learning_n and_o indeed_o this_o be_v a_o thing_n altogether_o new_a to_o they_o for_o there_o be_v no_o provision_n make_v by_o the_o init_fw-la aug._n de_fw-fr vera_fw-la rel_n init_fw-la heathen_n for_o the_o instruction_n of_o the_o common_a people_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n they_o have_v only_o the_o lecture_n of_o their_o philosopher_n who_o read_v to_o they_o the_o precept_n of_o cels._n orig_n contr._n cels._n morality_n but_o never_o meddle_v with_o the_o proper_a office_n of_o religion_n beside_o as_o all_o the_o heretic_n pass_v under_o the_o name_n of_o christian_n they_o ascribe_v to_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o christian_n all_o the_o wild_a fancy_n of_o the_o velentinians_n and_o the_o other_o such_o like_a visionary_n encounter_v by_o irenaeus_n the_o heathen_n confound_v all_o these_o extravagancy_n with_o the_o catholic_n faith_n so_o that_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o christian_n appear_v 28._o v._o baron_n a_o cl_o xxix_o n._n 17._o and_o 28._o to_o they_o a_o mere_a mess_n of_o infatuation_n vent_v by_o a_o parcel_n of_o ignorant_a crack-brained_a fool_n for_o what_o reason_n say_v they_o can_v you_o two_o euseb_n praepar_fw-la i_o cap._n two_o give_v we_o why_o we_o shall_v quit_v the_o establish_a religion_n plead_v so_o long_o a_o prescription_n of_o time_n recommend_v with_o such_o a_o pomp_n of_o ceremony_n confirm_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o so_o many_o king_n and_o legislator_n and_o receive_v by_o the_o consent_n of_o all_o people_n both_o greek_n and_o barbarian_n and_o that_o to_o embrace_v a_o novel_a invention_n of_o we_o know_v not_o who_o and_o run_v ourselves_o a_o ground_n upon_o the_o jewish_a fable_n or_o if_o you_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o turn_v jew_n why_o be_v you_o not_o jew_n through_o out_o but_o your_o extravagancy_n be_v unaccountable_a in_o worship_v the_o god_n of_o the_o jew_n whether_o they_o will_v or_o no_o and_o in_o worship_v he_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o the_o jew_n themselves_o condemn_v as_o much_o as_o we_o and_o in_o pretend_v to_o their_o law_n with_o which_o you_o have_v nothing_o to_o do_v it_o be_v true_a the_o moral_n of_o christian_n be_v very_o exact_a and_o their_o practice_n answer_v their_o principle_n but_o all_o the_o world_n be_v then_o full_a of_o philosopher_n who_o pretend_v no_o less_o than_o the_o christian_n both_o to_o the_o teach_n of_o virtue_n and_o to_o the_o practise_v of_o it_o there_o be_v among_o they_o also_o many_o who_o in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n perhaps_o in_o imitation_n of_o the_o christian_n run_v about_o the_o world_n from_o place_n to_o place_n pretend_v to_o make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o reform_v mankind_n and_o thereupon_o submit_v themselves_o to_o many_o hardship_n and_o undergo_a a_o kind_n of_o persecution_n by_o the_o ill_a treatment_n they_o sometime_o meet_v with_o as_o apollonius_n tyanaeus_n musonius_n 6._o v._o baron_n a_o l_o twenty-five_o n._n 6._o damis_n epictetus_n and_o some_o other_o the_o philosopher_n have_v for_o many_o age_n before_o be_v in_o great_a reputation_n it_o be_v take_v cels._n orig._n con._n cels._n for_o grant_v that_o nothing_o more_o can_v be_v add_v to_o what_o have_v already_o be_v say_v by_o some_o of_o they_o they_o can_v not_o imagine_v that_o barbarian_n shall_v have_v any_o thing_n better_o to_o offer_v than_o pythagoras_n socrates_n plato_n or_o zeno._n they_o conclude_v that_o if_o these_o new_a pretender_n have_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v good_a in_o they_o it_o be_v but_o somewhat_o which_o they_o have_v borrow_v from_o those_o old_a sage_n beside_o the_o philosopher_n be_v a_o more_o agreeable_a sort_n of_o professor_n and_o their_o principle_n better_o accommodate_v to_o the_o inclination_n of_o mankind_n than_o those_o of_o the_o christian_n the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o do_v not_o condemn_v pleasure_n nay_o some_o of_o they_o make_v pleasure_n the_o sovereign_n good_a they_o leave_v every_o one_o to_o enjoy_v his_o own_o opinion_n and_o take_v his_o own_o way_n of_o live_v if_o they_o can_v not_o persuade_v man_n their_o method_n be_v to_o rally_v and_o despise_v they_o and_o that_o be_v all_o the_o trouble_n they_o give_v they_o but_o above_o all_o they_o take_v care_n not_o to_o pick_v quarrel_n with_o the_o establish_a religion_n some_o believe_v they_o and_o give_v mystical_a explication_n of_o the_o most_o ridiculous_a fable_n other_o trouble_v their_o head_n no_o far_o about_o matter_n of_o religion_n then_o to_o acknowledge_v some_o first_o be_v the_o author_n of_o nature_n leave_v the_o public_a superstition_n to_o those_o who_o they_o believe_v incapable_a of_o high_a attainment_n even_o the_o epicurean_o who_o of_o all_o other_o discover_v themselves_o the_o most_o open_o against_o the_o popular_a opinion_n concern_v the_o god_n horat_n assisto_fw-la divinis_fw-la horat_n yet_o free_o assist_v at_o the_o sacrifice_n and_o in_o what_o part_n of_o the_o world_n so_o ever_o they_o be_v join_v with_o the_o rest_n in_o the_o outward_a form_n of_o religious_a worship_n there_o practise_v in_o this_o all_o their_o wise_a man_n agree_v not_o to_o oppose_v the_o custom_n establish_v either_o by_o the_o law_n of_o the_o country_n or_o prescription_n of_o time_n their_o belief_n of_o a_o plurality_n of_o god_n go_v so_o far_o that_o they_o imagine_v every_o nation_n every_o city_n every_o family_n have_v god_n of_o its_o own_o who_o take_v a_o more_o peculiar_a care_n of_o they_o and_o who_o therefore_o they_o be_v to_o worship_n after_o a_o more_o peculiar_a manner_n so_o that_o they_o count_v all_o religion_n good_a in_o such_o place_n where_o they_o have_v be_v of_o a_o long_a time_n receive_v but_o the_o superstitious_a woman_n among_o they_o and_o other_o weak_a and_o ignorant_a people_n be_v always_o hunt_v after_o new_a religion_n imagine_v that_o the_o more_o god_n and_o goddess_n they_o worship_v and_o the_o great_a number_n and_o variety_n of_o ceremony_n they_o observe_v the_o more_o devout_a and_o religious_a they_o be_v the_o wise_a man_n among_o xxix_o liv._o xxix_o they_o and_o their_o politician_n do_v what_o they_o can_v to_o restrain_v this_o restless_a humour_n and_o keep_v it_o within_o some_o bound_n and_o therefore_o be_v against_o all_o innovation_n in_o matter_n of_o this_o nature_n above_o all_o they_o forbid_v all_o strange_a and_o foreign_a religion_n and_o this_o the_o roman_n make_v a_o fundamental_a principle_n of_o their_o politic_n to_o persuade_v their_o people_n to_o believe_v that_o it_o be_v to_o the_o beneficence_n of_o their_o titlar_n deitys_n that_o rome_n be_v behold_v for_o all_o its_o glorious_a success_n and_o the_o grandeur_n of_o its_o empire_n that_o their_o god_n must_v needs_o have_v be_v more_o puissant_a deitys_n than_o any_o of_o the_o rest_n since_o they_o have_v bring_v under_o their_o subjection_n all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n thus_o when_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v entire_o establish_v the_o pagan_n fail_v not_o to_o impute_v to_o this_o change_n of_o religion_n the_o fall_n of_o the_o empire_n which_o succeed_v soon_o upon_o it_o and_o to_o answer_v these_o false_a suggestion_n be_v st._n augustin_n oblige_v to_o compose_v his_o large_a treatise_n entitle_v de_n civitate_fw-la dei_fw-la the_o contempt_n the_o christian_n have_v of_o death_n be_v not_o by_o the_o heathen_n look_v upon_o as_o any_o great_a matter_n they_o see_v every_o day_n their_o voluntee_a gladiator_n who_o for_o some_o inconsiderable_a reward_n or_o perhaps_o for_o just_a nothing_o at_o all_o but_o to_o show_v their_o own_o bravery_n fearless_o expose_v themselves_o to_o the_o sword_n of_o their_o antagonist_n and_o venture_v have_v their_o throat_n cut_v in_o the_o open_a amphitheatre_n they_o have_v daily_o example_n before_o they_o of_o person_n and_o those_o of_o the_o best_a sort_n who_o upon_o any_o little_a disgust_n will_v fair_o dispatch_v themselves_o out_o of_o the_o world_n some_o of_o ire_n well_o jactatione_n ut_fw-la quidam_fw-la philosophi_fw-la l._n vi_fw-la §._o seven_o f._n de_fw-fr injusto_fw-la rump_n &_o ire_n their_o philosopher_n as_o the_o lawyer_n report_n of_o they_o do_v the_o like_a pure_o out_o of_o vanity_n of_o which_o lucian_n peregrinus_n be_v a_o famous_a instance_n and_o therefore_o see_v the_o christian_n prosess_v a_o renunciation_n of_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o this_o life_n and_o place_v all_o their_o happiness_n in_o that_o to_o come_v they_o rather_o wonder_v that_o they_o do_v not_o kill_v themselves_o they_o tell_v we_o say_v st._n justin_n init_fw-la justin_n ap._n â—_o init_fw-la go_v then_o kill_v yourselves_o without_o any_o more_o ado_n get_v you_o go_v to_o your_o god_n and_o let_v we_o hear_v no_o more_o of_o you_o and_o antoninus_n proconsul_n of_o asia_n see_v the_o christian_n crowd_v the_o court_n and_o offer_v themselves_o to_o martyrdom_n cry_v out_o to_o they_o ah_o ult_n tertul._n ad_fw-la scap._n c._n ult_n wretched_a creature_n
but_o that_o they_o may_v not_o xxiv_o can._n apost_n xxiv_o punish_v the_o same_o fault_n twice_o over_o and_o out_o of_o reverence_n to_o the_o sacrament_n of_o order_n they_o impose_v on_o he_o no_o other_o penance_n if_o any_o one_o shall_v wonder_v at_o this_o discipline_n of_o the_o ancient_n let_v he_o consider_v that_o the_o sin_n to_o which_o penance_n be_v due_a be_v in_o those_o day_n rare_o know_v among_o christian_n for_o as_o with_o we_o person_n of_o honour_n who_o be_v well_o educate_v and_o settle_v in_o the_o world_n seldom_o fall_v into_o those_o crime_n which_o bring_v they_o so_o far_o under_o the_o lash_n of_o the_o law_n as_o to_o make_v they_o liable_a to_o the_o infamy_n of_o public_a punishment_n so_o of_o old_a it_o do_v not_o often_o happen_v that_o christian_n so_o careful_o admit_v and_o so_o well_o instruct_v shall_v be_v guilty_a of_o adultery_n homicide_n or_o other_o such_o like_a heinous_a sin_n which_o deserve_a death_n tertullian_n declare_v that_o the_o catholic_n be_v easy_o distinguish_v from_o v._o de_fw-fr prescript_n c._n xli_o xlii_o apol._n c._n four_o v._o the_o heretic_n by_o the_o difference_n of_o their_o behaviour_n and_o he_o bold_o upbraid_v the_o heathen_a that_o their_o goal_n be_v fill_v with_o none_o but_o heathen_n like_o themselves_o or_o if_o any_o christian_n be_v there_o it_o be_v upon_o no_o other_o account_n but_o bare_o for_o their_o be_v christian_n or_o if_o say_v he_o any_o other_o crime_n can_v be_v bay_v to_o their_o charge_n they_o be_v no_o long_a christian_n innocence_n with_o we_o be_v a_o necessary_a virtue_n we_o understand_v it_o perfect_o as_o have_v learn_v it_o of_o god_n who_o be_v the_o best_a master_n and_o we_o practise_v it_o with_o the_o great_a care_n as_o be_v oblige_v to_o it_o by_o that_o judge_n who_o we_o must_v not_o despise_v there_o be_v some_o christian_n who_o deaconess_n xxi_o ascetick_n virgin_n widow_n deaconess_n practise_v all_o the_o exercise_n of_o penance_n without_o be_v oblige_v to_o they_o and_o without_o be_v exclude_v the_o sacrament_n but_o than_o it_o be_v out_o of_o their_o own_o voluntary_a devotion_n in_o imitation_n of_o the_o life_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o st._n john_n the_o baptist_n and_o follow_v the_o council_n of_o st._n paul_n for_o exercise_v themselves_o unto_o godliness_n and_o 27._o 1_o tim._n four_o 7._o 1_o cor._n ix_o 27._o keep_v under_o the_o body_n to_o bring_v it_o into_o subjection_n these_o be_v call_v ascetick_n that_o be_v to_o say_v exercisant_n they_o general_o keep_v themselves_o close_o shut_v up_o in_o their_o own_o house_n where_o they_o live_v in_o great_a retirement_n add_v to_o the_o usual_a frugality_n of_o christian_n some_o extraordinary_a fast_n and_o abstinence_n they_o keep_v themselves_o to_o what_o they_o call_v xerophagy_n that_o be_v feed_v only_o upon_o dry_a diet_n and_o hold_v out_o their_o fast_n to_o two_o or_o three_o day_n together_o or_o some_o time_n long_o they_o accustom_v themselves_o to_o wear_v sackcloth_n to_o walk_v barefoot_n to_o sleep_v upon_o the_o ground_n to_o watch_v the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o night_n to_o be_v constant_o read_v the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o as_o much_o as_o be_v possible_a to_o pray_v without_o cease_v origen_n iii._o euseb_n hist_o vi_fw-la c._n iii._o for_o some_o time_n lead_v this_o life_n and_o many_o of_o these_o ascetick_n become_v great_a bishop_n pierio_fw-la hier._n the_o script_n 87._o in_o pierio_fw-la and_o doctor_n all_o the_o ascetick_n live_v in_o great_a continence_n and_o all_o christian_n in_o general_a high_o admire_v that_o virtue_n so_o much_o recommend_v by_o jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n pium._n just_a orat._n ad_fw-la anton._n pium._n a_o young_a man_n of_o alexandria_n under_o the_o reign_n of_o the_o emperor_n antonine_n present_v a_o petition_n to_o the_o governor_n of_o that_o city_n that_o he_o may_v have_v a_o surgeon_n allow_v he_o to_o make_v he_o a_o eunuch_n and_o many_o there_o be_v who_o do_v so_o in_o good_a earnest_n i._n can._n nic._n i._n so_o that_o the_o church_n be_v oblige_v to_o make_v a_o law_n on_o purpose_n to_o repress_v that_o indiscreet_a zeal_n there_o be_v a_o great_a number_n also_o of_o young_a person_n of_o the_o female_a sex_n who_o consecrate_a their_o virginity_n to_o god_n either_o by_o the_o advice_n of_o their_o parent_n or_o of_o their_o own_o proper_a motion_n these_o virgin_n lead_v the_o ascetic_a life_n for_o they_o do_v not_o look_v upon_o virginity_n as_o any_o thing_n if_o it_o asellâ_fw-la v_o hier._n ep._n de_fw-fr asellâ_fw-la be_v not_o attend_v with_o great_a mortification_n with_o silence_n retirement_n poverty_n labour_n fast_n watch_n and_o continual_a pray_v they_o be_v not_o esteem_v as_o virgin_n who_o will_v not_o deny_v themselves_o the_o common_a diversion_n of_o the_o world_n even_o the_o most_o innocent_a as_o the_o take_v too_o great_a a_o delight_n in_o conversation_n the_o affect_v a_o pleasantness_n and_o agreeableness_n of_o humour_n and_o discourse_n so_o as_o to_o make_v a_o show_n of_o their_o wit_n and_o ingenuity_n much_o less_o will_v they_o endure_v those_o that_o set_v up_o for_o bell_n for_o dress_n perfume_a long-train_n and_o move_v with_o a_o affect_a air._n st._n cyprian_n recommend_v scarce_o virg._n cypr._n de_fw-fr hab._n virg._n any_o thing_n else_o to_o christian_a virgin_n but_o the_o renounce_v all_o the_o vain_a ornament_n of_o the_o body_n and_o ostentation_n of_o beauty_n he_o well_o know_v how_o fond_a young_a woman_n be_v of_o such_o gaudy_a trifle_n and_o of_o how_o pernicious_a a_o consequence_n they_o may_v prove_v to_o those_o of_o their_o profession_n in_o the_o first_o age_n the_o virgin_n consecrate_a to_o god_n general_o live_v at_o home_n with_o their_o parent_n or_o in_o private_a by_o themselves_o two_o and_o two_o together_o never_o go_v abroad_o but_o when_o they_o go_v to_o church_n where_o they_o have_v a_o place_n allot_v they_o to_o sit_v by_o themselves_o separate_v from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o woman_n if_o vi_fw-la ambros_n de_fw-fr virg_n lap_n c._n vi_fw-la any_o one_o violate_v her_o holy_a resolution_n and_o marry_a she_o be_v enjoin_v penance_n the_o widow_n who_o renounce_v second_o marriage_n pass_v their_o time_n much_o after_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o the_o virgin_n in_o fast_n paulae_n v_o heir_n in_o ep._n paulae_n pray_v and_o the_o other_o exercise_n of_o the_o ascetic_a life_n but_o they_o do_v not_o keep_v themselves_o so_o close_o shut_v up_o as_o be_v more_o employ_v in_o the_o outward_a act_n of_o charity_n as_o in_o visit_v and_o relieve_v the_o sick_a and_o imprison_v and_o more_o especial_o the_o martyr_n and_o confessor_n in_o take_v care_n of_o the_o poor_a in_o entertain_v and_o attend_v upon_o stranger_n in_o bury_v the_o dead_a and_o general_o in_o the_o office_n of_o charity_n and_o indeed_o all_o christian_a woman_n whether_o marry_v or_o widow_n make_v these_o kind_n of_o work_n the_o great_a of_o their_o employment_n rare_o appear_v abroad_o but_o upon_o the_o do_n of_o some_o good_a office_n or_o when_o they_o go_v to_o church_n but_o the_o widow_n be_v more_o at_o liberty_n from_o other_o engagement_n didicate_v themselves_o four_o tertul._n ad_fw-la â—xor_fw-la c._n four_o whole_o to_o these_o service_n if_o they_o be_v rich_a they_o liberal_o distribute_v their_o alm_n if_o they_o be_v poor_a the_o church_n maintain_v they_o they_o choose_v for_o their_o deaconess_n the_o most_o age_a of_o their_o widow_n 9_o 1_o tim._n v._o 9_o of_o sixty_o year_n or_o upward_a the_o most_o iii._o v_o const_n apost_n l._n iii._o discreet_a and_o those_o who_o have_v best_a approve_v themselves_o in_o all_o the_o exercise_n of_o charity_n this_o office_n be_v also_o sometime_o assign_v to_o xuj_o const_n apos_n vi_fw-la c._n xuj_o virgin_n they_o be_v call_v deaconess_n not_o as_o if_o they_o be_v count_v of_o the_o clergy_n for_o woman_n can_v partake_v of_o any_o part_n of_o the_o priesthood_n but_o because_o they_o exercise_v towards_o the_o woman_n some_o part_n of_o the_o deacon_n office_n their_o business_n be_v to_o visit_v those_o of_o their_o own_o sex_n who_o poverty_n sickness_n or_o any_o other_o distress_n render_v proper_a object_n of_o the_o church_n care_n to_o instruct_v the_o female_a catechuman_n iii._o con._n apost_n iii._o or_o rather_o to_o repeat_v to_o they_o the_o instruction_n of_o the_o catechist_n they_o present_v they_o to_o baptism_n and_o upon_o that_o occasion_n assist_v they_o in_o dress_v and_o undress_v they_o and_o for_o sometime_o after_o overlook_v these_o new_a convert_v to_o break_v and_o discipline_n they_o into_o a_o christian_a behaviour_n in_o the_o church_n they_o keep_v the_o door_n on_o the_o woman_n side_n take_v care_n to_o see_v every_o one_o seat_v in_o her_o proper_a place_n and_o that_o all_o behave_v
of_o it_o both_o by_o affix_v some_o kind_n of_o penalty_n etc._n tac._n an._n iii._o five_o tit_n cod_n de_fw-fr infirm_a paen_fw-la coelib_a v._o baron_n a_o 57_o n._n 44_o etc._n etc._n upon_o those_o who_o continue_v unmarried_a after_o such_o a_o term_n of_o year_n and_o reward_n to_o those_o who_o in_o lawful_a matrimony_n increase_v the_o number_n of_o the_o people_n the_o christian_n know_v but_o two_o state_n that_o of_o marriage_n or_o continence_n they_o prefer_v the_o latter_a as_o know_v its_o excellency_n and_o they_o often_o find_v the_o mean_n 8._o tertul._n ad_fw-la uxor_fw-la c._n vi_fw-la &_o de_fw-fr resur_n car_fw-fr c._n 8._o of_o reconcile_a they_o both_o in_o one_o for_o there_o be_v many_o marry_a person_n who_o yet_o live_v in_o continence_n but_o all_o christian_n in_o general_n abstain_v from_o the_o use_n of_o the_o bed_n on_o the_o feast_n and_o fast_n of_o the_o cle._n cypr._n de_fw-fr sing_v cle._n church_n as_o well_o as_o at_o other_o time_n when_o according_a to_o the_o apostle_n rule_v they_o be_v dispose_v more_o free_o to_o give_v seven_o cor._n seven_o themselves_o to_o prayer_n second_o marriage_n be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o weakness_n insomuch_o as_o in_o some_o church_n they_o enjoin_v fi_fw-la hier._n ad_fw-la salvin_n in_o fi_fw-la the_o person_n so_o remarry_v penance_n but_o how_o high_o soever_o they_o esteem_v continence_n they_o have_v a_o esteem_n for_o marriage_n as_o be_v a_o great_a sacrament_n they_o have_v honourable_a thought_n of_o it_o consider_v it_o as_o a_o emblem_n of_o that_o union_n which_o be_v between_o christ_n and_o his_o church_n and_o that_o blessing_n pronounce_v by_o god_n upon_o mankind_n at_o the_o first_o creation_n which_o spons_fw-la orat._n in_o bened._n spons_fw-la neither_o original_a sin_n nor_o the_o deluge_n have_v take_v away_o that_o be_v of_o increase_a and_o multiply_v they_o know_v that_o the_o relation_n of_o father_n and_o mother_n be_v a_o high_a x._o clem._n alex._n two_o paedag._n c._n x._o and_o honourable_a character_n as_o be_v the_o image_n of_o god_n in_o a_o more_o peculiar_a manner_n and_o cooperate_a with_o he_o in_o the_o production_n of_o men._n it_o be_v certain_a by_o the_o gospel_n that_o st._n peter_n be_v a_o marry_a man_n and_o tradition_n as_o st._n clemens_n alexandrinus_n relate_v it_o tell_v the_o same_o of_o storm_n clem._n iii._o storm_n the_o apostle_n st._n philip_n that_o they_o have_v both_o of_o they_o child_n and_o particular_o of_o 30._o euseb_n three_o hist._n 30._o st._n philip_n it_o be_v observe_v that_o he_o give_v his_o daughter_n in_o marriage_n among_o other_o direction_n for_o the_o education_n x._o const_n ap._n four_o c._n x._o of_o child_n this_o be_v one_o that_o they_o shall_v to_o secure_v their_o virtue_n timely_o dispose_v of_o they_o in_o marriage_n and_o they_o who_o have_v charity_n enough_o to_o take_v upon_o they_o the_o charge_n of_o breed_v up_o orphan_n be_v advise_v to_o match_v they_o as_o soon_o as_o i._n ibid._n c_o i._n they_o come_v of_o age_n and_o rather_o to_o their_o own_o child_n than_o to_o stranger_n a_o proof_n how_o little_a the_o christian_n of_o those_o day_n polycar_n ignat._n ep._n ad_fw-la polycar_n regard_v worldly_a interest_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o marriage_n they_o advise_v with_o their_o bishop_n about_o marriage_n as_o indeed_o they_o do_v about_o all_o affair_n of_o great_a importance_n that_o so_o say_v ignatius_n they_o may_v be_v make_v according_a to_o god_n and_o not_o according_a to_o concupiscence_n when_o the_o party_n be_v agree_v the_o marriage_n be_v public_o and_o solemn_o perform_v in_o the_o church_n and_o fi_fw-la tertul._n two_o ad_fw-la ux_fw-la in_o fi_fw-la there_o consecrate_a by_o the_o benediction_n of_o the_o pastor_n and_o confirm_v by_o the_o oblation_n of_o the_o holy_a sacrifice_n the_o bridegroom_n give_v his_o hand_n to_o the_o bride_n and_o the_o bride_n receive_v from_o her_o husband_n a_o ring_n engrave_v with_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o cross_n or_o at_o least_o have_v on_o it_o some_o symbolical_a figure_n represent_v some_o christian_a virtue_n as_o a_o dove_n a_o anchor_n or_o a_o fish_n for_o of_o such_o xi_o clem._n alex._n iii._o paedag._n c._n xi_o figure_n do_v the_o christian_n make_v their_o seal_n and_o among_o the_o ancient_n their_o ring_n be_v also_o their_o seal_n or_o signet_n hitherto_o have_v we_o consider_v christian_n xii_o the_o union_n of_o christian_n christian_n in_o their_o private_a capacity_n let_v we_o now_o take_v a_o view_n of_o they_o as_o unite_v into_o a_o body_n and_o make_v a_o church_n the_o name_n of_o ecclesia_fw-la i._n e._n church_n signify_v no_o more_o than_o a_o assembly_n and_o be_v take_v in_o the_o city_n of_o greece_n for_o a_o meeting_n of_o the_o people_n who_o common_o come_v together_o in_o the_o theatre_n for_o the_o dispatch_n of_o public_a affair_n we_o have_v in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n a_o example_n of_o this_o profane_a 32_o act_n nineteeen_o 32_o ecclesia_fw-la or_o assembly_n in_o the_o city_n of_o ephesus_n and_o therefore_o the_o christian_n by_o way_n of_o distinction_n from_o these_o profane_a ecclesias_fw-la where_o call_v the_o ecclesia_fw-la or_o church_n of_o god_n origen_n in_o his_o dispute_n against_o celsus_n compare_v these_o two_o sort_n of_o assembly_n together_o and_o lay_v it_o down_o as_o a_o thing_n certain_a and_o manifest_a that_o the_o less_o zeal_n of_o the_o christian_n who_o be_v but_o few_o in_o comparison_n of_o the_o rest_n do_v somuch_o excel_v other_o man_n that_o the_o christian_a assembly_n appear_v in_o the_o world_n like_o star_n in_o the_o firmament_n the_o christian_n therefore_o of_o every_o city_n make_v up_o but_o one_o body_n and_o this_o be_v one_o principal_a pretence_n of_o persecute_v they_o their_o assembly_n be_v represent_v as_o illegal_a meeting_n not_o be_v authorize_v by_o the_o law_n of_o the_o state_n their_o unity_n and_o love_n pass_v fot_o a_o crime_n and_o be_v object_v against_o they_o as_o a_o dangerous_a confederacy_n and_o indeed_o all_o the_o christian_n live_v in_o the_o same_o place_n be_v well_o know_v to_o each_o other_o as_o it_o can_v not_o be_v otherwise_o consider_v how_o often_o they_o join_v in_o prayer_n and_o other_o exercise_n of_o religion_n upon_o which_o occasion_n they_o meet_v together_o almost_o every_o day_n they_o all_o maintain_v a_o friendly_a correspondence_n among_o themselves_o often_o meet_v and_o confer_v together_o and_o even_o in_o indifferent_a matter_n conform_v to_o one_o another_o their_o joy_n and_o their_o grief_n be_v in_o common_a if_o any_o one_o have_v receive_v of_o god_n any_o particular_a blessing_n they_o all_o share_v the_o satisfaction_n if_o any_o one_o be_v under_o penance_n they_o all_o intercee_v on_o his_o behalf_n and_o beg_v that_o mercy_n may_v be_v show_v he_o they_o live_v together_o as_o kindred_n of_o the_o same_o family_n call_v one_o another_o by_o the_o name_n of_o father_n or_o child_n brother_n or_o sister_n according_a to_o the_o difference_n of_o age_n or_o sex_n this_o unity_n be_v maintain_v by_o that_o authority_n which_o every_o master_n of_o a_o family_n have_v over_o those_o of_o his_o own_o house_n and_o by_o the_o submission_n that_o all_o of_o they_o pay_v to_o the_o priest_n and_o their_o bishop_n a_o duty_n so_o earnest_o recommend_v to_o christian_n in_o the_o epistle_n of_o the_o holy_a martyr_n st._n ignatius_n but_o above_o all_o the_o bishop_n be_v most_o close_o unite_v among_o themselves_o they_o all_o know_v one_o another_o at_o least_o by_o their_o name_n and_o character_n and_o hold_v a_o constant_a epistolary_a correspondence_n which_o be_v easy_a to_o be_v do_v at_o that_o time_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o vast_a extent_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n 8._o bardesan_n apud_fw-la euseb_n vi_fw-la praepar_fw-la c._n 8._o which_o god_n in_o his_o providence_n seem_v to_o have_v so_o order_v as_o it_o be_v on_o purpose_n for_o the_o propagation_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o as_o the_o church_n be_v extend_v far_o wide_a than_o the_o empire_n reach_v to_o all_o the_o nation_n round_o about_o it_o that_o uniformity_n of_o faith_n and_o manner_n which_o be_v find_v among_o all_o the_o christian_n be_v still_o the_o more_o wonderful_a consider_v the_o diversity_n of_o nation_n among_o who_o they_o be_v scatter_v and_o herein_o appear_v the_o power_n of_o true_a religion_n correct_v in_o all_o that_o embrace_v it_o all_o those_o barbarous_a and_o unreasonable_a four_o euseb_n i._o praep._n c._n four_o custom_n in_o which_o they_o have_v be_v educate_v in_o short_a the_o universal_a church_n be_v in_o reality_n but_o one_o body_n all_o the_o member_n whereof_o be_v unite_v to_o each_o other_o not_o only_o by_o the_o same_o faith_n but_o also_o by_o the_o same_o most_o comprehensive_a charity_n every_o particular_a church_n meet_v together_o fi_fw-la xiii_o