A04483:44
A view of a seditious bull sent into England, from Pius Quintus Bishop of…A viewe of a seditious bul sent into Englande, from Pius Quintus Bishop of…
A view of a seditious bull sent into England, from Pius Quintus Bishop of Rome, anno. 1569. Taken by the reverend Father in God, John Jewel, late Bishop of Salisbury. Whereunto is added a short treatise of the holy Scriptures. Both which he delivered in divers sermons in his cathedral church of Salisbury, anno. 1570A viewe of a seditious bul sent into Englande, from Pius Quintus Bishop of Rome, anno. 1569. Taken by the reuerende Father in God, Iohn Iewel, late Bishop of Salisburie. Wherevnto is added a short treatise of the holy Scriptures. Both which he deliuered in diuers sermons in his cathedral church of Salisburie, anno. 1570
London: printed by R. Newberie & H. Bynneman, 1582
Title page typeset from the transcription.
A VIEW OF A SEDITIOUS BULL SENT INTO ENGLAND.A VIEVV OF A SEDITIOVS BVL SENT INTO ENGLANDE.
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.
Let every man consider the strength of his own dessell, for which he shall render account before God in that Consistory, where we shall be judged, not by the laws of Rome, but by the laws of God, our own conscience accusing or excusing us. Paul saith, If they can not abstain,1 let them marry: it is better to marry than to burn. The name of Virginity is commendable, but every thing ⟨p. 43⟩is not as it showeth. I protest before the living GOD which is the Judge of the quick and the dead, that no filthiness under the Sun is comparable to forced Virginity. I condemn not, but rather highly commend single life. No doubt there are many true Virgins, holy in body, and holy in spirit: but yet all are not Virgins which live unmarried, as Hierome seemeth to note:2 Eliguntur mariti in sacerdotium, non nego, &c. Such as are married are chosen into the Priesthood, I deny not. For Virgins are not to be so much accounted of, as Priests. And again:3 But why (say you) in giving of priestly orders, is one, which is a Virgin, oftentimes refused, and another which is married admitted? It may be, because his doings are not agreeable to his Virginity, or because he is thought to be a Virgin, yet is not: or because his virginity is infamous. So much saith Hierome, for reason why married men were preferred to orders of the Church before others which carried the show of Virginity. Now to conclude this, we say: our laws (after ⟨p. 44⟩the counsel of the Apostle, & finding so many examples in all ages of the godly which were married, and the notable inconveniences which grew by forced chastity,) have given liberty, that those who have not the gift of Chastity, to avoid Fornication, may marry. But no law made among us, hath forbidden Virginity, or Single life. This is the thirteenth untruth. And so have you in these few words, the number which I spake of: even five untruths in little more than five words.
Let euery man consider the strength of his owne dessell, for whiche he shall render account before God in that Consistorie, where we shall be iudged, not by the lawes of Rome, but by the lawes of God, our owne conscience accusing or excusing vs. Paule sayth, If they can not abstaine,