neither_o of_o you_o be_v such_o good_a friend_n to_o our_o church_n and_o clergy_n will_v deny_v that_o be_v to_o join_v with_o i_o in_o my_o prayer_n for_o the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n let_v thy_o urim_fw-la and_o thy_o thummim_n be_v with_o thy_o holy_a one_o let_v the_o sound_n of_o aaron_n bell_n be_v ever_o hear_v and_o the_o smell_n of_o his_o pomegranate_n always_o perfume_v the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o let_v there_o be_v find_v at_o last_o of_o the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n among_o we_o as_o of_o other_o tribe_n twelve_o thousand_o seal_a one_o and_o that_o there_o may_v never_o want_v a_o supply_n of_o able_a and_o good_a man_n for_o the_o work_n of_o the_o ministry_n let_v the_o rod_n of_o aaron_n i_o mean_v the_o university_n ever_o flourish_n and_o yearly_a bud_n blossom_n and_o bring_v forth_o ripe_a almond_n your_o very_a much_o oblige_v and_o very_o humble_a servant_n t.h._n july_n 1._o 1673._o to_o the_o reader_n courteous_a reader_n two_o thing_n i_o desire_v to_o premise_v first_o that_o i_o do_v not_o pretend_v in_o this_o small_a popular_a tract_n to_o teach_v man_n brethren_n and_o father_n of_o the_o church_n they_o and_o their_o wife_n economic_n but_o yet_o shall_v beg_v leave_n to_o transcribe_v a_o passage_n out_o of_o luther_n colloquia_fw-la mensalia_n which_o i_o desire_v our_o marry_a clergy_n will_v consider_v viz._n that_o one_o cause_n of_o the_o unmarried_a life_n of_o priest_n to_o wit_n in_o the_o papacy_n be_v that_o the_o fault_n of_o the_o priest_n wife_n be_v offensive_a so_o that_o when_o the_o priest_n shall_v reprove_v the_o wickedness_n of_o other_o than_o the_o people_n will_v hit_v they_o in_o the_o tooth_n again_o and_o say_v why_o do_v not_o they_o reform_v their_o own_o wicked_a wife_n and_o true_o i_o can_v wish_v that_o i_o may_v have_v cause_n to_o say_v of_o all_o the_o marry_a clergy_n and_o of_o all_o other_o in_o the_o state_n of_o matrimony_n as_o confident_a i_o be_o i_o may_v say_v of_o many_o you_o have_v no_o need_n that_o i_o write_v unto_o you_o of_o conjugal_a love_n and_o duty_n for_o you_o yourselves_o be_v teach_v of_o god_n to_o love_v one_o another_o to_o this_o purpose_n it_o be_v we_o advise_v by_o a_o right_n reverend_a father_n of_o our_o church_n viz._n the_o b._n of_o w._n to_o all_o such_o as_o his_o lordship_n marry_v often_o to_o read_v over_o the_o office_n of_o marriage_n that_o so_o they_o may_v the_o better_o remember_v and_o dâ—_n their_o duty_n each_o to_o other_o and_o true_o i_o can_v hearty_o wish_v and_o beg_v of_o the_o right_n reverend_a thâ—_n father_n of_o our_o church_n that_o if_o ever_o they_o shall_v revise_v our_o liturgy_n which_o even_o some_o good_a man_n desire_v that_o the_o duty_n of_o man_n and_o wife_n parentâ—_n and_o child_n master_n and_o servant_n may_v bâ—_n appoint_v to_o be_v read_v on_o the_o lord_n day_n after_o the_o read_n of_o the_o commandment_n out_o of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o ephesian_n or_o colossian_n or_o both_o the_o second_o thing_n i_o desire_v to_o premise_v be_v that_o i_o do_v not_o present_v you_o with_o a_o regular_a and_o scholastical_a discourse_n either_o of_o marriage_n or_o of_o the_o difference_n betwixt_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o rome_n concern_v the_o marriage_n of_o priest_n or_o person_n in_o holy_a order_n but_o offer_v as_o to_o the_o latter_a some_o collection_n out_o of_o dr._n field_n his_o five_o book_n of_o the_o church_n dr._n fulk_n and_o mr._n cartwright_n their_o annotation_n on_o the_o rhemists_n testament_n on_o matth._n 8._o and_o on_o the_o epistle_n to_o timothy_n and_o titus_n mr._n perkin_n '_o be_v his_o demonstration_n of_o the_o problem_n dr._n john_n and_o dr._n francis_n white_n concern_v this_o argument_n and_o other_o together_o with_o some_o of_o my_o own_o observation_n the_o truth_n which_o be_v on_o our_o church_n side_n be_v chiefty_a maintain_v and_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n confute_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n bishop_n hall_n in_o his_o treatise_n of_o the_o honour_n of_o the_o marry_a clergy_n page_n 124._o observe_n that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n teach_v contradictory_n to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n the_o spirit_n of_o god_n say_v he_o say_v that_o a_o bishop_n may_v be_v the_o husband_n of_o one_o wife_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n say_v a_o bishop_n may_v not_o be_v the_o husband_n of_o any_o wife_n at_o all_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n say_v marriage_n be_v honourable_a among_o all_o man_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n say_v marriage_n be_v dishonourable_a to_o some_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n say_v to_o avoid_v fornication_n let_v every_o man_n have_v his_o wife_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n like_o a_o quick-huswife_n say_v some_o order_n of_o man_n shall_v not_o have_v a_o wife_n though_o to_o avoid_v fornication_n so_o that_o as_o another_o author_n note_n among_o they_o marriage_n only_o and_o not_o fornication_n be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o dignity_n of_o a_o clergyman_n and_o that_o fornication_n have_v be_v allow_v to_o priest_n and_o friar_n in_o compensation_n for_o their_o restraint_n from_o marriage_n three_o or_o four_o whore_n as_o part_v of_o their_o spiritual_a preferment_n and_o probable_o such_o foul_a position_n and_o practice_n make_v luther_n so_o zealous_a for_o matrimony_n i_o take_v a_o wife_n say_v he_o therewith_o to_o upbraid_v the_o devil_n and_o to_o confound_v the_o whore_v in_o popedom_n and_o in_o contempt_n of_o that_o nasty_a lechery_n in_o popedom_n which_o be_v very_o great_a and_o abominable_a luth._o col._n man_n the_o same_o author_n tell_v we_o that_o under_o pope_n julius_n be_v exercise_v a_o abominable_a lechery_n and_o whore_v in_o rome_n at_o the_o same_o time_n say_v he_o be_v a_o cardinal_n that_o have_v a_o marry_a wife_n the_o which_o be_v know_v he_o be_v constrain_v to_o forsake_v she_o but_o in_o less_o than_o a_o year_n space_n he_o take_v she_o again_o now_o when_o the_o cardinal_n die_v his_o wife_n weep_v bitter_o and_o say_v she_o have_v a_o honest_a husband_n who_o content_v himself_o with_o one_o woman_n the_o citizen_n of_o rome_n wonder_v to_o hear_v the_o same_o cry_v o_o sancta_fw-la maria_fw-la for_o say_v luther_n chastity_n in_o those_o people_n be_v rare_a venison_n and_o as_o we_o have_v the_o holy_a text_n on_o our_o side_n so_o have_v we_o the_o five_o canon_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o testimony_n of_o paphnutius_fw-la a_o holy_a bishop_n and_o with_o he_o concur_v the_o whole_a council_n of_o nice_a the_o six_o council_n of_o constantinople_n can._n 13._o and_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o greek_a church_n to_o this_o day_n so_o far_o as_o to_o justify_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o priest_n officiate_a about_o the_o holy_a thing_n of_o their_o function_n notwithstanding_o their_o be_v marry_v and_o further_o to_o justify_v our_o church_n and_o the_o practice_n of_o our_o clergy_n we_o have_v the_o concession_n of_o many_o of_o our_o adversary_n as_o franciscus_n a_o sancta_fw-la clara_n observe_v that_o the_o celibacy_n of_o priest_n be_v not_o the_o jure_fw-la divino_fw-la but_o by_o the_o law_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o the_o pope_n may_v dispense_v therewith_o and_o some_o say_v do_v dispense_v with_o the_o marry_a clergy_n in_o the_o greek_a church_n and_o other_o in_o his_o name_n it_o be_v say_v have_v make_v overture_n of_o the_o like_a favour_n to_o the_o english_a clergy_n and_o in_o case_n they_o will_v be_v his_o dutiful_a and_o obedient_a son_n be_v will_v be_v a_o indulgent_a father_n to_o they_o last_o it_o be_v worth_a the_o consideration_n on_o our_o behalf_n â—n_o this_o matter_n that_o some_o of_o the_o best_a man_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n such_o as_o espencaeus_fw-la aeneas_n silvius_n polydore_n virgil_n erasmus_n and_o other_o have_v desire_v that_o the_o law_n of_o force_a celibacy_n may_v be_v take_v away_o to_o prevent_v the_o great_a scandal_n that_o be_v give_v by_o the_o filthy_a life_n of_o the_o clergy_n forasmuch_o then_o as_o the_o english_a clergy_n have_v have_v the_o possession_n of_o their_o wife_n for_o above_o a_o thousand_o year_n after_o christ_n and_o again_o have_v have_v they_o restore_v to_o they_o by_o law_n at_o the_o reformation_n they_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o quit_v their_o so_o just_a and_o ancient_a right_n and_o with_o one_o half_a of_o themselves_o and_o to_o be_v content_v with_o leman_n instead_o of_o wife_n and_o nephew_n in_o room_n of_o son_n i_o shall_v dismiss_v thou_o reader_n when_o i_o shall_v have_v tell_v thou_o that_o the_o figleaf_n wherewith_o the_o romanist_n seek_v to_o hide_v the_o nakedness_n of_o their_o church_n in_o this_o cause_n be_v eafy_o blow_v away_o by_o dr._n field_n of_o the_o church_n dr._n francis_n white_a his_o defence_n of_o his_o brother_n dr._n john_n white_a by_o bishop_n hall_n
great_a sin_n than_o fornication_n if_o not_o than_o adultery_n and_o yet_o their_o schoolman_n thomas_n and_o scotus_n that_o in_o other_o thing_n differ_v agree_v in_o this_o that_o the_o single_a life_n of_o priest_n be_v not_o by_o scripture_n prohibit_v but_o by_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n what_o shall_v we_o say_v to_o these_o man_n that_o make_v it_o a_o great_a sin_n to_o break_v the_o law_n of_o the_o church_n than_o the_o commandment_n of_o god_n sure_o we_o be_v 〈◊〉_d scripture_n prohibit_v the_o marriage_n of_o priest_n or_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n the_o apostle_n be_v no_o more_o enjoin_v to_o forsake_v their_o wife_n than_o their_o father_n and_o mother_n house_n and_o land_n and_o that_o say_n of_o our_o saviour_n that_o whosoever_o do_v forsake_v father_n or_o mother_n or_o house_n and_o land_n or_o wife_n for_o his_o sake_n respect_v those_o that_o be_v not_o apostle_n as_o well_o as_o they_o that_o be_v it_o be_v well_o note_v by_o our_o church_n historian_n that_o enoch_n walk_v with_o god_n and_o beget_v son_n and_o daughter_n in_o which_o enoch_n say_v he_o meet_v the_o threefold_a capacity_n of_o king_n priest_n and_o prophet_n he_o make_v not_o a_o prayer_n the_o less_o for_o have_v a_o child_n the_o more_o and_o let_v we_o be_v but_o alike_o holy_a with_o enoch_n and_o let_v other_o be_v more_o holy_a with_o anselm_n and_o dunstan_n that_o oppose_v the_o marriage_n of_o the_o clergy_n here_o in_o england_n they_o say_v of_o the_o latter_a that_o he_o take_v the_o devil_n by_o the_o nose_n how_o true_a that_o be_v i_o know_v not_o but_o in_o this_o point_n forbid_v to_o marry_v be_v a_o doctrine_n of_o devil_n it_o be_v true_a enough_o that_o the_o devil_n lead_v he_o by_o the_o nose_n if_o that_o place_n be_v urge_v 1_o cor._n 7.33_o where_o the_o apostle_n say_v that_o he_o that_o be_v marry_v care_v for_o the_o thing_n of_o the_o world_n how_o he_o may_v please_v his_o wife_n the_o historian_n answer_v these_o thing_n be_v vitia_fw-la mâ—â—iti_fw-la not_o matrimonli_a uxoris_fw-la not_o uxoratus_fw-la flow_v neither_o from_o the_o exercise_n of_o marriage_n but_o only_o from_o the_o deprave_a use_n thereof_o which_o by_o god_n assistance_n and_o man_n best_a endeavour_n may_v be_v rectify_v and_o amend_v so_o he_o that_o other_o say_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o same_o chapter_n defrand_v you_o not_o one_o another_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 satan_n tempt_v you_o not_o by_o reason_n of_o your_o not_o have_v the_o gift_n of_o continency_n do_v not_o justify_v the_o popish_a prohibition_n of_o marriage_n for_o that_o interdiction_n of_o the_o marriagebed_n be_v voluntary_a by_o mutual_a consent_n of_o the_o party_n and_o temporary_a only_o durante_fw-la bene_fw-la placito_fw-la but_o the_o popish_a prohibition_n be_v impulsive_a by_o the_o power_n of_o other_o and_o perpetual_a to_o continue_v during_o their_o life_n f.h.b._n 3._o p._n 22._o wo_n to_o they_o by_o who_o so_o great_a offence_n and_o scandal_n come_v as_o do_v daily_o in_o the_o papacy_n from_o the_o forbid_v to_o marry_v if_o marriage_n be_v a_o sacrament_n why_o shall_v the_o priest_n be_v interdict_a the_o use_n of_o it_o and_o if_o it_o be_v uncleanness_n as_o the_o marcionite_n and_o manichees_n teach_v why_o be_v the_o common_a people_n the_o laity_n indulge_v it_o there_o be_v i_o know_v the_o scripture_n say_v mat._n 19.12_o some_o that_o make_v themselves_o eunuch_n for_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n but_o our_o saviour_n have_v lay_v upon_o his_o disciple_n whether_o minister_n or_o ordinary_a christian_n no_o such_o unnecessary_a burden_n if_o a_o man_n have_v the_o gift_n of_o continency_n which_o be_v not_o a_o common_a but_o a_o proper_a gift_n he_o may_v receive_v it_o but_o not_o in_o origen_n sense_n who_o allegorize_v other_o scripture_n and_o it_o be_v say_v take_v this_o in_o a_o literal_a sense_n by_o the_o same_o reason_n we_o shall_v cut_v off_o our_o right_a hand_n and_o pluck_v out_o our_o right_a eye_n and_o dismember_v ourselves_o and_o destroy_v our_o body_n lest_o they_o shall_v be_v occasion_n and_o instrument_n of_o sin_n to_o we_o but_o this_o way_n of_o interpret_n those_o saying_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o gospel_n will_v be_v contradictory_n to_o god_n law_n viz._n the_o six_o commandment_n the_o apostle_n paul_n say_v indeed_o mortify_v your_o member_n which_o be_v upon_o earth_n which_o he_o expound_v to_o be_v fornication_n uncleanness_n evil_a concupiscence_n etc._n etc._n but_o whilst_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n will_v compel_v her_o priest_n and_o nun_n to_o be_v like_o the_o angel_n of_o heaven_n neither_o marry_v nor_o give_v in_o marriage_n it_o be_v too_o apparent_a they_o occasion_n many_o to_o be_v worse_o than_o beast_n and_o to_o be_v deliver_v over_o to_o the_o unclean_a spirit_n or_o to_o be_v possess_v with_o a_o unclean_a devil_n it_o be_v mark_v that_o those_o who_o have_v neglect_v the_o remedy_n of_o marriage_n which_o god_n have_v prescribe_v have_v in_o vain_a use_v other_o mean_n and_o method_n of_o cure_n in_o vain_a as_o to_o the_o cure_n of_o concupiscence_n do_v st._n jerome_n strike_v his_o breast_n with_o stone_n st._n francis_n embrace_v and_o kiss_v the_o snow_n to_o cool_v himself_o and_o quench_v this_o fire_n of_o lust_n and_o st._n benedict_n strip_v himself_o naked_a and_o lie_v among_o the_o thorn_n in_o vain_a do_v the_o romish_a priest_n and_o nun_n make_v vow_n os_fw-la celibacy_n or_o single-life_n they_o vow_v that_o which_o be_v not_o in_o their_o power_n that_o be_v to_o live_v always_o single_a and_o yet_o chaste_o whereas_o the_o gift_n of_o continency_n be_v a_o proper_a gift_n and_o rare_o give_v if_o they_o say_v they_o will_v pray_v for_o this_o gift_n but_o where_o have_v god_n promise_v to_o hear_v such_o prayer_n it_o not_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n to_o live_v chaste_o without_o use_v the_o remedy_n god_n give_v not_o this_o gift_n to_o those_o he_o love_v dear_o to_o moses_n to_o aaron_n to_o samuel_n to_o david_n to_o isaiah_n etc._n etc._n ignatius_n and_o ambrose_n tell_v we_o that_o all_o the_o apostle_n except_o john_n be_v marry_v philip_n the_o evangelist_n have_v four_o daughter_n and_o platina_n in_o the_o life_n of_o cletus_n the_o first_o say_v that_o st._n luke_n be_v marry_v and_o that_o his_o wife_n be_v in_o bythinia_n it_o be_v a_o fond_a say_n a_o imagination_n of_o these_o man_n brain_n that_o the_o apostle_n have_v wife_n but_o that_o after_o their_o undertake_n the_o office_n of_o apostleship_n they_o never_o accompany_v with_o they_o they_o may_v as_o well_o say_v they_o leave_v for_o ever_o all_o propriety_n in_o their_o child_n in_o their_o house_n in_o their_o fisherboat_n but_o we_o see_v that_o they_o do_v not_o st._n john_n have_v his_o house_n wherein_o he_o entertain_v the_o bless_a virgin_n mary_n after_o the_o death_n of_o our_o saviour_n again_o as_o to_o the_o vow_n of_o monk_n and_o nun_n ordinary_o they_o be_v make_v unwilling_o or_o without_o knowledge_n of_o what_o they_o do_v and_o whether_o they_o shall_v have_v power_n to_o contain_v man_n make_v their_o daughter_n nun_n at_o twelve_o year_n of_o age_n and_o their_o son_n monk_n at_o fourteen_o when_o they_o know_v not_o what_o concupiscence_n mean_v and_o which_o after_o kindle_v burn_v more_o violent_o like_o cinder_n cover_v over_o with_o ash_n at_o last_o break_v out_o violent_o into_o a_o flame_n witness_v the_o unchaste_a life_n of_o many_o that_o be_v under_o this_o vow_n of_o chastity_n but_o if_o they_o can_v contain_v it_o be_v better_a for_o they_o to_o marry_v than_o to_o burn_v better_o break_v a_o unnecessary_a and_o unlawful_a vow_n than_o the_o commandment_n of_o god_n better_a a_o priest_n or_o monk_n or_o nun_n their_o vow_n notwithstanding_o marry_o than_o to_o break_v the_o commandment_n of_o god_n and_o their_o vow_n in_o baptism_n it_o be_v horrid_a to_o think_v that_o the_o pope_n forbid_v marriage_n and_o permit_v or_o tolerate_v fornication_n and_o adultery_n in_o their_o priest_n as_o a_o less_o crime_n than_o marriage_n again_o that_o although_o a_o man_n that_o have_v have_v two_o wife_n be_v account_v irregular_a in_o the_o papacy_n yet_o he_o that_o have_v have_v divers_a concubine_n be_v not_o as_o pope_n innocent_n iii_o declare_v if_o for_o the_o strengthen_n of_o their_o unlawful_a vow_n they_o urge_v that_o of_o the_o apostle_n 1_o tim._n 5.11_o 12._o where_o he_o say_v refuse_v the_o young_a widow_n for_o when_o they_o have_v begin_v to_o wax_v wanton_a against_o christ_n they_o will_v marry_v have_v damnation_n because_o they_o have_v break_v their_o first_o faith_n this_o may_v be_v answer_v from_o the_o context_n
not_o say_v that_o a_o bishop_n must_v be_v such_o a_o one_o as_o have_v be_v the_o husband_n of_o one_o wife_n in_o time_n past_a but_o he_o use_v the_o present_a time_n both_o in_o timothy_n and_o titus_n the_o high_a priest_n himself_o under_o the_o law_n may_v have_v a_o wife_n after_o his_o first_o wife_n if_o she_o be_v dead_a if_o he_o marry_v a_o maid_n which_o be_v a_o figure_n of_o christ_n spouse_n the_o church_n which_o be_v to_o be_v present_v holy_a and_o as_o a_o chaste_a virgin_n to_o christ_n by_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o they_o may_v drive_v minister_n from_o their_o wife_n they_o may_v also_o deprive_v they_o of_o all_o use_n of_o wine_n and_o they_o may_v deprive_v minister_n of_o all_o use_n of_o meat_n and_o command_v they_o to_o fast_o always_o that_o they_o may_v be_v fit_a to_o pray_v always_o as_o well_o as_o always_o to_o abstain_v from_o their_o wife_n we_o never_o read_v that_o the_o levite_n that_o teach_v in_o the_o synagogue_n into_o the_o place_n of_o which_o our_o church_n succeed_v be_v bar_v from_o the_o company_n of_o their_o wife_n and_o consider_v it_o may_v be_v as_o necessary_a to_o marry_v the_o second_o time_n as_o the_o first_o and_o sometime_o and_o in_o some_o case_n perhaps_o more_o necessary_a say_v dr._n hamond_n the_o wife_n may_v die_v present_o after_o marriage_n and_o without_o child_n and_o the_o second_o marriage_n in_o that_o case_n tend_v as_o much_o to_o the_o end_n of_o matrimony_n comfort_n of_o life_n propagation_n remedy_n of_o lust_n as_o the_o former_a can_v be_v suppose_v to_o do_v it_o will_v then_o be_v strange_a to_o debar_v a_o bishop_n or_o presbyter_n in_o such_o a_o condition_n chrysostome_n and_o theodoret_n with_o divers_a other_o plain_o and_o clear_o teach_v this_o place_n to_o be_v understand_v as_o we_o do_v that_o a_o bishop_n shall_v not_o have_v two_o wife_n at_o once_o erasmus_n upon_o the_o place_n dislike_v the_o then_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n in_o forbid_v marriage_n to_o bishop_n and_o priest_n admittitur_fw-la say_v he_o incestus_fw-la admittitur_fw-la homicida_fw-la admittitur_fw-la pirata_fw-la admittitur_fw-la sodomita_n sacrilegus_fw-la parricida_fw-la denique_fw-la quis_fw-la non_fw-la solus_fw-la digamus_fw-la excluditur_fw-la ab_fw-la hoc_fw-la honore_fw-la qui_fw-la solus_fw-la nihil_fw-la admisit_fw-la and_o further_o consider_v the_o time_n and_o the_o ill_a consequence_n of_o the_o single_a life_n among_o their_o clergy_n and_o monk_n he_o incline_v to_o think_v they_o have_v better_a much_o to_o allow_v matrimony_n to_o these_o person_n nunc_fw-la caelibes_fw-la habet_fw-la mundus_fw-la quamplurimos_fw-la castos_fw-la perpaucos_fw-la grotius_n say_v i_o confess_v that_o among_o all_o nation_n second_o marriage_n be_v less_o honour_v and_o among_o some_o these_o be_v restrain_v by_o punishment_n and_o that_o tertullian_n be_v fierce_a against_o second_o marriage_n condemn_v they_o as_o unlawful_a and_o interpret_v this_o of_o the_o apostle_n against_o a_o bishop_n be_v twice_o marry_v notwithstanding_o which_v authority_n let_v the_o scripture_n and_o right_a reason_n be_v hear_v and_o what_o have_v be_v premise_v on_o this_o argument_n consider_v and_o you_o will_v have_v good_a ground_n and_o cause_n not_o to_o call_v good_a evil_a i_o meann_v not_o to_o condemn_v 2._o marriage_n whether_o in_o layman_n or_o clergy_n and_o if_o a_o bishop_n may_v without_o sin_n marry_v a_o second_o wife_n after_o he_o have_v bury_v his_o former_a sure_o than_o he_o may_v lawful_o marry_v at_o first_o if_o he_o can_v contain_v let_v he_o marry_v he_o sin_v not_o only_o let_v he_o marry_v in_o the_o lord_n a_o honest_a grave_a sober_a person_n that_o may_v adorn_v and_o not_o blemish_v his_o holy_a function_n the_o romanist_n say_v there_o be_v three_o special_a crown_n reserve_v in_o heaven_n one_o for_o martyr_n a_o second_o for_o virgin_n and_o a_o three_o for_o doctor_n the_o virgin_n overcome_v the_o flesh_n the_o martyr_n overcome_v the_o world_n and_o the_o doctor_n overcome_v the_o devil_n they_o have_v no_o such_o crown_n for_o marry_a person_n but_o although_o they_o have_v none_o for_o they_o god_n have_v lay_v up_o for_o they_o a_o crown_n of_o righteousness_n even_o the_o like_a crown_n of_o righteousness_n for_o every_o one_o that_o love_v the_o appear_v of_o christ_n the_o judge_n of_o quick_a and_o dead_a as_o that_o virgin_n apostle_n as_o most_o say_v the_o doctor_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o eminent_a martyr_n st._n paul_n 2_o tim._n 4.7_o 8._o virginity_n say_v one_o be_v not_o a_o virtue_n in_o itself_o and_o no_o more_o acceptable_a to_o god_n than_o marriage_n be_v and_o this_o he_o prove_v because_o all_o virtue_n by_o repentance_n may_v be_v restore_v but_o virginity_n can_v be_v restore_v and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o a_o virtue_n again_o because_o all_o virtue_n in_o time_n and_o place_n be_v command_v but_o virginity_n be_v leave_v free_a and_o only_a paul_n give_v his_o advice_n to_o it_o 1_o cor._n 7._o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o a_o virtue_n the_o same_o author_n say_v that_o virginity_n be_v not_o good_a in_o itself_o but_o good_a for_o another_o end_n when_o a_o man_n have_v the_o gift_n of_o continency_n live_v a_o single_a life_n that_o he_o may_v be_v more_o fit_a or_o free_a to_o serve_v god_n the_o papist_n gloss_v on_o the_o parable_n of_o the_o sour_a say_v that_o virginity_n bring_v forth_o a_o hundred-fold_n widowhood_n seventy_o fold_n and_o marriage_n but_o thirty-fold_n great_a be_v the_o difference_n betwixt_o the_o ancient_a church_n of_o god_n among_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o present_a church_n of_o rome_n in_o this_o matter_n there_o in_o psalm_n 78.63_o the_o virgin_n be_v not_o give_v in_o marriage_n or_o be_v not_o praise_v so_o the_o hebrew_n signify_v but_o in_o this_o church_n the_o virgin_n which_o be_v not_o marry_v be_v most_o praise_v celibacy_n be_v make_v here_o a_o state_n of_o perfection_n or_o supererogation_n and_o meritorious_a but_o if_o but_o one_o half_a be_v true_a which_o we_o find_v in_o our_o chronicle_n it_o have_v be_v happy_a for_o our_o votary_n very_o many_o of_o they_o at_o least_o that_o they_o have_v never_o know_v their_o cell_n and_o cloister_n they_o may_v have_v go_v as_o near_o a_o way_n to_o heaven_n out_o of_o the_o world_n as_o out_o of_o their_o monastery_n bale_n in_o his_o book_n of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o roman_a bishop_n say_v that_o when_o the_o king_n visitor_n in_o england_n in_o the_o year_n 1538._o visit_v the_o abbey_n they_o find_v in_o some_o of_o their_o sty_n rather_o than_o religious_a house_n five_o in_o some_o ten_o in_o some_o twenty_o sodomite_n and_o adulterer_n of_o which_o some_o keep_v five_o some_o seven_o some_o twenty_o harlot_n and_o a_o late_a historian_n tell_v we_o that_o barkley_n nun_n be_v all_o with_o child_n at_o once_o and_o how_o sir_n henry_n colt_n cause_v a_o buckstal_n to_o be_v set_v in_o the_o narrow_a place_n of_o the_o marsh_n from_o cheshnut_n nunnery_n to_o waltham_n abbey_n and_o therein_o take_v the_o monk_n of_o waltham_n as_o they_o pass_v homeward_o in_o the_o night_n and_o the_o next_o morning_n he_o bring_v and_o present_v they_o to_o the_o king_n namely_o to_o king_n hen._n 8._o who_o have_v often_o see_v sweet_a but_o never_o fat_a venison_n d.f.h._n 6_o b._n p._n 317._o and_o it_o be_v report_v that_o dr._n smith_n who_o dispute_v at_o oxford_n against_o peter_n martyr_n and_o who_o have_v write_v a_o book_n for_o the_o celibacy_n of_o priest_n be_v take_v himself_o at_o oxford_n in_o the_o manner_n or_o in_o the_o very_a act_n this_o be_v enough_o to_o prove_v that_o it_o be_v much_o easy_a to_o make_v a_o eloquent_a speech_n or_o write_v a_o learned_a book_n in_o commendation_n of_o single-life_n and_o of_o chastity_n in_o that_o condition_n than_o to_o live_v so_o if_o you_o object_n the_o practice_n and_o praise_n of_o the_o monk_n of_o ancient_a time_n i_o answer_v that_o the_o monk_n of_o old_a time_n and_o our_o present_a votary_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v very_o different_a 1._o they_o live_v single_a without_o any_o vow_n of_o continency_n these_o be_v votary_n 2._o they_o have_v calling_n and_o get_v their_o bread_n in_o the_o sweat_n of_o their_o brow_n these_o live_v idle_a most_o of_o they_o and_o like_a drone_n consume_v the_o honey_n which_o other_o have_v gather_v 3._o they_o do_v not_o look_v upon_o that_o condition_n as_o a_o state_n of_o great_a perfection_n and_o in_o itself_o meritorious_a these_o do_v 4._o some_o of_o they_o as_o i_o take_v it_o have_v wife_n and_o these_o not_o but_o esteem_v it_o more_o lawful_a to_o have_v a_o concubine_n than_o a_o wife_n those_o monk_n be_v none_o of_o the_o pope_n licens_v or_o sound_v these_o be_v we_o read_v of_o 12000_o monk_n of_o bangor_n that_o be_v destroy_v by_o
themselves_o to_o fast_v and_o prayer_n and_o so_o come_v together_o again_o and_o this_o too_o be_v to_o be_v do_v by_o the_o mutual_a consent_n of_o man_n and_o wife_n here_o may_v be_v condemn_v then_o the_o romanist_n bar_v person_n in_o holy_a order_n from_o marriage_n or_o in_o case_n they_o have_v be_v marry_v before_o from_o conjugal_a fellowship_n with_o their_o wife_n whilst_o they_o live_v and_o that_o whether_o the_o wife_n will_v or_o no._n we_o never_o read_v that_o the_o apostle_n so_o leave_v their_o wife_n nor_o that_o ever_o they_o ask_v their_o consent_n so_o to_o do_v and_o their_o say_n that_o the_o apostle_n although_o they_o be_v marry_v yet_o after_o they_o be_v call_v to_o the_o apostleship_n never_o do_v accompany_v with_o their_o wife_n any_o more_o be_v gratis_o dictum_fw-la a_o mere_a say-so_a a_o fancy_n of_o their_o own_o brain_n without_o any_o good_a ground_n or_o foundation_n from_o scripture_n or_o sound_a reason_n or_o good_a authority_n to_o the_o four_o scripture_n viz._n that_o it_o be_v good_a for_o a_o man_n not_o to_o touch_v a_o woman_n i_o answer_v good_a there_o be_v take_v for_o expedient_a and_o that_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o present_a distress_n and_o the_o danger_n of_o persecution_n in_o a_o marry_a state_n or_o condition_n in_o such_o time_n they_o shall_v meet_v with_o trouble_n to_o the_o five_o viz._n 2_o tim._n 2.4_o i_o say_v that_o soldier_n do_v not_o use_v whilst_o they_o be_v engage_v in_o military_a employment_n to_o undertake_v and_o entangle_v themselves_o with_o merchandise_n or_o husbandry_n etc._n etc._n but_o this_o notwithstanding_o the_o apostle_n paul_n do_v work_v with_o his_o hand_n to_o maintain_v himself_o that_o he_o may_v not_o be_v chargeable_a to_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n because_o of_o false_a teacher_n who_o will_v have_v take_v advantage_n if_o he_o have_v be_v chargeable_a to_o that_o church_n and_o nevertheless_o the_o romanist_n do_v allow_v person_n in_o holy_a order_n to_o be_v justice_n of_o the_o peace_n lord_n chancellor_n ambassador_n of_o prince_n and_o the_o apostle_n paul_n do_v allow_v of_o the_o apostle_n peter_n his_o have_v a_o wife_n and_o i_o have_v be_v tell_v that_o ecclesiastic_n wife_n take_v on_o they_o and_o off_o from_o their_o husband_n the_o care_n of_o the_o household_n and_o family_n so_o that_o by_o marriage_n they_o be_v free_v from_o worldly_a care_n rather_o than_o immerse_v in_o they_o the_o case_n be_v not_o now_o with_o clergyman_n as_o in_o the_o apostle_n day_n then_o the_o church_n be_v poor_a and_o destitute_a now_o she_o be_v rich_a and_o her_o officer_n be_v well_o provide_v with_o house_n glebe_n and_o tithe_n and_o necessary_n for_o housekeep_v and_o hospitality_n and_o now_o a_o housekeeper_n especial_o in_o time_n of_o peace_n may_v be_v as_o expedient_a as_o it_o be_v inexpedient_a in_o the_o apostle_n time_n and_o day_n of_o persecution_n to_o the_o six_o viz._n mat._n 19.29_o i_o answer_v that_o if_o the_o time_n be_v so_o that_o a_o man_n can_v be_v a_o good_a christian_a or_o follower_n of_o christ_n except_o he_o leave_v or_o forsake_v his_o wife_n house_n land_n etc._n etc._n then_o he_o must_v leave_v all_o or_o deny_v all_o these_o thing_n and_o relation_n rather_o than_o deny_v christ_n and_o that_o this_o concern_v the_o laity_n as_o well_o as_o the_o clergy_n if_o our_o saviour_n have_v ever_o teach_v any_o such_o doctrine_n as_o to_o part_v man_n and_o wife_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o his_o religion_n and_o as_o part_v of_o his_o religion_n how_o will_v the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n have_v reply_v unto_o he_o from_o his_o own_o mouth_n that_o which_o god_n have_v join_v together_o let_v not_o man_n put_v asunder_o beside_o it_o no_o where_o appear_v that_o the_o holy_a apostle_n do_v whole_o and_o perpetual_o forsake_v the_o society_n of_o their_o wife_n but_o rather_o when_o they_o be_v to_o fly_v take_v they_o with_o they_o in_o case_n they_o will_v accompany_v they_o in_o their_o travel_n to_o the_o seven_o scripture_n i_o say_v he_o that_o have_v the_o gift_n of_o continency_n may_v if_o he_o see_v that_o marriage_n will_v prove_v a_o snare_n to_o he_o and_o entangle_v he_o so_o in_o the_o care_n of_o the_o world_n that_o he_o shall_v not_o be_v free_a and_o able_a to_o serve_v god_n as_o he_o ought_v i_o say_v let_v not_o 〈◊〉_d marry_v but_o this_o be_v far_o from_o prove_v that_o all_o 〈◊〉_d in_o holy_a order_n whether_o they_o have_v the_o gift_n or_o not_o shall_v vow_v continency_n or_o abstain_v from_o marriage_n in_o case_n of_o a_o man_n be_v not_o be_v able_a to_o contain_v the_o bless_a apostle_n who_o know_v the_o mind_n of_o he_o and_o our_o lord_n have_v leave_v we_o a_o general_a rule_n notwithstanding_o to_o avoid_v fornication_n let_v every_o man_n have_v his_o own_o wife_n 1_o cor._n 7.2_o to_o the_o eight_o scripture_n viz._n 1_o tim._n 5.11_o 12._o i_o answer_v that_o as_o therefore_o because_o young_a widow_n be_v likely_a after_o they_o have_v make_v promise_n to_o live_v to_o their_o life_n end_n as_o deaconness_n to_o minister_v to_o the_o church_n in_o attend_v the_o sick_a and_o weak_a to_o change_v their_o mind_n and_o marry_v perhaps_o to_o infidel_n husband_n and_o so_o be_v in_o danger_n of_o forsake_v their_o christian_a religion_n and_o prove_v a_o great_a scandal_n to_o christianity_n make_v it_o be_v ill_o think_v of_o by_o the_o world_n therefore_o the_o apostle_n paul_n will_v not_o by_o any_o mean_n have_v these_o young_a widow_n admit_v into_o such_o office_n but_o only_o such_o widow_n as_o be_v above_o threescore_o year_n old_a and_o so_o out_o of_o the_o danger_n of_o desire_n of_o marriage_n or_o alter_v their_o condition_n so_o i_o can_v hearty_o wish_v that_o no_o vow_n of_o single_a life_n or_o continency_n may_v be_v put_v upon_o young_a person_n of_o either_o sex_n upon_o pretence_n of_o admit_v they_o to_o any_o office_n or_o of_o separate_v they_o to_o any_o special_a devotion_n lest_o they_o be_v tempt_v to_o break_v such_o their_o vow_n this_o be_v the_o right_a and_o best_a use_n we_o can_v make_v of_o this_o testimony_n to_o the_o nine_o scripture_n viz._n 1_o cor._n 7.34_o i_o say_v that_o it_o do_v not_o condemn_v marriage_n â—â—_o uncleanness_n or_o unholiness_n but_o it_o import_v and_o imply_v that_o single_a person_n take_v off_o from_o the_o care_n and_o solicitude_n about_o the_o world_n may_v more_o commodious_o serve_v god_n and_o have_v the_o gift_n of_o continency_n they_o may_v pure_o serve_v god_n with_o body_n and_o soul_n not_o be_v overcome_v with_o any_o temptation_n to_o fornication_n or_o uncleanness_n not_o but_o that_o he_o or_o she_o that_o be_v marry_v may_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v and_o ofttimes_o be_v pure_a chaste_a and_o holy_a both_o in_o body_n and_o soul_n marriage_n be_v honourable_a among_o all_o and_o the_o bed_n undefiled_a and_o the_o marry_v as_o well_o as_o unmarried_a may_v keep_v their_o vessel_n in_o sanctification_n and_o honour_n 1_o thess_n 4.4_o to_o that_o about_o carefulness_n etc._n etc._n i_o say_v that_o if_o god_n call_v his_o servant_n to_o a_o marry_a condition_n he_o can_v and_o will_v if_o seek_v unto_o give_v grace_n to_o overcome_v those_o let_n and_o bear_v these_o persecution_n they_o meet_v withal_o so_o as_o they_o may_v turn_v to_o help_n and_o furtherance_n in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n and_o to_o a_o rich_a crown_n of_o glory_n in_o the_o same_o than_o the_o virgin_n come_v unto_o which_o because_o they_o never_o wrestle_v with_o such_o mighty_a temptation_n can_v wear_v the_o like_a crown_n of_o victory_n that_o they_o do_v v._o t._n c._n in_o loc_n the_o last_o place_n of_o scripture_n that_o be_v allege_v be_v rev._n 14.4_o these_o be_v they_o which_o be_v not_o defile_v with_o woman_n for_o they_o be_v virgin_n these_o be_v they_o which_o follow_v the_o lamb_n whithersoever_o he_o go_v these_o be_v redeem_v from_o among_o man_n be_v the_o first_o fruit_n unto_o god_n and_o to_o the_o lamb._n by_o virgin_n we_o be_v to_o understand_v all_o those_o pure_a christian_n who_o have_v keep_v themselves_o pure_a from_o the_o gnostic_n corruption_n and_o uncleanness_n or_o from_o idolatry_n which_o be_v spiritual_a fornication_n and_o have_v loyal_o adhere_v to_o christ_n the_o only_a bridegroom_n of_o the_o church_n 2_o cor._n 11.2_o by_o those_o that_o be_v say_v not_o to_o be_v defile_v with_o woman_n we_o must_v not_o understand_v those_o that_o be_v not_o marry_v as_o if_o they_o that_o be_v in_o that_o state_n be_v defile_v with_o woman_n the_o scripture_n reach_v the_o contrary_a heb._n 13.4_o the_o marriagebed_n be_v the_o bed_n undefiled_a and_o christ_n be_v follow_v wheresoever_o he_o go_v not_o only_o by_o the_o bless_a saint_n that_o have_v lead_v a_o single_a