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15. For what Christian men of
our time being free from the marriage bond, having power to contain
from all sexual intercourse, seeing it to be now “a time,” as
it is written, “not of embracing, but of abstaining from
embrace,”1977
would not
choose rather to keep virginal or widowed continence, than (now
that there is no obligation from duty to human society) to endure
tribulation of the flesh, without which marriages cannot be (to
pass over in silence other things from which the Apostle spares.)
But when through desire reigning they shall have been joined
together, if they shall after overcome it, because it is not lawful
to loose, in such wise as it was lawful not to tie, the marriage
bond, they become such as the form of
marriage makes profession of, so as that either by mutual consent
they ascend unto a higher degree of holiness, or, if both are not
such, the one who is such will not be one to exact but to yield the
due, observing in all things a chaste and religious concord. But in
those times, wherein as yet the mystery of our salvation was veiled
in prophetic sacraments, even they who were such before marriage,
yet contracted marriage through the duty of begetting children, not
overcome by lust, but led by piety, unto whom if there were given
such choice as in the revelation of the New Testament there hath
been given, the Lord saying “Whoso can receive, let him
receive;”1978
no one
doubts that they would have been ready to receive it even with joy,
who reads with careful attention what use they made of their wives,
at a time when also it was allowed one man to have several, whom he
had with more chastity, than any now has his one wife, of these,
unto whom we see what the Apostle allows by way of leave.1979
For they
had them in the work of begetting children, not “in the disease
of desire, as the nations which know not God.”1980
And this is so great a thing, that
many at this day more easily abstain from all sexual intercourse
their whole life through, than, if they are joined in marriage,
observe the measure of not coming together except for the sake of
children. Forsooth we have many brethren and partners in the
heavenly inheritance of both sexes that are continent, whether they
be such as have made trial of marriage, or such as are entirely
free from all such intercourse: forsooth they are without number:
yet, in our familiar discourses with them, whom have we heard,
whether of those who are, or of those who have been, married,
declaring to us that he has never had sexual intercourse with his
wife, save with the hope of conception? What, therefore, the
Apostles command the married, this is proper to marriage, but what
they allow by way of pardon, or what hinders prayers, this marriage
compels not, but bears with.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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