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
some_o make_v it_o even_o the_o business_n of_o christianity_n it_o be_v a_o unusual_a abstinence_n from_o lawful_a and_o permit_v pleasure_n that_o procure_v they_o admiration_n from_o the_o heathen_a and_o honour_n from_o their_o fellow-christians_a but_o then_o they_o real_o perform_v what_o they_o generous_o undertake_v their_o celibacy_n be_v no_o less_o chaste_a than_o voluntary_a their_o piety_n be_v full_o adequate_a to_o their_o zeal_n and_o both_o perhaps_o in_o some_o thing_n great_a than_o their_o knowledge_n yet_o shall_v we_o even_o do_v violence_n to_o our_o reason_n and_o force_v our_o nature_n to_o imitate_v the_o example_n and_o receive_v the_o doctrine_n of_o those_o great_a and_o holy_a person_n if_o either_o their_o consent_n or_o their_o practice_n have_v be_v universal_a but_o on_o the_o contrary_a the_o imposition_n of_o it_o have_v be_v condemn_v by_o the_o most_o famous_a council_n and_o great_a writer_n never_o use_v in_o the_o eastern_a church_n not_o introduce_v in_o the_o western_a till_o almost_o two_o hundred_o year_n after_o christ_n enjoin_v but_o in_o some_o few_o province_n of_o that_o and_o even_o in_o those_o not_o universal_o practise_v and_o all_o this_o without_o do_v injury_n to_o the_o sacred_a bond_n of_o marriage_n and_o ever_o leave_v open_a a_o refuge_n for_o incontinent_a person_n not_o so_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n which_o not_o only_o advise_v but_o impose_v celibacy_n in_o many_o of_o the_o clergy_n have_v dissolve_v marriage_n in_o all_o describe_v it_o as_o heresy_n define_v it_o to_o be_v worse_o than_o fornication_n and_o to_o none_o allow_v a_o remedy_n for_o incontinency_n to_o demonstrate_v the_o injustice_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n herein_o and_o her_o departure_n from_o the_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n shall_v be_v the_o subject_a of_o this_o present_a treatise_n it_o be_v no_o small_a presumption_n of_o error_n when_o the_o defender_n of_o any_o opinion_n agree_v not_o in_o the_o merit_n of_o the_o cause_n they_o undertake_v in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n there_o be_v four_o opinion_n about_o the_o celibacy_n of_o the_o clergy_n the_o first_o that_o it_o be_v of_o divine_a right_n institute_v and_o command_v by_o god._n so_o 2._o jo._n major_n 4._o clichtovaeus_fw-la and_o 2._o turrian_n teach_v that_o god_n have_v forbid_v bishop_n priest_n deacon_n and_o subdeacons_a who_o we_o shall_v hereafter_o comprehend_v under_o the_o general_a name_n of_o the_o clergy_n unless_o when_o we_o manifest_o distinguish_v they_o to_o marry_o or_o use_v their_o wife_n already_o marry_v the_o second_o be_v that_o of_o bellarmine_n valentia_n vasquez_n becanus_n aquinas_n and_o the_o far_o great_a part_n of_o the_o roman_a divine_n that_o it_o be_v not_o proper_o of_o divine_a but_o of_o apostolic_a right_a as_o be_v institute_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o ever_o since_o constant_o and_o invariable_o practise_v by_o the_o church_n that_o a_o vow_n of_o continence_n shall_v be_v annex_v to_o holy_a order_n and_o consequent_o that_o marriage_n thereby_o become_v unlawful_a to_o the_o clergy_n without_o a_o dispensation_n the_o three_o without_o any_o respect_n to_o divine_a or_o apostolical_a institution_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n whether_o they_o be_v here_o have_v or_o not_o think_v it_o sufficient_a that_o the_o church_n have_v power_n to_o impose_v a_o vow_n of_o continence_n upon_o the_o clergy_n and_o that_o such_o a_o vow_n be_v once_o take_v all_o use_n of_o marriage_n be_v become_v unlawful_a and_o subsequent_a contract_n invalid_a this_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o many_o of_o the_o canonist_n and_o the_o council_n of_o 9_o trent_n which_o venture_v to_o define_v no_o more_o than_o this_o that_o clergyman_n or_o regulars_n after_o a_o solemn_a profession_n of_o continence_n can_v marry_v or_o if_o they_o do_v that_o their_o marriage_n be_v unlawful_a last_o the_o more_o moderate_a divine_n maintain_v that_o it_o be_v neither_o of_o divine_a nor_o apostolical_a right_n but_o derive_v all_o its_o obligation_n from_o ecclesiastical_a institution_n which_o as_o well_o as_o the_o vow_v annex_v to_o it_o will_v cease_v to_o oblige_v as_o soon_o as_o the_o church_n shall_v please_v although_o in_o the_o mean_a while_o she_o have_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o continue_v her_o institution_n against_o these_o opinion_n i_o shall_v prove_v these_o four_o proposition_n i._o celibacy_n of_o the_o clergy_n be_v not_o institute_v either_o by_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n ii_o it_o have_v nothing_o excellent_a in_o it_o and_o bring_v no_o real_a advantage_n to_o the_o church_n or_o to_o the_o christian_a religion_n iii_o the_o imposition_n of_o it_o upon_o any_o order_n of_o man_n be_v unjust_a and_o contrary_a to_o the_o law_n of_o god._n iv._o it_o be_v never_o universal_o impose_v or_o practse_v in_o the_o ancient_a church_n i._n first_o then_o that_o celibacy_n be_v not_o institute_v either_o by_o christ_n oâ—…_n his_o apostle_n by_o celibacy_n we_o mean_v a_o perpetual_a abstinence_n from_o the_o use_n of_o the_o nuptial_a bed_n in_o those_o already_o marry_a and_o not_o contract_n of_o marriage_n in_o single_a person_n after_o take_v of_o holy_a order_n or_o make_v a_o vow_n of_o chastity_n that_o such_o celibacy_n be_v not_o at_o all_o enjoin_v by_o christ_n nor_o by_o the_o apostle_n as_o of_o divine_a right_n be_v sufficient_o prove_v from_o the_o dissent_n of_o our_o adversary_n herein_o for_o it_o be_v the_o receive_a opinion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n that_o nothing_o can_v be_v a_o matter_n of_o faith_n such_o as_o this_o will_v be_v if_o it_o have_v be_v command_v by_o christ_n which_o be_v doubt_v and_o dispute_v of_o among_o the_o doctor_n of_o the_o church_n now_o this_o be_v deny_v by_o the_o maintainer_n of_o the_o second_o and_o four_o opinion_n as_o for_o the_o three_o that_o according_a to_o the_o usual_a artifice_n of_o the_o latter_a popish_a council_n be_v so_o obscure_o propose_v that_o it_o neither_o direct_o favour_n nor_o oppose_v it_o beside_o neither_o scripture_n or_o tradition_n can_v be_v offer_v for_o this_o claim_n of_o divine_a institution_n the_o former_a be_v not_o so_o much_o as_o pretend_v to_o or_o if_o it_o be_v we_o shall_v examine_v it_o afterward_o the_o latter_a can_v just_o be_v since_o none_o but_o a_o universal_a tradition_n of_o all_o past_a and_o present_a age_n be_v sufficient_a to_o convey_v down_o a_o matter_n of_o faith_n whereas_o here_o the_o great_a part_n even_o of_o the_o present_a church_n deny_v it_o but_o i_o will_v not_o insist_v upon_o disprove_v this_o as_o well_o because_o it_o be_v disow_v by_o the_o great_a part_n of_o our_o adversary_n as_o because_o all_o the_o argument_n to_o be_v produce_v against_o the_o other_o opinion_n will_v with_o much_o more_o force_n be_v valid_a against_o this_o i_o will_v only_o observe_v that_o if_o this_o opinion_n be_v either_o false_a or_o uncertain_a the_o infallibility_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v whole_o overthrow_v since_o many_o pope_n and_o council_n in_o the_o eleven_o age_n determine_v the_o celibacy_n of_o the_o clergy_n to_o be_v of_o divine_a institution_n and_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o their_o marriage_n to_o be_v downright_a heresy_n 19_o bellarmine_n therefore_o and_o with_o he_o the_o more_o learned_a of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n decline_v this_o plea_n and_o assign_v to_o this_o celibacy_n a_o bare_a institution_n of_o the_o apostle_n act_v herein_o without_o any_o particular_a or_o express_a commission_n from_o our_o lord_n but_o by_o they_o prescribe_v and_o advise_v as_o meritorious_a itself_o and_o convenient_a to_o the_o church_n punctual_o herein_o follow_v and_o obey_v by_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n whether_o the_o church_n and_o more_o especial_o the_o ancient_n do_v conform_v its_o discipline_n to_o this_o pretend_a institution_n of_o the_o apostle_n we_o shall_v inquire_v hereafter_o and_o by_o prove_v that_o it_o do_v not_o prove_v also_o that_o the_o apostle_n make_v no_o such_o institution_n since_o the_o primitive_a church_n can_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v immediate_o degenerate_v from_o the_o instruction_n and_o admonition_n of_o her_o founder_n and_o great_a doctor_n but_o to_o pass_v by_o that_o i_o observe_v that_o whether_o the_o apostle_n institute_v celibacy_n and_o ordain_v a_o vow_n of_o continency_n to_o be_v annex_v to_o holy_a order_n be_v a_o question_n of_o fact_n and_o consequent_o can_v be_v infallible_o determine_v by_o the_o church_n but_o must_v be_v by_o they_o clear_o prove_v either_o from_o express_a text_n of_o scripture_n or_o a_o universal_a and_o invariable_a tradition_n that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o tradition_n we_o shall_v â—…hew_v in_o some_o measure_n present_o and_o more_o large_o hereafter_o for_o scripture_n we_o desire_v to_o know_v where_o those_o plain_a admonition_n of_o celibacy_n to_o the_o clergy_n be_v to_o be_v find_v for_o we_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 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
more_o continent_n and_o in_o another_o place_n init_fw-la resolve_v oceanus_n his_o question_n whether_o carterius_n a_o spanish_a bishop_n who_o have_v marry_v one_o wife_n before_o and_o a_o second_o after_o baptism_n have_v not_o thereby_o violate_v the_o apostle_n injunction_n of_o a_o bishop_n be_v the_o husband_n of_o one_o wife_n he_o pronounce_v that_o he_o have_v not_o last_o the_o contrary_a opinion_n be_v build_v upon_o a_o false_a foundation_n for_o not_o to_o say_v that_o it_o be_v first_o set_v on_o foot_n by_o tertullian_n after_o he_o be_v become_v a_o montanist_n and_o from_o he_o receive_v by_o the_o latin_a father_n it_o rely_v whole_o upon_o these_o two_o false_a supposition_n first_o that_o according_a to_o any_o other_o sense_n the_o precept_n of_o the_o apostle_n will_v have_v be_v unnecessary_a the_o roman_a law_n never_o allow_v polygamy_n second_o that_o the_o apostle_n make_v use_v of_o the_o same_o phrase_n when_o he_o command_v 9_o a_o widow_n to_o be_v choose_v the_o wife_n of_o one_o husband_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d although_o no_o law_n or_o civilise_a nation_n ever_o permit_v woman_n to_o have_v two_o husband_n at_o the_o same_o time_n but_o both_o these_o reason_n vanish_v when_o oppose_v to_o our_o three_o interpretation_n for_o divorce_n be_v permit_v by_o the_o roman_a as_o well_o as_o jewish_a law_n for_o many_o other_o cause_n beside_o that_o of_o adultery_n which_o alone_o be_v allow_v by_o christ_n so_o that_o whosoever_o have_v put_v away_o his_o wife_n for_o any_o other_o cause_n and_o marry_v another_o may_v true_o be_v say_v to_o have_v two_o wife_n and_o any_o woman_n who_o have_v marry_v again_o after_o such_o a_o unlawful_a divorce_n have_v true_o two_o husband_n have_v thus_o refute_v the_o pretence_n of_o divine_a or_o apostolical_a institution_n i_o proceed_v to_o the_o second_o proposition_n that_o the_o celibacy_n of_o the_o clergy_n have_v nothing_o excellent_a in_o itself_o and_o produce_v no_o real_a advantage_n either_o to_o the_o church_n or_o the_o christian_a religion_n beyond_o marriage_n and_o here_o i_o be_o not_o ignorant_a what_o panegyric_n and_o encomium_n of_o virginity_n have_v be_v compose_v by_o many_o of_o the_o ancient_n and_o almost_o all_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o barbarous_a age_n this_o be_v a_o large_a field_n for_o they_o wherein_o to_o display_v their_o rhetoric_n a_o subject_n so_o specious_a in_o itself_o and_o glorious_a in_o its_o title_n that_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n it_o have_v be_v the_o theme_n of_o so_o many_o luxuriant_a wit_n many_o of_o which_o have_v little_o less_o than_o deify_v it_o and_o equal_v its_o merit_n to_o the_o collection_n of_o all_o other_o christian_a virtue_n i_o shall_v not_o here_o undertake_v nor_o be_v it_o necessary_a to_o make_v a_o harangue_n upon_o the_o praise_n of_o marriage_n much_o less_o to_o depress_v the_o excellency_n of_o the_o virgin_n state_n it_o will_v suffice_v to_o show_v the_o weakness_n and_o invalidity_n of_o the_o contrary_a argument_n and_o thereby_o reduce_v both_o marriage_n and_o virginity_n to_o that_o equilibrium_n wherein_o nature_n first_o place_v they_o and_o our_o saviour_n leave_v they_o first_o then_o i_o observe_v that_o this_o extraordinary_a affection_n and_o reverence_n of_o virginity_n be_v first_o start_v and_o introduce_v by_o a_o heretic_n tertullian_n who_o deceive_v by_o the_o enthusiasm_n of_o montanus_n endeavour_v to_o resine_fw-la the_o christian_a religion_n and_o advance_v it_o into_o a_o system_fw-la of_o angelic_a perfection_n he_o lead_v the_o way_n to_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o latin_a church_n who_o receive_v this_o prejudice_n from_o he_o propagate_v it_o in_o some_o measure_n among_o the_o greek_n although_o it_o never_o be_v by_o they_o embrace_v with_o that_o zeal_n and_o pursue_v with_o that_o fervour_n which_o always_o accompany_v it_o in_o the_o western_a church_n second_o it_o may_v be_v observe_v that_o this_o extravagant_a veneration_n of_o virginity_n prevail_v proportionable_o to_o the_o decay_n of_o learning_n and_o increase_v of_o ignorance_n in_o all_o age_n the_o reputation_n of_o celibacy_n be_v ever_o then_o high_a when_o knowledge_n be_v at_o its_o low_a ebb_n particular_o in_o the_o ten_o and_o eleven_o age_n the_o most_o scandalous_a and_o barbarous_a period_n of_o time_n that_o ever_o the_o church_n wade_v through_o when_o learning_n seem_v banish_v out_o of_o the_o whole_a world_n than_o celibacy_n triumph_v every_o where_o and_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o the_o consummation_n of_o all_o virtue_n marriage_n of_o the_o clergy_n decry_v and_o abolish_v and_o more_o monastery_n found_v than_o in_o all_o the_o age_n either_o before_o or_o since_o three_o this_o opinion_n be_v first_o produce_v and_o ever_o after_o advance_v and_o maintain_v by_o a_o gross_a mistake_n that_o there_o be_v somewhat_o of_o impurity_n or_o sinfulness_n in_o the_o use_n of_o marriage_n and_o that_o chastity_n can_v be_v retain_v in_o a_o marry_a state_n that_o the_o admirer_n of_o celibacy_n among_o the_o ancient_n be_v guilty_a of_o this_o mistake_n we_o shall_v have_v hereafter_o occasion_n to_o observe_v and_o although_o the_o more_o learned_a writer_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v ashamed_a of_o such_o a_o proposition_n yet_o do_v they_o constant_o fall_v back_o and_o recur_n to_o it_o when_o they_o assign_v the_o reason_n of_o impose_v celibacy_n upon_o the_o clergy_n so_o bellarmine_n after_o he_o have_v before_o disow_v it_o when_o his_o purpose_n require_v it_o doubt_v not_o to_o say_v 19_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o some_o impurity_n and_o pollution_n intervene_v in_o the_o act_n of_o marriage_n not_o what_o be_v a_o sin_n but_o what_o arise_v from_o sin_n if_o by_o this_o pollution_n and_o impurity_n he_o mean_v a_o natural_a one_o we_o grant_v it_o but_o then_o that_o affect_v not_o the_o soul_n nor_o depreciate_n the_o worth_n of_o marriage_n if_o a_o moral_a one_o that_o will_v indeed_o be_v true_o and_o proper_o a_o sin_n but_o this_o he_o dare_v not_o say_v beside_o his_o distinction_n of_o a_o sin_n and_o a_o consequence_n of_o a_o sin_n be_v whole_o vain_a for_o if_o in_o all_o use_n of_o marriage_n the_o effect_n of_o a_o sin_n interven_v then_o can_v marriage_n be_v use_v without_o some_o precedent_a sin_n a_o proposition_n so_o false_a and_o erroneous_a that_o the_o use_v of_o marriage_n be_v intend_v for_o our_o first_o parent_n in_o the_o state_n of_o innocence_n and_o will_v have_v be_v practise_v to_o this_o very_a day_n have_v they_o never_o fall_v nay_o far_o whether_o fall_v or_o not_o fall_v it_o be_v their_o duty_n to_o make_v use_n of_o marriage_n for_o the_o propagation_n of_o mankind_n and_o even_o for_o some_o age_n after_o the_o creation_n it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v meritorious_a that_o it_o be_v unlawful_a to_o continue_v virgin_n but_o if_o by_o the_o antecedent_n sin_n which_o produce_v this_o pollution_n in_o the_o act_n of_o marriage_n bellarmine_n mean_v only_o the_o original_a depravity_n of_o our_o nature_n if_o it_o be_v a_o necessary_a effect_n of_o this_o depravity_n than_o god_n can_v in_o justice_n and_o will_v not_o in_o mercy_n impute_v it_o to_o we_o if_o it_o be_v not_o a_o necessary_a effect_n of_o it_o than_o marriage_n may_v be_v use_v without_o it_o and_o his_o proposition_n will_v fall_v to_o the_o ground_n however_o because_o this_o ever_o be_v and_o be_v still_o the_o great_a engine_n of_o the_o patron_n of_o virginity_n wherewith_o they_o gain_v applause_n in_o the_o world_n and_o blind_v the_o eye_n of_o unwary_a people_n it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o clear_v this_o matter_n a_o little_a further_o and_o demonstrate_v that_o a_o true_a and_o proper_a chastity_n and_o continence_n may_v be_v observe_v in_o marriage_n which_o will_v also_o overthrow_v most_o of_o the_o authority_n produce_v out_o of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o more_o moderate_a and_o disinterest_v father_n as_o insinuate_v no_o more_o than_o a_o advice_n of_o chastity_n in_o the_o use_n of_o marriage_n if_o this_o proposition_n seem_v either_o harsh_a or_o like_o a_o paradox_n it_o be_v only_o because_o we_o be_v unacquainted_a with_o it_o and_o our_o judgement_n anticipate_v by_o false_a notion_n of_o chastity_n which_o consist_v as_o well_o in_o a_o moderate_a and_o well_o regulate_v use_v of_o matrimonial_a act_n as_o in_o a_o total_a abstinence_n from_o they_o nay_o the_o former_a will_n always_o be_v a_o virtue_n the_o latter_a sometime_o a_o sin_n as_o in_o the_o infancy_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o if_o one_o marry_v person_n total_o abstain_v without_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o other_o and_o in_o most_o case_n but_o a_o thing_n indifferent_a and_o then_o only_o a_o virtue_n when_o it_o administer_v occasion_n and_o opportunity_n to_o a_o great_a good_a than_o be_v the_o propagation_n of_o mankind_n and_o virtuous_a education_n of_o child_n for_o
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
from_o marry_a priest_n but_o much_o far_o in_o the_o time_n of_o hildebrand_n and_o once_o again_o advance_v into_o the_o formal_a heresy_n of_o the_o eustathian_o from_o the_o montanist_n the_o catholic_n receive_v their_o dislike_n of_o second_o marriage_n one_o of_o the_o most_o palpable_a error_n of_o antiquity_n since_o what_o the_o apostle_n express_o allow_v and_o in_o some_o case_n advise_v most_o of_o the_o ancient_n decry_v as_o scandalous_a and_o inconvenient_a ofttimes_o as_o a_o tolerable_a evil_n and_o sometime_o even_o as_o a_o grievous_a sin_n tertullian_n have_v write_v whole_a book_n against_o it_o athenagoras_n fin_n call_v it_o a_o decent_a adultery_n origen_n sin_n maintain_v that_o a_o digamist_n however_o otherwise_o a_o person_n of_o good_a conversation_n and_o adorn_v with_o all_o other_o virtue_n not_o to_o belong_v to_o the_o church_n i_o may_v add_v many_o other_o father_n and_o council_n who_o impose_v a_o tedious_a penance_n upon_o digamist_n but_o the_o thing_n be_v sufficient_o notorious_a this_o prejudice_n against_o digamy_n be_v first_o take_v up_o in_o the_o end_n of_o the_o second_o age._n before_o that_o time_n second_o marriage_n be_v think_v indifferent_a and_o whole_o innocent_a hermes_n 4._o in_o â—…he_n first_o age_n have_v determine_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o it_o and_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n 3._o in_o the_o next_o plead_v large_o for_o it_o from_o the_o gnostic_n the_o catholic_n receive_v a_o erroneous_a opinion_n of_o some_o impurity_n and_o sinfulness_n or_o at_o least_o imperfection_n in_o the_o use_n of_o marriage_n they_o scruple_v not_o to_o use_v the_o authority_n of_o book_n forge_v by_o those_o heretic_n in_o prejudice_n of_o marriage_n such_o as_o the_o gospel_n of_o the_o egyptian_n the_o act_n of_o paul_n and_o tecla_n and_o the_o like_a and_o in_o some_o measure_n adopt_v their_o error_n thus_o origen_n and_o one_o of_o the_o most_o early_a favourer_n of_o celibacy_n write_v thus_o of_o marriage_n num._n although_o i_o will_v not_o positive_o pronounce_v yet_o i_o suppose_v these_o be_v some_o ordinary_a action_n of_o man_n which_o however_o they_o be_v free_a from_o sin_n be_v not_o worthy_a to_o be_v honour_v with_o tbe_n presence_n of_o the_o holy_a gospel_n for_o instance_n lawful_a marriage_n be_v not_o indeed_o sinful_a yet_o while_o conjugal_a act_n be_v perform_v the_o holy_a ghost_n will_v not_o be_v present_a although_o he_o seem_v to_o be_v a_o prophet_n who_o perform_v they_o st._n hierom_n the_o great_a patron_n of_o celibacy_n in_o the_o next_o age_n go_v far_a and_o dispute_v against_o jovinian_a do_v in_o some_o place_n make_v marriage_n not_o only_o sinful_a but_o even_o damnable_a if_o it_o be_v good_a say_v he_o ibid._n for_o a_o man_n not_o to_o touch_v a_o woman_n than_o it_o be_v evil_a to_o touch_v she_o for_o nothing_o be_v contrary_a to_o good_a but_o evil._n while_o i_o perform_v the_o duty_n of_o a_o husband_n i_o do_v not_o the_o duty_n of_o a_o christian_n for_o the_o apostle_n command_v we_o shall_v always_o pray_v if_o so_o we_o must_v never_o serve_v the_o end_n of_o marriage_n for_o as_o often_o as_o i_o do_v that_o i_o can_v pray_v i_o suppose_v that_o the_o end_n of_o marriage_n be_v eternal_a death_n the_o earth_n indeed_o be_v fill_v by_o marriage_n but_o paradise_n by_o virginity_n and_o as_o the_o apostle_n permit_v not_o those_o who_o be_v already_o marry_v to_o put_v away_o their_o wife_n so_o he_o forbid_v virgin_n to_o marry_v marriage_n be_v permit_v only_o as_o a_o remedy_n of_o lust_n it_o be_v more_o tolerable_a to_o be_v prostitute_v to_o one_o man_n than_o many_o nor_o do_v this_o error_n expire_v with_o those_o heresy_n from_o whence_o they_o rise_v about_o the_o year_n 600._o when_o augustin_n archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n desire_v of_o pope_n gregory_n some_o instruction_n for_o his_o new_a convert_v in_o england_n and_o rule_n of_o ecclesiastical_a discipline_n he_o give_v he_o this_o for_o one_o 27._o a_o man_n after_o he_o have_v lay_v with_o his_o own_o wife_n ought_v not_o to_o enter_v into_o the_o church_n till_o he_o have_v wash_v himself_o with_o water_n nor_o must_v then_o immediate_o enter_v whereas_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n 3._o praise_v the_o simplicity_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n instance_v in_o this_o very_a ceremony_n which_o although_o use_v of_o old_a by_o the_o jew_n he_o say_v be_v no_o where_o practise_v in_o his_o time_n by_o the_o christian_n many_o other_o erroneon_n opinion_n obtain_v in_o the_o ancient_a church_n which_o proceed_v from_o no_o other_o cause_n but_o this_o i_o will_v observe_v but_o one_o more_o their_o opinion_n of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o self-murder_n to_o prevent_v the_o loss_n of_o virginity_n imagine_v somewhat_o of_o sinfulness_n and_o impurity_n be_v inseparable_o annex_v even_o to_o the_o natural_a act_n of_o generation_n so_o eusebius_n alibi_fw-la bestow_v large_a encomium_n upon_o some_o virgin_n and_o matron_n who_o have_v lay_v violent_a hand_n upon_o themselves_o to_o prevent_v the_o lust_n of_o heathen_n and_o aldhelmus_fw-la 1694._o cit_v a_o sentence_n of_o some_o father_n more_o ancient_a than_o himself_o self-murder_n be_v unlawful_a unless_o when_o chastity_n be_v endanger_v which_o he_o consirm_v and_o illustrate_v with_o many_o reason_n and_o example_n such_o weakness_n of_o the_o ancient_n have_v deserve_v indeed_o to_o be_v bury_v in_o oblivion_n if_o they_o have_v not_o influence_v their_o practice_n and_o lay_v the_o foundation_n of_o a_o error_n which_o continue_v even_o to_o this_o day_n that_o marriage_n be_v a_o state_n unbefitting_a and_o celibacy_n therefore_o necessary_a to_o the_o clergy_n a_o opinion_n first_o take_v up_o upon_o those_o prejudices_fw-la which_o we_o have_v just_a now_o mention_v and_o maintain_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o those_o who_o be_v lead_v away_o with_o these_o mistake_v so_o that_o to_o take_v away_o the_o plea_n of_o antiquity_n from_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n in_o the_o case_n of_o celibacy_n it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o show_v that_o the_o ancient_n receive_v and_o embrace_v it_o mere_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o these_o prejudices_fw-la and_o mistake_v which_o we_o have_v already_o do_v for_o these_o be_v the_o great_a and_o only_a argument_n of_o celibacy_n for_o the_o first_o thousand_o year_n while_o none_o be_v yet_o so_o foolish_a as_o to_o imagine_v it_o to_o be_v of_o divine_a or_o apostolical_a institution_n the_o preconceived_n opinion_n of_o the_o impurity_n of_o marriage_n in_o all_o and_o great_a indecency_n of_o it_o in_o those_o who_o administer_v holy_a thing_n tend_v direct_o to_o introduce_v the_o celibacy_n of_o the_o clergy_n for_o these_o reason_n num._n origen_n and_o fine_a eusebius_n who_o be_v the_o only_a orthodox_n writer_n before_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a who_o open_o prefer_v the_o celibacy_n of_o the_o clergy_n to_o their_o marriage_n desire_v it_o may_v be_v introduce_v for_o they_o rather_o faint_o wish_v the_o thing_n than_o dogmatical_o use_v it_o and_o by_o their_o wish_n manifest_a that_o it_o be_v not_o yet_o introduce_v as_o for_o their_o unreasonable_a prejudice_n against_o digamy_n that_o contribute_v no_o less_o to_o the_o cause_n of_o celibacy_n than_o the_o other_o mistake_v for_o the_o unlawfulness_n of_o digamy_n once_o suppose_v the_o force_n of_o the_o apostle_n precept_n of_o marriage_n to_o all_o who_o can_v not_o contain_v become_v whole_o enervate_a since_o a_o man_n be_v no_o less_o subject_n to_o incontinence_n after_o enjoyment_n of_o a_o wife_n for_o some_o few_o year_n perhaps_o day_n than_o he_o be_v before_o he_o ever_o marry_v beside_o all_o the_o patron_n of_o celibacy_n fail_v not_o to_o make_v use_n of_o this_o argument_n that_o if_o second_o marriage_n be_v unlawful_a or_o indecent_a to_o the_o laity_n even_o first_o marriage_n will_v be_v so_o to_o the_o clergy_n it_o be_v usual_a for_o they_o who_o disallow_v second_o marriage_n in_o all_o to_o think_v first_o marriage_n only_o a_o tolerable_a evil_n and_o permit_v in_o some_o as_o divorce_n be_v former_o to_o the_o jew_n and_o then_o it_o be_v a_o natural_a order_n of_o superstition_n first_o to_o forbid_v second_o and_o then_o all_o marriage_n to_o the_o clergy_n therefore_o we_o may_v observe_v that_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o three_o age_n 7._o tertullian_n affirm_v digamy_n to_o have_v be_v forbid_v to_o the_o clergy_n both_o by_o apostolical_a tradition_n and_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n and_o to_o be_v general_o discuss_v by_o they_o in_o his_o time_n as_o a_o scandalous_a imperfection_n if_o not_o a_o crime_n but_o we_o no_o where_o find_v marriage_n forbid_v to_o the_o clergy_n till_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostolic_a canon_n first_o publish_v in_o the_o end_n of_o this_o or_o beginning_n of_o the_o next_o age._n these_o mistake_v and_o prejudices_fw-la and_o reason_n of_o celibacy_n found_v upon_o they_o be_v common_a to_o both_o
fornication_n thus_o have_v we_o bring_v down_o the_o history_n of_o the_o imposition_n of_o celibacy_n to_o its_o final_a period_n i_o mean_v the_o universal_a reception_n of_o it_o in_o the_o western_a church_n towards_o the_o end_n of_o the_o fourteen_o age_n when_o the_o marriage_n of_o the_o clergy_n fall_v from_o a_o general_a into_o a_o total_a disuse_n and_o be_v thenceforth_o compel_v to_o take_v refuge_n in_o the_o name_n and_o disgrace_n of_o fornication_n what_o a_o deluge_n of_o lust_n and_o impurity_n overflow_v the_o christian_a world_n when_o celibacy_n become_v triumphant_a and_o marriage_n be_v explode_v may_v easy_o be_v imagine_v such_o deplorable_a scandal_n of_o the_o church_n i_o shall_v willing_o pass_v under_o silence_n and_o not_o provoke_v the_o anger_n of_o our_o adversary_n by_o the_o rehearsal_n of_o so_o sad_a a_o truth_n if_o the_o nature_n of_o my_o design_n do_v not_o require_v i_o to_o say_v somewhat_o of_o it_o which_o yet_o i_o will_v propose_v with_o all_o modesty_n and_o brevity_n i_o will_v not_o here_o upbraid_v to_o our_o adversary_n the_o note_a tragedy_n of_o pope_n gregory_n fishpond_n although_o relate_v by_o haldericus_fw-la pont._n more_o than_o 800_o year_n since_o nor_o the_o more_o famous_a story_n of_o pope_n joan_n although_o attest_v by_o more_o than_o twenty_o eight_o historian_n angl._n before_o the_o reformation_n i_o will_v not_o object_v to_o they_o the_o incredible_a bestiality_n and_o horrible_a lust_n of_o the_o pope_n of_o the_o ten_o age_n nor_o insist_v upon_o the_o infamous_a impurity_n of_o private_a churchman_n i_o will_v produce_v only_o a_o few_o general_n testimony_n of_o the_o writer_n of_o latter_a time_n alvarus_n pelagius_n bishop_n of_o silua_n in_o portugal_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o fourteen_o age_n wish_v 27._o that_o the_o glergy_n have_v never_o vow_v chastity_n especial_o the_o clergy_n of_o spain_n wherein_o the_o son_n of_o the_o laity_n be_v not_o much_o more_o numerous_a than_o the_o son_n of_o the_o clergy_n about_o the_o same_o time_n durandus_fw-la junior_a 10._o bishop_n of_o mimatum_fw-la in_o france_n propose_v mean_n for_o the_o reformation_n of_o the_o church_n advise_v among_o other_o thing_n that_o it_o be_v order_v that_o public_a stew_n may_v not_o be_v keep_v near_o great_a church_n nor_o in_o the_o court_n of_o rome_n next_o to_o the_o palace_n of_o the_o pope_n nor_o in_o other_o place_n near_o the_o house_n of_o bishop_n in_o the_o next_o age_n gerson_n 3._o affirm_v that_o either_o incontinent_a priest_n must_v be_v tolerate_v or_o none_o can_v be_v have_v and_o therefore_o that_o it_o be_v more_o convenient_a for_o the_o church_n that_o concubine_n shall_v be_v public_o permit_v to_o the_o clergy_n than_o that_o the_o lâ—…ity_n shall_v be_v forbid_v to_o hear_v the_o mass_n of_o incontinent_a priest_n glemangis_n â—…_n relate_v that_o in_o many_o diocese_n the_o priest_n giving_z a_o set_z and_o determinate_a price_n to_o their_o bishop_n public_o and_o open_o keep_v concubine_n this_o scandal_n of_o sell_v licenses_fw-la of_o concubinacy_n to_o the_o clergy_n proceed_v so_o far_o that_o in_o germany_n the_o bishop_n and_o their_o officer_n not_o only_o grant_v those_o licence_n for_o a_o certain_a sum_n of_o money_n to_o all_o who_o ask_v they_o but_o also_o force_v those_o clergyman_n to_o take_v they_o who_o neither_o desire_a noâ—…_n intend_v to_o make_v use_n of_o they_o in_o switzerland_n it_o 3._o be_v the_o custom_n in_o many_o canton_n in_o the_o time_n of_o popery_n that_o whensoever_o they_o receive_v a_o new_a pastor_n they_o oblige_v he_o to_o take_v a_o concubine_n that_o he_o may_v not_o attempt_v the_o chastity_n of_o virgin_n and_o matron_n the_o same_o reason_n induce_v the_o senate_n of_o rome_n when_o pius_n v._o intend_v to_o put_v down_o the_o public_a stew_n to_o intercede_v 39_o and_o petition_v for_o the_o continuation_n of_o they_o as_o well_o to_o gratify_v the_o clergy_n who_o incite_v they_o as_o to_o prevent_v great_a scandal_n just_o fear_v the_o honour_n of_o their_o wife_n and_o daughter_n if_o the_o lust_n of_o the_o unmarried_a clergy_n be_v divert_v from_o the_o wont_a channel_n to_o say_v no_o more_o the_o adultery_n fornication_n sodomy_n and_o bestiality_n discover_v in_o our_o monastery_n at_o their_o dissolution_n be_v a_o evident_a demonstration_n of_o this_o sad_a truth_n the_o author_n of_o onus_fw-la ecclesiâ—…_n who_o be_v john_n suffragan_n bishop_n of_o saltzburg_n and_o write_v just_a before_o the_o reformation_n say_v 21._o there_o be_v very_o few_o gurate_v in_o germany_n who_o do_v not_o wallow_v in_o the_o filth_n of_o conoubinacy_n and_o that_o 22._o the_o nunnery_n in_o his_o time_n be_v as_o public_o prostitute_v as_o the_o common_a stew_n and_o lest_o we_o shall_v imagine_v the_o romish_a clergy_n to_o have_v observe_v a_o great_a purity_n since_o the_o reformation_n than_o before_o the_o fornication_n and_o incest_n of_o paul_n iii_o the_o soâ—…omies_n of_o julius_n iii_o and_o incestuous_a commerce_n of_o innocent_a x._o with_o his_o brother_n wife_n olimpia_n be_v yet_o fresh_a in_o the_o memory_n of_o all_o man_n of_o the_o latter_a of_o which_o abbot_n gualdi_n olimpia_n confesf_v that_o the_o history_n of_o former_a age_n can_v produce_v a_o scandal_n so_o enormous_a or_o a_o unlawful_a love_n so_o immoderate_a which_o make_v he_o for_o her_o sake_n to_o forfeit_v both_o the_o reputation_n of_o his_o person_n and_o the_o honour_n of_o the_o church_n i_o will_v produce_v but_o one_o example_n more_o but_o that_o relate_v by_o the_o doctor_n of_o the_o sorbon_n jesuit_n and_o consequent_o undeniable_a to_o our_o adversary_n in_o a_o visitation_n make_v in_o the_o year_n 1619._o by_o the_o bishop_n of_o serzane_n at_o the_o command_n of_o pope_n paul_n v._o it_o be_v find_v that_o among_o the_o ecclesiastic_n of_o three_o large_a province_n stiria_n carinthia_n and_o carniola_n who_o have_v all_o be_v breed_v up_o under_o the_o severe_a discipline_n of_o the_o jesuit_n there_o be_v find_v only_o six_o priest_n who_o keep_v not_o concubine_n nor_o do_v the_o imposition_n of_o celibacy_n infect_v only_o the_o moral_n of_o the_o roman_a clergy_n but_o also_o corrupt_v their_o judgement_n and_o by_o that_o mean_n introduce_v far_o great_a scandal_n into_o the_o church_n when_o concubinacy_n and_o other_o unnatural_a lust_n be_v become_v universal_a they_o employ_v their_o wit_n to_o prevent_v their_o own_o shame_n by_o prove_v those_o villainy_n not_o to_o be_v unlawful_a for_o to_o pass_v by_o a_o encomium_n or_o apology_n of_o sodomy_n publish_v by_o john_n casa_n archbishop_n of_o beneventum_n and_o legate_n of_o the_o pope_n to_o omit_v the_o complaint_n of_o gualther_n mapes_n pontif._n that_o the_o priest_n insinuate_v into_o silly_a woman_n a_o fear_n of_o damnation_n if_o they_o deny_v their_o embrace_n to_o they_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o many_o latter_a casuist_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v assert_v that_o fornication_n commit_v only_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o health_n or_o evacuation_n of_o a_o extimulant_fw-la humour_n be_v not_o unlawful_a and_o that_o most_o of_o they_o teach_v that_o simple_a fornication_n be_v no_o deadly_a sin_n i_o will_v allege_v only_o one_o instance_n of_o these_o scandalous_a maxim_n but_o that_o proceed_n from_o the_o head_n of_o the_o romish_a church_n and_o relate_v by_o wesselus_n petitur_fw-la of_o groningen_n a_o learned_a and_o pious_a divine_a of_o that_o church_n pope_n sixtus_n iu._n out_o of_o the_o fullness_n of_o apostolic_a power_n give_v a_o licence_n to_o the_o whole_a family_n of_o the_o cardinal_n of_o st._n lucia_n to_o commit_v sodomy_n in_o the_o three_o hot_a month_n of_o the_o year_n with_o this_o clause_n let_v it_o be_v do_v as_o it_o be_v desire_v the_o sense_n and_o scandal_n of_o so_o many_o lust_n impurity_n and_o bestiality_n daily_o commit_v by_o the_o unmarried_a clergy_n induce_v many_o great_a and_o learned_a man_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n to_o advise_v the_o abrogation_n of_o the_o law_n of_o celibacy_n and_o permission_n of_o marriage_n to_o the_o clergy_n panormitan_n con_n give_v his_o opinion_n in_o these_o word_n it_o be_v inquire_v whether_o the_o present_a church_n can_v enact_v that_o a_o clergyman_n may_v contract_v marriage_n as_o the_o greek_n do_v i_o answer_v it_o may_v and_o i_o do_v not_o only_o believe_v that_o the_o church_n have_v a_o power_n of_o decree_a this_n but_o i_o also_o believe_v that_o this_o will_v be_v a_o wholesome_a constitution_n for_o the_o good_a and_o salvation_n of_o soul_n pope_n pius_n ii_o confess_v ejus_fw-la that_o there_o be_v indeed_o former_a cause_n why_o marriage_n shall_v be_v take_v from_o the_o clergy_n but_o now_o much_o great_a cause_n why_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v restore_v polydor_z vergil_n deliver_v his_o judgement_n thus_o 4._o this_o i_o will_v affirm_v that_o this_o enforce_a chastity_n
the_o future_a service_n of_o god._n such_o case_n do_v often_o happen_v in_o the_o beginning_n of_o christianity_n and_o the_o time_n of_o persecution_n but_o in_o the_o calm_a and_o flourish_a estate_n of_o the_o church_n be_v more_o rare_o to_o be_v find_v so_o that_o in_o all_o other_o chastity_n in_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o total_a abstinence_n be_v a_o thing_n whole_o indifferent_a even_o although_o such_o abstinence_n shall_v be_v true_a and_o perfect_a but_o alas_o the_o far_o great_a part_n of_o mankind_n be_v not_o capable_a of_o such_o a_o abstinence_n which_o consist_v not_o only_o in_o the_o preserve_n the_o body_n from_o actual_a pollution_n and_o unlawful_a pleasure_n for_o that_o may_v be_v a_o matter_n of_o necessity_n as_o well_o as_o choice_n and_o be_v common_a to_o thousand_o who_o shall_v never_o see_v the_o glory_n of_o heaven_n but_o also_o in_o refrain_v the_o mind_n from_o the_o desire_n and_o even_o the_o thought_n of_o uncleanness_n and_o prevent_v the_o circle_n of_o a_o inward_a fire_n such_o a_o man_n may_v true_o be_v say_v to_o retain_v a_o pure_a and_o unspotted_a virginity_n but_o then_o i_o doubt_v that_o at_o the_o same_o time_n he_o will_v be_v the_o phoenix_n of_o his_o age._n and_o then_o after_o all_o if_o he_o want_v either_o ability_n or_o a_o will_v to_o employ_v himself_o in_o virtue_n and_o the_o service_n of_o god_n to_o great_a advantage_n than_o he_o can_v have_v do_v in_o a_o marry_a state_n his_o celibacy_n will_v be_v devoid_a of_o all_o merit_n and_o become_v whole_o indifferent_a on_o the_o other_o side_n the_o conservation_n of_o a_o true_a chastity_n be_v both_o possible_a and_o easy_a in_o marriage_n if_o it_o be_v not_o frequent_a that_o arise_v from_o the_o corruption_n of_o mankind_n not_o any_o desicience_n or_o imperfection_n of_o marriage_n now_o that_o chastity_n and_o continence_n may_v be_v here_o find_v and_o practise_v the_o apostle_n assure_v we_o when_o he_o say_v 4._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d marriage_n be_v honourable_a in_o all_o man_n and_o the_o bed_n vudefiled_a or_o impolluted_a direct_o contrary_a to_o bellarmine_n proposition_n the_o apostle_n be_v herein_o follow_v by_o almost_o all_o the_o father_n i_o shall_v producce_fw-fr some_o of_o they_o and_o first_o the_o great_a paphnutius_fw-la who_o when_o in_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a the_o celibacy_n of_o the_o clergy_n be_v propose_v under_o the_o pretence_n of_o advance_v chastity_n 11._o pronounce_v the_o embrace_n of_o a_o lawful_a wife_n to_o be_v chastity_n and_o be_v therein_o applaud_v by_o the_o whole_a council_n so_o clemens_n alex._n 3._o just_a man_n under_o the_o old_a law_n beget_v child_n marry_v or_o use_v marriage_n incontinent_o ibid._n what_o may_v we_o not_o use_v marriage_n continent_o and_o not_o go_v about_o to_o dissolve_v that_o which_o god_n have_v join_v ibid._n he_o also_o who_o marry_v for_o the_o sake_n of_o procreation_n of_o child_n aught_o to_o use_v continence_n so_o as_o not_o to_o lust_n even_o after_o his_o own_o wife_n who_o he_o ought_v to_o love_v beget_v child_n with_o a_o honest_a and_o chaste_a will._n lactantius_n 8._o as_o the_o woman_n be_v bind_v by_o the_o law_n of_o chastity_n to_o lust_n after_o no_o other_o object_n so_o be_v the_o husband_n bind_v by_o the_o same_o law_n because_o god_n have_v join_v the_o husband_n to_o his_o wife_n by_o the_o union_n of_o one_o body_n st._n ambrose_n vercell_n virginity_n have_v its_o reward_n widowhood_n its_o merit_n there_o be_v also_o place_n for_o conjugal_a chastity_n the_o med._n apostle_n command_v a_o bishop_n to_o be_v the_o husband_n of_o one_o wife_n not_o that_o he_o exclude_v a_o unmarried_a man_n for_o that_o be_v not_o the_o sense_n of_o his_o precept_n but_o that_o by_o conjugal_a chastity_n he_o may_v preserve_v the_o grace_n give_v he_o in_o baptism_n if_o then_o chastity_n be_v common_a both_o to_o marriage_n and_o celibacy_n the_o latter_a can_v have_v no_o intrinsic_a excellence_n beyond_o the_o former_a nor_o indeed_o do_v our_o more_o judicious_a adversary_n pretend_v to_o that_o few_o be_v guilty_a of_o so_o foul_a a_o error_n except_o some_o zealous_a and_o unlearned_a monk_n the_o excellence_n therefore_o of_o it_o be_v whole_o accidental_a and_o consist_v only_o in_o afford_v great_a advantage_n of_o piety_n knowledge_n and_o beneficence_n than_o marriage_n this_o therefore_o be_v next_o to_o be_v examine_v let_v we_o then_o consider_v any_o one_o as_o a_o man_n a_o christian_a and_o a_o priest._n if_o in_o the_o first_o quality_n as_o a_o member_n and_o citizen_n of_o mankind_n that_o estate_n will_v deserve_v the_o pre-eminence_n which_o be_v most_o communicative_a of_o good_a and_o beneficial_a to_o the_o whole_a universe_n the_o benefit_n of_o celibacy_n be_v indirect_a accidental_a and_o rare_a those_o of_o marriage_n direct_v natural_a and_o frequent_a if_o as_o a_o christian_a that_o state_n will_v be_v most_o eligible_a that_o more_o immediate_o procure_v the_o grace_n and_o favour_n of_o god_n this_o celibacy_n direct_o afford_v to_o none_o marriage_n conferr_v on_o all_o in_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n who_o make_v it_o a_o sacrament_n if_o as_o a_o priest_n that_o state_n be_v preferable_a which_o give_v the_o great_a and_o more_o diffusive_a example_n to_o the_o laity_n a_o virtuous_a celibacy_n will_v be_v indeed_o exemplary_a to_o virgin_n laic_n the_o small_a and_o most_o inconsiderable_a part_n of_o the_o church_n but_o then_o a_o prudent_a and_o religious_a conduct_n of_o marriage_n will_v serve_v as_o a_o rule_n for_o other_o marry_a person_n the_o far_o great_a part_n of_o the_o laic_a church_n thus_o far_o the_o merit_n of_o both_o be_v at_o least_o equal_a if_o we_o recur_n to_o the_o authority_n of_o example_n we_o may_v begin_v at_o paradise_n and_o the_o first_o state_n of_o mankind_n here_o we_o sin_v a_o marry_a couple_n even_o in_o the_o state_n of_o innocence_n and_o the_o very_a first_o blessing_n give_v by_o god_n unto_o mankind_n to_o be_v this_o 28._o be_v fruitful_a and_o multiply_v and_o as_o it_o can_v be_v no_o laudable_a ambition_n to_o desire_v to_o exceed_v the_o piety_n and_o innocence_n of_o paradise_n so_o neither_o can_v it_o be_v any_o great_a perfection_n to_o defeat_v the_o first_o blessing_n of_o the_o creation_n if_o we_o descend_v hence_o until_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n we_o shall_v find_v all_o the_o patriarch_n both_o before_o and_o after_o the_o flood_n to_o have_v please_v god_n and_o serve_v their_o generation_n at_o the_o same_o time_n all_o this_o while_n celibacy_n have_v no_o example_n nor_o any_o one_o precedent_n if_o we_o look_v into_o the_o mosaic_a law_n marriage_n be_v there_o express_o permit_v and_o indirect_o command_v to_o the_o priest_n since_o none_o but_o their_o own_o posterity_n can_v be_v admit_v into_o that_o order_n i_o be_o not_o ignorant_a that_o the_o patron_n of_o celibacy_n urge_v mighty_o the_o three_o day_n abstinence_n 15._o from_o their_o wife_n impose_v upon_o the_o people_n in_o prepare_v themselves_o to_o receive_v the_o law_n of_o god_n in_o mount_n sinai_n but_o this_o be_v enjoin_v not_o only_o to_o the_o priest_n but_o to_o all_o the_o people_n be_v a_o short_a and_o temporary_a not_o a_o total_a and_o perpetual_a abstinence_n serve_v only_o to_o typify_v that_o inseparable_a purity_n of_o mind_n and_o body_n which_o be_v to_o flourish_v in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n and_o be_v a_o mere_a rite_n and_o ceremony_n unworthy_a of_o the_o dignity_n and_o simplicity_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n again_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o saint_n and_o prophet_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n fine_a st._n chrysostom_n will_v tell_v we_o that_o all_o the_o prophet_n have_v wife_n and_o fafamily_n as_o esaias_n ezekiel_n and_o the_o great_a moses_n and_o yet_o suffer_v thereby_o no_o diminution_n of_o their_o virtue_n or_o if_o we_o take_v our_o measure_n from_o the_o venerable_a example_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n we_o may_v learn_v both_o from_o their_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n that_o the_o perfection_n of_o a_o christian_a state_n consist_v not_o in_o a_o idle_a and_o contemplative_a but_o in_o a_o active_a and_o benefactive_a state_n that_o most_o if_o not_o all_o the_o apostle_n be_v marry_v we_o shall_v prove_v hereafter_o and_o if_o our_o saviour_n choose_v a_o single_a state_n wherein_o to_o pass_v his_o life_n on_o earth_n clemens_n alex._n shall_v answer_v for_o we_o 446._o that_o he_o have_v his_o proper_a spouse_n the_o church_n that_o he_o be_v no_o ordinary_a man_n who_o shall_v either_o want_v a_o help_n or_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o temptation_n of_o incontinency_n that_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a for_o he_o to_o continue_v his_o species_n by_o procreation_n who_o be_v himself_o god_n bless_v for_o evermore_o and_o then_o if_o we_o cast_v our_o eye_n upon_o the_o
worship_n and_o opinion_n of_o the_o gentile_n we_o shall_v find_v celibacy_n in_o no_o great_a esteem_n among_o they_o and_o marriage_n not_o only_o allow_v to_o their_o priest_n but_o even_o make_v necessary_a to_o some_o of_o they_o insomuch_o as_o the_o pontifex_n maximus_n among_o the_o roman_n can_v continue_v no_o long_o in_o his_o office_n than_o his_o wife_n live_v sin_n st._n herom_n indeed_o and_o after_o he_o all_o the_o champion_n of_o celibacy_n allege_v the_o exmple_n of_o the_o hierophantae_n of_o athons_n but_o have_v that_o good_a father_n in_o the_o heat_n of_o his_o disputation_n consider_v the_o character_n of_o those_o priest_n he_o will_v not_o have_v venture_v to_o produce_v their_o example_n for_o if_o we_o may_v believe_v the_o relation_n of_o lucian_n and_o the_o more_o ancient_a christian_a writer_n those_o hierophantae_n of_o greece_n practise_v in_o their_o secret_a rite_n and_o mystery_n the_o most_o abominable_a lust_n and_o villainy_n of_o the_o pagan_a superftition_n in_o speak_v of_o this_o matter_n i_o will_v further_o observe_v that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o great_a order_n of_o priest_n among_o the_o heathen_n which_o profess_v virginity_n those_o of_o cybele_n or_o isis_n for_o as_o for_o the_o vestal_a virgin_n they_o be_v permit_v to_o marry_v when_o their_o time_n of_o service_n be_v expire_v and_o but_o one_o sect_n of_o philosopher_n that_o decry_v and_o contemn_v marriage_n the_o 421._o epicurean_o and_o of_o these_o the_o first_o be_v the_o most_o infamous_a and_o incontinent_a of_o all_o priest_n the_o latter_a the_o most_o debauch_a and_o voluptuous_a of_o all_o philosopher_n last_o if_o we_o consult_v reason_n for_o scripture_n we_o have_v before_o examiee_v and_o tradition_n we_o shall_v hereafter_o neither_o will_v that_o declare_v in_o favour_n of_o celibacy_n that_o will_v only_o teach_v we_o that_o state_n be_v more_o noble_a which_o most_o advance_v the_o happiness_n of_o life_n and_o give_v the_o great_a assistance_n to_o the_o perfection_n of_o our_o nature_n for_o neither_o marriage_n nor_o celibacy_n have_v of_o themselves_o any_o intrinsic_a merit_n at_o least_o not_o celibacy_n as_o we_o before_o prove_v neither_o of_o they_o do_v immediate_o and_o direct_o illuminate_v the_o understanding_n refine_v the_o reason_n or_o purge_v the_o will._n now_o the_o happiness_n of_o human_a life_n and_o the_o perfection_n of_o nature_n consist_v in_o the_o tranquillity_n and_o imperturbation_n of_o the_o mind_n whereby_o it_o be_v sit_v for_o the_o contemplation_n of_o her_o creator_n and_o the_o exercise_n of_o all_o more_o noble_a and_o sublime_a virtue_n this_o tranquillity_n next_o to_o habit_n of_o vice_n in_o the_o soul_n be_v chief_o interrupt_v by_o immoderate_a and_o ungoverned_a passion_n in_o the_o body_n although_o even_o those_o habit_n be_v produce_v at_o first_o by_o the_o intemperance_n of_o these_o passion_n the_o great_a and_o most_o vehement_a of_o our_o passion_n be_v those_o of_o desire_n and_o among_o they_o the_o propensity_n to_o the_o continuation_n of_o our_o species_n obtain_v thefirst_n place_n a_o a_o right_a use_n of_o marriage_n satisfy_v this_o propensity_n allay_v its_o violence_n secure_v the_o mind_n from_o all_o tempest_n on_o that_o side_n this_o celibacy_n can_v do_v only_o in_o those_o who_o have_v the_o gift_n of_o continence_n who_o perhaps_o be_v not_o the_o thousand_o part_n of_o mankind_n if_o those_o be_v except_v to_o who_o not_o god_n or_o virtue_n but_o some_o defect_n of_o nature_n have_v give_v a_o reprieve_n from_o this_o passion_n in_o the_o rest_n celibacy_n especial_o when_o enforce_v will_v be_v only_o the_o occasion_n of_o perpetual_a or_o at_o least_o intermit_a tempest_n which_o instead_o of_o a_o sweet_a serenity_n will_v introduce_v into_o the_o mind_n a_o turbulent_a commotion_n dissorder_n all_o her_o thought_n and_o deprive_v she_o of_o all_o happiness_n or_o if_o we_o shall_v grant_v which_o be_v most_o false_a that_o celibacy_n well_o govern_v be_v in_o all_o able_a to_o give_v the_o mind_n the_o same_o tranquillity_n and_o secure_v she_o from_o all_o perturbation_n arise_v from_o the_o passion_n of_o desire_n yet_o still_o the_o merit_n and_o advantage_n of_o marriage_n and_o celibacy_n will_v be_v equal_a even_o in_o this_o consideration_n there_o remain_v then_o only_a argument_n of_o temporal_a convenience_n and_o outward_a decorum_n of_o the_o church_n and_o here_o though_o it_o may_v suffice_v to_o observe_v that_o argument_n of_o convenience_n be_v of_o no_o validity_n against_o a_o probability_n of_o unlawfulness_n much_o less_o against_o a_o express_a divine_a permission_n yet_o shall_v i_o brief_o examine_v the_o reason_n of_o this_o kind_n produce_v by_o our_o adversary_n they_o may_v be_v reduce_v to_o three_o head_n a_o great_a immunity_n from_o secular_a care_n and_o worldly_a business_n and_o thereby_o a_o better_a opporunity_n to_o attend_v the_o service_n of_o god_n and_o execute_v the_o duty_n of_o their_o office_n second_o a_o certain_a indecency_n in_o the_o use_n of_o marriage_n which_o render_v it_o incompatible_a or_o at_o least_o inconvenient_a to_o the_o sacerdotal_a office_n three_o the_o better_a administration_n of_o the_o good_n and_o revenue_n of_o the_o church_n as_o for_o the_o first_o that_o may_v indeed_o with_o some_o colour_n have_v be_v plead_v in_o the_o infancy_n of_o the_o gospel_n when_o many_o of_o the_o clergy_n be_v design_v as_o itinerant_a preacher_n for_o the_o propagation_n of_o the_o faith_n although_o it_o be_v then_o so_o far_o from_o be_v necessary_a that_o many_o of_o the_o apostle_n do_v in_o their_o travel_n lead_v about_o with_o they_o if_o not_o their_o wife_n which_o be_v most_o probable_a yet_o at_o least_o woman_n but_o now_o when_o the_o faith_n be_v plant_v and_o the_o clergy_n have_v particular_a limit_n assign_v they_o wherein_o to_o execute_v their_o office_n that_o reason_n cease_v another_o case_n may_v happen_v wherein_o this_o argument_n may_v take_v place_n in_o time_n of_o persecution_n when_o it_o be_v of_o great_a advantage_n and_o interest_n to_o the_o church_n that_o her_o clergy_n give_v example_n of_o patience_n and_o constancy_n to_o their_o flock_n and_o be_v very_o probable_a that_o a_o man_n will_v embrace_v martyrdom_n with_o a_o great_a resolution_n and_o unconcernedness_n when_o free_v from_o the_o solicitude_n of_o wife_n and_o child_n who_o consideration_n and_o perhaps_o importunity_n may_v tempt_v he_o to_o prevarication_n but_o then_o celibacy_n be_v here_o also_o so_o far_o from_o be_v necessary_a that_o it_o will_v augment_v the_o merit_n and_o the_o glory_n of_o martyrdom_n to_o break_v through_o those_o obstacle_n and_o slight_v those_o consideration_n however_o certain_a it_o be_v that_o in_o the_o peaceable_a and_o flourish_a time_n of_o the_o church_n this_o reason_n be_v of_o no_o validity_n hence_o appear_v with_o how_o little_a reason_n our_o adversary_n urge_v that_o so_o much_o celebrate_v text_n of_o st._n paul_n 32._o he_o that_o be_v unmarried_a care_v for_o the_o thing_n that_o belong_v to_o the_o lord_n how_o he_o may_v please_v the_o lord_n a_o admonition_n by_o the_o apostle_n adapt_v to_o those_o time_n of_o persecution_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o preface_n of_o it_o but_o i_o will_v have_v you_o speak_v to_o all_o christian_n without_o carefulness_n for_o otherwise_o marriage_n do_v not_o necessary_o involve_v more_o carefulness_n or_o disquiet_n than_o celibacy_n if_o a_o great_a anxiety_n do_v ordinary_o attend_v it_o that_o proceed_v not_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o marriage_n but_o the_o abuse_n of_o men._n and_o therefore_o clemen_n alex._n 3._o answer_n to_o the_o ancient_a heretic_n urge_v this_o very_a text_n against_o marriage_n what_o then_o can_v those_o who_o please_v their_o wife_n in_o a_o lawful_a way_n give_v thanks_o to_o god_n may_v not_o a_o marry_a man_n together_o with_o his_o marriage_n care_v for_o the_o thing_n that_o belong_v to_o the_o lord_n further_o these_o text_n do_v no_o more_o prove_v the_o necessity_n or_o convenience_n of_o priest_n celibacy_n than_o it_o do_v of_o all_o other_o christian_n nor_o can_v it_o be_v here_o pretend_v that_o the_o clergy_n be_v more_o peculiar_o devote_v to_o the_o service_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o more_o particular_o oblige_v to_o this_o duty_n for_o first_o that_o will_v suppose_v some_o excellency_n in_o celibacy_n which_o we_o have_v prove_v can_v be_v find_v and_o then_o the_o priest_n under_o the_o old_a law_n be_v no_o less_o solemn_o dedicate_v to_o god_n who_o yet_o be_v not_o debar_v marriage_n beside_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n exclude_v not_o those_o from_o holy_a order_n who_o have_v either_o bury_v their_o wife_n or_o vow_v a_o perpetual_a abstinence_n from_o they_o although_o they_o may_v have_v many_o child_n then_o alive_a as_o if_o a_o equal_a solicitude_n and_o init_fw-la anxiety_n be_v not_o require_v to_o provide_v for_o child_n beget_v before_o as_o after_o