What is taught on our part concerning Monastic Vows, will be better understood if it be remembered what has been the state of the monasteries, and how many things were daily done in those very monasteries, contrary to the Canons.In Augustine's time they were free associations.Afterward, when discipline was corrupted, vows were everywhere added for the purpose of restoring discipline, as in a carefully planned prison.
Gradually, many other observances were added besides vows.And these fetters were laid upon many before the lawful age, contrary to the Canons.
Many also entered into this kind of life through ignorance, being unable to judge their own strength, though they were of sufficient age.Being thus ensnared, they were compelled to remain, even though some could have been freed by the kind provision of the Canons.And this was more the case in convents of women than of monks, although more consideration should have been shown the weaker sex.This rigor displeased many good men before this time, who saw that young men and maidens were thrown into convents for a living.They saw what unfortunate results came of this procedure, and what scandals were created, what snares were cast upon consciences! They were grieved that the authority of the Canons in so momentous a matter was utterly set aside and despised.To these evils was added such a persuasion concerning vows as, it is well known, in former times displeased even those monks who were more considerate.They taught that vows were equal to Baptism;they taught that by this kind of life they merited forgiveness of sins and justification before God.Yea, they added that the monastic life not only merited righteousness before God but even greater things, because it kept not only the precepts, but also the so-called "evangelical counsels."Thus they made men believe that the profession of monasticism was far better than Baptism, and that the monastic life was more meritorious than that of magistrates, than the life of pastors, and such like, who serve their calling in accordance with God's commands, without any man-made services.None of these things can be denied; for they appear in their own books.[Moreover, a person who has been thus ensnared and has entered a monastery learns little of Christ.]