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Questions of religion cast abroad in Helvetia by the adversaries of the sameQuestions of religion cast abroad in Helvetia by the aduersaries of the same
Questions of religion cast abroad in Helvetia by the adversaries of the same: and answered by M. H. Bullinger of Zurick: reduced into .17. common places. Translated into English by John Cox. 1572Questions of religion cast abroad in Helvetia by the aduersaries of the same: and aunswered by M. H. Bullinger of Zurick: reduced into .17. common places. Translated into Englishe by Iohn Coxe. 1572
London: printed by Henry Bynneman for George Byshop, 1572London: printed by Henrie Bynneman for George Byshop, 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.
But if they have vowed poverty, and would keep the same, then let them leave their monasteries and princely palaces, their fat tithes and yearly rents, let them be called no more Lords, and let them not be called poor in name, but be so in deed. But if they Vow obedience, and will perform the same, let them obey God, the lawful magistrate, their parents, and the holy laws of God, then truly shall they not long abide in these places, and this kind of life, in which notwithstanding they seek now to abide, and that by force, neither would ⟨p. 124⟩they do that, which is so directly against their Vows.
But if they haue vowed pouertie, and woulde kéepe the same, then let them leaue their monasteries and princely palaces, their fatte tithes and yerely rents, let them be called no more Lordes, and lette them not be called poore in name, but be so in déede. But if they Uowe obedience, and will perfourme the same, let them obey God, the lawfull magistrate, their parentes, and the holy lawes of God, then truely shall they not long abide in these places, and this kinde of life, in which notwithstanding they séeke nowe to abide, and that by force, neyther woulde ⟨p. 124⟩they do that, which is so directly against theyr Uowes.
The sentence whereof they seem to1 make mention in their Question, is written in the fifth Chapter of Ecclesiastes, thus: If thou haste vowed any thing unto God, be not slack to perform the same. For a foolish and an unfaithful promise displeaseth him: even because he hath no delight in the unwise. And it is much better not to vow, than after thy vow not to perform. Therefore this place which our adversaries do use in this their question, doth rather make for us, than against us. For Vows which are grounded on God's word, and are in our power to be done, unto the glory of God, the profit of others, and our own salvation, are not foolish Vows: But what so ever are not after this sort, are foolish, as those are whereof we have spoken before, being grounded upon mans ordinance and tradition: and therefore not acceptable to God.