t'KMBACY.

7

of the pastor to propose to himself the holiness and perfection of the faithful, his earnest desires must be in full accordance with those of the Apostle, when, writing to the Corinthians, he says, 'I would that all men were even as myself;' that is, that all embraced the virtue of continence." p. 225.

This doctrine is somewhat singular, when we consider that marriage is one of the seven sacraments of the Roman church. "Whoever shall affirm that matrimony is not truly and properly one of the seven sacraments of the evangelical law   and does not confer grace   let him be accursed." Matrimony is a sacrament which confers grace; and yet we have more grace by refusing, than by receiving it! It is worthy of remark, in passing, that in reference to the ability of all persons to live virtuously in a state of celibacy, the council of Trent flatly contradicts the word of God. They sny, "Whoever shall affirm, that all persons may marry who feel that though they should make a vow of chastity, they have not the gift thereof; let him be accursed   for God does not deny his gifts to those who ask aright, neither does he suffer us to be tempted above that we are able." Here we are taught that all persons can obtain the gift of chastity, as they call it, if they choose. But what does the Saviour say? "His disciples say unto him, 'If the case of a man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.' " This looked something like a squinting at Popery. "But he said unto them '   Jill men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.'' " Math. 18: 10, 11. Paul says, "I would that all men were even as I myself; but every man hath his proper