A17084:39
The gratulation of the most famous clerk M. Martin Bucer a man of no…The gratulation of the mooste famous clerke M. Martin Bucer a man of no…
The gratulation of the most famous clerk M. Martin Bucer a man of no less learning and literature, then godly study and example of living, unto the church of England for the restitution of Christs religion. And his answer unto the two railing epistles of Steve[n], Bishop of Winchester, concerning the unmarried state of priests and cloisterers, wherein is evidently declared, that it is against the laws of God, and of his church to require of all such as be and must be admitted to priesthood, to refrain from holy matrimony. Translated out of Latin in to English.The gratulation of the mooste famous clerke M. Martin Bucer a man of no lesse learninge and lyterature, then godlye studie and example of lyuing, vnto the churche of Englande for the restitucion of Christes religion. And hys answere vnto the two raylinge epistles of Steue[n], Bisshoppe of Winchester, concerninge the vnmaried state of preestes and cloysterars, wherein is euidently declared, that it is against the lawes of God, and of his churche to require of all suche as be and must be admitted to preesthood, to refrain from holye matrimonie. Translated out of Latin in to Englishe.
printed by Richard Jugge, 1549printed by Richard Iugge, 1549
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
But Uvinchester •aithe to my charge, that this interpretation is taken of mine own brain, & that he hath his which he allegeth of men that were of the right opinion & faith. Which how vainly he hath written I report me to the witness of the faithful and right opinioned fathers and such as affirm truly and godly ⟨image 16⟩the unfeigned and holy chastity.
But Uvinchester •aithe to my charge, yt this interpretatiō is takē of mine own braine, & yt he hathe his which he alleagethe of mē yt were of ye right opiniō & faith. Which how vainely he hath written I reporte me to ye witnesse of ye faithfull and right opinioned fathers and such as affyrme trulye and godlye ⟨image 16⟩the vnfainid and holye chastitie.
S. Hierom in deed a great defender of the solitary life writ against Jovinianus,1 in that book wherein he defendeth to the utter most, the dignity of true chastity. If all might be virgins the lord would never have said, he that can take it, let him take it: And the Apostle would never have sticked to swade the same. Also he writing upon the self same place of Matthew, after he had denied that this the lords saying (they alone take that saying to whom it is given) should be referred to destiny, fortune or chance, but must be understanded that it is given to such as pray, make diligence inquisition and labour to get it, showed this reason of that his exposition. Because all that ask, do receive, & that seek, do find, and to them that knock, the door is opened. Notwithstanding soon after he expounded (he that can take it, let him take it) he added this whereupon (he saith) the lord bringeth in. He that can take it, let him take it, that every