The first men, says Porphyry,
[11]
sacrificed only vegetables. In a worship so simple, every one might be
priest in his own family.
The natural desire of pleasing the deity multiplied ceremonies.
Hence it followed, that men employed in agriculture became incapable of
observing them all and of filling up the number.
Particular places were consecrated to the gods; it then became
necessary that they should have ministers to take care of them; in the
same manner as every citizen took care of his house and domestic
affairs. Hence the people who have no priests are commonly barbarians;
such were formerly the Pedalians,
[12]
and such are still the
Wolgusky.
[13]
Men consecrated to the deity ought to be honoured, especially among
people who have formed an idea of a personal purity necessary to
approach the places most agreeable to the gods, and for the performance
of particular ceremonies.
The worship of the gods requiring a continual application, most
nations were led to consider the clergy as a separate body. Thus, among
the Egyptians, the Jews, and the Persians,
[14]
they consecrated to the
deity certain families who performed and perpetuated the service. There
have been even religions which have not only estranged ecclesiastics
from business, but have also taken away the embarrassments of a family;
and this is the practice of the principal branch of Christianity.
I shall not here treat of the consequences of the law of celibacy:
it is evident that it may become hurtful in proportion as the body of
the clergy may be too numerous; and, in consequence of this, that of the
laity too small.
By the nature of the human understanding we love in religion
everything which carries the idea of difficulty; as in point of morality
we have a speculative fondness for everything which bears the character
of severity. Celibacy has been most agreeable to those nations to whom
it seemed least adapted, and with whom it might be attended with the
most fatal consequences. In the southern countries of Europe, where, by
the nature of the climate, the law of celibacy is more difficult to
observe, it has been retained; in those of the north, where the passions
are less lively, it has been banished. Further, in countries where there
are but few inhabitants it has been admitted; in those that are vastly
populous it has been rejected. It is obvious that these reflections
relate only to the too great extension of celibacy, and not to celibacy
itself.
