The Jesuit _Papebrok_ highly extols this Letter[N21.1], but, at the same time, does not think it quite pure and genuine, because the Date, says he, has been added to it; for the other Letters of _Syricius_, and likewise those of his Predecessors, bear no Date. But can we conclude from thence, that they never had any? Some of the Letters of _Innocent_ I. are dated, and some without a Date, and he admits both. The Transcribers contented themselves, for the most part, with copying the Body of the Letter, and neglected the rest. _Papebrok_ adds, that the Date ought to have been expressed thus: _Arcadio Aug. et Bautone viro clar. Conss._ and not _Arcadio et Bautone viris clarissimis_, as it is in that Letter. But might not this Mistake be owing to the Ignorance of the Transcribers, who, finding, in the Original, only the Two Letters, _V. C._ which are to be met with in many antient Writings, set down _viris clarissimis_, instead of _viro clarissimo_? _Papebrok_ must have observed the same Mistake in the Letter, which Pope _Innocent_ I. writ to the Council of _Milevum_[N21.2], and which he allows to be altogether genuine. For Slips or Oversights of this Nature, hardly avoidable, no Piece ought to be condemned, or even suspected. Footnote N21.1: Bolland. prop. p. 58. Footnote N21.2: Concil. t. 2. p. 1289. ----- [Sidenote: _The Celibacy of the Clergy first proposed in the Council of_ Elvira.] As Priests and Deacons are commanded, by the Seventh Article of this Letter, to abstain from Marriage, and this is the first Opportunity that has offered of mentioning the Celibacy of the Clergy, a short Digression on such a material Point of Discipline in the Church may not, perhaps, be unacceptable to the Reader. The laying of this heavy Burdens on the Shoulders of the Clergy, a Burden too heavy for most of them to bear, as Experience has shewn, was first moved in the Council of _Elvira_, held about the Year 300. according to the most probable Opinion; and, being warmly promoted by the celebrated _Osius_ of _Cordoua_, and _Felix_ of _Acci_, now _Guadix_ in _Andalusia_, who presided at that Assembly, it passed into a Law; and all Bishops, Presbyters, Deacons, and Subdeacons, were commanded, on Pain of Deposition; _to abstain from Wives; and the begetting of Children_. These are the very Words of the 33d Canon of that Council[1238]. That, till this time, the Clergy were allowed to marry, even in _Spain_, is manifest from the 65th Canon of the same Council, excluding from the Communion of the Church, even at the Point of Death, such Ecclesiastics, as, knowing their Wives to be guilty of Adultery, should not, upon the first Notice of their Crime, immediately turn them out of Doors[1239]. How long the 33d Canon continued in Vigour, is uncertain; nay, it may be questioned whether it ever took place: if it ever did, it was out of Date, or at least not generally