Ante-Nicene Fathers/Volume IV/Tertullian: Part Fourth/On Monogamy/Chapter 15

Chapter XV.&mdash;Unfairness of Charging the Disciples of the New Prophecy with Harshness.&#160; 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?&#160; What heresy, if we judge second marriage, as being unlawful, akin to adultery?&#160; For what is adultery but unlawful marriage?&#160; 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. &#160; We, however, no more do away with marriage if we abjure its repetition, than we reprobate meats if we fast oftener (than others).&#160; 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.&#160; 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&mdash;when, (namely), torments have reduced it to a denial (of the faith)?&#160; 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.&#160; But the former they excommunicate, because it has not “endured unto the end:” &#160; the latter they prop up, as if withal it has “endured unto the end.”&#160; 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.&#160; And yet not even a bloodwrung&mdash;not to say an immodest&mdash;defection does the “infirmity of the flesh” excuse!