A04468:1257
A defence of the Apology of the Church of England containing an answer to…A defence of the Apologie of the Churche of Englande conteininge an answeare to…
A defence of the Apology of the Church of England containing an answer to a certain book lately set forth by M. Harding, and entitled, A confutation of &c. By John Jewel Bishop of Salisbury.A defence of the Apologie of the Churche of Englande conteininge an answeare to a certaine booke lately set foorthe by M. Hardinge, and entituled, A confutation of &c. By Iohn Iewel Bishop of Sarisburie.
Imprinted at London : In Fleetestreate, at the sign of the Elephant, by Henry Wykes, Anno 1567. 27. OctobrisImprinted at London : In Fleetestreate, at the signe of the Elephante, by Henry VVykes, Anno 1567. 27. Octobris
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Yet for further answer, we grant, it is reason, and convenient, that who so hath made a Vow unto God, should keep his promise. Cyrillus saith, Si Castitatem Promiserit, 1& seruare non poterit, pronuntier Peccatum suum: If he have promised, or Vowed Chastity, and cannot keep it, let him pronounce, and confess his Sin.
Yet for further answeare, wée graunte, it is reason, and conuenient, that who so hath made a Vowe vnto God, shoulde keepe his promise. Cyrillus saithe, Si Castitatem Promiserit, 1& seruare non poterit, pronuntier Peccatum suum: If he haue promised, or Vowed Chastitie, and cannot keepe it, let him pronounce, and confesse his Sinne.
- 1Cyril. in Leviticum Lib. 3.Cyrill. in Leuiticum Lib. 3.
How be it, touching Virginity, or Chastity, we say, It standeth not in our Choice, 1or Vow, but in the singular gift of God. Christ him self saith, Al men take not this Word: but they, unto whom it is given. Justinus Martyr saith, Multi castraverunt se propter Regnum Coelorum. Verùm hoc non cuius datum est: Many have gelded themselves for the Kingdom of Heaven. But this thing is not given to all men.2 S. Ambrose saith, Sola Virginitas est, quae suaderi potest: imperari non potest: Onely Virginitie is a thing, that may be Counselled: but commanded it may not be. So S. Hierome, Unde infert Dominus, Qui potest capere, capiat: ut unusquisque consideret vires suas: utrùm possit Virginalia, & pudicitiae praecepta implere. Perse enim Castitas blande est, & quemlibea ad se alliciens. Setd considerandae sunt vires: ut, qui potest capere, capiat. Our Lord addeth, He that can take, let him take: That every man may consider his own strength, whether he be able to accomplish the Laws of Virginity, and Chastity. For Chastity of it self is fair, and pleasant, and able to alluere any man unto it self. But we must weigh our ability: That he may take it, that can take it.