concerns a matter that is impossible. For continence, which
so many thousands of men and virgins have maintained, is not
impossible. For although the wise man says (Wisd. 8:21): "I
knew that I could not otherwise be continent, unless God gave
it me," nevertheless Christ promised to give it. "Seek," he
says, "and ye shall find,ke 11:9; Matt 18:28; and St. Paul
says: "God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted
above that ye are able, but will with the temptation also
make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it," 1 Cor.
10:13. They are also poor defenders of their cause when they
admit that the violation of a vow is irreprehensible, and it
must be declared that by law such marriages are censured and
should be dissolved, C. Ut. Continentiae, xxvii. Q. 1, as
also by the ancient statutes of emperors. But when they
allege in their favor C. Nuptiarum, They accomplish nothing,
for it speaks of a simple not of a religious vow, which the
Church observes also to this day. The marriages of monks,
nuns, or priests, have therefore never been ratified. Futile
also is their statement that a votive life is an invention
of men, for it has been founded upon the Holy Scriptures,
inspired into the most holy fathers by the Holy Ghost. Nor
does it deny honor to Christ, since monks observe all things
for Christ's sake and imitate Christ. False, therefore, is
the judgement whereby they condemn monastic service as
godless, whereas it is most Christian. For the monks have not
fallen from God's grace, as the Jews of whom St. Paul speaks,
Gal. 5:4, when they still sought justification by the law of
Moses; but the monks endeavor to live more nearly to the
Gospel, that theymay merit eternal life. Therefore, the
allegations here made against monasticism are impious.