¶ A stronge DEFENCE OF THE maryage of Pryestes , agaynste the Pope Eustachians , and Tatanites of our time , made dialogue wise by Iohn Veron , betwixte Robin Papyste , and the true Christian .

¶ Imprynted at London in Fletestrete nere to Sainct Dunstons Churche by Thomas Marshe .

FOr as much as many doe yet nowe at thys time , in the whyche it hath pleased God our heauenlye father , of hys mere mercye and goodnesse to visyte this floryshynge realme againe , with his holy and sacred word and with the gospel of his sonne Iesu Christ , kycke against the lawful marryage of the faythful ministers of the church holding stil opinion that it is not lawfull for them , which are preachers of gods worde , and do minyster the sacramentes , to be couppled in Matrimonye : A briefe sum of the whole doctrine that is taught in this booke . I haue thought good , somewhat to write of this matter , & to proue by manyfeste scriptures , and by the autorytyes of the olde & auncyent wryters , that al they which haue not the gift of chastity may lawfully , & wythout any offence of god mary , Hebre , xiii . yea , although they had by foolyshe and fonde vowes not commaunded of god , bound them selues to the contrary , that so they may auoide fornication with all kynde of vnclenlines , and kepte them selues in that holy estate , vndefiled members of our sauiour Iesu christ . First , and foremoste these are the wordes of th apostell : Maryage is honourabell amonge all , and the bed vndefyled . Wherby this apostel doth admonish vs , that as incontinency , is a disease commen to men of all sortes , and degrees , so maryage beynge the remedie against it , is offred by the free mercy and goodnes of god , to al maner of men withoute anye respecte , The moderate vse of a woman in lawfull Matrimony is reputed for no sinne . and that the moderat vse of a woman in lawfull Matrimonie , is not reputed for sinne , for which cause , he calleth the bedde of the godly maried , vndefiled . Wherunto doth that godlye aunciente father agree , I meane Paphnutius , who in the councel of Nice withstode those , Sozo . li. i. echi . cap. xxiii . Socrate constan. Epiphanus . li. ii . cap. xiiil . that wolde haue forbydden maryage vnto the minysters of the church , confessing wedlocke to be honorabel , and the cohabytacion of man with hys lawfull wyfe to be chastity . Againe , this holy Apostel in his firste epistel to the Corinthians saieth plainely thus : let euerye man haue hys wyfe , and let euerye woman haue her housbande , i. Cor. vii . for auoyding of fornication . Which saying , as it ought not to be extended to those , that haue of God , the syngular gifte of chastitie , so it perteineth generally to al them , that wantinge the same , haue neede of the remedye , whyche the creatoure of all , knowynge best the complexcion and nature of men , did institute and ordeine , saing : Gene , ii . It is not good for man to be alone . And wheras the enemyes , do affirme , that this ought to be vnderstanded , Obiection . & taken of those that be alredie couppled in Matrymonye , that wee shoulde graunte that to be true , what can they gather of it , but that the same commaundment is also geuen , Aunswere . vnto them that are vnmaryed ? If a man dyd vse this kynd or that kynd of meate , and the phisicion shuld say vnto hym : see that ye vse stil that meate , and it shal preserue you from this sickenesse , or that sicknes that ye are inclinde and geuen to : if any other which vsed not that dyet , and yet felte him selfe subiecte to that dysease , heard this Phisicions counsel , woulde not he yf he tendered his health , thinke that this were spoken vnto hym also ? Euen so yf the Apostel should say , to them , that be alredye maryed : See that ye abyde , and contynew still in this holye state of Matrimony , vsinge with all thankefulnes the remedye that god hathe appoynted for you , and ye shal thereby auoyde whoredome and vnclenlynes , and consequently euerlastynge damnation , whyche is of God prepared for whoremongers , and adulterers : Who beyng vnmaryed , and feelynge them selues subiecte to fornycation ( yf at leste they dyd tender the health and saluation of theyr owne soules ) woulde not thinke this to be spoken vnto them ? And that they are bounde to vse the same remedy against filthines & vncleane liuinge , i. Cor. vii . that the maried folke are commaunded to vse ? this I am sure , That is with the fyer of concupiscence . I meane , when mens will , for lacke of the gifte of chastitye doth so geue place , to the luste that tempteth , that he can not call vpon god with a quyete conscience . is spoken generally to al , that haue not the gift of chastity . Let the vnmaried and widowes , yf they cannot absteine , mary , for it is better to marie then to burne . Againe if thou takest a wife thou sinnest not : likewyse if a virgine mary she sinneth not , neuerthelesse suche shall haue trouble in theyr flesh . Whereby he vnderstandeth the troubles and cares of theyr children and family , and other lyke , which do belong vnto the crosse that god wyl haue to be anexed to this estate . Similitude . And for the which they that be destitute & voide of the gift of continencie , ought in no wise to forbeare wediocke . For , that were , as yf a man belng extremely sicke , shold say : I haue nede of that Physike , but because it is better , I wyll not take it , I had lyeffer dye , than to suffer it to come wythin my lyppes : Who would not iudge that man , to be worse than madde ? But this goodly liberty that the holy ghost did geue vnto all men by his holy Apostel , who saieth in another place : I doe not speake thys , to tangle you in a snare , is clene taken awaye by the tirannye of that Antichriste of Rome , who dyd laye on the neckes of hys cleargie a burdone , heauier than the mount Aethna as the commune by worde goeth . Wherof , Aethna is a mountaine in in Scicile that burneth continuallye , and is of the Italians called mount Gibello . many dyd very greuouslie complaine , as it doth manyfestly appeare by theyr owne wrytinges . These are the wordes of Baptista Mantuanus beinge a Carmelite , in the life of Hilarius beinge byshop of Poetiers in Fraunce .

Which verses , I wyll Englyshe as wel as I can , folowynge rather the sense and meanyng , then eyther the wordes or the Meter .

¶ Fyrst and foremoste we learne by Baptyst Mantuan , who , as I sayd , was a Carmelite , that Hilarius , bishop of Poetiers was maried , & that neyther his wife , nor his children , that he had by her , did let him to be a byshop . Secondly , howe that many did complaine , that they were depriued of the libertie to marye , hauing the intollerable burdone of constrained chastitie laid vpon their sholders , wherby many , not being able to beare it , were driuen to commit those thinges that were vnlaweful , & most detestable in goddes sighte . And therfore he did righte well conclude , that the life of them in time past , which had wiues children , & housholdes , did farre excede & passe in godlinesse , the life of the wiuelesse cleargie of his time . Siluianus also , bishop of Massilia , shewing the matrimony is lawful for the ministers of the church , Siluianus . li. v. De prouidentia dei . doth speak thus of the forbidding of it . Nouum pro sus est conuersionis genus , licita non faciunt , illicita committunt . Temperant a coniugio , et non temperant a rapina . Quid agis stulta persuasio ? peccatae enterdizit deus , non matrimonia . That is to say . Truly this a newe kind of conuersion . They do not those thinges that be laweful , & commit those thinges , that be vnlaweful . They do absteine from wedlocke , but they do not absteine from rapine . What dost thou foolishe perswasion ? God hath forbidden sinnes , & not matrimony . Your dedes do not agre with your studies . ye that say , that ye are the workers of vertues , ought not to be the friendes of sinnes . This is not a conuersion , but an auersion or turning away . Ye that a great while a go , as the report goeth haue forsaken the worke of honest matrimonye , ceasse at lenghte from wickednes . Polidorus Virgilius de inuentoribus rerum . li. v. cap. iiii . So farre Saluianus , vnto whom Polidorus Vergilius may be ioygned , who in his bokes De inuentoribus rerum writeth on this maner : This I am able to say , that it is so farre of , that this constreigned chastity , did passe the chastity of maryed folkes , that rather no enormytye of sinne hathe purchased and broughte greater infamy & shame to the order more hurt or harme to the religion , greater griefe to all good men , Peraduenture may ryght wel be lefte . than the blot or blemish of the priestes incontinency . Therfore peraduenture it wold be bothe for the profite of the christian common weale , and for the commodytie of the order , that ones the right of publike mariage shold be restored vnto the priestes , whyche they mighte rather kepe godlye withoute any shame , than thus wyth such filthy vice of nature to defile them selues most vnclenly . Ioha . Anto. Titu . Qui clerici vel vouentes matrimonia contra here possunt . Ioannes Antonius byshop of Alexandria , doeth plainely affirme that in the primitiue church it was lawfull for Pryestes to haue wiues , yea being in the holy orders , so that in the time of the celebration or ministration of the Sacramentes they shuld absteine from their wiues Afterwards a forbidding therof , dyd begin in the occidental churche , that they whych were in the holy orders , should liue a continent life . Farther more this cardynall doeth saye , that this commaundement dyd mynister an occasyon to snare manye soules , and that therfore he dyd beleue , that as the Churche dyd brynge in that commaundemente of constreygned chastytye , so she would reuoke or cal it backe agayne . i. Cor. vii Whyche callynge backe , should be agreable with this sayinge of Saincte Paule , Panormitanus . touching the Virgines , I haue no commaundement , but I geue consel . The like in a manner doeth Panormitanus write , whose wordes for auoydynge of tediousnesse , and specially because that they do agre , wyth them that I aleaged before , I wil now omit : doth not pope Innocentius the fourth set forthe the same doctryne , sayinge receaued playnely that by the law of nature , Matrimony doeth let no man to be receyued into the holy orders ? Innocent .4 . in suis commentariis Titu de conuers. coniug. cap. placet . For , by the lawe of nature , he that is receyued into the holy orders maye vse matrimony ready contracted as the orientall church doth . Yea , he might also marrye or contract matrimony being in the holy orders , excepte the constitutions of the churche shoulde forbydde it . Wherein two thinges are playnly graunted of thys Pope . fyrst , that they that be coupled in maryage , maye bothe be receyued into the ministerie , and also vse ( and that by the lawe of nature ) in the tyme of it , theyr matrimonye . Secondlye , howe that if it were not for the constitutions and lawes of the churche , they mighte also marye , after that they be called to the ministerye .

But as for the churche , this are we sure of , that the true spouse of oure sauioure Iesu Chryste , wyll make no lawes and constytutions contrary to the word , institution & ordinaunce of hyr heade and husbande , Iesu Christe , who in all places , bothe by him selfe , and by his Apostelles do geue vnto all them , The true church wyl make no lawes contrary to God his worde . that haue not the gifte of continencie , free libertye to marye , and with a good conscience , to vse that remedy , whych god from the beginning hath appointed for al men . Therefore the constitutions & lawes of the church , Panormitanus wordes are so notable ▪ that I could not but bring them . can not debarre from matrimonie , those , that by a singular gift and callinge of god , be not appointed vnto a single , & wiuelesse life . Of force I am constrayned contrarye to that , whyche I sayde before , to brynge in the wordes of Abbas Panormitanus , Panormi . de clericis coningatis . capi . Cum olim . whyche are these , Continencie is not in the cleargie , of the substance of the order , nor of the lawe of God . For , elles the Greekes should sinne : neyther shuld custome excuse them , forasmuch as custome ought in no wise to preuayle , nor to beare or haue anye place against the lawe of god . And I do not onely beleue , that the church hathe power to graunt that the cleargie may marrye , as the Greekes do , but also that this would be a wholesome statute , for the profite & healthe of the soules , that they , which can absteine & merite more , should be left to their owne will , and that they which can not abstayne might marry . For the experience doth teache vs , that a contrarry effect doth ensue and folowe , of that lawe of continencie , sith that men liue not spirituallye , nor be cleane , but are defyled with the vnlawefull vse of women , not wythout great offence agaynst god , wheras the lawefull vse of theyr owne wyues , should be chastitye . Therefore the churche oughte to do , as a good phisicion , which hauing learned by experience , that his medecine doth more hurte than good , doth remoue or take it away . Hitherto haue we taught briefely , that it is laweful by goddes worde for al them that haue not the gifte of chastitye , to couple them selues in matrimonye , and also that the auncient ministers of the prymatiue church , as Hilarius and other , had wiues , in the time of theyr ministery , whereunto I maye by the waye adde these wordes of Hierome : If Samuel being brought vp in the tabernacle , Hieroni. lib. prun . in Iouinianum . did marrye a wyfe , what is this preiudiciall to virginitye ? As though nowe in these dayes manye pryestes haue not wiues : and the Apostell doth not describe & set forthe a byshop to be the husbande of one wife hauynge chyldren wyth all chastitye ? The Apostelle sayeth he , was of the Iewes , Idem an Oceanum . and the primitiue church of Chryste was gathered of the remnaunte of the Iewes . He knewe , that it was graunted by the lawe , and that it was by the example of the patriarches and of Moses , a famyliar thing vnto the people , to get children of manye wyues . Whych priuiledge , was also open or free for the pryestes . He doth commaund them that the churches , Math. xi● Gene. ii . do not chalenge or clame the like licence , and that the priests haue not at one time .ii. or .iii wiues , but one onely , contenting them selues with the first ordinance of god , where he sayeth : And they shall be two in one fleshe . We haue also declared what complaintes many godlye men haue made , that this libertie to marye , was by the cruell tirannye of the Roomishe beast , taken away from those , vnto whom the gift of chastitie was denied , & howe earnestlye they dyd desyre , that it might be restored againe . Nowe , for as muche as I haue sufficiently spoken in my booke , of those that by foolishe and fond vowes not commaunded of God , had rashely and vnaduisedlye bounde them selues to single life , or rather to vncleane chastitye , and vnchaste continencie : I will shortly aunswere certayne fonde obiections , that some worldelynges whych neuerthelesse wil seeme to be earnest fauourers of the scriptures & of the ghospell of our sauiour Iesu Christ , be wont to make . Although say they it be lawefull by gods word that ministers shoulde marye , Obiection . yet it is not expediente , that they shoulde haue wiues . For they that be maried must care for the world , how they theyr wiues , and children shall liue , so that they can not lightly geue theyr mindes to other thinges : The fond reasons of the gospellicke worldlinges . howe can the ministers then , beinge maryed : and hauyng houses full of children , apply their learning , and geue themselues to heauenlye contemplation , that they may fede theyr flocke with wholesome doctrine ? The whole daye wil scarcelye serue to compasse and cas●e , howe they and theyr familye maye liue , i. Cor. vii . that we shoulde let passe this sayenge of Paule : He that is maryed , careth for the thinges of the world , howe he maye please hys wife : whereas he that is vnmaryed , careth for the thinges of the lorde , howe he may please the lord . Again : if they be suffered to marye , that wil minister a greate occasion to theym to be couetous , and to kepe nygarde houses , so that the poore shall not be refreshed by theym as they ought to be , they wyll geue theym selues to pourchase houses and lande for theyr brottes : What hospitatytye then shall they be able to keepe ? Or if they wil not in their life time prouide for their wiues & children , shall thei not fil the world with beggars ? These are the gaye paynted reasons that our gospellicke worldlinges be wont to aleadge , Aunswere . for to put the true ministers of the church from that which is lawful by gods word , Howe the text aleadged by the aduersaryes ought to be taken and of whom it is vnderstanded . that so they may ( whiles they maynteyne theyr expediencie , I mean that which thei call expediente ) fall headlonge into that which is vnlawefull , & forbydden of God in his holy scriptures . Fyrst , as touchyng that whych they haue aleadged out of the fyrst epistle to the Corinthians , it ought doubtlesse to be vnderstanded of them , that hauinge the gyfte of chastitye , haue no nede to marye , excepte they will , and not of them , whych for want of it are fayns to vse the remedy which go denyeth to no man , that hathe nede of it . For , doth he not say a litel before : They that can not absteyne , let them marye : ● . Cor. vii . It were in deede to be wished , that all they that be called to the ministerye , shoulde be endued wyth that most excellent gyfte . But syth that it hath pleased god , otherwyse , who distributeth his giftes , as he knoweth to be moste expedient for his glorye : and for the profyte and edefy●ng of his churche . Marke well this . Who are we , that shuld striue with god ? One of these thre thinges must we nede to chose ? Eyther we must content our selues , with those ministers , whych seing , or rather feeling theym selues to be destytute of the gyfte of continencie do in the feare of god marye , that they maye kepe them selues vndefyled members of oure sauioure Iesu Chryste : or elles we must call downe aungels from heauen to minister vnto vs : or if they please not , or if we can not haue them as we woulde , we must suffer styll those fylthye whoremongers , and stynkynge Sodomytes , that swarmed heretofore ouer all the whole worlde , to remayne styll . I do not denye , but that there be some , vnto whom it is geuen , that they shoulde gelde theym selues , or make theym selues chaste for the kyngedome of heauen sake , but they are very thinne sowen . They that be so , let theym with all thankefulnes employe that gift to the aduauncing and settinge forth of goddes glory , i. Cor. vii . and to the enlarging of his kingedome , hauynge alwayes this sayenge of Paule before their eyes : we woulde that all our bretherne and felowe seruaunts were all , as we are , but euerye man hath hys proper gyfte of God , one after this maner , and an other after that . But nowe will I come to the rest of theyr obiections . As touching the troubles & cares that are commonly in matrimony , we haue spoken of them already , shewinge that they do pertaine vnto the crosse whych God wil haue to be annexed to this holye estate : and that for them ( as I sayde afore ) no man wanting the gyfts of continencye oughte to forbeare matrimony . No state of mans lyfe here in this world can be without troubles & cares . Howebeit I woulde by the way that they should shewe me any estate of mans life her vpon the earth , that can be wythoute troubles and cares . If any hauing the gift of chastity & beinge called to the misterye , doe go aboute to kepe hospytalytye , how manye thinges , he shall daylye and hourely be troubled with al commune experience doeth sufficyentlye teache vs . How many times shall he be faine to playe Marthas part , and by hym selfe to doe many thynges euery houre of the day almost , which yf he had a trustye yoke felowe , he neded not to trouble hym selfe with all ? but geue hym selfe quietly to his boke ? Although I say he doth all the day long geue hym selfe to his owne studye , beynge onelye carefull ouer the flocke of Chryste , yet he is sure that all thynges shal be well seen to at home : Whereof els ( suche is the vnfaythfulnes of seruauntes , without one that shuld alwayes ouer see him ) he will alwayes be in doubte , and neuer be quiet in hys mynde . What shall we saye then of those which besides these commen troubles and cares , The intollerable troubles of them that want the gift of contynencye , and cannot be suffered to mary do burne with the fyer of concupiscence , and cannot be suffred to vse the lawfull waters , that God hathe appointed , for to quenche it ? Howe well ( I praye you ) shall they be able to applye theyr learnynge , and to geue them selues to heauenly contemplation ? And as for the feedynge of the people wyth the heauenlye foode of Gods worde , this I am sure , no man is able to denie , but that there haue beene more Godlye Sermons made in one yeare , by faythfull maryed Mynysters , sence oure Souerayne Lady Quene Elyzabeth dyd come in , than were made in all Queene Maryes time , by theyr wyfelesse and Virgyne Pryestes . But this is verye handsome , that they doe obiecte , that scarcelye the whole daye wyll serue them , for to caste , howe they theyr wiues , & family may liue . As though whole yeares wyll serue theyr vnmaryed Pryestes , that wante the gifte of contynencye , for to caste , where they maye gette filthye harlottes , howe they maye mayntein● them lyke gentylwomen , or rather , which is worse , how they may abuse other mens wyues , and haue theyr children to sit by other mens fyers , were it not better , for suche a minyster , as hathe not the gyfte of contynencye , but yet hathe the feare of GOD before hys eyes , It is not better in the fyghte of the worlde . to care for hys owne lawfull wife , and for his children lawfullye begotten in true wedlocke , in the which he maye kepe hym selfe an vndefiled member of oure Sauiour Iesu Christe , than to be put , for wante of hys lawfull remedye , to carke and care , and that to the vtter destruction of his bodye and soule , for a vyle strumpet , Sapience . and hys bastardes , whyche another daye , shall beare wytnesse against theyr vngodlye parentes ? As for the parryll of couetousenesse , and the pourchassynge of house and lande for theyr brettes , wherby the maryed Mynysters , shal be faine to kepe nyggarde houses , or to kepe lesse hospytalytye , and geue lesse relyefe to the poore , than they ought to doe . I answere that in this they may be likened vnto a certaine great vsurer , This is spoken of the wycked worldlinges . who dyd hyre Preachers to Preache agaynste vsurye , that all other beynge by the terrible threatenynges of Gods worde , fraied from that abhomynable synne he alone myghte occupye vsurye : Esay . v , In lyke maner , that they maye ioygne house to house , A great offence , I tel you , yf the faythful mynysters shuld wyth theyr owne money truely gotten pourchasse oughte for theyr wyues and children . and Lande to Lande , vntyl there bee not one plot of grounde lefte , to be gotten for mony , they wil haue none of the Cleargye to pourchasse one small Cottage for theyr wyues and chyldren , to hyde theyr heades in , after theyr deceasse . And why , because that they alone wyll reygne heare vppon the earthe , and wyll haue the whole worlde in theyr handes . But in the meane whyle , no hospytalytye shal be kepte , and the pore shal want theyr due reliefe . Pauperes curant scilicet . As thoughe they care muche for the poore , whome euerye where they do moste vngodlye oppresse , and wyth whose bloud , the morter is tempered that theyr princelyke hoses be builded with all . Yea , are they not the cause , that the realme is so full of pouertye ? Diomedes was a cruel tyraunt whiche gaue men to hys horses to be deuoured of them which thinge was sayde of him , because he caused the whole contry to be eaten vp with his horses , so that men coulde haue no fode . Doe they not wyth theyr shepe ( beinge in this poynte wourse than euer Diomedes was ) eate vp whole villages and townes , so that where ther were .xl. or .lx. plowghes going , ye shall now scarcely finde .ii. goinge ? And where good fermers dwelled and kepte great hospitalitie reliuing the whole towneship , there they kepe a shepeheard with his boy and his dogge , so that a man maye aswell breake hys necke as breake his faste there , from whense afore no poore boy was suffered to go awaie emptie or vnrefreshed . And yet they will seme to fauour hospytalytie , for sothe . But it muste be at other mens costes , and that they theyr selues maie be feasted , & haue good cheare when they come to Master persons , or to master Vicares . For , although the faythfull Mynister doeth to his power refresh his pore neighbours , yet onelesse he doeth euerye foote feaste these great cobbes , and make theim lustye cheare , when soeuer they luste to come , he is not coumpted to kepe any house at all . Nowe , if the paril of couetousnesse , whyche they wyll haue the maried ministers to be so subiecte vnto , can debarre them from mariage , which they graunt to be lawfull by goddes worde , what myghte bee sayde of those that be in office vnder a prynce ? myghte it not wyth a better reason bee sayde , that it were most parillous to suffer them to marrye , No lesse paryl of couetousnes in them that be in office vnder a prince , than in the Minysters . lefte beynge moued wyth an inordynate desire to leaue their wiues and children in a welthy and rich estate , they shoulde pill and pole the people , and pilfer from the prince ? For , they can no more leaue theyr offices vnto their wyues and children , than the ministers can theyr liuinges . Let any man that hath wit iudge , in whether of those .ii. estates their is greater daunger of couetousnesse , and in whether of theim couetousnes , can be more hurtefull to the commune weale . Howbeit , thys as the reste is but accidentall . For althoughe some amonge the ministers , be striken wyth couetousnes , yet manye ( god be praysed ) haue the feare of God before theyr eyes , and do from the bottome of theyr hartes detest and abhorre couetousenesse . It was not preiudicyall to the reste of the Apostels , that Iudas beynge one of the .xii. was bothe couetous & a thefe . Neyther ought this to moue anye man , where they say , that onlesse they doe whylles they be alyue prouide for theyr wiues and children they must fyll the world full of beggers . For they that are godlye , wyll see theyr Children to be broughte vp , that they shal be able to make honest shift for them selues , Psa● . xxxvii . after theyr parents deceasse . Againe , is not this Dauids sayinge : I haue ben yonge , and am olde , yet I sawe neuer the righteous forsaken , nor his sede beggynge breade ? Hereby do we learne , that althoughe the Godlye dyeth , yet his blessinges shal be extended to his posterytye . But in the meane season , thys is not remembred of them , that their wifelesse , priestes do fille the whole worlde with whoredome and vnclenlines and all mens houses with bastardes , as muche as in them doth lie , which thinge must nedes kindle the wrathe of GOD againste vs , and at lengthe to brynge the same vengaunce vpon the whole worlde , Genesis . xix . that was by the ryghteous iudgement of God poured vpon Sodome and Gomorre , and al the countrey aboute . Sith now therfore that I haue made a sufficient answere , to the foolyshe and fonde obiections of our ghospellike worldlinges , I wyll make an ende , desirynge youre good Mastershyppe , to take thys my rude laboure in good worthe , whyche I offer vnto you nowe at this present , for a signe of gratitude and thankefulnesse , & to declare that althoughe I haue not seen you this great while yet I am not vnmindeful of you , nor of the gentle kyndenes , that ye haue shewed to me warde at all tymes . Thus the lyuinge God aboue , who is the geuer of all goodnes , preserue you and all yours and send you prosperous successe in all your godlye affayres to his glorye , and youre euerlasting comfort .