The chief and principal articles of the Christen faith to hold against the Pope,…The chiefe and pryncypall articles of the Christen faythe to holde againste the Pope,…

Of matrimony concerning Priests.

Of matrimony concernyng Priestes.

That they have forbidden matrimony, and have charged the Godly order of priesthood with perpetual chastity, that have they done without alright and reason. But have handled in that, like Antichristysshe, tyrannous, arrant, and wicked persons, & therewith given occasion, of all manner of horrible, execrable, & innumerable since of uncleanliness, wherein they stick yet. And even as little, as we or they have authority, and power, of a man to make a woman, or of a woman to make a man, or neither of both. Even so little have they had authority & power, to separate such creatures of God, or to forbid them honestly and according to the law of matrimony, to dwell together. Therefore will we not consent into their idle celibate, nor suffer it. But we will have ⟨image 38⟩matrimony free and at liberty, according as God hath ordained and instituted the same. And will not rent nor hinder his work. For S. Paul saith, That it is a devilish doctrine.

That they haue forbidden matrimony, and haue charged the Godly ordre of priesthode with perpetual chastitie, that haue they done withoute alryght and reason. But haue handled in that, lyke Antichristysshe, tyrannyouse, arraunt, and wicked persones, & therewith geuen occasyon, of all manner of horrible, execrable, & innumerable synnes of vnclenlynes, wherein they sticke yet. And euen as littell, as we or thei haue authorite, and power, of a man to make a womā, or of a woman to make a man, or neyther of bothe. Euē so littel haue they had authoryte & power, to separate such creatures of God, or to forbidde thē honestly and accordyng to the lawe of matrimony, to dwes together. Therfore wil we not consente into their ydel celibate, nor suffer it. But we wyll haue