1. What is marriage?
Marriage is the legal and indissoluble union of one man and one woman, instituted by God himself for association throughout life, and the propagation of the human race.
2. Who is the author of marriage?
God himself.
Genesis 2:18. And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone: I will make him an helpmeet for him.
3. Why do you define marriage to be the union of one man and one woman?
In order to exclude both bigamy and polygamy: because he who in the beginning created them male and female, said: “For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and cleave to his wife, and they twain shall be one flesh.”
4. Why do you call marriage a legal union?
Because those persons who can unite in marriage are distinguished into different grades, so that they are not allowed to contract marriage in a prohibited grade, as can be seen, Leviticus 18:20.
5. Is it not lawful to marry?
All those, who are unfit for unmarried life, are allowed to marry. For vows cannot abolish the institution and commandment of God. Now the commandment of God is this:
1 Corinthians 7:2. To avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
Besides, not only the commandment of God, but also the creation and arrangement of God, constrains all those to marry, who have not been made exceptions to the rule by a special work of God, according to this word of God himself.
Genesis 2:18. It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an helpmeet for him. (Augsburg Confession, Art. xxvii.)
6. But is not marriage in its very nature unclean?
Certainly not; for it is an ordinance of God. And although it often becomes unclean through that which is accidental to it, namely, through the uncleanness of wicked men themselves, it is, nevertheless, pure to believers, because it is sanctified by the Word of God. And Christ himself calls marriage a divine union, when he says: “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” Matt. 19:6. And Paul says of marriage, of meats, and of like things: “For it is sanctified by the Word of God and prayer.” 1 Tim. 4:5. And 1 Cor. 7:14. “For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife.” And Titus 1:15. “Unto the pure all things are pure;” that is, to those who believe in Christ, and are righteous by faith. Therefore, as virginity is unclean in unbelievers, marriage is pure in believers, because of the Word of God and faith.
7. According to this priests would also be allowed to marry?
Certainly; for the word of the Apostle, 1 Cor. 7:2, “To avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife,” applies to them as well as to others. In like manner, verse 9, “It is better to marry than to burn.” And as Christ says: “All men cannot receive this saying” (Matt. 19:11); Christ, who well knows what pertains to man, shows, that few men are fit for celibacy. “For God created them male and female.” Gen. 1:27. (Augsburg Confession, Art. xxiii.)
8. Can you prove your assertion by other reasons?
Yes; for the Papal law concerning the celibacy of the priesthood conflicts with divine and natural right: with divine right, because Moses, Gen. 1:28, teaches that man and woman were so created by God, in order that they might be fruitful, beget children, love one another, etc.: and with natural right, because this ordinance or creation in human nature is a natural right and law. Wherefore jurists have correctly said that the cohabitation and belonging together of man and woman is a law of nature. And as no man can change a law of nature, marriage must be free to every one. For when the nature is not changed, that ordinance must remain, which God has implanted in our nature, and it cannot be removed by human law. (Apology, Art. xi.)
9. Have you another proof?
That which Paul mentions: “To avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife.” 1 Cor. 7:2. “This is a common injunction and commandment, and concerns all those who are not fit for celibacy, and thus obliges all to marry who do not possess the gift of continence.” (Apology, Art. xi.)
10. But cannot the priests procure this gift for themselves?
The Papists indeed say that one must pray to God and invoke him for continence, and must mortify the body with fasting and work. But they are not in earnest in the matter; they sport and jest according to their good pleasure. If continence were possible to every one, there would be no need of a special divine gift. But the Lord Jesus tells us that it is a special, distinguished gift of God, and that not every one can receive this saying. God only wishes the rest to use that common law of nature, which he has instituted, and does not wish us to despise his ordinances. Gerson shows that there were many good men, who endeavored to subdue the body, and yet were not able. (Apology, Art. xi.)
11. Does not Christ praise those, who become eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake?
He does indeed praise them, but adds directly afterward: “All men cannot receive this saying,” Matt. 19:12; that is, not all have the gift of continence. And he adds immediately after: “He that is able to receive it, let him receive it;” by which he distinctly indicates that true wedlock is more pleasing to him than impure continence, of which there is much among the priests under the papacy. (Apology, Art. xi.)
12. Perhaps you have other reasons, with which you can subvert the Papal law concerning the celibacy of the priests?
I still have the following:
- This law is superstitious, pretending that celibacy earns righteousness and salvation, rather than marriage. (Apology, Art. xi.)
- It is attended with danger to souls and with public offence, as it gives birth to countless vices and shameful lusts. (Apology, Art. xi.)
- It is perfectly hypocritical. For this law is given by the Papists, not on account of religion, but to secure dominion, for which religion must impiously serve as a pretext. (Apology, Art. xi.)