[Chapter IX]

Is there need for doubt, and inquiry, and repeated deliberation, whether he whom God has entrusted with His own property157    Censum. is fit for dotal endowments?158    Invecta.  Comp. de Pa., c. xiii. ad init.  Whence are we to find (words) enough fully to tell the happiness of that marriage which the Church cements, and the oblation confirms, and the benediction signs and seals; (which) angels carry back the news of (to heaven), (which) the Father holds for ratified?  For even on earth children159    Filii. do not rightly and lawfully wed without their fathers’ consent.  What kind of yoke is that of two believers, (partakers) of one hope, one desire,160    Comp. de Or., c. v. ad fin.; de Pa., c. ix. ad fin.; ad Ux., i. c. v. ad init. one discipline, one and the same service?  Both (are) brethren, both fellow servants, no difference of spirit or of flesh; nay, (they are) truly “two in one flesh.”161    Gen. ii. 24; Matt. xix. 5; Mark x. 8; Eph. v. 31.  Where the flesh is one, one is the spirit too.  Together they pray, together prostrate themselves, together perform their fasts; mutually teaching, mutually exhorting,162    Col. iii. 16. mutually sustaining.  Equally (are they) both (found) in the Church of God; equally at the banquet of God; equally in straits, in persecutions, in refreshments.  Neither hides (ought) from the other; neither shuns the other; neither is troublesome to the other.  The sick is visited, the indigent relieved, with freedom.  Alms (are given) without (danger of ensuing) torment; sacrifices (attended) without scruple; daily diligence (discharged) without impediment:  (there is) no stealthy signing, no trembling greeting, no mute benediction.  Between the two echo psalms and hymns;163    Eph. v. 19; Col. iii. 16. and they mutually challenge each other which shall better chant to their Lord.  Such things when Christ sees and hears, He joys.  To these He sends His own peace.164    Comp. John xiv. 27.  Where two (are), there withal (is) He Himself.165    Matt. xviii. 20.  Where He (is), there the Evil One is not.

These are the things which that utterance of the apostle has, beneath its brevity, left to be understood by us.  These things, if need shall be, suggest to your own mind.  By these turn yourself away from the examples of some.  To marry otherwise is, to believers, not “lawful;” is not “expedient.”166    Comp. 1 Cor. x. 23.

CAPUT IX.

Dubitandum et inquirendum et identidem deliberandum est, an idoneus sit invectis dotalibus, cui Deus censum suum credidit. Unde sufficiamus ad enarrandam felicitatem ejus matrimonii, quod Ecclesia conciliat , et confirmat oblatio , et obsignat 1302B benedictio , angeli renuntiant , Pater rato habet ? Nam nec in terris filii sine consensu patrum recte et jure nubunt. Quale jugum fidelium duorum unius spei, unius disciplinae, ejusdem servitutis! Ambo fratres, ambo conservi, nulla spiritus carnisve discretio. Atquin vere duo in carne una; ubi caro una, unus et spiritus. Simul orant, simul volutantur et 1303A simul jejunia transigunt, alterutro docentes, alterutro hortantes, alterutro sustinentes . In Ecclesia Dei pariter utrique, pariter in convivio Dei, pariter in angustiis, in persecutionibus, in refrigeriis ; neuter alterum celat, neuter alterum vitat, neuter alteri gravis est; libere aeger visitatur, indigens sustentatur; eleemosynae sine tormento , sacrificia sine scrupulo , quotidiana diligentia sine impedimento ; non furtiva signatio, non trepida gratulatio, non muta 1304A benedictio; sonant inter duos psalmi et hymni, et mutuo provocant, quis melius Deo suo cantet. Talia Christus videns et audiens gaudet, his pacem suam mittit; ubi duo, ibi et ipse; ubi et ipse, ibi et malus non est. Haec sunt quae Apostoli vox illa sub brevitate intelligenda nobis reliquit; haec tibi suggere, si opus fuerit; his te ab exemplis quarundam reflecte. Non licet aliter fidelibus nubere , et si liceret, non expediret .