A68831:4511
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,…
The whole works of W. Tyndall, John Frith, and Doct. Barnes, three worthy martyrs, and principal teachers of this Church of England collected and compiled in one tome together, being before scattered, [and] now in print here exhibited to the Church. To the praise of God, and profit of all good Christian readers.The vvhole workes of W. Tyndall, Iohn Frith, and Doct. Barnes, three worthy martyrs, and principall teachers of this Churche of England collected and compiled in one tome togither, beyng before scattered, [and] now in print here exhibited to the Church. To the prayse of God, and profite of all good Christian readers.
London: printed by John Daye, 1573London: printed by Iohn Daye, 1573
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.
To our purpose. First cometh blessed S. Cyprian, of whom was asked a question, what should be done 1with those religious persons, that could not keep their chastity as they had vowed. These be his words. Thou doest ask what we do judge of virgins, the which after they have decreed to live chastely, are afterward found in one bed with a man. Of the which thou sayest that one of them was a Deacon. We do with great sorrow see y• great ruin of many persons, which cometh by y• reason of such unlawful and perilous companying together. Wherefore if they have dedicate them selves unto Christ, out of faith to live purely, and chastely, then let them so remain with out any fable, and strongly, and steadfastly to abide the reward of virginity. But 2and if they will not abide, or else can not abide, then is it better to marry, then for to fall into the fire of concupiscence, and let them give unto the brethren and sisterne none occasion of slander. &c. I do for my part ⟨p. 319⟩require no more then blessed Cyprian doth here teach, that is to say, if Priests can live sole, I beseech our Lord to reward them for it, & give them grace to continue. But if they can not, I would have no snare laid for their souls, nor yet have them compelled to a thing that they can not keep. But I would the thing should be indifferent for them that can live chaste, so to remain. And they that have not the gift, nor can not so live, for to use that lawful remedy that God hath ordained. What hath men to do, or what moveth them 3to compel Priests not to marry, as long as God is contented with priests wedlock? Let no man think that such a compulsion is acceptable to God. And if men will not be contented with this doctrine, that is so good, so reasonable, and so honest, what can I say to it? I must be content, I can do no more, but say my learning, and let God alone with his punishment.
To our purpose. Fyrst commeth blessed S. Ciprian, of whom was asked a question, what should bée done 1