26. Let those also who marry but once not
reprobate those who have consented to a second marriage The condemnation of a
second marriage, which the Benedictine Editor and others import into
this passage, is not to be found in it. τοὺς
δευτέρῳ γάμῳ
συμπεριενεχθέντας
neither means “qui ad secundas nuptias ultro se
dejecere,” nor even “who have involved
themselves” (R.W.C.), but simply “who have consented
to,”—or, “consented together in—a second
marriage,” without any intimation of censure. See V. 9; VI.
13: Ecclus. xxv. 1; γυνὴ καὶ
ἁνὴρ ἑαυτοῖς
συμπεριφερόμενοι;
2 Macc. ix. 27; Euseb. H. E. ix. 9,
7: ἀνεξικάκως
καὶ
συμμέτρως
συμπεριφέροιντο
αὐτοῖς; Zeno, ap. Diog.
Laert. vii. 18; τὸ
συμπεριφερεσθαι
τοῖς
φίλοις. Diog. Laert.
vii. 13: εὐσυμπερίφορος.
Polyb. IV. 35, § 7, and II. 17, § 12. The gentleness
with which Cyril here speaks of second marriages is in striking
contrast with the passionate vehemence of Tertullian in the treatise
de Monogamia, and elsewhere. Aug. de
Hæresibus, cc. 26, 38, reckons the condemnation of second
marriage among the heretical doctrines of the Montanists and
Cathari. In the treatise de Bono Viduitatis, c. 6, he
argues that a second marriage is not to be condemned, but is less
honourable than widowhood, and severely rebukes the heretical teaching
on this point of Tertullian, the Montanists, and the Novatians.
De Bono Conjugali, c. 21: Sacramentum nuptiarum temporis
nostri sic ad unum virum et unam uxorem redactum est, ut Ecclesiæ
dispensatorem non liceat ordinare nisi unius uxoris virum.
On the practice of the Church at various times see Bingham, IV. v.
1–4; Suicer, Thesaur. Διγαμία.: for though continence is a noble and
admirable thing, yet it is also permissible to enter upon a second
marriage, that the weak may not fall into fornication. For it
is good for them, saith the Apostle, if they abide even as
I. But if they have not continency, let them marry: for it
is better to marry than to burn 1 Cor. vii. 8, 9.. But let
all the other practices be banished afar, fornication, adultery, and
every kind of licentiousness: and let the body be kept pure for
the Lord, that the Lord also may have respect unto the body. And
let the body be nourished with food, that it may live, and serve
without hindrance; not, however, that it may be given up to
luxuries.