Page:Wedding-ring, fit for the finger, or, The salve of divinity on the sore of humanity (5).pdf/6

6 that should cherish the faith. 1 Tim. iv. 3. Not to forbear marriage, which is not only lawful, but also honourable;—to forbid which, is damnably sinful, and only taught by the influence of devils.

One of the Popes of Rome sprinkles this unholy and impure drop upon it, Carnes pollutionem & immunditum.

It is strange that should be a pollution, which was instituted before corruption; or that impurity, which was ordained in the state of innocency; or that they should make that to be a sin, which they make to be a sacrament; strange stupidity! But a bastard may be laid at the door of chastity, and a leaden crown set upon a golden head.

Bellarmine, (that mighty Atlas of the papal power) blows his stinking breath upon it: Better were it for a priest to defile himself with many harlots, than to be married to one wife— These children of the purple whore prefer monasteries before marriages, a concubine before a companion.—They use too many women for their lusts, to chuse any for their love—Their tables are so largely spread, that they cannot feed upon one dish.

As for their exalting of a virgin state, it is like him that commended fasting when he had filled his belly.

Who knows not that virginity is a pearl of a sparkling lustre? But cannot the one be set up, without the other be thrown down? Will no oblation pacify the former, but the demolishing of the latter? Tho' we find many