ABSTRACT
A celibate priesthood provided princes with a 'fayre flock' from which to choose their ministers and ambassadors, but also promoted greed and licentiousness. In evangelical polemic, Scripture provided the foundation for both the defence of clerical marriage, and for the denunciation of compulsory clerical celibacy. References were made to the marriage of priests under the old law, the marriage of the Apostles, and the holiness of the married state, to justify the legalization of clerical marriage in the sixteenth century. In contrast, Catholic propagandists, led by Thomas, Richard Smith and Thomas Martin rallied to the defence of clerical celibacy, claiming that the testimony of Scripture confirmed that the decrees of the church were in accordance with the law of God. The bible not only contained recommendations and exhortations, but also provided a record of the actions of the first followers of Christ.
