A68831:988
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.
Take an example how they prove 1that widowhood and virginity exceed matrimony they bring this worldly similitude. He that taketh most pain for a man deserveth most and to him a man is most bound, so likewise must it be with God and so forth: now the widow and virgin take more pain in resisting their lusts then the married wife, therefore is their state holier. First I say, that in their own sophistry a similitude 2is the worst and feeblest argument that can be and proveth lest and soonest deceiveth. Though that one son do more service for his father then an other, yet is the father free and may with right reward them all a like. For though I had a thousand brethren and did more than they all, yet do I not my duty. The fathers and mothers also care most for the lest and weakest and them that can do lest: yea for the worst care they most and would spend, not their goods only: but also their blood to bring them to the right way. And even so is it of the kingdom of Christ as thou mayst well see in the similitude of the riotous son. Luke. xv. Moreover Paul saith. i. Cor. vij. It is better to marry then to burn. For the person that burneth can not quietly serve God in as much as his mind is drawn away & the thoughts of his hart occupied with wonderful and monstrous imaginations. He can neither see, nor hear, nor read but that his wits are rapt and he clean from him self. And again, saith he, Circumcision is nothing uncircumcision is nothing: but the keeping of the commandments is all together. Look wherein thou canst best keep the commandments thither get thy self and therein abide, whether thou be widow wife or maid, and then hast thou all with God. If we have infirmities that draw us from the laws of God, 3let us cure them with the remedies that God hath made. If thou burn marry. For God hath promised thee no chastity, as long as thou mayst use the remedy that he hath ordained: no more then he hath promised to slake thine hunger without meat.
Take an example how they proue 1that widowhode and virginitie excede matrimony they bryng this worldly similitude. He that taketh most payne for a man deserueth most and to him a man is most bound, so likewise must it be with God and so forth: now the widow and virgine take more payne in resisting their lustes then the maryed wife, therfore is their state holier. First I say, that in their owne sophistry a similitude