the_o clergy_n the_o use_n of_o marriage_n appear_v from_o the_o decretal_a of_o pope_n stephen_n cite_v by_o gratian_n in_o these_o word_n 14._o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o eastern_a church_n be_v different_a from_o that_o of_o the_o holy_a church_n of_o rome_n for_o in_o they_o priest_n deacon_n and_o subdeacons_n be_v join_v in_o marriage_n matrimonio_fw-la copulantur_fw-la i._n e._n enjoy_v the_o use_n of_o marriage_n as_o mendoza_n 66._o have_v learned_o prove_v the_o meaning_n of_o those_o word_n to_o be_v but_o in_o this_o or_o the_o western_a church_n none_o of_o the_o clergy_n from_o a_o subdeacon_n to_o a_o bishop_n have_v liberty_n to_o use_v marriage_n here_o the_o pope_n express_o confess_v the_o use_n of_o marriage_n by_o the_o clergy_n to_o have_v be_v always_o the_o tradition_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o eastern_a church_n and_o if_o so_o it_o must_v have_v be_v also_o sometime_o of_o the_o western_a for_o be_v never_o practise_v in_o the_o east_n it_o can_v not_o be_v of_o apostolical_a institution_n and_o therefore_o must_v have_v be_v introduce_v in_o the_o west_n by_o some_o subsequent_a decree_n of_o the_o church_n this_o be_v the_o state_n of_o celibacy_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n for_o the_o first_o thousand_o year_n nowhere_a impose_v in_o the_o better_o and_o pure_a age_n of_o christianity_n introduce_v into_o the_o roman_a patriarchate_n by_o a_o rash_a pope_n command_v by_o many_o provincial_a council_n of_o the_o west_n but_o in_o no_o place_n universal_o observe_v the_o imposition_n of_o it_o always_o disuse_v and_o at_o last_o condemn_v in_o the_o eastern_a church_n and_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o in_o these_o latter_a age_n become_v obsolete_a in_o the_o west_n it_o will_v not_o now_o be_v amiss_o to_o look_v back_o a_o little_a and_o make_v some_o observation_n upon_o the_o author_n and_o advance_v of_o celibacy_n whereby_o we_o may_v the_o better_a judge_n how_o far_o the_o authority_n and_o example_n of_o those_o time_n ought_v herein_o to_o influence_n and_o direct_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o present_a age._n first_o then_o the_o celibacy_n of_o the_o clergy_n be_v hitherto_o esteem_v by_o all_o a_o matter_n of_o mere_a discipline_n first_o introduce_v for_o reason_n of_o decency_n convenience_n and_o suppose_a edification_n which_o have_v not_o only_o long_a since_o cease_v but_o celibacy_n be_v now_o become_v a_o snare_n to_o the_o clergy_n and_o a_o scandal_n to_o the_o whole_a church_n so_o that_o the_o obligation_n of_o the_o law_n of_o celibacy_n even_o in_o those_o particular_a church_n where_o it_o be_v ancient_o introduce_v and_o command_v have_v long_o since_o cease_v the_o pretence_n of_o divine_a or_o apostolical_a institution_n be_v not_o hear_v of_o till_o the_o day_n of_o hildebrand_n and_o be_v but_o faint_o maintain_v in_o these_o time_n that_o the_o ancient_a imposer_n of_o celibacy_n never_o think_v of_o this_o pretence_n be_v evident_a because_o they_o never_o make_v that_o plea._n this_o we_o before_o observe_v particular_o of_o the_o decree_n of_o siricius_n and_o innocent_n and_o may_v be_v affirm_v of_o all_o pope_n and_o council_n which_o favour_v or_o command_v celibacy_n in_o those_o time_n not_o to_o say_v that_o some_o council_n as_o the_o quinisext_n ii_o of_o toledo_n and_o other_o express_o acknowledge_v the_o permission_n of_o marriage_n to_o the_o clergy_n to_o be_v of_o apostolical_a institution_n ii_o the_o example_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n in_o this_o case_n be_v not_o only_o not_o conclusive_a but_o even_o of_o no_o authority_n it_o neither_o necessitate_v nor_o recommend_v celibacy_n to_o the_o present_a church_n for_o all_o the_o deference_n which_o we_o owe_v to_o the_o authority_n and_o example_n of_o these_o time_n proceed_v from_o a_o probable_a supposition_n that_o the_o ancient_a church_n have_v great_a and_o better_a opportunity_n of_o know_v the_o mind_n of_o christ_n the_o intention_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o exigence_n of_o the_o church_n than_o the_o present_a age_n can_v pretend_v to_o as_o be_v more_o remove_v from_o the_o fountain_n head_n and_o animate_v with_o a_o less_o vigorous_a and_o impartial_a zeal_n for_o the_o knowledge_n of_o truth_n and_o increase_v of_o piety_n but_o when_o this_o supposition_n become_v not_o only_o improbable_a but_o be_v evident_o false_a when_o we_o be_v assure_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n be_v occasion_v and_o introduce_v by_o prejudices_fw-la and_o mistake_v false_a notion_n of_o piety_n and_o gross_a error_n about_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n imitation_n will_v not_o only_o be_v not_o laudable_a but_o even_o foolish_a and_o perhaps_o unlawful_a lest_o the_o continuance_n of_o such_o a_o practice_n shall_v uphold_v the_o error_n which_o first_o produce_v it_o at_o least_o when_o these_o mistake_n be_v discover_v these_o prejudices_fw-la remove_v the_o authority_n of_o this_o example_n will_v vanish_v with_o they_o that_o this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o celibacy_n in_o the_o ancient_a church_n we_o have_v all_o along_o observe_v and_o prove_v and_o need_v not_o here_o repeat_v our_o argument_n iii_o if_o we_o shall_v allow_v the_o usage_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n â—…o_o be_v in_o all_o case_n a_o rule_n and_o pattern_n to_o the_o present_a age_n yet_o will_v celibacy_n receive_v no_o advantage_n from_o it_o the_o marriage_n of_o the_o clergy_n may_v put_v in_o a_o large_a and_o much_o better_a plea_n of_o antiquity_n as_o be_v able_a to_o produce_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n in_o the_o four_o first_o age_n of_o christianity_n of_o the_o whole_a eastern_a and_o many_o part_n of_o the_o western_a church_n to_o this_o day_n and_o allege_v the_o suffrage_n of_o two_o general_a council_n the_o first_o and_o four_o which_o confirm_v and_o allow_v it_o whereas_o the_o imposition_n of_o celibacy_n be_v unknown_a to_o the_o first_o and_o better_a age_n not_o universal_o practise_v in_o the_o latter_a reject_v by_o one_o and_o condemn_v by_o another_o general_a council_n and_o never_o confirm_v by_o other_o than_o provincial_a synod_n who_o act_n may_v be_v annul_v and_o decree_v abolish_v by_o the_o single_a authority_n of_o any_o particular_a church_n and_o certain_o if_o what_o most_o of_o our_o adversary_n pretend_v the_o tradition_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o present_a universal_a church_n be_v the_o only_a certain_a method_n of_o know_v the_o opinion_n and_o doctrine_n of_o all_o precedent_a age_n the_o lawfulness_n and_o convenience_n of_o the_o clergy_n marriage_n must_v have_v be_v the_o belief_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n since_o all_o the_o eastern_a church_n the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n not_o to_o speak_v of_o the_o reform_a church_n in_o the_o west_n do_v at_o this_o day_n permit_v the_o use_n of_o marriage_n to_o the_o clergy_n and_o maintain_v the_o impositioâ—…_n of_o celibacy_n to_o be_v unlawful_a which_o also_o be_v no_o small_a prejudice_n to_o the_o cause_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n if_o there_o be_v any_o truth_n or_o solidity_n in_o that_o grand_a argument_n of_o our_o adversary_n that_o in_o the_o case_n of_o two_o dissent_v church_n when_o the_o one_o open_o condemn_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o other_o and_o receive_v not_o the_o same_o severe_a sentence_n from_o her_o adversary_n truth_n and_o justice_n must_v necessary_o lie_v on_o that_o side_n for_o however_o the_o greek_a church_n have_v always_o condemn_v as_o impious_a and_o unjust_a the_o imposition_n of_o celibacy_n in_o the_o latin_a church_n the_o latin_n never_o dare_v to_o return_v the_o same_o sentence_n upon_o the_o permission_n of_o marriage_n to_o the_o clergy_n in_o the_o greek_a church_n rather_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o eastern_a church_n have_v be_v allow_v and_o ratify_v by_o the_o public_a authority_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n for_o to_o omit_v the_o great_a late_a an_o council_n under_o pope_n innocent_a the_o three_o wherein_o our_o adversary_n confess_v that_o permission_n of_o marriage_n be_v continue_v to_o the_o greek_a priest_n thus_o pope_n nicolas_n the_o first_o answer_v to_o the_o inquiry_n of_o the_o bulgarian_n 540._o you_o ask_v whether_o you_o ought_v to_o maintain_v and_o honour_v a_o priest_n have_v a_o wife_n or_o to_o remove_v he_o from_o you_o to_o which_o we_o answer_v that_o although_o they_o be_v very_o unblamable_a you_o ought_v not_o to_o cast_v they_o off_o and_o bellarmine_n 21._o acknowledge_v that_o although_o the_o roman_a church_n approve_v not_o herein_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o greek_a church_n and_o judge_v it_o to_o be_v a_o abuse_n yet_o she_o permit_v it_o to_o the_o greek_n so_o that_o if_o they_o have_v no_o other_o error_n a_o peace_n may_v easy_o be_v accord_v between_o the_o two_o church_n iv._o the_o practice_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n in_o the_o imposition_n of_o celibacy_n be_v various_a and_o divers_a and_o consequent_o neither_o celibacy_n itself_o
be_v in_o no_o way_n oblige_v to_o prove_v the_o negative_a marriage_n be_v not_o forbid_v to_o the_o clergy_n by_o the_o moral_a law_n and_o therefore_o to_o be_v esteem_v lawful_a to_o they_o till_o a_o manifest_a prohibition_n shall_v be_v produce_v bellarmine_n indeed_o urge_v that_o precept_n of_o the_o apostie_a tit._n 1._o 8._o that_o a_o bishop_n be_v sober_a and_o temperate_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o not_o to_o say_v that_o bellarmine_n herein_o forsake_v his_o own_o principle_n and_o make_v ceiibacy_n to_o be_v of_o divine_a institution_n since_o st._n paul_n speak_v this_o 25._o not_o only_o as_o one_o that_o have_v obtain_v mercy_n of_o the_o lord_n to_o be_v faithful_a but_o also_o 1._o as_o a_o apostle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n these_o word_n serve_v not_o the_o purpose_n as_o design_v neither_o continence_n nor_o chastity_n but_o abstinence_n from_o drunkenness_n and_o covetousness_n and_o be_v oppose_v the_o first_o to_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o the_o second_o to_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o former_a verse_n or_o if_o we_o shall_v with_o joc._n st._n chrysostom_n interpret_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o this_o place_n of_o a_o universal_a temperance_n we_o must_v remember_v that_o such_o a_o temperance_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o moderation_n in_o the_o use_n of_o all_o lawful_a pleasure_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d say_v 3._o clemens_n alex._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d he_o be_v universal_o temperate_a not_o who_o abstain_v from_o all_o thing_n but_o who_o moderate_o use_v those_o thing_n which_o he_o judge_v lawful_a or_o last_o if_o we_o shall_v against_o all_o reason_n interpret_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d chaste_a and_o continent_n yet_o the_o father_n unanimous_o teach_v that_o these_o virtue_n be_v not_o incompatible_a with_o the_o moderate_a use_n of_o marriage_n as_o we_o shall_v prove_v hereafter_o in_o the_o mean_a while_n let_v it_o be_v observe_v that_o 25._o st._n paul_n reason_v before_o faelix_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o righteousness_n and_o temperance_n and_o yet_o can_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v forbid_v he_o the_o embrace_n of_o his_o wife_n as_o for_o bellarmine_n other_o text_n 2_o tim._n 2._o 4._o no_o man_n that_o war_v entangle_v himself_o with_o the_o affair_n of_o this_o life_n it_o be_v sufficient_a these_o word_n be_v address_v not_o only_o to_o clergyman_n but_o to_o all_o christian_n whether_o a_o marry_a state_n do_v necessary_o entangle_v person_n in_o the_o affair_n of_o this_o life_n more_o than_o celibacy_n shall_v be_v inquire_v hereafter_o we_o come_v now_o to_o that_o great_a storehouse_n of_o the_o assertor_n of_o celibacy_n the_o vii_o chap._n of_o the_o 1_o epist._n to_o the_o corinthian_n and_o here_o a_o few_o observation_n may_v have_v prevent_v many_o mistake_v as_o first_o that_o the_o apostle_n be_v so_o far_o from_o impose_v virginity_n upon_o any_o order_n of_o man_n that_o he_o seem_v to_o have_v foresee_v the_o danger_n of_o such_o mistake_v and_o therefore_o to_o have_v insert_v these_o caution_n of_o they_o 6._o but_o i_o speak_v this_o by_o permission_n and_o not_o of_o command_n 23._o you_o be_v buy_v with_o a_o price_n be_v not_o you_o the_o servant_n of_o man_n 35._o and_o this_o i_o speak_v for_o your_o own_o profit_n not_o that_o i_o may_v cast_v a_o snare_n upon_o you_o second_o to_o those_o who_o be_v already_o marry_v he_o advise_v not_o a_o total_a but_o a_o temporary_a abstinence_n 5._o defraud_v not_o one_o the_o other_o except_o it_o be_v with_o consent_n for_o a_o time_n that_o you_o may_v give_v yourselves_o to_o fast_v and_o prayer_n and_o come_v together_o again_o that_o sataâ—…_n tempt_v you_o not_o for_o your_o incontinency_n 20._o let_v every_o man_n abide_v in_o the_o same_o call_n wherein_o he_o be_v call_v 27._o be_v thou_o bind_v unto_o a_o wife_n seek_v not_o to_o be_v loose_v three_o that_o of_o those_o who_o be_v already_o unmarried_a he_o advise_v virginity_n to_o they_o only_o who_o have_v the_o gift_n of_o continence_n 37._o nevertheless_o he_o that_o stand_v steadfast_a in_o his_o own_o heart_n have_v no_o necessity_n but_o have_v power_n over_o his_o own_o will_n and_o have_v so_o decree_v in_o his_o heart_n that_o he_o will_v keep_v his_o virgin_n he_o do_v well_o 9_o i_o say_v therefore_o to_o the_o unmarried_a and_o widow_n it_o be_v good_a for_o they_o if_o they_o abide_v even_o as_o i._o but_o if_o they_o can_v contain_v let_v they_o marry_v for_o it_o be_v better_a to_o marry_v than_o to_o burn_v four_o that_o this_o advice_n of_o virginity_n be_v give_v not_o for_o the_o attainment_n of_o any_o great_a merit_n but_o mere_o for_o reason_n of_o convenience_n and_o the_o urgent_a necessity_n of_o those_o time_n 26._o i_o suppose_v therefore_o that_o this_o be_v good_a for_o the_o present_a distress_n 29._o such_o shall_v have_v trouble_n in_o the_o flesh_n but_o i_o spare_v you_o but_o this_o i_o say_v brethren_z the_o time_n be_v short_a 32._o but_o i_o will_v have_v you_o without_o carefulness_n five_o that_o this_o advice_n be_v direct_v not_o only_o to_o the_o clergy_n but_o to_o all_o christian_n in_o general_n the_o apostle_n no_o where_o restrain_v his_o discourse_n to_o the_o former_a but_o all_o along_o address_v himself_o to_o the_o whole_a multitude_n of_o believer_n if_o any_o one_o of_o these_o observation_n be_v true_a as_o they_o be_v all_o most_o certain_o than_o no_o advantage_n can_v be_v draw_v out_o of_o this_o chapter_n for_o the_o cause_n of_o celibacy_n now_o in_o controversy_n but_o our_o adversary_n be_v not_o only_o destitute_a of_o reason_n and_o revelation_n in_o favour_n of_o this_o opinion_n but_o we_o have_v also_o many_o strong_a argument_n against_o it_o for_o to_o pass_v by_o the_o great_a of_o all_o the_o silence_n of_o scripture_n and_o the_o contrary_a practice_n of_o antiquity_n the_o first_o manifest_v already_o the_o latter_a to_o be_v prove_v hereafter_o many_o of_o the_o great_a divine_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n do_v express_o confess_v that_o the_o celibacy_n of_o the_o clergy_n be_v neither_o of_o divine_a nor_o apostolical_a institution_n this_o all_o those_o pope_n council_n and_o doctor_n hereafter_o to_o be_v produce_v who_o allow_v the_o marriage_n of_o priest_n in_o the_o greek_a church_n to_o be_v lawful_a must_v have_v hold_v unless_o they_o be_v suppose_v to_o have_v betray_v the_o doctrine_n and_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n all_o those_o divine_n likewise_o who_o have_v admit_v or_o allow_v a_o total_a abrogation_n of_o the_o law_n of_o celibacy_n can_v not_o believe_v it_o to_o have_v a_o divine_a or_o apostolical_a original_a however_o i_o shall_v produce_v some_o few_o who_o expresl_o deny_v it_o as_o first_o the_o canon_n law_n which_o may_v be_v look_v upon_o as_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o rome_n for_o some_o age_n so_o then_o gratian_n 1._o the_o marriage_n of_o priest_n be_v forbid_v neither_o by_o legal_a nor_o evangelical_n nor_o apostolical_a authority_n and_o yet_o be_v whole_o forbid_v by_o the_o ecclesiastical_a law._n and_o fin_n the_o church_n after_o the_o apostolical_a institution_n have_v add_v some_o counsel_n of_o perfection_n as_o that_o of_o the_o continence_n of_o minister_n 1551._o joannes_n a_o ludegna_n in_o a_o speech_n make_v in_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n and_o print_v among_o the_o act_n of_o that_o council_n determine_v and_o large_o prove_v that_o the_o celibacy_n of_o the_o clergy_n be_v neither_o of_o divine_a right_n nor_o in_o any_o sense_n command_v by_o the_o apostle_n but_o only_o advise_v by_o they_o and_o that_o if_o there_o be_v no_o law_n of_o the_o church_n or_o monastic_a vow_n priest_n or_o monk_n may_v lawful_o marry_v beside_o if_o the_o opinion_n of_o those_o divine_n be_v true_a who_o maintain_v that_o christ_n superad_v no_o evangelical_n counsel_n to_o the_o moral_a law_n celibacy_n can_v be_v neither_o of_o divine_a nor_o apostolical_a institution_n unless_o we_o suppose_v that_o the_o apostle_n immediate_o adulterate_v that_o most_o pure_a and_o simple_a religion_n which_o they_o have_v receive_v from_o their_o master_n and_o indeed_o this_o seem_v high_o rational_a most_o consonant_a to_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n and_o adapt_v to_o the_o nature_n of_o man._n that_o religion_n be_v most_o beâ—…itting_a the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o deity_n to_o prescribe_v for_o the_o last_o and_o most_o perfect_a rule_n of_o mankind_n which_o be_v most_o pure_a and_o simple_a and_o this_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v the_o great_a end_n of_o christ_n come_v into_o the_o world_n to_o free_v we_o from_o the_o bondage_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n and_o estate_n we_o in_o that_o perfect_a liberty_n if_o not_o of_o will_n yet_o at_o least_o as_o to_o the_o object_n of_o choice_n in_o which_o we_o be_v at_o
the_o effect_n of_o enforce_a celibacy_n and_o the_o council_n of_o metz_n 5._o in_o the_o same_o year_n upon_o the_o same_o account_n the_o next_o year_n riculfus_n bishop_n of_o soissons_fw-fr publish_v his_o constitution_n 416._o wherein_o 14._o he_o not_o only_o renew_v the_o canon_n of_o these_o two_o last_o council_n but_o also_o forbid_v the_o clergy_n to_o talk_v with_o woman_n in_o private_a or_o even_o speak_v to_o they_o without_o some_o witness_n stand_v by_o these_o be_v the_o progress_n and_o gradation_n of_o celibacy_n in_o the_o western_a church_n from_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a to_o the_o time_n of_o hildebrand_n propose_v it_o be_v by_o some_o doctor_n of_o great_a authority_n enforce_v by_o pope_n and_o enjoin_v by_o council_n yet_o can_v not_o all_o these_o authority_n effectual_o recommend_v to_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o clergy_n a_o doctrine_n so_o contrary_a to_o the_o first_o notion_n of_o reason_n and_o common_a inclination_n of_o mankind_n the_o frequent_a and_o continual_a repetition_n and_o renew_n of_o decree_n and_o canon_n to_o the_o establishment_n of_o it_o argue_v the_o universal_a opposition_n which_o it_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o world_n every_o late_a decree_n manifest_v that_o the_o former_a be_v unsuccessful_a and_o indeed_o most_o of_o these_o constitution_n be_v usher_v in_o with_o a_o preface_n of_o the_o obstinacy_n of_o the_o clergy_n in_o retain_v their_o wife_n against_o the_o express_a prohibition_n of_o the_o church_n all_o the_o aforementioned_a council_n be_v provincial_a and_o pope_n have_v not_o yet_o claim_v the_o government_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n so_o that_o all_o these_o decree_n affect_v not_o the_o eastern_a church_n at_o all_o nor_o those_o part_n even_o of_o the_o western_a church_n which_o be_v neither_o subject_n to_o the_o roman_a patriarchat_n nor_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o particular_a council_n and_o even_o in_o those_o church_n which_o be_v then_o subject_a to_o either_o of_o they_o the_o law_n of_o celibacy_n be_v never_o universal_o receive_v and_o obey_v and_o at_o last_o so_o far_o neglect_v and_o grow_v obsolete_a that_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o eleven_o age_n marriage_n of_o the_o clergy_n be_v as_o free_o use_v and_o as_o general_o practise_v in_o most_o part_n of_o the_o western_a church_n as_o it_o be_v at_o this_o day_n in_o the_o reform_a church_n this_o i_o come_v next_o to_o prove_v where_o i_o may_v just_o have_v omit_v to_o speak_v of_o the_o eastern_a church_n if_o our_o adversary_n do_v not_o pretend_v a_o universal_a practice_n of_o celibacy_n in_o the_o eastern_a as_o well_o as_o western_a church_n till_o the_o time_n of_o the_o quinisext_a council_n the_o refutation_n of_o this_o pretence_n will_v necessitate_v we_o to_o speak_v in_o general_a of_o the_o practice_n and_o discipline_n of_o the_o ancient_a universal_a church_n in_o the_o â—…ase_n of_o celibacy_n and_o first_o to_o take_v away_o all_o prejudice_n which_o may_v possess_v the_o reader_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a at_o least_o improbable_a that_o a_o custom_n persuade_v by_o many_o doctor_n command_v by_o pope_n and_o council_n successive_o in_o several_a age_n and_o which_o divers_a of_o the_o father_n affirm_v to_o have_v be_v universal_o practise_v in_o their_o time_n shall_v never_o be_v general_o use_v by_o the_o clergy_n i_o will_v produce_v a_o example_n of_o a_o matter_n of_o discipline_n of_o far_o less_o moment_n which_o be_v urge_v and_o enjoin_v with_o great_a advantage_n and_o authority_n and_o the_o universal_a practice_n of_o it_o attest_v by_o more_o writer_n which_o yet_o after_o all_o never_o general_o obtain_v in_o the_o church_n and_o be_v indeed_o disuse_v in_o all_o age_n i_o mean_v the_o case_n of_o bigamist_n who_o by_o a_o early_a custom_n of_o the_o church_n begin_v before_o the_o end_n of_o the_o second_o century_n be_v exclude_v from_o the_o clergy_n this_o exclusion_n be_v command_v by_o the_o apostolic_a canon_n 16._o by_o the_o apostolic_a constitution_n 17._o by_o st._n basil_n canonical_a epistle_n 12._o to_o amphilochius_n by_o the_o council_n of_o valence_n 1._o agatha_n 1._o four_o of_o arles_n 3._o three_o of_o constantinople_n 3._o of_o rome_n 2._o under_o pope_n hilarus_n of_o aquisgran_n 9_o and_o infinite_a other_o by_o the_o pope_n siricius_n 1._o innocent_n 5._o leo_n 1_o gelasius_n 22._o and_o gregory_z 25._o tertullian_n 7._o say_v the_o ordination_n of_o bigamist_n be_v forbid_v by_o apostolical_a tradition_n and_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n origen_n luc._n affirm_v that_o in_o his_o time_n bishop_n priest_n and_o deacon_n can_v not_o be_v bigamist_n st._n ambrose_n assert_v vercell_n this_o prohibition_n to_o have_v be_v confirm_v by_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a pope_n innocent_a 2._o say_v no_o question_n ought_v to_o be_v make_v of_o it_o it_o be_v manifest_o of_o divine_a institution_n pope_n leo_n 4._o that_o this_o precept_n be_v ever_o hold_v sacred_a and_o 1._o that_o nâ—…ither_o law_n nor_o gospel_n will_v permit_v such_o to_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o clergy_n epiphanius_n 4._o in_o truth_n the_o holy_a command_n of_o god_n after_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n receive_v not_o into_o the_o clergy_n those_o who_o after_o the_o death_n of_o their_o first_o wife_n contract_v a_o second_o marriage_n st._n hierom_n 1._o a_o bigamist_n can_v be_v choose_v into_o the_o clergy_n and_o monog_n a_o layman_n be_v not_o choose_v into_o the_o clergy_n if_o he_o be_v a_o bigamist_n st._n augustin_n 18._o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a to_o ordain_v any_o but_o the_o husband_n of_o one_o wife_n hilary_n the_o deacon_n 12._o no_o bigamist_n be_v ordain_v and_o by_o all_o the_o same_o authority_n he_o who_o have_v keep_v a_o concubine_n be_v make_v uncapable_a of_o the_o clergy_n after_o so_o many_o and_o so_o great_a authority_n the_o common_a tradition_n of_o both_o church_n command_v of_o general_n council_n and_o belief_n of_o divine_a institution_n all_o which_o advantage_n the_o celibacy_n of_o the_o clergy_n want_v who_o can_v imagine_v any_o otherwise_o than_o that_o this_o point_n of_o discipline_n be_v â—…niversally_o receive_v and_o practise_v without_o exception_n or_o limitation_n yet_o nothing_o less_o textullian_n object_n this_o to_o the_o catholic_n as_o a_o main_a argument_n of_o his_o separation_n and_o departure_n to_o the_o montanist_n that_o they_o admit_v bigamist_n even_o to_o the_o episcopal_a dignity_n among_o you_o say_v he_o 12._o how_o many_o bigamists_n preside_v and_o when_o theodoret_n ordain_v count_n irenaeus_n a_o bigamist_n then_o in_o disfavour_n at_o court_n bishop_n of_o tyre_n and_o his_o enemy_n lay_v hold_v of_o that_o pretence_n to_o accuse_v he_o of_o the_o violation_n of_o the_o canon_n he_o defend_v domnum_fw-la himself_o by_o the_o authority_n of_o all_o the_o bishop_n of_o phoenicia_n who_o give_v their_o suffrage_n to_o the_o ordination_n by_o the_o example_n and_o tradition_n of_o his_o predecessor_n by_o the_o example_n of_o alexander_n patriarch_n of_o antioch_n and_o praylius_fw-la of_o jerusalem_n who_o have_v ordain_v bishop_n diogenes_n and_o domninus_n both_o digamist_n that_o he_o follow_v herein_o custom_n and_o famous_a man_n celebrate_v for_o their_o knowledge_n and_o piety_n and_o that_o proclus_n patriarch_n of_o constantinople_n the_o metropolitan_o of_o pontus_n and_o all_o the_o bishop_n of_o palestine_n have_v not_o only_o allow_v but_o also_o commend_v this_o ordination_n and_o not_o the_o least_o doubt_v make_v of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o it_o last_o st._n augustin_n be_v ordain_v bishop_n of_o hippo_n by_o the_o common_a consent_n of_o all_o the_o bishop_n of_o africa_n who_o have_v far_o exceed_v 15._o the_o suppose_a scandal_n of_o digamy_n by_o a_o open_a cohabitation_n of_o two_o concubine_n successive_o and_o which_o deserve_v the_o first_o place_n st._n hierom_n answer_v the_o doubt_n of_o oceanus_n whether_o carterius_n a_o digamist_n be_v canonical_o ordain_v bishop_n sai_z ocean_n i_o wonder_v you_o produce_v the_o example_n of_o no_o more_o than_o one_o whenas_o the_o whole_a world_n be_v full_a of_o these_o ordination_n i_o speak_v not_o of_o priest_n nor_o of_o the_o inferior_a order_n i_o come_v to_o bishop_n who_o if_o i_o shall_v name_v single_o so_o great_a a_o number_n will_v arise_v that_o the_o multitude_n of_o the_o synod_n of_o ariminum_n the_o most_o numerous_a council_n which_o have_v be_v then_o hold_v will_v be_v exceed_v that_o the_o law_n of_o celibacy_n be_v no_o less_o disobey_v and_o all_o the_o ancient_a testimony_n of_o the_o universal_a practice_n of_o it_o be_v no_o less_o wide_a mistake_n i_o come_v next_o to_o prove_v and_o will_v begin_v with_o the_o eastern_a church_n st._n athanasius_n not_o long_o after_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a write_v to_o dracontius_n a_o holy_a monk_n rebuke_n he_o for_o decline_v the_o episcopal_a office_n and_o refute_v the_o reason_n of_o his_o refusal_n the_o chief_a of_o which_o
unreasonable_o jealous_a of_o she_o for_o which_o be_v rebuke_v by_o the_o apostle_n that_o he_o may_v purge_v himself_o of_o all_o suspicion_n of_o jealousy_n he_o bring_v his_o wife_n into_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o company_n and_o give_v up_o his_o right_n to_o she_o give_v free_a leave_n to_o any_o one_o to_o marry_v she_o not_o that_o he_o intend_v any_o such_o thing_n but_o only_o to_o show_v by_o that_o bravado_n how_o far_o he_o be_v from_o jealousy_n this_o indeed_o be_v a_o rash_a and_o imprudent_a act_n which_o give_v neither_o example_n nor_o just_a occasion_n to_o those_o execrable_a thing_n which_o afterward_o the_o nicolaites_n practise_v and_o some_o credulous_a person_n believe_v to_o have_v be_v commit_v by_o nicolas_n who_o cit_fw-la clemens_n affirm_v to_o have_v be_v true_o chaste_a and_o have_v use_v the_o company_n of_o none_o but_o his_o own_o wife_n by_o who_o he_o have_v one_o son_n and_o several_a daughter_n all_o person_n of_o exemplary_a virtue_n and_o modesty_n 29._o eusebius_n 5._o st._n augustine_n and_o 1._o theodoret_n relate_v the_o story_n the_o same_o way_n only_o init_fw-la epiphanius_n relate_v in_o a_o different_a manner_n that_o nicolas_n have_v vow_v perpetual_a abstinence_n from_o his_o wife_n be_v allure_v by_o the_o charm_n of_o her_o beauty_n to_o return_v to_o her_o embrace_n and_o violate_v his_o vow_n and_o afterward_o not_o only_o become_v unreasonable_o jealous_a but_o fall_v into_o all_o kind_n of_o uncleanness_n and_o found_v the_o heresy_n of_o the_o nicolaites_n this_o relation_n epiphanius_n seem_v to_o have_v receive_v from_o the_o impure_a gnostic_n with_o who_o he_o converse_v in_o his_o youth_n and_o as_o he_o be_v a_o person_n infinite_o credulous_a and_o of_o weak_a judgement_n blind_o to_o have_v follow_v it_o however_o his_o authority_n in_o a_o matter_n of_o this_o nature_n be_v of_o no_o moment_n when_o oppose_v to_o clemens_n and_o eusebius_n judicious_a and_o more_o ancient_a writer_n from_o the_o apostolic_a time_n i_o proceed_v to_o the_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n of_o succeed_a age_n till_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a of_o the_o two_o first_o age_n few_o monument_n of_o the_o church_n be_v now_o extant_a and_o in_o they_o not_o the_o least_o foot-step_n of_o celibacy_n impose_v or_o general_o use_v by_o the_o clergy_n to_o be_v sound_a rather_o clemens_n alex._n assure_v we_o that_o ibid._n every_o christian_n in_o his_o time_n may_v as_o himself_o please_v either_o choose_v or_o omit_v marriage_n that_o all_o none_o except_v have_v power_n to_o make_v use_n of_o that_o marriage_n which_o the_o gospel_n permit_v they_o first_o marriage_n where_o he_o plain_o speak_v of_o the_o clergy_n for_o second_o marriage_n be_v never_o forbid_v to_o the_o laity_n but_o the_o follow_a word_n be_v more_o remarkable_a the_o apostle_n very_o well_o approve_v the_o husband_n of_o one_o wife_n although_o he_o be_v a_o priest_n or_o a_o deacon_n or_o a_o layman_n if_o he_o use_v his_o marriage_n unblamable_o for_o he_o shall_v be_v save_v by_o procreation_n of_o child_n and_o what_o will_v the_o condemner_n of_o marriage_n say_v to_o these_o precept_n since_o the_o apostle_n command_v he_o to_o preside_v over_o the_o church_n in_o quality_n of_o bishop_n who_o govern_v his_o own_o house_n well_o and_o the_o marriage_n of_o one_o wife_n represent_v the_o church_n of_o christ._n indeed_o about_o the_o year_n 170._o pinytus_n bishop_n of_o gnossus_n in_o crete_n have_v under_o pretence_n of_o a_o great_a perfection_n and_o purity_n endeavour_v to_o impose_v celibacy_n upon_o his_o clergy_n which_o when_o dionysius_n the_o famous_a bishop_n of_o corinth_n hear_v he_o write_v a_o epistle_n to_o he_o represent_v the_o injustice_n of_o his_o attempt_n and_o persuade_v he_o 23._o not_o to_o impose_v so_o heavy_a a_o burden_n as_o necessity_n of_o continence_n upon_o the_o brethren_n but_o to_o have_v regard_n to_o the_o infirmity_n of_o many_o that_o by_o the_o brethren_n in_o this_o place_n only_o the_o clergy_n be_v mean_v appear_v evident_o from_o the_o character_n which_o eusebius_n give_v of_o pinytus_n that_o he_o be_v a_o pious_a and_o orthodox_n person_n whereas_o have_v he_o impose_v celibacy_n upon_o all_o the_o faithful_a he_o have_v be_v guilty_a of_o a_o gross_a and_o most_o erroneous_a heresy_n to_o this_o i_o may_v add_v the_o confession_n of_o the_o most_o learned_a 66._o mendoza_n and_o many_o other_o if_o so_o clear_a a_o matter_n want_v any_o further_a illustration_n that_o pinytus_n yield_v to_o the_o admonition_n of_o dionysius_n and_o quit_v his_o attempt_n we_o be_v assure_v by_o 23._o russinus_n who_o say_v that_o pinytus_n write_v back_o to_o he_o embrace_v the_o opinion_n of_o his_o better_a counsel_n in_o the_o three_o age_n origen_n plain_o insinuate_v that_o first_o marriage_n be_v in_o his_o time_n indifferent_o permit_v to_o the_o clergy_n sine_fw-la not_o only_o fornication_n say_v he_o but_o also_o second_n marriage_n exclude_v from_o ecclesiastical_a dignity_n for_o neither_o a_o bishop_n nor_o priest_n nor_o deacon_n nor_o deaconness_n can_v be_v digamist_n himself_o indeed_o be_v agreat_a admirer_n of_o celibacy_n but_o that_o we_o shall_v speak_v to_o hereafter_o of_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n in_o these_o three_o first_o age_n not_o a_o few_o example_n may_v be_v produce_v for_o to_o pass_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o deacon_n already_o mention_v sine_fw-la st._n polycarp_n profess_v himself_o to_o be_v very_o sorry_a for_o valens_n presbyter_n of_o philippi_n and_o his_o wife_n that_o tertullian_n presbyter_n of_o carthage_n be_v marry_v all_o acknowledge_v that_o he_o abstain_v from_o his_o wife_n after_o his_o entrance_n into_o holy_a order_n be_v a_o mere_a fiction_n of_o the_o papist_n which_o however_o contemn_v by_o some_o reform_a divine_n may_v be_v refute_v by_o tertullian_n own_o word_n for_o in_o his_o two_o book_n direct_v to_o she_o to_o persuade_v she_o to_o continue_v a_o widow_n after_o his_o death_n or_o if_o through_o the_o infirmity_n of_o the_o flesh_n we_o can_v do_v that_o yet_o at_o least_o to_o marry_v none_o but_o a_o christian_a he_o have_v these_o word_n rhenanum_fw-la why_o shall_v we_o not_o love_v the_o perfection_n of_o continence_n as_o much_o as_o we_o be_v able_a as_o soon_o as_o it_o offer_v itself_o let_v we_o embrace_v it_o that_o what_o we_o be_v not_o now_o able_a to_o do_v while_o marry_v we_o may_v perform_v in_o widowhood_n that_o occasion_n ought_v to_o be_v lay_v hold_n of_o which_o deprive_v we_o of_o those_o pleasure_n that_o necessity_n before_o command_v a_o little_a before_o tertullian_n time_n 9_o irenaeus_n relate_v how_o marcus_n the_o haeresiarch_n be_v entertain_v by_o a_o catholic_n deacon_n in_o asia_n who_o have_v a_o handsome_a wife_n debauch_v she_o both_o in_o body_n and_o mind_n and_o run_v away_o with_o she_o in_o the_o decian_a persecution_n chaeremon_n bishop_n of_o nile_n in_o egypt_n flee_v into_o the_o mountain_n of_o arabia_n a_o together_o with_o the_o companion_n of_o his_o life_n or_o as_o valesius_fw-la 42._o true_o translate_v it_o fugiens_fw-la with_o his_o wife_n among_o the_o article_n of_o misdemeanour_n whereof_o cornelium_n st._n cyprian_n accuse_v novatus_n presbyter_n of_o carthage_n and_o author_n of_o the_o novatian_a schism_n in_o africa_n one_o be_v that_o he_o kick_v his_o wife_n great_a with_o child_n and_o cause_v she_o to_o miscarry_v that_o st._n cyprian_n himself_o be_v marry_v and_o live_v with_o his_o wife_n after_o the_o the_o receive_n of_o holy_a order_n we_o may_v learn_v from_o init_fw-la pontius_n his_o deacon_n who_o speak_v of_o his_o eminent_a virtue_n and_o extraordinary_a piety_n whilst_o yet_o presbyter_n say_v that_o neither_o want_n nor_o sorrow_n can_v discourage_v he_o neither_o the_o persuasion_n of_o his_o wife_n nor_o the_o suffering_n of_o his_o own_o body_n can_v divert_v he_o from_o neglect_v the_o care_n of_o his_o estate_n to_o attend_v the_o exercise_n of_o his_o religion_n caecilius_n presbyter_n of_o carthage_n who_o have_v convert_v st._n cyprian_n to_o the_o christian_a faith_n at_o his_o death_n ibid._n recommend_v his_o wife_n and_o child_n to_o his_o care_n and_o protection_n 18._o caldonius_n in_o a_o epistle_n to_o st._n cyprian_n reckon_v faelix_fw-la a_o presbyter_n and_o victorin_n his_o wife_n among_o the_o confessor_n of_o africa_n in_o the_o dioclesian_n persecution_n phileas_n the_o most_o holy_a bishop_n of_o thmuis_n in_o egypt_n and_o philoromus_n be_v bring_v 9_o before_o the_o heathen_a judge_n to_o receive_v sentence_n of_o martyrdom_n be_v desire_v by_o he_o to_o take_v pity_n if_o not_o of_o themselves_o yet_o at_o least_o of_o their_o wife_n and_o child_n and_o prevent_v the_o ruin_n of_o their_o family_n by_o sacrisice_v to_o idol_n although_o those_o brave_a martyr_n slight_v his_o admonition_n and_o scorn_v such_o ignoble_a consideration_n however_o celibacy_n and_o the_o merit_n of_o