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| Unfairness of Charging the Disciples of the New Prophecy with Harshness. The Charge Rather to Be Retorted Upon the Psychics.
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Chapter
XV.—Unfairness of Charging the Disciples of the New Prophecy with
Harshness. The Charge Rather to Be Retorted Upon the
Psychics.
What harshness, therefore, is here on our part, if
we renounce (communion with) such as do not the will of God? What
heresy, if we judge second marriage, as being unlawful, akin to
adultery? For what is adultery but unlawful marriage? The
apostle sets a brand upon those who were wont entirely to forbid
marriage, who were wont at the same time to lay an interdict on meats
which God has created.682
We, however, no
more do away with marriage if we abjure its repetition, than we
reprobate meats if we fast oftener (than others). It is one thing
to do away with, another to regulate; it is one thing to lay down a law
of not marrying, it is another to fix a limit to marrying. To
speak plainly, if they who reproach us with harshness, or esteem heresy
(to exist) in this (our) cause, foster the “infirmity of the
flesh” to such a degree as to think it must have support accorded
to it in frequency of marriage; why do they in another case neither
accord it support nor foster it with indulgence—when, (namely),
torments have reduced it to a denial (of the faith)? For, of
course, that (infirmity) is more capable of excuse which has fallen in
battle, than (that) which (has fallen) in the bed-chamber; (that) which
has succumbed on the rack, than (that) which (has succumbed) on the
bridal bed; (that) which has yielded to cruelty, than (that) which (has
yielded) to appetite; that which has been overcome groaning, than
(that) which (has been overcome) in heat. But the former they
excommunicate, because it has not “endured unto the
end:”683
the latter they
prop up, as if withal it has “endured unto the end.”
Propose (the question) why each has not “endured unto the
end;” and you will find the cause of that (infirmity) to be more
honourable which has been unable to sustain savagery, than (of that)
which (has been unable to sustain) modesty. And yet not even a
bloodwrung—not to say an immodest—defection does the
“infirmity of the flesh” excuse!E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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