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
first_o create_v whereas_o have_v he_o prescribe_v a_o perpetual_a continence_n to_o all_o those_o who_o aim_v a_o perfection_n as_o be_v pretend_v without_o alter_v their_o nature_n at_o the_o same_o time_n and_o by_o a_o extraordinary_a miracle_n indue_a all_n who_o desire_v it_o with_o the_o gift_n of_o continence_n this_o alone_a will_v have_v debase_v the_o excellency_n of_o his_o religion_n and_o have_v be_v a_o imposition_n more_o grievous_a and_o burdensome_a more_o difficult_a and_o intolerable_a than_o all_o the_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n of_o the_o mosaic_a law._n and_o then_o in_o respect_n of_o we_o it_o become_v the_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n of_o our_o supreme_a lawgiver_n to_o give_v we_o a_o religion_n not_o as_o to_o angel_n or_o spiritual_a being_n but_o in_o a_o way_n most_o consentaneous_a to_o our_o nature_n and_o and_o agree_v to_o our_o imperfection_n that_o can_v neither_o refine_v nor_o perfect_v our_o nature_n which_o be_v preternatural_a and_o if_o in_o this_o mortal_a state_n while_o enchain_v in_o a_o body_n surround_v with_o frailty_n and_o endue_v with_o passion_n we_o affect_v the_o impassibility_n of_o angel_n and_o the_o perfection_n of_o spirit_n we_o may_v be_v call_v ambitious_a but_o i_o know_v not_o whether_o pious_a but_o this_o be_v not_o all_o the_o apostle_n not_o only_o forbid_v not_o but_o even_o express_o permit_v marriage_n to_o the_o clergy_n for_o lay_v down_o the_o necessary_a qualification_n of_o a_o bishop_n the_o high_a and_o most_o perfect_a degree_n of_o the_o clergy_n he_o propose_v this_o as_o as_o one_o that_o 4._o he_o be_v blameless_a the_o husband_n of_o one_o wife_n one_o that_o rule_v well_o his_o own_o house_n have_v his_o child_n in_o subjection_n with_o all_o gravity_n of_o a_o priest_n that_o 6._o he_o be_v blameless_a the_o husband_n of_o one_o wife_n have_v faithful_a child_n of_o a_o deacon_n that_o 12._o he_o be_v the_o husband_n of_o one_o wife_n rule_v his_o child_n and_o his_o own_o house_n well_o and_o further_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o no_o small_a mark_n and_o testimony_n of_o the_o ability_n and_o worthiness_n of_o the_o candidate_n of_o any_o of_o these_o sacred_a office_n if_o they_o have_v rule_v their_o own_o house_n well_o and_o by_o their_o precept_n and_o example_n teach_v their_o wife_n and_o child_n the_o practice_n of_o all_o virtue_n and_o in_o another_o place_n 2._o to_o avoid_v fornication_n allow_v to_o every_o man_n his_o own_o wife_n make_v no_o exception_n that_o be_v a_o lamentable_a refuge_n of_o some_o who_o seek_v to_o elude_v the_o force_n of_o the_o former_a place_n by_o pretend_v that_o the_o apostle_n mean_v here_o by_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d he_o who_o have_v be_v the_o husband_n of_o one_o wife_n but_o be_v not_o now_o be_v become_v a_o widower_n or_o at_o least_o unable_a for_o the_o exercise_n of_o the_o bed._n for_o beside_o that_o the_o 2._o apostle_n give_v rule_n for_o the_o virtuous_a carriage_n of_o deacon_n wife_n beside_o that_o this_o interpretation_n be_v uncertain_a which_o be_v sufficient_a to_o our_o purpose_n that_o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o sense_n of_o all_o mankind_n and_o the_o vulgar_a acceptation_n of_o the_o word_n husband_n that_o it_o seem_v repugnant_a to_o the_o follow_a precept_n of_o rule_v their_o house_n well_o and_o be_v certain_o repugnant_a to_o the_o explication_n of_o the_o father_n the_o practice_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n do_v manifest_o evince_v the_o falseness_n of_o it_o wherein_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v many_o person_n be_v admit_v to_o sacred_a order_n who_o have_v wife_n then_o alive_a and_o dwell_v with_o they_o and_o in_o the_o apostolical_a constitution_n the_o apostle_n be_v introduce_v thus_o speak_v 17._o we_o have_v order_v that_o a_o bishop_n priest_n and_o deacon_n be_v the_o husband_n of_o one_o wife_n whether_o their_o wife_n be_v alive_a or_o whether_o they_o be_v dead_a to_o pass_v by_o therefore_o this_o unreasonable_a interpretation_n there_o be_v three_o other_o explication_n of_o this_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d all_o of_o they_o back_v with_o great_a reason_n and_o authority_n first_o that_o the_o apostle_n mean_v no_o more_o thereby_o than_o that_o the_o person_n admit_v into_o holy_a order_n shall_v not_o have_v two_o wife_n at_o the_o same_o time_n second_o that_o he_o shall_v not_o have_v successive_o two_o wife_n much_o less_o three_o or_o four_o one_o after_o the_o death_n of_o another_o three_o that_o he_o shall_v not_o have_v two_o wife_n live_v at_o the_o same_o time_n one_o marry_v after_o the_o divorce_n of_o another_o the_o first_o interpretation_n be_v general_o follow_v by_o the_o greek_a the_o second_o by_o the_o latin_a father_n although_o tit._n st._n chrysostom_n espouse_v both_o and_o jovin_n st._n hierom_n in_o so_o many_o several_a place_n admit_v all_o three_o which_o of_o they_o be_v the_o true_a be_v of_o no_o great_a moment_n to_o the_o present_a business_n since_o each_o of_o they_o destroy_v the_o opinion_n of_o our_o adversary_n and_o leave_v to_o the_o clergy_n a_o liberty_n of_o marriage_n however_o because_o the_o second_o interpretation_n if_o admit_v may_v in_o some_o measure_n prejudice_v that_o principle_n which_o we_o shall_v hereafter_o lay_v down_o that_o all_o can_v contain_v and_o that_o god_n and_o nature_n have_v provide_v no_o other_o remedy_n for_o incontinent_a person_n than_o marriage_n which_o consequent_o must_v be_v reiterated_a as_o often_o as_o necessity_n shall_v require_v i_o shall_v say_v somewhat_o to_o it_o and_o oppose_v first_o the_o contrary_a opinion_n of_o all_o the_o greek_a father_n second_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o whole_a catholic_n church_n who_o admit_v bigamist_n bishop_n and_o priest_n or_o those_o who_o have_v marry_v one_o wife_n after_o the_o death_n of_o another_o and_o that_o in_o great_a number_n as_o we_o shall_v hereafter_o occasional_o demonstrate_v so_o that_o if_o the_o apostle_n have_v forbid_v all_o such_o to_o be_v admit_v into_o these_o sacred_a office_n the_o universal_a church_n have_v err_v in_o a_o matter_n of_o the_o great_a moment_n three_o the_o three_o interpretation_n seem_v far_o more_o consonant_a to_o reason_n the_o analogy_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o circumstance_n of_o those_o time_n for_o that_o ought_v not_o to_o exclude_v any_o man_n from_o this_o sacred_a dignity_n which_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o crime_n that_o in_o many_o case_n it_o become_v necessary_a and_o if_o marriage_n be_v allow_v to_o all_o man_n to_o avoid_v fornication_n if_o any_o man_n wife_n die_v before_o either_o his_o year_n or_o the_o peculiar_a favour_n of_o god_n have_v reprieve_v he_o from_o the_o temptation_n of_o incontinence_n that_o man_n although_o a_o priest_n or_o bishop_n may_v withouthe_n least_o injury_n to_o the_o strict_a rule_n of_o piety_n or_o religion_n contract_v a_o second_o marriage_n bigamy_n in_o he_o as_o 3._o theodoret_n invincible_o argue_v will_v become_v involuntary_a and_o conseqnent_o not_o derogate_v from_o his_o character_n either_o of_o priest_n or_o christian._n beside_o it_o be_v a_o abuse_n very_o frequent_a in_o that_o age_n both_o among_o the_o jew_n and_o gentile_n to_o divorce_v their_o wife_n upon_o the_o slight_a occasion_n or_o the_o least_o discontent_n a_o abuse_n which_o argue_v in_o all_o a_o inconstant_a and_o unjust_a and_o in_o many_o a_o lustful_a mind_n and_o therefore_o although_o commit_v before_o their_o conversion_n render_v such_o person_n unworthy_a of_o this_o sacred_a character_n this_o interpretation_n therefore_o be_v embrace_v by_o theodoret_n who_o after_o he_o have_v affirm_v the_o same_o opinion_n to_o be_v maintain_v by_o many_o other_o and_o assert_v it_o by_o many_o reason_n conclude_v thus_o 14._o they_o seem_v to_o i_o to_o be_v in_o the_o right_n who_o hold_v that_o the_o apostle_n here_o teach_v he_o to_o be_v worthy_a of_o episcopal_a ordination_n who_o live_v chaste_o with_o one_o only_a wife_n for_o he_o have_v not_o herein_o reject_v second_o marriage_n which_o he_o have_v in_o many_o case_n even_o command_v to_o be_v contract_v consider_v then_o these_o and_o such_o like_a argument_n i_o receive_v the_o interpretation_n of_o these_o writer_n st._n chrysostom_n also_o in_o tit._n one_o place_n explain_v it_o the_o same_o way_n and_o st._n hierom_n when_o free_v from_o the_o passion_n of_o dispute_v against_o jovinian_a incline_v to_o the_o same_o opinion_n for_o propose_v 245_o the_o example_n of_o two_o bishop_n whereof_o the_o one_o shall_v have_v lose_v his_o wife_n in_o his_o youth_n and_o overcome_v by_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o flesh_n shall_v marry_v another_o bury_v she_o after_o some_o time_n and_o ever_o after_o contain_v the_o other_o shall_v enjoy_v the_o company_n of_o but_o one_o wife_n even_o till_o his_o death_n he_o determine_v the_o former_a to_o be_v the_o better_a more_o chaste_a and_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