1818 Feb y 2

Not Paul

III. Doctrine

Ch. Motives to Doctrine

Asceticism II. Bed

I. Ordinary

1. Celibacy

Good for a man not to touch a woman? as observes somebody—and stupid indeed must he

have been to whom the observation has not presented itself—then how is the race of

the faithful—and should the religion of Jesus spread as it was his declared intention

/design/ it should spread how is the race of mankind to be preserved from extinction?

for it is not to preachers alone—it is to all his converts at Corinth without

distinction that this recommendation is addressed. The industry /anxiety/ of

defenders may apply as many restrictions to as great an extent as they please: but to

whatsoever extent the restriction is applied by them the restriction will be all of

it of their own applying /doing/, none of it of Paul’s. being /no such thing being/

applied by Paul himself.

How is the race of mankind to be preserved from extinction? a question by which some

men might feel themselves a little /thus capable of perplexing some men/, but Paul

has his answer ready. Marry ever so (says he) the race of men will not be preserved

from extinction: not so much as to the end of the present generation: for before that

period there will be an end of this wicked world /the world/ and of the present

generation along with it. On the present occasion in the present Epistle only in the

way of allusion is mention made of this catastrophe. But in one of his two short

Epistles to his Thessalonians, the proximity of it /as above/ /as hath been or will

be seen†/ is directly announced. Only in his addresses to his disciples of /in/ that

region is any such precision and particularity to be found. But in this present

Epistle of his to his Corinthians, indications of the assurances they can /could/ not

but have already received from him—indications too plain to be misunderstood will now

be seen.

† Ch. Paul’s Character. §. Falsified predictions.

I. Cor. ix. 25. Now concerning virgins (says /continues/

he), I have no commandment of the Lord: candid indeed this: but of this candour the

cause may be seen in that contempt of asceticism the negative proofs of which have

reached these our times and of which the positive proofs it may well be imagined were

/were in those days/ matters of notoriety to all who had heard any thing of the

history of Jesus.†

† See Ch. In Jesus no asceticism.