12. For, whereas that natural use, when it pass beyond the compact of marriage, that is, beyond the necessity of begetting, is pardonable in the case of a wife, damnable in the case of an harlot; that which is against nature is execrable when done in the case of an harlot, but more execrable in the case of a wife. Of so great power is the ordinance of the Creator, and the order of Creation, that, in matters allowed us to use, even when the due measure is exceeded, it is far more tolerable, than, in what are not allowed, either a single, or rare excess. And, therefore, in a matter allowed, want of moderation, in a husband or wife, is to be borne with, in order that lust break not forth into a matter that is not allowed. Hence is it also that he sins far less, who is ever so unceasing in approaches to his wife, than he who approaches ever so seldom to commit fornication. But, when the man shall wish to use the member of the wife not allowed for this purpose, the wife is more shameful, if she suffer it to take place in her own case, than if in the case of another woman. Therefore the ornament of marriage is chastity of begetting, and faith of yielding the due of the flesh: this is the work of marriage, this the Apostle defends from every charge, in saying, “Both if thou shall have taken a wife, thou hast not sinned: and if a virgin shall have been married, she sinneth not:” and, “Let her do what she will: she sinneth not if she be married.”37    1 Cor. vii. 28, 36 But an advance beyond moderation in demanding the due of either sex, for the reasons which I have stated above, is allowed to married persons as matter of pardon.

CAPUT XI.

12. Usus contra naturam exsecrabilior in uxore, quam in meretrice. Innuptarum amplior sanctitas commendata, non negata sanctitas nuptarum. Nam cum ille naturalis usus, quando prolabitur ultra pacta nuptialia, id est, ultra propagandi necessitatem, venialis sit in uxore, in meretrice damnabilis; iste qui est contra naturam, exsecrabiliter fit in meretrice, sed exsecrabilius in uxore. Tantum valet ordinatio Creatoris et ordo creaturae, ut in rebus ad utendum concessis, etiam cum modus exceditur, longe sit tolerabilius, quam in eis quae concessa non sunt, vel unus vel rarus excessus. Et ideo in re concessa immoderatio conjugis, ne in rem non concessam libido prorumpat, toleranda est. Hinc est etiam quod longe minus peccat quamlibet assiduus ad uxorem, quam vel rarissimus ad fornicationem. Cum vero vir membro mulieris non ad hoc concesso uti voluerit, turpior est uxor si in se, quam si in alia fieri permiserit. Decus ergo conjugale est castitas procreandi, et reddendi carnalis debiti fides: hoc est opus nuptiarum, hoc ab omni crimine defendit Apostolus dicendo, Et si acceperis uxorem, non peccasti: et si nupserit virgo, non peccat; et, Quod vult faciat; non peccat, si nubat. Exigendi autem debiti ab alterutro sexu immoderatior progressio, propter illa quae supra dixit, conjugibus secundum veniam conceditur.