The sermons of Master Henry Smith gathered into one volume. Printed according to his…The sermons of Maister Henrie Smith gathered into one volume. Printed according to his…

Sure God would not have these children to be bastards, and therefore it is like that he alloweth the Minister a wife. Therefore Paul said well,¹ that he had no commandment for Virginity: for Virginity cannot be commanded, because it is a special gift, but not a special gift to Ministers, and therefore they are not to be bound more then other. A peculiar gift may not be made a general rule, because none can use it but they which have it. And therefore in 1. Cor. 7. 17. he saith:² As God hath distributed to every man, ⟨p. 14⟩so let him walk. That is, if he have not the gift of continency he is bound to marry, & therefore Paul commandeth in the seventh verse, whether he be minister or other, If they can not abstain, let them marry, as though they tempted God if they married not.

Sure God would not haue these children to be bastardes, and therefore it is like that he alloweth the Minister a wife. Therefore Paul said well,¹ that he had no commandement for Virginitie: for Virginitie cannot be commaunded, because it is a speciall gift, but not a speciall gift to Ministers, and therefore they are not to be bound more then other. A peculiar gift may not be made a generall rule, because none can vse it but they which haue it. And therefore in 1. Cor. 7. 17. he saith:² As God hath distributed to euery man, ⟨p. 14⟩so let him walke. That is, if he haue not the gift of continencie he is bound to marrie, & therfore Paule commandeth in the seuenth verse, whether he be minister or other, If they can not abstaine, let them marrie, as though they tempted God if they married not.