An apology, or answer in defence of the Church of England concerning the state…An apologie, or aunswer in defence of the Church of England concerninge the state…

Contrariwise, these men do condemn the Scriptures as dead elements: and by all means they can possibly, restrain the people from them. The ancient fathers Cyprian, Epiphanius and Hierome, say,¹ that if any hath made a vow to live an unmarried life, and afterwards leadeth his life in uncleanness, and can not restrain the flames of his lusting, that it is better for him to marry a wife,² and to live chastely in wedlock. And the self same Matrimony the old father Augustine determineth to be lawful and good, nor ought not to be revoked. These men contrariwise, such as have once bound themselves by now, although afterwards he burn in lusting, although he hunt after Whores, although never so filthily & damnably he defile himself, yet they will not suffer him to marry: or if perchance ⟨p. 43⟩he do marry, they deny it to be matrimony: affirming, that it is much better and more godly to keep a Concubine or a Harlot, then to live in that state. That ancient father. S. Augustine did complain of the multitude of vain Ceremonies, by that which he saw, how even in those days mens minds and consciences were oppressed. These men as though God delighted in nothing else, have increased ceremonies so out of all measure, that now in their Churches & holy service, they have left in manner nothing else.³ Augustine an old father denieth that it is lawful for a sluggish monk to live in idleness, & under a colour & pretence of holiness, to live upon other mens labours: & such as liveth after that sort, an old father Apollonius saith, they be like unto thieves. These men have, shall I say, herds or flocks of monks, which albeit they do utterly nothing, & neither trouble themselves so much as to counterfeit, or to bear any face of holiness at all, yet they do not only live, but also launch out riotously of other mens goods. The old council of Rome ordained,⁴ that no man should be present at any service of God, that were said by yt minister of whom it was certainly known that he kept a Concubine. These men for money do both let out to higher Concubines to their priests, & also drive men perforce to be present against their wills at their blasphemous serving of the Devil. The old Canons of the Apostles do command yt Bishop,