The whole works of W. Tyndall, John Frith, and Doct. Barnes, three worthy martyrs,…The vvhole workes of W. Tyndall, Iohn Frith, and Doct. Barnes, three worthy martyrs,…

Farthermore, blessed S. Paul willeth what soever he be, that decreeth in his hart to keep virginity, that be must first consider, whether it lieth in his power to keep his decree or not. If it be in his power, then saith S. ¹Paul doth he better to keep his virginity, than to marry. But if it lye not in his power to be chaste doth body & soul, then willeth S. Paul that he marry. Note here, that S. Paul, notwithstanding mans decree, and purpose which he made to keep virginity, willeth that he do marry, if he can not keep his decree & purpose. How contrary is this to the popes doctrine, which rather suffereth his Priests to live in all uncleanness, by yt reason of their foolish promise made unto him, then he would suffer them to marry wives after S. Pauls holy doctrine. Yea the Pope is not ashamed, more cruelly to punish a poor woman for marrying, then he doth, if she were a whore. For a Nun if she marry ²(saith he) shall never be admitted to receive the blessed Sacrament of Christ. But if she be an whore, then (saith he) may she after penance, be admitted to the Sacrament. What is abhorring of Marriage, if this be none? For to compare it, yea and to make it worse than whoredom? what if she have vowed chastity? hath she not also vowed to fly fornication? Now is she bound unto virginity, but by mans law. But for to avoid fornication, and whoredom, is Gods commandment Wherefore see how high that the Pope will set him self above God and his holy ordinance.³

Farthermore, blessed S. Paul willeth what soeuer hée bée, that decréeth in his hart to kéepe virginity, that bée must first consider, whether it lyeth in his power to kéepe his decrée or not. If it bée in his power, then sayth S. ¹Paule doth hée better to kéepe his virginitie, thē to marry. But if it lye not in his power to bée chast doth body & soule, then willeth S. Paule that hée marry. Note here, that S. Paul, notwithstandyng mans decrée, and purpose which hée made to kéepe virginity, willeth that hée doe marry, if hée cā not kéepe his decrée & purpose. How cōtrary is this to the popes doctrine, whiche rather suffereth his Priestes to liue in all vnclennes, by yt reason of their foolish promise made vnto hym, then hée would suffer them to marry wyues after S. Paules holy doctrine. Yea the Pope is not ashamed, more cruelly to punishe a poore woman for marying, then hée doth, if shée were a whore. For a Nunne if shée marry