to

celibacy.

stem the torrent of so general a licentiousness which then deluged the Christian world, required the fortitude of an apostle." Church Hist., vol. 1, Sec. 9.

This is but one example of what has constantly occurred, to a greater or less extent, in consequence of the law of celibacy. All history proclaims the licentiousness of the Roman clergy. Robertson, the historian, says, "The severe and unnatural law of celibacy occasioned such irregularities, that in several parts of Europe the concubinage of priests wa   not only permitted, but enjoined." . Charles V., Book 2, p. 136. We would by no means assert, that all the Roman priesthood violate their vow; but we do say, that occurrences of this kind must inevitably be very frequent, so long as the law of celibacy exists. Young men, who know little of themselves or of the temptations that await them in life, are induced to take the vow and enter the priesthood. They may be very sincere in their resolution to keep the solemn vow they have taken; but they who are acquainted with human nature, and who know the strong temptations to which they must be exposed, will greatly doubt whether their resolution may not fail. Such would naturally he our apprehensions, even without any knowledge of facts; but when Roman historians inform us, that the church has been deluged with the crime of licentiousness   that Popes, bishops, priests, and inferior clergy have fallen and broken their vow, and that by their example the people were corrupted; and when we know, that in Europe, South America and Mexico, incontinence pre-