A17167:178
A confutation of the Popes bull which was published more then two years ago…A confutation of the Popes bull which was published more then two yeres agoe…
A confutation of the Popes bull which was published more then two years ago against Elizabeth the most gracious Queen of England, France, and Ireland, and against the noble realm of England together with a defence of the said true Christian Queen, and of the whole realm of England. By Henry Bullinger the Elder.A confutation of the Popes bull which was published more then two yeres agoe against Elizabeth the most gracious Queene of England, Fraunce, and Ireland, and against the noble realme of England together with a defence of the sayd true Christian Queene, and of the whole realme of England. By Henry Bullinger the Elder.
London: printed by John Day, 1572London: printed by Iohn Day, 1572
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.
1But I marvel more with what face these men being ⟨p. 52⟩most unclean and stinking of filthiness, the bondslaves of lusts and unreasonable lecheries, can make any mention of single life. What manner of single life was in the religious houses of England, and why the noble Prince King Henry the viij. emptied them and overthrew them every chone:2 truly I had lever it should be known by the Centuries of the reverend Bishop of Ossoria in Ireland, then by my declaration.3 For I willingly spare chaste ears. Finally I say with the Apostle: Honourable among all men is wedlock and the undefiled bed.4 And again, It is better to marry then to burn and for avoiding of fornication, let every man have his wife. Also, if thou marry a wife thou sinnest not:5 and if a maiden marry she sinneth not. For it was lawful even for the Apostles who were busied in the ministry, to lead their Christian wives about with them. And all antiquity avoucheth that many of the Lords Apostles,6 and specially Peter,7 were married men. And Paul more then once expressly saith, Let a Bishop be the husband of one wife,8 having faithful children. Yea and he calleth their doctrine a doctrine of devils, which forbid marriage, like as also which forbid meats. I know that our adversaries wrest this place from themselves to the old heretics, Tatian, Montane, and others. But the Prophet speaking most effectually, saith Forbidding, & not Condemning. The old heretics condemned meats & marriage universally. But our adversaries condemn not meats & marriage, but restrain the free use of them, binding men from them by wicked laws. Properly therefore the Apostle spake of them.