will_v remain_v indifferent_a and_o neither_o to_o be_v prefer_v that_o marriage_n have_v such_o can_v be_v deny_v for_o not_o to_o say_v that_o marriage_n in_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n actual_o confer_v grace_n and_o be_v choose_v by_o christ_n to_o be_v a_o type_n of_o his_o mystical_a union_n with_o the_o church_n not_o to_o urge_v the_o precedent_a argument_n nor_o produce_v anew_o the_o authority_n of_o st._n chysostom_n not_o to_o say_v that_o the_o virtuous_a marriage_n of_o a_o priest_n may_v be_v high_o exemplary_a to_o his_o people_n since_o the_o effect_n of_o it_o be_v visible_a and_o manifest_a in_o the_o prudent_a government_n of_o his_o family_n and_o the_o pious_a 3._o education_n of_o his_o child_n whereas_o continence_n which_o be_v the_o perfection_n of_o celibacy_n be_v a_o virtue_n of_o the_o soul_n invisible_a and_o hide_a from_o the_o eye_n of_o man_n and_o so_o can_v be_v proper_o exemplary_a to_o pass_v by_o all_o this_o i_o will_v i_o will_v allege_v only_o the_o authority_n of_o cleme_n alex._n in_o these_o word_n 3._o marriage_n as_o well_o as_o celibacy_n have_v its_o peculiar_a office_n and_o duty_n please_v to_o god_n god_n i_o mean_v the_o care_n of_o child_n and_o wife_n whence_o the_o apostle_n command_v those_o to_o be_v choose_v bishop_n who_o from_o the_o virtuous_a government_n of_o their_o own_o family_n have_v learn_v to_o preside_v over_o the_o church_n well_o 7._o and_o in_o truth_n a_o man_n approve_v not_o himself_o in_o choose_v a_o single_a life_n but_o he_o transcend_v the_o ordinary_a rank_n of_o man_n who_o use_v marriage_n and_o the_o procreation_n of_o cildren_n and_o the_o government_n of_o a_o family_n without_o immoderate_a affection_n or_o anxiety_n and_o notwithstanding_o the_o care_n of_o his_o house_n be_v unalterable_a from_o the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o brave_o resist_v all_o the_o temptation_n of_o wife_n and_o child_n servant_n and_o possession_n have_v thus_o prove_v that_o the_o celibacy_n of_o the_o clergy_n be_v neither_o institute_v by_o christ_n nor_o his_o apostle_n and_o have_v no_o excellence_n in_o itself_o or_o convenience_n to_o the_o church_n i_o proceed_v to_o the_o three_o proposition_n that_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 repugnant_a to_o the_o law_n of_o god._n and_o here_o because_o the_o possibility_n of_o continence_n in_o all_o will_v intervene_v as_o the_o main_a question_n i_o will_v divide_v my_o discourse_n and_o prove_v i._o that_o the_o church_n have_v no_o authority_n to_o inhibit_v marriage_n to_o the_o clergy_n even_o suppose_v that_o all_o can_v contain_v ii_o that_o all_o can_v contain_v and_o consequent_o that_o to_o impose_v celibacy_n upon_o any_o order_n of_o man_n make_v up_o of_o all_o age_n constitution_n and_o humour_n be_v direct_o contrary_a to_o reason_n justice_n and_o the_o law_n of_o god._n i._n first_o then_o the_o church_n have_v no_o authority_n to_o forbid_v marriage_n to_o the_o clergy_n even_o suppose_v that_o all_o man_n may_v by_o due_a diligence_n obtain_v the_o gift_n of_o continence_n this_o may_v be_v evident_o deduce_v from_o what_o be_v last_o prove_v for_o the_o church_n can_v challenge_v a_o great_a authority_n than_o the_o apostle_n have_v but_o their_o authority_n as_o we_o be_v assure_v by_o 8._o st._n paul_n be_v give_v they_o only_o for_o edification_n and_o not_o for_o destruction_n not_o that_o the_o imposition_n of_o celibacy_n tend_v not_o to_o the_o edification_n of_o the_o church_n we_o have_v already_o prove_v that_o it_o natural_o tend_v to_o the_o destruction_n of_o many_o member_n of_o the_o church_n be_v manifest_a for_o in_o so_o numerous_a a_o body_n as_o the_o clergy_n be_v it_o be_v moral_o impossible_a that_o many_o of_o they_o shall_v not_o neglect_v those_o mean_n whereby_o the_o gift_n of_o continence_n may_v be_v acquire_v and_o thereby_o fall_v into_o inconinency_n lose_v their_o own_o soul_n and_o by_o their_o scandal_n and_o example_n draw_v many_o into_o perdition_n with_o they_o whereas_o have_v marriage_n be_v permit_v they_o both_o will_v in_o all_o probability_n have_v be_v prevent_v indeed_o if_o the_o edification_n arise_v from_o the_o imposition_n or_o prohibition_n of_o any_o thing_n indifferent_a be_v obvious_a and_o evident_a and_o the_o destruction_n either_o none_o or_o dubious_a and_o uncertain_a or_o even_o if_o the_o edification_n be_v uncertain_a so_o as_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o danger_n of_o destruction_n or_o perhaps_o even_o although_o both_o edification_n and_o destruction_n be_v equal_o dubious_a the_o decree_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o these_o case_n ought_v to_o take_v place_n for_o otherwise_o a_o door_n will_v be_v leave_v open_a for_o the_o obstinate_a contradiction_n of_o foolish_a and_o unreasonable_a man_n but_o in_o this_o case_n the_o edification_n produce_v by_o the_o celibacy_n of_o the_o clergy_n be_v as_o we_o have_v prove_v none_o or_o at_o least_o infinite_o dubious_a whereas_o the_o danger_n of_o destruction_n which_o may_v be_v cause_v by_o it_o be_v most_o certain_a manifest_a and_o apparent_a second_o the_o church_n can_v total_o deprive_v any_o man_n of_o the_o liberty_n of_o enjoy_v any_o lawful_a and_o natural_a pleasure_n nor_o take_v from_o he_o any_o of_o those_o comfort_n and_o benefit_n which_o nature_n and_o the_o right_n of_o creation_n first_o give_v he_o and_o intend_v for_o he_o she_o may_v restrain_v and_o limit_v the_o use_n of_o they_o as_o to_o time_n and_o place_n but_o can_v by_o no_o mean_n total_o abollish_v it_o so_o the_o church_n may_v forbid_v flesh_n to_o be_v eat_v or_o marriage_n to_o be_v contract_v at_o some_o certain_a season_n of_o the_o year_n but_o as_o she_o can_v enjoin_v to_o any_o man_n a_o perpetual_a abstinence_n from_o flesh_n so_o neither_o can_v she_o total_o forbid_v marriage_n to_o any_o order_n of_o man_n for_o this_o be_v contrary_n to_o the_o very_a genius_n and_o constitution_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n who_o peculiar_a glory_n be_v the_o simplicity_n of_o it_o and_o the_o entire_a conformity_n in_o all_o the_o agenda_fw-la of_o it_o to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n three_o whatsoever_o may_v be_v pretend_v for_o inhibit_v marriage_n to_o the_o unmarried_a clergy_n the_o church_n most_o certain_o can_v dissolve_v the_o marriage_n of_o those_o who_o never_o make_v any_o vow_n of_o of_o continence_n and_o be_v lawful_o marry_v before_o the_o prohibition_n of_o the_o church_n since_o our_o saviour_n express_o say_v 6._o what_o god_n have_v join_v together_o let_v no_o man_n put_v asunder_o yet_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n do_v this_o in_o the_o eleven_o and_o twelve_o age_n when_o many_o pope_n and_o council_n command_v the_o marry_a clergy_n to_o be_v separate_v from_o their_o wife_n upon_o pain_n of_o excommunication_n not_o permit_v they_o to_o retain_v their_o wife_n by_o relinquish_a their_o office_n and_o retire_v into_o lay_n communion_n although_o the_o clergy_n in_o their_o remonstrance_n offer_v to_o nicolas_n ii_o protest_a that_o they_o have_v never_o make_v any_o vow_n of_o continence_n and_o can_v not_o contain_v without_o the_o use_n of_o marriage_n i_o know_v it_o be_v pretend_v that_o the_o clergy_n in_o receive_v order_n be_v suppose_v to_o have_v make_v a_o tacite_fw-la and_o interpretative_a vow_n of_o chastity_n but_o the_o vanity_n of_o that_o pretence_n i_o shall_v manifest_v immediate_o other_o reason_n may_v be_v produce_v but_o these_o be_v sufficient_a ii_o all_o man_n can_v contain_v and_o therefore_o to_o impose_v celibacy_n upon_o any_o order_n of_o man_n be_v injust_a and_o contrary_a to_o the_o divine_a law._n for_o all_o person_n who_o can_v contain_v have_v a_o right_a to_o marry_v by_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n that_o they_o may_v not_o be_v necessitate_v to_o sin_n and_o be_v command_v to_o marry_v by_o the_o law_n of_o god._n 9_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_o than_o to_o burn._n in_o impose_v celibacy_n therefore_o upon_o the_o clergy_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n forbid_v many_o to_o marry_o who_o god_n command_v to_o do_v it_o now_o that_o all_o man_n can_v contain_v appear_v from_o this_o very_a place_n of_o the_o apostle_n which_o insinuate_v that_o in_o some_o person_n there_o be_v no_o medium_fw-la between_o marriage_n and_o burn_a but_o it_o be_v evident_a beyond_o all_o contradiction_n from_o the_o reason_n of_o this_o permission_n of_o marriage_n assign_v in_o the_o precedent_a verse_n 7._o for_o i_o will_v that_o all_o man_n be_v even_o as_o myself_o that_o be_v continent_n but_o every_o man_n have_v his_o proper_a gift_n of_o god_n one_o after_o this_o manner_n and_o another_o after_o that_o our_o saviour_n express_o teach_v the_o same_o thing_n when_o to_o the_o apostle_n object_v that_o if_o the_o the_o case_n be_v
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
ordination_n not_o to_o say_v that_o the_o ancient_a heretic_n make_v use_v of_o the_o same_o plea_n and_o shun_v marriage_n to_o avoid_v the_o trouble_n of_o provide_v necessary_n for_o a_o family_n and_o that_o the_o apostle_n be_v not_o ignorant_a of_o this_o inconvenience_n if_o it_o be_v any_o and_o yet_o think_v it_o not_o sufficient_a to_o enjoin_v celibacy_n to_o the_o clergy_n but_o in_o truth_n it_o be_v a_o mere_a chimaera_n a_o figment_n and_o a_o vain_a suspicion_n for_o to_o use_v st._n chrysostom_n word_n genes_n marriage_n do_v not_o only_o not_o hinder_v the_o practice_n of_o divine_a philosophy_n if_o we_o will_v be_v sober_a but_o also_o administer_v to_o we_o great_a assistance_n in_o it_o by_o culm_v the_o turbulency_n of_o nature_n and_o not_o permit_v it_o to_o be_v toss_v in_o tempest_n but_o prepare_v it_o a_o haven_n wherein_o to_o ride_v secure_o wherefore_o god_n have_v herein_o grant_v a_o privilege_n to_o mankind_n again_o if_o a_o priest_n or_o bishop_n must_v therefore_o be_v unmarried_a that_o he_o may_v decline_v the_o care_n and_o trouble_v of_o the_o world_n then_o certain_o with_o much_o more_o reason_n he_o ought_v not_o to_o intermeddle_v in_o secular_a business_n and_o the_o government_n of_o whole_a province_n for_o who_o can_v imagine_v that_o the_o government_n of_o a_o single_a family_n involve_v more_o care_n and_o trouble_v than_o the_o administration_n of_o st._n peter_n patrimony_n last_o i_o appeal_v to_o the_o experience_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n whether_o the_o regulars_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n who_o to_o their_o vow_n of_o continence_n have_v add_v another_o of_o retirement_n from_o the_o world_n do_v not_o busy_v themselves_o in_o secular_a matter_n exercise_v merchandise_n and_o heap_v up_o riches_n beyond_o the_o clergy_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n the_o second_o reason_n allege_v by_o our_o adversary_n be_v a_o certain_a indecency_n and_o impurity_n in_o the_o act_n of_o marriage_n which_o render_v it_o unfitting_a for_o a_o priest_n to_o proceed_v from_o the_o late_a embrace_n of_o his_o wife_n to_o the_o administration_n of_o holy_a thing_n so_o that_o because_o the_o clergy_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n do_v either_o daily_o administer_v the_o sacrament_n and_o offer_v up_o scrifice_n of_o praise_n and_o thansgiving_n to_o god_n in_o the_o name_n of_o all_o the_o people_n or_o at_o least_o ought_v to_o be_v always_o ready_a and_o prepare_v to_o do_v it_o they_o ought_v therefore_o perpetual_o to_o abstain_v from_o conjugal_a duty_n this_o be_v ever_o the_o chief_a argument_n and_o foundation_n of_o celibacy_n pope_n and_o council_n in_o enjoin_v it_o to_o the_o clergy_n seldom_o make_v use_n of_o any_o other_o than_o this_o and_o all_o the_o enemy_n of_o priest_n marriage_n from_o the_o time_n of_o origen_n to_o this_o day_n have_v certain_o place_v it_o in_o the_o front_n of_o their_o argument_n yet_o after_o all_o it_o be_v a_o shameful_a and_o most_o foolish_a sophism_n for_o if_o by_o this_o indecency_n and_o impurity_n in_o the_o use_n of_o marriage_n they_o mean_v a_o moral_a one_o that_o be_v absolute_o false_a and_o flat_a heresy_n the_o very_a opinion_n of_o the_o marcionite_n encratites_n and_o other_o more_o absurd_a heretic_n but_o if_o they_o mean_v only_o a_o natural_a impurity_n that_o in_o no_o way_n render_v any_o man_n less_o sit_v for_o the_o service_n of_o god_n nor_o aught_o to_o exclude_v he_o from_o the_o administration_n of_o holy_a thing_n any_o more_o than_o the_o other_o more_o frequent_a evacuation_n of_o nature_n so_o gross_a a_o conceit_n be_v unworthy_a the_o simplicity_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o make_v it_o degenerate_a into_o the_o dregs_o of_o judaisme_n beside_o if_o we_o shall_v suppose_v a_o natural_a impurity_n somewhat_o indecent_a in_o the_o clergy_n which_o yet_o be_v foolish_a to_o imagine_v of_o a_o secret_a and_o hide_a impurity_n such_o as_o this_o be_v yet_o will_v it_o be_v infinite_o outweigh_v by_o the_o inevitable_a danger_n of_o a_o moral_a tupitude_n to_o which_o priest_n be_v expose_v by_o enforce_v celibacy_n last_o this_o argument_n of_o the_o daily_a celebration_n of_o mass_n and_o consecrate_v of_o the_o eucharist_n affect_v not_o deacon_n nor_o subdeacons_n and_o be_v entire_o overthrow_v by_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o apostolic_a and_o primitive_a time_n when_o all_o baptise_a christian_n daily_o receive_v the_o eucharist_n and_o yet_o can_v be_v suppo'sd_v either_o to_o have_v be_v enjoin_v or_o have_v use_v perpetual_a abstinence_n from_o their_o wife_n the_o three_o reason_n be_v the_o better_a oeconomy_n of_o the_o good_n and_o revenue_n of_o the_o church_n which_o our_o adversary_n will_v not_o have_v expend_v upon_o wife_n and_o child_n but_o in_o public_a act_n of_o charity_n this_o might_n indeed_o with_o some_o pretence_n be_v urge_v if_o all_o the_o unmarried_a clergy_n employ_v the_o superfluity_n of_o their_o revenue_n upon_o piety_n and_o charity_n or_o none_o of_o the_o marry_a clergy_n do_v it_o or_o if_o the_o well_o order_v of_o family_n and_o good_a education_n and_o decent_a provision_n for_o child_n be_v not_o of_o advantage_n to_o the_o public_a but_o these_o be_v equal_o false_a and_o then_o in_o vain_a be_v wife_n and_o child_n remove_v when_o nephew_n and_o other_o relation_n can_v gain_v access_n the_o example_n of_o the_o court_n of_o rome_n especial_o for_o the_o last_o two_o hundred_o year_n demonstrate_v that_o pope_n have_v employ_v themselves_o with_o great_a zeal_n and_o fervour_n to_o the_o aggrandize_v of_o their_o family_n than_o ever_o the_o marry_a clergy_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n do_v to_o the_o enrich_n of_o their_o posterity_n thus_o have_v we_o examine_v the_o pretend_a advantage_n of_o the_o clergy_n celibacy_n and_o find_v they_o to_o be_v null_n and_o vain_a but_o suppose_v they_o valid_a and_o real_o as_o great_a as_o they_o be_v represent_v to_o we_o by_o our_o adversary_n if_o after_o all_o it_o have_v in_o other_o respect_v no_o less_o disadvantage_n celibacy_n will_v yet_o remain_v indifferent_a both_o in_o its_o nature_n and_o convenience_n to_o pass_v by_o therefore_o the_o inconvenience_n of_o celibacy_n in_o general_n as_o that_o it_o ordinary_o produce_v morosness_n pride_n and_o uncharitableness_n to_o say_v nothing_o worse_o when_o affect_v and_o choose_v as_o a_o matter_n of_o merit_n as_o 3._o clemens_n alex._n of_o old_a observe_v i_o shall_v consider_v only_o the_o particular_a inconvenience_n arise_v from_o the_o enforce_a celibacy_n of_o the_o clergy_n and_o mention_v but_o two_o of_o they_o but_o those_o so_o great_a and_o sensible_a that_o each_o of_o they_o infinite_o outweigh_v all_o the_o pretend_a advantage_n of_o it_o the_o first_o be_v the_o inevitable_a and_o most_o certain_a danger_n of_o open_a incontinence_n in_o many_o of_o the_o clergy_n and_o thereby_o introduce_v a_o horrible_a scandal_n into_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n which_o may_v alone_o more_o effectual_o obstruct_v piety_n and_o virtue_n among_o the_o laity_n than_o the_o preach_a of_o all_o together_o can_v promote_v it_o for_o all_o ignorant_a christian_n which_o be_v the_o far_o great_a part_n of_o the_o church_n be_v lead_v more_o by_o example_n than_o reason_n and_o assent_v to_o the_o christian_a religion_n mere_o for_o the_o authority_n of_o their_o pastor_n that_o propose_v it_o so_o that_o the_o scandal_n cause_v by_o the_o lust_n of_o one_o incontinent_a priest_n be_v more_o dangerous_a to_o the_o church_n than_o the_o celibacy_n of_o a_o hundred_o chaste_a priest_n can_v be_v advantageous_a to_o it_o now_o that_o force_a celibacy_n betray_v the_o clergy_n to_o open_a incontinency_n let_v st._n bernard_n speak_v init_fw-la take_v from_o the_o church_n honourable_a marriage_n and_o the_o bed_n undefiled_a do_v you_o not_o fill_v it_o with_o fornicator_n incestuous_a person_n abuser_n of_o themselves_o sodomite_n and_o all_o kind_n of_o uncleanness_n this_o experience_n have_v also_o sad_o demonstrate_v as_o we_o may_v hereafter_o show_v the_o second_o inconvenience_n of_o force_a celibacy_n be_v that_o it_o deprive_v the_o church_n of_o the_o service_n of_o many_o pious_a and_o learned_a man_n who_o either_o be_v already_o marry_v will_v not_o consent_v to_o separate_v themselves_o from_o their_o wife_n or_o be_v yet_o single_a will_v not_o receive_v order_n upon_o the_o term_n of_o celibacy_n as_o either_o find_v that_o they_o have_v not_o the_o gift_n of_o continency_n or_o doubt_v whether_o they_o shall_v always_o have_v it_o the_o lamentable_a effect_n of_o this_o truth_n in_o england_n and_o germany_n in_o the_o eleven_o and_o twelve_o age_n we_o shall_v afterward_o have_v occasion_n to_o mention_v last_o suppose_v that_o celibacy_n have_v all_o the_o aforementioned_a advantage_n and_o none_o of_o the_o inconvenience_n yet_o still_o if_o marriage_n have_v peculiar_a advantage_n which_o celibacy_n want_v both_o
it_o or_o marriage_n will_v obstruct_v it_o second_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v lawful_a for_o the_o soul_n voluntary_o to_o exercise_v this_o arbitrary_a power_n upon_o the_o body_n yet_o most_o certain_o it_o be_v unlawful_a for_o the_o church_n to_o impose_v any_o thing_n which_o will_v induce_v a_o necessity_n of_o offer_v violence_n to_o nature_n weaken_v the_o energy_n of_o the_o soul_n heap_v disease_n upon_o the_o body_n and_o dissolve_v the_o harmony_n of_o both_o three_o all_o be_v not_o able_a to_o undergo_v these_o austerity_n and_o when_o undergon_v they_o be_v not_o always_o sufficient_a to_o prevent_v incontinency_n the_o frequent_a repetition_n of_o they_o demonstrate_v this_o which_o will_v be_v useless_a and_o foolish_a if_o the_o disease_n do_v not_o as_o often_o recur_n not_o watch_n or_o fast_n not_o whip_n or_o even_a emasculation_n itself_o practise_v of_o old_a by_o origen_n aâ—…d_v the_o valesian_n heretic_n and_o in_o the_o last_o age_n by_o sin_n ambrose_n morales_n can_v whole_o eradicate_v in_o some_o this_o peccant_a humour_n it_o must_v needs_o have_v be_v a_o very_a violent_a passion_n the_o indignation_n of_o which_o can_v extort_v so_o severe_a a_o remedy_n which_o when_o it_o be_v use_v do_v effectual_o indeed_o preserve_v the_o body_n but_o not_o in_o the_o least_o diminish_v the_o lust_n of_o mind_n 7._o yet_o it_o be_v the_o mind_n which_o either_o sanctify_v or_o pollute_v the_o body_n for_o what_o do_v it_o profit_n to_o have_v the_o body_n clean_o and_o the_o soul_n pollute_v whenas_o the_o body_n be_v either_o save_v or_o damn_v by_o the_o merit_n of_o the_o soul._n as_o for_o all_o other_o severity_n how_o ineffectual_a they_o be_v in_o some_o constitution_n 22._o palladius_n relate_v a_o memorable_a story_n of_o moses_n a_o most_o famous_a abbot_n in_o the_o desert_n of_o egypt_n afterward_o make_v bishop_n of_o the_o arabian_n who_o palladius_n call_v the_o bless_a theodoret_n 20._o the_o divine_a moses_n who_o from_o his_o youth_n perpetual_o vex_v with_o temptation_n of_o incontinency_n can_v not_o free_v himself_o from_o they_o by_o all_o the_o austerity_n which_o wit_n can_v invent_v or_o nature_n endure_v and_o therefore_o all_o his_o life_n be_v force_v to_o abstain_v from_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n till_o in_o his_o old_a age_n 〈◊〉_d he_o be_v by_o a_o extraordinary_a miracle_n deliver_v from_o they_o upon_o which_o palladius_n make_v this_o remark_n for_o in_o truth_n concupiscence_n be_v perfect_o untameable_a but_o the_o great_a plea_n of_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n remain_v behind_o which_o must_v be_v more_o large_o discuss_v they_o pretend_v that_o the_o church_n impose_v celibacy_n or_o a_o necessity_n of_o continence_n upon_o no_o man_n that_o she_o have_v annex_v it_o indeed_o to_o the_o four_o superior_a order_n of_o the_o clergy_n but_o then_o force_v none_o to_o enter_v into_o those_o order_n that_o the_o unlawfulness_n of_o the_o clergy_n marriage_n be_v not_o so_o much_o found_v in_o the_o prohibition_n of_o the_o church_n or_o incompatibility_n of_o marriage_n with_o holy_a order_n as_o in_o the_o vow_n of_o continence_n which_o all_o either_o do_v make_v or_o be_v suppose_v to_o make_v when_o they_o receive_v those_o order_n to_o this_o i_o shall_v oppose_v and_o in_o order_n prove_v these_o three_o proposition_n i._o this_o plea_n can_v just_o be_v use_v by_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n nor_o will_v excuse_v her_o practice_n ii_o a_o vow_n of_o continence_n oblige_v not_o in_o case_n of_o insuperable_a incontinence_n and_o then_o may_v not_o only_o lawful_o but_o must_v necessary_o be_v violate_v iii_o whether_o lawful_o or_o unlawful_o necessary_o or_o unnecessary_o violate_v if_o marriage_n be_v contract_v after_o a_o vow_n of_o continence_n it_o be_v firm_a and_o valid_a and_o can_v be_v rescind_v i._o for_o the_o first_o that_o this_o plea_n neither_o belong_v to_o nor_o avail_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n it_o appear_v many_o way_n as_o first_o although_o it_o shall_v be_v grant_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n direct_o impose_v celibacy_n upon_o none_o yet_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o she_o forbid_v all_o who_o have_v once_o make_v a_o vow_n of_o continence_n ever_o after_o to_o violate_v it_o although_o in_o case_n of_o incontinence_n when_o the_o impossibility_n of_o observe_v it_o any_o long_o without_o actual_a sin_n make_v the_o violation_n of_o it_o become_v necessary_a and_o command_v by_o the_o law_n of_o god._n second_o she_o have_v actual_o and_o often_o impose_v continence_n upon_o those_o who_o never_o vow_v it_o as_o when_o she_o first_o enjoin_v celibacy_n to_o the_o clergy_n and_o renew_v that_o injunction_n when_o become_v obsolete_a nor_o can_v she_o at_o this_o day_n be_v excuse_v from_o the_o same_o imposition_n since_o a_o numerous_a society_n of_o clergyman_n be_v necessary_a to_o the_o be_v and_o continuance_n of_o the_o church_n and_o she_o have_v enjoin_v celibacy_n to_o all_o who_o will_v be_v member_n of_o this_o society_n although_o it_o be_v uncertain_a whether_o there_o be_v so_o many_o continent_n person_n in_o the_o church_n as_o be_v necessary_o require_v to_o execute_v the_o ministry_n of_o it_o much_o more_o whether_o among_o all_o continent_n christian_n there_o be_v so_o many_o both_o worthy_a and_o willing_a to_o receive_v order_n as_o may_v serve_v the_o necessity_n of_o the_o church_n three_o whether_o the_o church_n command_v any_o to_o make_v a_o vow_n of_o continence_n or_o forbid_v they_o to_o violate_v it_o when_o make_v both_o equal_o defeat_v all_o the_o great_a advantage_n and_o glorious_a merit_n which_o be_v pretend_v to_o be_v in_o celibacy_n for_o nothing_o can_v be_v either_o acceptable_a or_o meritorious_a which_o be_v not_o pure_o voluntary_a neither_o command_v nor_o punish_v by_o any_o human_a law_n otherwise_o it_o can_v never_o appear_v whether_o the_o action_n proceed_v from_o the_o dictate_v of_o the_o will_n or_o rather_o from_o the_o awe_n of_o that_o command_n and_o the_o fear_n of_o that_o punishment_n and_o therefore_o st._n hierom_n introduce_v christ_n thus_o speak_v jovin_n those_o eunuch_n please_v i_o which_o will_v not_o necessity_n have_v emasculate_v whereas_o in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n none_o can_v be_v admit_v into_o the_o four_o great_a order_n nor_o yet_o in_o the_o three_o lesser_a order_n enjoy_v any_o ecclesiastical_a benefice_n or_o privilege_n of_o clergyman_n unless_o they_o vow_v perpetual_a continence_n nor_o be_v it_o permit_v to_o the_o former_a ever_o to_o violate_v their_o vow_n by_o contract_n of_o marriage_n although_o they_o shall_v resign_v their_o preferment_n and_o depart_v from_o the_o execution_n of_o their_o office._n four_o which_o be_v chief_o to_o be_v respect_v it_o can_v never_o appear_v that_o any_o vow_n be_v true_o make_v by_o those_o who_o be_v ordain_v if_o the_o church_n command_v all_o such_o to_o make_v that_o vow_n for_o a_o vow_n be_v the_o peculiar_a voluntary_a and_o free_a act_n of_o he_o that_o vow_v as_o be_v a_o promise_v make_v to_o god_n and_o consist_v in_o the_o internal_a action_n of_o the_o soul_n which_o necessary_o suppose_v a_o intention_n of_o vow_v so_o that_o if_o any_o person_n pronounce_v the_o form_n of_o the_o vow_n shall_v either_o not_o mind_n what_o he_o say_v or_o at_o the_o same_o time_n resolve_v the_o contrary_a of_o what_o he_o say_v the_o first_o be_v guilty_a of_o negligence_n the_o second_o of_o a_o lie_n but_o neither_o can_v true_o be_v say_v to_o have_v vow_v and_o therefore_o if_o they_o afterward_o marry_v do_v violate_v no_o vow_n this_o scotus_n durandus_fw-la dorbellus_fw-la paludanus_n and_o other_o divine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n do_v express_o teach_v and_o for_o this_o very_a reason_n maintain_v that_o marriage_n be_v unlawful_a to_o the_o clergy_n not_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o any_o vow_n annex_v to_o their_o order_n but_o mere_o for_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n prohibition_n as_o for_o a_o tacit_n and_o interpretative_a vow_n which_o many_o recur_n to_o suppose_v a_o vow_n of_o continence_n to_o be_v inseparable_o annex_v to_o order_n so_o that_o these_o can_v be_v receive_v but_o that_o at_o the_o same_o time_n a_o vow_n must_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v be_v make_v that_o be_v whole_o vain_a this_o refuge_n be_v invent_v as_o well_o to_o avoid_v the_o reason_n last_o mention_v as_o to_o solve_v a_o objection_n draw_v from_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n which_o even_o for_o the_o last_o six_o hundred_o year_n have_v not_o always_o require_v a_o explicit_a vow_n nor_o do_v at_o this_o day_n although_o many_o pope_n have_v enjoin_v it_o to_o be_v open_o and_o express_o make_v but_o their_o decree_n meet_v with_o great_a opposition_n they_o be_v force_v to_o let_v they_o fall_v and_o recur_n to_o this_o expedient_a of_o a_o interpretative_a vow_n this_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
very_a same_o 14._o cassidiorus_fw-la in_o the_o like_a word_n and_o so_o do_v 88_o ivo_n carnotensis_n 12._o gratian_n and_o 2._o blastares_n and_o who_o be_v ancient_a than_o they_o all_o except_o the_o two_o first_o 32._o gelasius_n cyzicenus_n who_o transcribe_v the_o act_n of_o that_o council_n out_o of_o a_o copy_n which_o have_v belong_v to_o dalmatius_n bishop_n of_o cycicum_fw-la who_o be_v present_a in_o the_o ephesine_fw-la council_n in_o the_o year_n 431._o so_o that_o they_o who_o doubt_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o history_n may_v with_o equal_a reason_n deny_v the_o existence_n of_o the_o nicene_n council_n since_o both_o be_v attest_v with_o the_o same_o authority_n yet_o be_v this_o do_v by_o many_o writer_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n particular_o barronius_n bellarmine_n and_o especial_o turrian_n who_o trifle_a argument_n the_o learned_a 66._o mâ—…ndosa_n relate_v and_o confute_v more_o general_a and_o notorious_a have_v be_v the_o fraud_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n in_o pretend_v that_o the_o three_o canon_n of_o this_o council_n make_v against_o the_o housekeeper_n be_v direct_v against_o their_o marriage_n of_o this_o imposture_n the_o pope_n and_o council_n of_o the_o eleven_o age_n make_v great_a use_n never_o fail_v to_o back_v their_o decree_n with_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a the_o canon_n be_v conceive_v in_o these_o word_n 3._o the_o great_a synod_n have_v whole_o forbid_v to_o all_o bishop_n priest_n deacon_n and_o all_o the_o clergy_n to_o have_v a_o housekeeper_n unless_o she_o be_v a_o mother_n or_o a_o sister_n or_o a_o aunt_n or_o those_o person_n only_o who_o be_v liable_a to_o no_o suspicion_n that_o wife_n be_v not_o hereby_o forbid_v to_o the_o clergy_n will_v be_v impertinent_a to_o demonstrate_v if_o the_o unreasonableness_n of_o our_o adversary_n do_v not_o require_v it_o first_o then_o the_o authority_n of_o all_o the_o historian_n last_o mention_v prove_v this_o for_o if_o the_o council_n have_v by_o this_o canon_n forbid_v wife_n to_o the_o clergy_n the_o advice_n of_o paphnutius_fw-la will_v not_o have_v be_v follow_v but_o reject_v second_o we_o before_o prove_v that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v a_o sort_n of_o woman_n far_o different_a from_o wife_n who_o be_v never_o rank_v in_o the_o number_n of_o they_o three_o the_o constant_a practice_n of_o the_o greek_a church_n demonstrate_v it_o which_o ever_o allow_v to_o the_o clergy_n the_o society_n of_o their_o wife_n from_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a to_o this_o day_n four_o otherwise_o marriage_n will_v have_v be_v forbid_v to_o the_o inferior_a order_n also_o contrary_a to_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n in_o all_o age_n for_o the_o canon_n after_o mention_n of_o bishop_n priest_n and_o deacon_n subjoin_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o prohibition_n to_o every_o one_o of_o the_o clergy_n five_o the_o emperor_n theodosius_n junior_n repeat_v and_o reinforce_a this_o very_a canon_n after_o a_o permission_n of_o the_o cohabitation_n of_o mother_n sister_n or_o aunt_n with_o the_o clergy_n in_o the_o very_a word_n of_o the_o canon_n subjoin_v 44._o those_o also_o chase_n love_n require_v not_o to_o be_v forsake_v which_o be_v lawful_o marry_v before_o the_o ordination_n of_o their_o husband_n for_o they_o be_v not_o unfitting_o join_v to_o clergyman_n who_o by_o their_o discreet_a conversation_n make_v their_o husband_n worthy_a of_o the_o priesthood_n and_o gregor_n balsamon_n thus_o comment_n upon_o this_o canon_n d_o read_v the_o canon_n of_o the_o nicene_n synod_n which_o forbid_v housekeeper_n to_o be_v retain_v by_o housekeeper_n the_o canon_n which_o be_v the_o three_o of_o that_o synod_n mean_v woman_n take_v into_o the_o house_n of_o unmarried_a clergyman_n and_o dwell_v with_o they_o last_o to_o omit_v the_o confession_n of_o other_o learned_a romanist_n 66._o mendoza_n not_o only_o grant_v but_o prove_v that_o in_o this_o canon_n housekeeper_n be_v forbid_v only_o to_o those_o clergyman_n who_o never_o have_v marry_v wife_n or_o have_v lose_v they_o by_o death_n the_o determination_n of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a settle_v the_o matter_n and_o put_v a_o end_n to_o the_o controversy_n about_o celibacy_n in_o the_o eastern_a church_n thence_o forward_o be_v a_o profound_a silence_n in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o eastern_a synod_n concern_v the_o marriage_n or_o celibacy_n of_o the_o clergy_n till_o the_o quiniext_a council_n in_o the_o year_n 692._o where_o bishop_n be_v forbid_v the_o use_n of_o marriage_n which_o till_o then_o be_v permit_v to_o they_o as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o inferior_a clergy_n of_o that_o council_n we_o shall_v speak_v more_o large_o hereafter_o in_o the_o mean_a while_n the_o general_a custom_n which_o obtain_v in_o the_o eastern_a church_n of_o permit_v to_o the_o clergy_n the_o use_n of_o marriage_n contract_v before_o but_o not_o after_o ordination_n receive_v some_o little_a variation_n three_o several_a way_n which_o deserve_v to_o be_v next_o observe_v first_o then_o a_o total_a abstinence_n of_o the_o clergy_n from_o 22_o their_o wife_n be_v introduce_v into_o the_o province_n of_o thessaly_n by_o heliodorus_n bishop_n of_o trica_n under_o the_o reign_n of_o arcadius_n in_o the_o end_n of_o the_o four_o or_o beginning_n of_o the_o five_o age._n so_o that_o the_o clergy_n accompany_v with_o their_o wife_n after_o ordination_n be_v depose_v the_o same_o custom_n obtain_v in_o the_o province_n of_o thessalonica_n achaia_n and_o macedonia_n in_o the_o time_n of_o socrates_n in_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o five_o age_n but_o in_o no_o other_o part_n of_o the_o eastern_a church_n as_o he_o obesrve_v how_o long_o this_o custom_n continue_v in_o any_o of_o these_o province_n be_v uncertain_a second_o towards_o the_o end_n of_o the_o four_o age_n it_o become_v very_o usual_a for_o bishop_n both_o in_o the_o eastern_a and_o western_a church_n when_o they_o be_v assume_v to_o that_o dignity_n public_o to_o vow_v perpetual_a abstinence_n from_o their_o wife_n this_o they_o do_v voluntary_o not_o necessitate_v to_o it_o by_o any_o law_n as_o cit_fw-la socrates_n observe_v that_o they_o may_v raise_v to_o themselves_o the_o great_a reputation_n of_o holiness_n among_o the_o people_n and_o equal_a the_o suppose_a continence_n of_o unmarried_a bishop_n in_o this_o case_n it_o be_v not_o permit_v to_o they_o to_o return_v to_o the_o embrace_n of_o their_o wife_n if_o they_o do_v the_o fact_n be_v esteem_v scandalous_a and_o sometime_o punish_v with_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n thus_o among_o the_o seven_o head_n of_o accusation_n for_o which_o antoninus_n bishop_n of_o ephesus_n be_v depose_v by_o st._n chrysostome_n in_o a_o synod_n in_o the_o year_n 400._o one_o be_v camald_n that_o after_o he_o have_v vow_v abstinence_n from_o his_o wife_n he_o accompany_v with_o she_o again_o and_o have_v child_n by_o she_o thus_o urbicus_n bishop_n of_o clermont_n in_o france_n about_o the_o same_o time_n vow_v continence_n at_o his_o consecration_n and_o afterward_o beget_v a_o daughter_n of_o his_o wife_n do_v 44._o voluntary_a penance_n for_o it_o for_o this_o reason_n also_o macliau_n bishop_n of_o vannes_n be_v excommunicate_v 4._o by_o the_o bishop_n of_o bretagne_n for_o that_o have_v when_o persecute_v by_o his_o brother_n chanao_n prince_n of_o bretagne_n flee_v to_o vannes_n and_o there_o disguise_v himself_o profess_a chastity_n and_o afterward_o make_v bishop_n he_o have_v upon_o the_o death_n of_o his_o brother_n resume_v his_o wife_n together_o with_o the_o principality_n three_o which_o be_v most_o considerable_a a_o custom_n be_v afterward_o introduce_v in_o the_o eastern_a church_n whereby_o it_o be_v lawful_a to_o use_v the_o word_n of_o 2._o blastares_n for_o priest_n any_o time_n within_o ten_o year_n to_o be_v reckon_v from_o their_o ordination_n to_o marry_v lawful_a wife_n this_o custom_n continue_v till_o the_o end_n of_o the_o nine_o age_n when_o it_o be_v repeal_v by_o 3._o leo_n the_o emperor_n from_o who_o constitution_n it_o appear_v that_o this_o custom_n be_v then_o become_v universal_a although_o that_o instead_o of_o ten_o year_n read_v two_o year_n in_o the_o western_a church_n the_o cause_n of_o celibacy_n lay_v dormant_a till_o the_o end_n of_o the_o five_o age_n neither_o countenance_v nor_o oppose_v by_o any_o public_a constitution_n of_o the_o church_n however_o in_o the_o mean_a while_o it_o gain_v infinite_a veneration_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n and_o thereby_o make_v way_n for_o a_o public_a imposition_n of_o it_o this_o be_v attempt_v by_o pope_n siricius_n in_o the_o year_n 385._o a_o simple_a pope_n as_o 16._o st._n hierome_n a_o man_n of_o inconsiderate_a zeal_n as_o 680._o sacchinus_fw-la the_o jesuit_n call_v he_o he_o in_o a_o epistle_n to_o himerius_n bishop_n of_o tarragon_n in_o spain_n date_v this_o year_n after_o a_o long_a harangue_n against_o the_o clergy_n use_v
of_o the_o administration_n of_o holy_a thing_n profess_v they_o herein_o follow_v and_o ratify_v this_o canon_n of_o the_o council_n of_o cartharge_n and_o that_o they_o do_v not_o mistake_v or_o misrepresent_v the_o sense_n of_o it_o appear_v from_o the_o subscription_n of_o peter_n patriarch_n of_o alexandria_n and_o his_o african_a bishop_n to_o the_o act_n of_o the_o quinisext_a council_n which_o they_o will_v never_o have_v do_v have_v they_o be_v conscious_a that_o the_o canon_n of_o their_o own_o church_n be_v therein_o falsify_v and_o misrepresent_v last_o balsamon_n can._n zonaras_n can._n aristenus_n can._n and_o blastares_n do_v thus_o unanimous_o explain_v it_o only_o of_o a_o partial_a abstinence_n of_o the_o clergy_n from_o their_o wife_n when_o they_o celebrate_v the_o great_a festival_n and_o solemnity_n of_o the_o church_n i_o will_v produce_v only_o the_o word_n of_o blastares_n 18._o when_o the_o time_n call_v they_o to_o the_o administration_n of_o holy_a thing_n and_o participation_n of_o the_o sacrament_n then_o ought_v they_o to_o abstain_v even_o from_o the_o company_n of_o their_o own_o wife_n manifest_v their_o continence_n by_o their_o work_n but_o the_o four_o canon_n of_o this_o code_n which_o be_v the_o second_o of_o the_o eleven_o council_n of_o carthage_n beforementioned_a and_o other_o like_v it_o be_v obscure_o word_v and_o command_v the_o clergy_n administer_a holy_a thing_n to_o abstain_v from_o their_o wife_n give_v occasion_n to_o the_o latin_n to_o require_v those_o who_o be_v to_o be_v ordain_v to_o put_v away_o their_o wife_n or_o if_o we_o shall_v grant_v that_o this_o be_v the_o sense_n or_o these_o canon_n themselves_o will_v be_v more_o worthy_a to_o be_v put_v out_o of_o the_o number_n of_o sacred_a canon_n than_o the_o apostolic_a canon_n of_o those_o of_o other_o council_n which_o decree_v the_o direct_a contrary_n to_o they_o if_o they_o be_v take_v in_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o latin_n in_o the_o end_n of_o this_o age_n helvidius_n and_o jovinian_a in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o next_o vigilantius_n appear_v in_o defence_n of_o marriage_n against_o the_o exorbitant_a pretention_n of_o celibacy_n what_o their_o particular_a opinion_n be_v be_v not_o well_o know_v nor_o may_v we_o safe_o believe_v st._n hierom_n their_o profess_a adversary_n in_o represent_v of_o they_o since_o all_o the_o world_n know_v how_o much_o he_o have_v misrepresent_v ruffinus_n however_o certain_a it_o be_v all_o of_o they_o be_v guilty_a of_o some_o error_n hilvidius_fw-la thought_n the_o v._o mary_n to_o have_v have_v several_a child_n by_o her_o husband_n joseph_n after_o the_o birth_n of_o jesus_n jovinian_a 82._o maintain_v the_o equality_n of_o all_o sin_n &_o impeccability_n of_o regenerate_a person_n vigilantius_n believe_v it_o convenient_a for_o the_o present_a state_n of_o the_o church_n which_o receive_v great_a prejudice_n from_o the_o incontinence_n of_o the_o unmarried_a clergy_n that_o none_o shall_v be_v admit_v into_o order_n which_o be_v not_o marry_v that_o so_o all_o danger_n of_o future_a scandal_n may_v be_v prevent_v all_o these_o we_o willing_o grant_v to_o have_v be_v error_n but_o not_o heresy_n the_o first_o may_v be_v owe_v to_o a_o mistake_n of_o history_n the_o last_o of_o policy_n and_o the_o second_o indeed_o be_v notorious_o false_a but_o far_o from_o the_o contagion_n of_o heresy_n as_o for_o their_o common_a opinion_n about_o marriage_n it_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v no_o more_o than_o this_o that_o the_o intrinsic_a merit_n of_o marriage_n and_o celibacy_n be_v both_o equal_a which_o however_o brand_v with_o the_o name_n of_o heresy_n by_o st._n hierom_n be_v a_o most_o certain_a truth_n if_o they_o believe_v the_o accidental_a merit_n of_o both_o to_o be_v equal_a which_o it_o can_v be_v never_o prove_v that_o they_o do_v this_o indeed_o be_v a_o mistake_n for_o person_n who_o have_v the_o gift_n of_o continence_n may_v do_v great_a service_n to_o god_n and_o the_o church_n in_o a_o unmarried_a than_o in_o a_o marry_a state_n but_o a_o mistake_n that_o neither_o injure_a faith_n nor_o be_v repugnant_a to_o revelation_n indeed_o jovinian_a have_v a_o peculiar_a error_n of_o a_o grosser_n nature_n that_o the_o violation_n of_o a_o vow_n of_o continence_n be_v a_o thing_n indifferent_a even_o in_o those_o who_o can_v contain_v for_o we_o willing_o allow_v that_o when_o a_o vow_n of_o continence_n can_v without_o any_o great_a difficulty_n or_o danger_n be_v preserve_v it_o ought_v in_o no_o case_n to_o be_v violate_v however_o that_o any_o of_o they_o be_v formal_a heretic_n can_v by_o no_o mean_n be_v prove_v rather_o it_o be_v most_o certain_a that_o vigilantius_n not_o only_o draw_v several_a init_fw-la catholic_n bishop_n into_o the_o same_o opinion_n with_o himself_o who_o thereupon_o confer_v order_n to_o none_o but_o marry_a pudicitiam_fw-la man_n but_o that_o he_o live_v and_o die_v in_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n st._n hierom_n indeed_o load_v they_o all_o with_o the_o most_o opprobious_a name_n and_o term_v they_o the_o worst_a of_o heretic_n but_o his_o prejudice_n and_o passion_n be_v too_o well_o know_v to_o be_v herein_o trust_v in_o opposition_n to_o these_o man_n st._n hierom_n write_v several_a tract_n which_o in_o truth_n be_v so_o many_o panegyric_n of_o celicy_n and_o invective_n against_o marriage_n here_o he_o adopt_v and_o reinforce_v all_o the_o prejudices_fw-la and_o mistake_v of_o the_o former_a and_o present_a age_n particular_o so_o far_o urge_v the_o suppose_a impurity_n of_o marriage_n that_o he_o assert_v it_o to_o be_v a_o sin_n and_o exclude_v marry_v person_n from_o all_o hope_n of_o salvation_n as_o we_o before_o prove_v by_o produce_v several_a place_n to_o which_o may_v be_v add_v many_o more_o this_o be_v a_o error_n far_o great_a than_o any_o of_o those_o which_o he_o oppose_v and_o which_o if_o dogmatical_o propose_v and_o pertinacious_o maintain_v will_v be_v downright_a heresy_n but_o we_o charitable_o suppose_v those_o harsh_a expression_n be_v rather_o the_o effect_n of_o his_o passion_n than_o the_o product_n of_o his_o judgement_n and_o if_o he_o have_v exceed_v all_o bound_n and_o limit_n of_o reason_n in_o depress_v marriage_n no_o less_o have_v he_o in_o exalt_v celibacy_n this_o himself_n acknowledge_v when_o upon_o a_o review_n of_o his_o book_n against_o helvidius_n he_o confess_v fine_a he_o play_v the_o orator_n too_o much_o and_o extend_v his_o rhetoric_n beyond_o the_o bound_n of_o severe_a truth_n this_o his_o error_n about_o marriage_n and_o proceed_v upon_o false_a prejudices_fw-la may_v just_o invalidate_v st._n hieroms_n authority_n in_o the_o case_n of_o celibacy_n which_o yet_o he_o no_o where_o say_v be_v necessary_a for_o the_o clergy_n but_o only_o high_o eonvenient_a and_o decorous_a to_o the_o dignity_n and_o holiness_n of_o their_o order_n it_o may_v be_v some_o further_a diminution_n to_o his_o authority_n in_o this_o case_n that_o all_o these_o extravagant_a encomium_n of_o virginity_n seem_v to_o have_v proceed_v only_o from_o a_o immoderate_a desire_n of_o repair_v thereby_o his_o injure_a reputation_n and_o the_o honour_n of_o his_o name_n suffer_v under_o unjust_a suspicion_n of_o too_o great_a familiarity_n with_o the_o lady_n paula_n which_o have_v proceed_v so_o far_o and_o take_v such_o deep_a root_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o roman_n that_o he_o be_v force_v to_o leave_v rome_n in_o disgrace_n when_o he_o be_v design_v by_o all_o man_n to_o succeed_v damasus_n in_o the_o popedom_n upon_o occasion_n of_o st._n hierom_n i_o will_v here_o say_v somewhat_o of_o epiphanius_n who_o alone_o beside_o he_o of_o all_o the_o writer_n of_o this_o time_n seem_v fond_a of_o the_o celibacy_n of_o the_o clergy_n although_o he_o not_o only_o allow_v but_o even_o advise_v marriage_n to_o they_o in_o case_n of_o insuperable_a incontinence_n his_o great_a affection_n and_o veneration_n of_o st._n hierom_n make_v he_o ready_a to_o receive_v whatsoever_o be_v propose_v by_o he_o and_o then_o his_o weak_a judgement_n enable_v he_o not_o to_o discover_v the_o sophistry_n and_o mistake_v of_o his_o reason_v of_o the_o imbecility_n of_o his_o judgement_n photius_n 122._o long_o since_o observe_v that_o in_o his_o great_a work_n against_o heresy_n he_o have_v do_v injury_n to_o truth_n by_o a_o weak_a defence_n of_o it_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o five_o age_n pope_n innocent_n i._o renew_v and_o confirm_v the_o constitution_n of_o his_o predecessor_n siricius_n in_o two_o epistle_n one_o 9_o to_o victricius_n bishop_n of_o rouen_n write_v in_o the_o year_n 404._o the_o other_o 1._o to_o exuperius_n bishop_n of_o tholouse_n in_o the_o year_n follow_v in_o both_o he_o allege_v and_o enforce_v only_o the_o old_a argument_n of_o the_o impurity_n of_o marriage_n which_o make_v it_o incompatible_a with_o the_o daily_a administration_n of_o holy_a thing_n perform_v by_o the_o