n to_o declare_v that_o his_o marriage_n will_v be_v invalid_a give_v it_o the_o name_n of_o marriage_n and_o not_o of_o adultery_n and_o although_o he_o equal_v the_o sin_n of_o it_o to_o that_o crime_n and_o by_o a_o metaphor_n call_v it_o adultery_n yet_o he_o plain_o distinguish_v it_o from_o formal_a adultery_n more_o especial_o in_o these_o word_n 2._o marriage_n you_o will_v say_v be_v lawful_a so_o say_v i_o marriage_n be_v honourable_a say_v the_o apostle_n and_o the_o bed_n undefiled_a but_o fortnicator_n and_o adulerer_n god_n will_v judge_v but_o it_o be_v not_o permit_v to_o you_o to_o celebrate_v the_o rite_n or_o rather_o use_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o marriage_n for_o when_o one_o be_v join_v to_o a_o heavenly_a spouse_n to_o part_v with_o he_o for_o a_o wife_n and_o join_v himself_o to_o she_o this_o be_v adultery_n although_o you_o shall_v ten_o thousand_o time_n call_v it_o marriage_n and_o by_o so_o much_o worse_a than_o adultery_n by_o how_o much_o god_n be_v great_a than_o men._n wonder_v not_o if_o marriage_n be_v condemn_v equal_o with_o adultery_n when_o god_n be_v despise_v here_o the_o crime_n indeed_o be_v sufficient_o aggravavate_v but_o place_v whole_o as_o may_v be_v observe_v not_o in_o the_o use_n of_o his_o intend_a marriage_n but_o in_o violate_v his_o first_o faith_n pledge_v to_o christ_n in_o his_o vow_n of_o continence_n call_v his_o intend_a contract_n marriage_n grant_n that_o when_o marry_v hermione_n will_v be_v his_o wife_n and_o in_o the_o close_a of_o his_o passage_n plain_o distinguish_v his_o crime_n from_o adultery_n wherefore_o the_o latin_a translation_n in_o fronto_n ducaeus_n his_o edition_n render_v it_o thus_o wonder_v not_o if_o such_o a_o marriage_n be_v compare_v to_o adultery_n the_o same_o father_n in_o another_o place_n say_v 13._o that_o some_o monk_n in_o his_o time_n quit_v their_o profession_n contract_a marriage_n pass_v the_o same_o censure_n on_o they_o always_o proceed_v upon_o this_o ground_n that_o they_o who_o make_v a_o vow_n of_o chastity_n do_v thereby_o as_o it_o be_v join_v themselves_o in_o marriage_n to_o christ_n and_o therefore_o by_o a_o subsequent_a marriage_n become_v as_o it_o be_v guilty_a of_o adultery_n upon_o which_o account_n also_o many_o other_o father_n in_o their_o rhetorical_a flight_n give_v to_o these_o marriage_n the_o title_n of_o adultery_n but_o if_o we_o come_v to_o close_v and_o strict_a reason_v 10._o st._n augustine_n will_v tell_v we_o for_o they_o that_o as_o this_o marriage_n with_o christ_n be_v not_o true_a but_o only_o spiritual_a so_o neither_o be_v this_o adultery_n true_a and_o real_a but_o only_o spiritual_a and_o mystical_a this_o father_n profess_o handle_v this_o question_n refute_v all_o the_o contrary_a objection_n and_o have_v say_v that_o ibid._n such_o person_n be_v condemn_v not_o because_o they_o afterward_o contract_v a_o marriage_n but_o because_o they_o violate_v their_o former_a promise_n of_o chastity_n determine_v in_o these_o word_n no_o small_a a_o evil_n arise_v from_o this_o inconsiderate_a opinion_n of_o the_o invalidity_n of_o marriage_n of_o holy_a virgin_n which_o quit_v their_o profession_n for_o hereby_o wife_n be_v separate_v from_o their_o husband_n as_o if_o they_o be_v adulteress_n not_o wife_n and_o they_o who_o will_v by_o separate_v of_o they_o reduce_v they_o to_o continence_n make_v their_o husband_n become_v true_a adulterer_n if_o while_o these_o be_v alive_a they_o marry_v other_o wife_n wherefore_o gratian_n contract_v the_o sense_n of_o st._n augustine_n argument_n and_o true_o represent_v it_o thus_o 2._o some_o affirm_v those_o who_o marry_v after_o a_o vow_n to_o be_v adulterer_n but_o i_o say_v they_o grievous_o sin_n who_o separate_a such_o person_n i_o may_v produce_v many_o other_o place_n of_o st._n augustine_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n especial_o where_o spâ—…aking_v of_o profess_a virgin_n which_o although_o incontinent_a adventure_v not_o to_o marry_v partly_o for_o shame_n and_o partly_o for_o fear_v of_o punishment_n he_o give_v his_o opinion_n thus_o 24._o these_o who_o long_o to_o marry_v and_o yet_o do_v not_o marry_o because_o they_o can_v do_v it_o unpunished_a it_o be_v better_a they_o shall_v marry_v than_o burn_v that_o be_v than_o be_v scorch_v with_o the_o secret_a flame_n of_o lust_n who_o repent_v their_o profession_n and_o be_v grieve_v at_o their_o promise_n st._n hierome_n write_v to_o a_o consecrate_a virgin_n who_o leave_v her_o mother_n live_v with_o a_o unmarried_a clergyman_n and_o be_v suspect_v to_o maintain_v a_o unlawful_a familiarity_n with_o he_o give_v she_o this_o advice_n either_o to_o return_v to_o her_o mother_n or_o marry_v her_o lover_n why_o be_v you_o afraid_a to_o return_v to_o she_o contubernio_fw-la if_o you_o be_v still_o a_o virgin_n why_o need_v you_o fear_v a_o close_a consinement_n if_o debauch_v why_o do_v you_o not_o public_o marry_v that_o will_v be_v the_o next_o refuge_n after_o shipwreck_n to_o extenuate_v at_o least_o your_o crime_n by_o this_o remedy_n a_o passage_n so_o much_o the_o more_o memorable_a because_o of_o this_o couple_n the_o one_o be_v a_o clergyman_n the_o other_o a_o nun_n and_o yet_o st._n hirome_n not_o only_o allow_v but_o advise_v their_o marriage_n the_o council_n of_o ancyra_n in_o the_o year_n 314._o decree_v that_o 19_o those_o who_o have_v vow_v virginity_n falsify_v their_o promise_n shall_v be_v place_v in_o the_o rank_n of_o bigamist_n but_o none_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
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