Q. Whether it tit is renouncingtilfarriage ? 269 C tt A P. L I I. Q Whether it lie in renouncing Marridge ? Queft. 2. TwIrether Self-denial congt in the forfwearing or re- nosencing of Marriage, or the natural sole ofit by thole that are marryed? ',info. To forbid Marriage limply, is called by the holy Ghoft a doarine of Devils, f Tim. 4. I, 3. and was one of the herefies that the Apoftles were calledout to encounter in their own claies.But yet a Married ftate doth ordinarily (not always) call men off from that free attendance on the fervice of God without diftraftion which is very defirabie.And therefore thofe that are capableofdoing Godany notable fervice, which Mar- riage is like to hinder them from, shouldavoid it, if they can without agreater evil. And therefore the Church did think it for many ages, fo fit for Minifters to be fingle, that they might have the lefs of worldly affairs and cares to call them off from the work of God, and their carnal relations might not hinder them from more publike duties or charitable works. The Papifts therefore miftakingly take the flow of-Cbajlity to be an entering into aRate of Perfeftion, and finfully condemn the Marriage of Priefts : when the Apoille exprefly faith [if BI.Jhop mug be blonelefs , the Mesband of one wife-having his children in ft:bid-lion] i Tim. 3. 24, And fo of Deacons vcrf. 12. And others run into the other extream. But the true Mean is this . Ordinarily Marriage is more digraeling and hindering to us in the fervice ofGod then a finglelife,efpe- cially to Minifters , and fuch as should wholly addift them- felves to the publike fervice of the Church. 2. But yet all men are not alikeobliged to it or from it. Some may be neceffita- ted to it, by the temper of their bodies to avoida greater evil, even fin it felf; and fome may have no fuch neceffity : fome may have their worldly eftate and affairs in fuch a plight, that they can far better manage themwith freedom for Gods fer- vice in a marricd then a fingle ftate : but with otb,efi it is Mm 3 not.
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