WE geue thankes , and that not without cause to God and the father our lord Iesus Christe , throughe this his sonne and our sauiour ( moste worthye & louinge brethren ) for that maruelous consolation , which of his infinite bountie , he bringeth at this present time vnto vs , because that emonge you he repaireth & renueth the foundatio●s of his kingdome so excellentlye , so perfecctly , & so luckylye . For it chaunced now of late dayes that youre sermons or Homelies came vnto oure handes , wher with ye godlye & effectiouslye exhorte youre people to the reading of holye scripture , and therin expounde to the same the faithe ( wherby we holde our christianitie , & iustification wherevpon al oure healthe consisteth ) and other most holye principles of our religion , The restitution of Christes doctryne through England with a most godly zeale . For these foundations truely layde , what may then longe after wante in youre churches to the ful perfection of Christ hys doctryne and discipline ▪ For when suche as wil be of Christe , shal reade the holye scriptures ( as you most godly instruct and suade ) & prefarre them so much before all the decrees of mans wisdome , as God is greater & hygher then man . Oure especial and moste bounteful heauenvly mayster Iesus Christe , wil so largely powre hys spirite ( the onely guyde vnto al veritie ) vpon them , that hereby instructed to helthe by fayth , they may be dayly more perfecte and apte to all good workes , as Gods seruaunte , accordynge to the promyse of the holye ghooste , manyfested by the Apostle Paule .

To the whiche felicitie , ij . tim . iij ye prepare awaye for them , The trewe and lyuely fayth is well separated from the deade & false . and specially in expoundynge so plainelye and substancially the nature and efficacye of the trew and Christiane fayth ( which first of al , must be learned by the scriptures ) & separate it so religiously from the dead faythe . Here also ye declare , a●d with most euydent testimonies of scripture confirme , Fyrste into how great myserye & deathe we are al caste headlong through the synne of our former parent Adam . Afterwarde how we are delyuered from thys perdition by the onely grace of God , by the merytes and resurrection of hys sonne , & iustifyed in Gods syght , taken by adoption of hym for children and heyres . Finallye what the studye & workes of them ought to be , which are so iustifyed & renued : By thys so happye and perfect a restitution of Christes doctryne ye so enlarge al christes kyngdom with your men , that there can remaine for no long season any remnant of the olde leuen in anye parte of the ceremonyes or discypline .

For whiche your men can be ignorant from hensforth , that Gods sacramentes ought so whollye to be mynystred , as Christ hym self left , add gaue them vnto vs : so that throughe them , hys grace and helth some partakynge may be preached , ●et furth & signed vnto al moste plainelye and godly , whiche oughte to be partakers of them , so that they maye profitte greatly to the vndoubted settyng furth and reedifyenge of faythe , and all godlynes ? Uvho also can not know , that al the ceremonies of the churches & al discipline , as wel of the Clergye and the laytye shoulde be so repayred , retayned , and daylye had in practyse , that the gospell and Christes sacramentes may be ministred and receaued with so moche the more dignitie and holynes .

The whiche happye obtaynynge of Christes gyftes and workes the old aduersary of mankynde , bearynge in mynde , goeth aboute with toothe and nayle , as in fore tymes , so nowe also to brynge to passe , that men shoulde eyther not reade the scriptures at all , or at the least wyse not reade them as thynges that myght teach and instructe vs suffiefficiētly for our helth , or els not be vnderstanded of themselues without the traditions and interpretation of the churche , as they falsely name it : For whome he can perswade , that those which are called the traditions of the church , shoulde be had in like estimation and honour , with the verie scripture of God , & that there is no right interpretation of the scripture vnlesse the Romishe seat hathe approued it vnder the name of al Christes church : Those can he also easely afterward make beleue , and cause to receaue any of hys iuglinges , cloked with the titles , other of the traditions or interpretations of the churche : and so withdrawen by a litle and litle from Gods liuely worde and gouernaunce , addict them altogether vnto hys moste detestable doctryne and tyrannye .

For vnto those furthwith ( as we see experience ) he establyssheth thys hys determination of deade faythe , that they thinke , that who so is indued therewith , that is to witte , who so say and affirme that they obserue all thynges what soeuer the Romysh seate geueth furthe to be beleued , whether it be of the scriptures or theyr fayninges , they are strayght furthe and must be counted ( notwithstanding though they denye apparantly in theyr dedes , Christes trewe and lyuely faythe ) not onely to be of the commune sorte , but also the chiefe rulers of the churche ( yf thei once come into that place by the permissyon and fauoure of the Romysh seate ) . Uvherevnto immediatly he addeth another , one of the chief●st snares of soules the determination of the infinite dignitie , immunitie , and power of hys cleargye , Of the infinite power of the cleargye & the Byshop of Rome . but chiefly of the Byshop of Rome , whiche he beateth into mens heades , that al those whome the Bysshop of Rome once admitteth , & acknowlegeth in hys cleargye , muste be iudged and corrected of none , but onely of the Bysshoppe of Rome , and he , of no lyuyng creature , no not of the very counsayl , though he drawe with hym manye milians of soules to hell .

Also that heauen gates can be open to no man , Distinctio .xl. li. Papa whiche commeth not thyther fauored of him and purged with his ceremonies . Finally that he hathe in his keapinge the keyes of heauen earth and hell , so that it is in hys power to bynde and to ●oule at hys wyll and pleasure al lawes and Empires . And that he is the veraye Lorde of the whole worlde , and trew possessor of al the ryches therof , and yet nother man , nor God . Yes truely a God of the earth

The lyfe of them that put more trust in the Pope then in christ Uvith these snares meny entangled and kepte , folowe moste communlye theyr lyfe , whome they suppose are apointed guydes vnto them to the blessed and happye lyfe . And albeit they treade vnder foote the Sonne of God with theyr manyfest mischeues , & flagitiousnes , and counte hys blood prophane , notwithstandyng they promyse that God wyl be mercyfull vnto them , and at lengthe after tollerable purgation obtayne the happye and blessed lyfe , so that perseuerynge in the obey●aunce towardes the Romyshe seate , & communicatynge of the ceremonyes , how soeuer they be approued by the same seate , get and obtayne the i●dulgenties of the same seate , and intercessyon of the sayntes , by those wayes , whiche the same seate hath prescrybed . This is the cause that al they that be are the name of Christians , few excepte , haue ben seduced , and gone headling into so muche vngodlines , & abomination , that we are therfor abominable euen vnto the Turkes . Thankes geuing for the restitution of christes kyngdom in Engla●de . ¶ Uve ought therfore of bounde dutye to thanke God greatly & our sauyour for you , whome he hath minded , breaking so happilye these , which were ones most strayte bondes of the deuil , and driuyng away that darkenes , to bryng your selues & youres vnder the happie & plesaunt yoke of our Lorde Iesus Christ , into a kingdom of lyght and euerlastyng libertie , for bycause ye restore & prayse vnto al the readyng , & authoritie of holye scripture on thys maner , as we se by thes hedde princyples of al christian doctryne , & expound them so godly & holy . Concerning that trew and li●ely fayth in Christ . The perdition of al mankynd by the former & ●arthlye Adam The rest● tution and renouation of the elect , by the other & heauenly Adam , And then duties which are so restored & renued . For now your men ( who so will thankefully receaue these so great benefittes of Christe at your hande ) shal be instructed daylye more and more by these holye letters to all godlynes and helth : and framed to all good worke bothe openly & priuately : And that not alonelye the stronge in faythe , but also the weake , for hereof , as ye declare agreyng with S Fulgentius , Christes suckelynges may sucke no lesse theyr milke , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . reason & simplicitie , then the strong in faythe comprehende sounde meate , the meate of euerlastyng lyfe .

U●herfore we wil continually praye God , & our father through his Sonne our sauiour , that he wil vouchesafe as sone as may be to make perfect the good worke grounded in you , to restore hys sonnes kyngdome , & so to kepe it perfecte vnto the daye of hys sonne .

Of the whiche worke of the Lorde so luck●ly begonne amonge you . I thoughte beste in thys place to make some mention , for two causes , the one is , ●hat I may some what cal to memorye , that wonderous beneficence of God , & worthye great renoune among all Christians , which he hath shewed vnto you , for the comforte and consolation of many of Gods children . The other is , that I may speake vnto you familierly of youre countrey man Steuen , my Lord of Winchester , and so take my beginning of a more acceptable place & not far from the purpose .

Uvithowt fa●le many of yow hawe read the two epistles whiche this man writ a pretie while a go agaynste me , as full of reproches as they may be thruste : And not a fewe of yow haue wondred ( as I haue byn oft certified ) why hitherto I diferred to make him answer , the cause of the which differring or prolonging of tyme , I thowght mete here to declare , esspeciallye seing in the reueylinge and dis●losinge of oure disputation begone at Ratisbona about the nature & disposition of faithe which iustifieth ( that is to say ) which attacheth so perfectly the mercy of god that iustifyeth vs in Christe our Lord , that it maketh vs assuraunt of euerlastynge helth ) I disclosed and confuted certayne of hys deceytfull argumentes , wherwith he went about to disproue oure right confession & verie apostolike doctrine .

Causes why Bu●er differred in answere Wynchesters ca●illations . Trew it is , I tooke in hande oft tymes to answere him as towehinge the vnmaried state & other places , whiche he laide so spitefullye againste me , and to paint his sophistrie , and quarellinges in their coloures , but euer some busines was in the waye , whiche I knewe par●eyned more to my ministerye , then to confute his sophistical and captions reasons , no lesse vaine & trifling , then vngodly and ful of reproche , how so euer he stande in his owne conceipt .

For I thought thus with my selfe : They that shal reade thes so great reproches , which procede of such an impotent hatred & suche sophistical cauillations will know the cause whiche is in cotrouersye betwixt vs , or will not ▪ yf they will not , they shal styl remaine in their plesant ●ies , and reproches , & is not fet that they sholde be anye more offended with the defense of the truth : But yf they wyll and are fauorers of the tre●the and rightousnes , they may sone perceaue by Uvynchesters verie writinges , & such places as he bringeth out of my booke , that he hathe ons decreede to peruerte withe his scholishe reasons , and to debilitate withe his euel reportes , what so euer I haue spoken , thowgh it be Godlie and a right . Uvherfor they will i● no case permit them selues to be lead in to anie preiudice or foreiudgement against me by any of Uvynchesters raylinges , before thei haue in lyke case read my booke against the which he is in suche a rage . The which yf they do , they shall knowe for a certaynitie , that thys man of an obstinate and stubborne mynde resisteth Christes doctryne and the syncere restitution of the churches : And that , when he colde bryng no probabylitie against it , he went about ( pretermitting therin oure perfecte demonstratio●s , whiche were concluded vpon the authoritie of God and all the Apostolike churche ) here & there in my bookes to scrape together certaine wordes , & to take some doubtful places & of an vncertayn sense wherin he myght manifeste his witt ● profoundnes in peruerting the treuth and conuitiating them that haue not deserued .

For in that booke vnto Latomus ( wherin I noted certayn prouisions of the Apostle , which U●ynchester went about to destroy & to confute so wooddilie ) I declared by Gods manifeste wordes & consente of the trewe apostolike churche , that the same whiche Latomus tooke vpon him to defende as the lawe of the churche wherbye prestes are forbid to mary , is not the lawe of Gods churche , but rather the pestilence and plage of the lawes , Tractatus de celibatu Buceri ad Latomum . whiche after an horrible fassion bringeth to decaye al the holines bothe of the Cleargye , & of the people of God as manye as folow the chastitie of their shepherdes , bycause this lawe reiectethe & setteth a side many apt to redresse godes churches : and hath oppressed the churches wythe suche men that turne vp set downe , and vtterlie bringe to confusion the doctrine and discipline of Christ .

I shewed that mariage of it selfe is a holye kynde of lyfe , Principles wherby the Popish law concerning the abstinence & chastitye of preestes is confuted . and that therin is som thinge contayned which colde helpe no smale dele the ofice & ministerye of a preest : and that for the self same cause the holy ghoost set in the fyrst & chiefe place amonge the gyftes and veriues of a Bisshop , that he be an honest maryed man , and a godly and profytable housholder .

I taught furthermore that the matter it selfe geueth euydent iudgement how so many ministers of religion are not found , that make them selues chast for the kyngedom of heauens sake , as there shoulde be , whiche abstinence is onely meate for preesthode .

Afterwarde I made playne that the holy ghooste willeth them ●●at burne , and are in ieopardye of vnpure chastite , to marye withoute any lette , other of vowes or mans lawes .

Finallye I layde againste him with the scripture of God , both the decrees and aucthorities of holy fathers , & of suche fathers as sought by all meanes to haue preestes vnmaryed , whose decrees and sentences , yf they be had in any estimation , as they ought to be ( for they hange vpon Gods verie worde & lawe ) proue that of a thousande preestes at this daye , scarse on can be founde whiche may remaine in this holye ministerye : & that not allonlie for their vitious and filthie castitie , but also because they be entangled in the busines of the worlde & are nother learned nor diligent to feade the lordes flocke , so that they take not their v●maried state vpon them for the kingdom of heauens sake , but for fatte benefices & ecclesiasticall dignities .

And so by thes vndoubted principles of holie doctrine , The demonstration of hys confutation & concluded by gods very decrees , I declared that , for so moche as it is ernestlie sought for in them at this daye , whiche muste be admitted to take cure of the churches , to vowe chastitie , els muste be constraynid to forsake this ministerye , in case ( that they maye the better lyue ) they take wiues acordinge to the lordes commaundement in their preesthood , or after they haue vowed their solitary lyfe : it can be attributed to no churche , but muste be worthilie counted the doctrine of dyuels , wherbye they bring to ●ecay , and throwe vnder foote , after a moste miserable fassion the lawes of Christe and the churche , & by the which the whole order of the Cleargie hath made exile , and banished all holmes and godlines of the lyfe .

But what ( I besech yow ) doth Uvinchester bring againste thes thinges ? Wynchester bringeth nothing agaynst the foundations of the cause . Uvhich of thes principles wherby my purpose hangeth together and is most euidentlye concluded , hathe he laboured to confute ? Uvhat sholde the cause be then that in answeringe so vngodlie and spitefull schoolishe reasons and checkes I spent not good houres well and more profitablye ? Notwithstandinge as I fore saide ( le●●e I sholde deceaue the expectation of my brethern requiringe myne answere so feruentlye , I purposed with my self eft sones to set it a side , whiche I began a good whyles paste . For all I coinected with my self that thes bretheren whiche were so instante vpon me in thys behalfe were more moued wythe a certayn indignation against Wynchesters most importune boastindes , then that they perceaued my silence to be any great hinderaunce to gods church . But I minded in myne answer vnto Wynchester to entreat of more at large by the opinyons of holy fathers , the place concerning the vnmaryed state of preestes & professors of solitarines , whiche I spake of before vnto Latomus in a maner altogether by the holy scriptures ( although also here & there I added the authoritie of holy fathers , & of the churche ) and to publyshe al such thynges as before I declared by the scripture now in the more frequent testimonyes of the olde churche . An Argument of hys iuste defence agaynste Wynchester . And besydes that to confute not Uvy●chesters sophismes only , but al other mens , which in thys behalfe haue ben at any tyme obiected agaynst vs , as many as were of any apparaunce of trueth or probabilitie . But when about the edition of this work sone after I had caused the moste royall and puyssant Prince of moste famous memorye , Kyng Henry the .viij. of the nam● to be made priuy● , who made answere again that he had rather I should differ for a season the publisshinge a brode therof , Kinge Henri the viij . his first purpose . for he trusted to come to passe that I should speake of this and other controuersyes in relygion at some tyme peacablie with winchester , & other learned of his realme , to th entent a godlye concorde and vnitie in religion might be sought forth , and a farther iustauration of the churches , which his purpose I might haue hindred , if winchester ( whose bitternes in writinge he did in no maner wise aloue ) shoulde haue byne prouoked to writ anie more openlie againste vs , And so this the kinges godlie and prudent answere receued , when els ( as I tought with my self ) I should not seme by this my labour to profyt the churches anie thing : my worke which I had in minde to go forwarde withal I laid asyde againe : for all in the mean season therin I bestowed very moch diligence and in maner to the hindraunce of the necessarie busynes of my offyce .

But now seinge I haue sett abrode in the treatyse of the question of iustifycation , Uvicester craftie and subtyll reasons , which he with his great bragges , after his accustomed arrogancye obiected against me , and not so moche against our catholike & right opinioned doctrine , The cause whye here he maketh answere of the ōmaryed state also . as the holye fathers ( for I thought not best to escape ought whiche semed anie thinge probablye layde agaynste vs of oure aduersaries ) I thought it conuenient ●ow at this present tyme to add somthing ther vnto to yow , concerning the vnmaried state , and the false lye which the same Wy●●heste● hathe forged vpon me , teste he 〈…〉 ●hold be a greuous to the good brethren with his our ragious boastings , and reproches that I dare not contende with him in writinge of theis places , 〈◊〉 I perceaue my selfe throughlye 〈…〉 of h●m , to remaine in them still . 〈…〉 shewe mine 〈…〉

〈…〉 chapters of this present defense & answers Nanswere of 〈…〉 of this , b●cause I affirmed god●● and truly that God calleth and geueth manie me●ne to mariage , which therfor can not take vpon them verie holye abstinence , to say for to obtaine therbye the kyngdom of heauen .

Secondarilye , that though it were so that euery man may take the saing of holy abstinence if he be onlye willinge , & obtaine the gift of the same , as Uvinchester contendithe . Yet that abstinence is at this day required againste the authoritie of the olde churche , of all thos which will applye them selues to prestinge , or remaine therin , and of all that professe solitarinesse .

Thirdlye of the false lye whyche Uvinchester hath wronghfullye forged vpon me .

Last of all , of the naturall interpretation of this place . Neuerthelesse he that purposeth suerlye in his harte , & hathe no nede , but hathe the power ouer his owne will , and hath so de●red in his harte that he wil kepe his virgin ●oth wel . Uvhich done , I wil also breiflye touche theis places , It is not good for a man to be alone . And , It is good 〈…〉 to touch a woman . Also to 〈…〉 e●erie man ha 〈…〉 eschewe 〈…〉 ●e his wyfe . &c.

Fyrst therfor , that I may teache with what wicked tyrannye the state vnmaryed is so required of all , none except which are eyther thruste in to monasteries , or compelled vnto presthoud , whiche all men perceaue to be no other thing , than a pernicious snare of Sathan , wher with he hath ouerthrowen in to such horrible vncleannes of lyuinge in a maner the wholle ecclesiasticall and monasticall order , whiche emonge all other haue wrested and writthed thys the Lordes s●iuges : mat . xix . All men can not away with that sainge , sauinge they to whom it is geuen . Also , he that can take it , let hym take it . And the Apostles saing : I wold al men were as I my self ame , i. cor vij . Of the proper interpretation of christes sainges , all men can not awaye this saing sauing they to whom , &c. And , he that can take it let hym take it . but euery man hathe his proper gifte of God , on after this maner , an other after that .

This foundations therfor of oure trenth , Uvinchester going about to vnderminde , fyrst hath taken vpon him to defende that interpretacion of Christes wordes , All men can not awaye with that saing &c. And he that can take it , let him take it : wherin not a fewe wold haue this words ( take , & can take ) to be of like signification with ( wil take ) as tought the lord wolde haue saide : All men wil not take this sainge , & he that will take it , let hym take it : and hereof he picked a quarell that I wold haue this the lordes sainges spoken by a fygure in Rhetorike named Ironia , no otherwise then it is communely said of a thi●ge which is impossyble to be gotten . Let him take it , In priore Wyntonien : epistola contra Bucerum ca. ij . that can get it , as who should saye , no man can wyn or ouercome it .

For soethe ( as all men may reade in my booke vnto Latomus ) I spake not a worde of Ironia , but haue therin manifefflye confessed that it is graunted to manye to take thys sainge , yet not to al. And I go about there that which the lord spake euidently : All take not this saing . And let him take it that can , for he said not , all wyll not take this , & he that will , let him take if .

Uvho doubteth that Christ our lord the onlye geuer of trewe & holy chastitie , and chefe alower of the same , yf he had put in euerie mans wyll to take it , and had not thought to permit manie more to receaue copled chastitie , then abstinence , at the sai●g of his disciples , yf it be not lefull to put awaye an vnthankeful wife , it were better to marie no wife at al. Uvold haus ansured that it were farr better , yf it be done for the kingdom of heauens sake . But that he wolde not haue all to folwe this kinde of lyuing , yet that they shoulde whiche are willinge , and he wyll not fayle to helpe suche as secke and laboure for it . But now it is not so , for he said on this maner . All can not away with that saing , sauinge they to whom it is geuen . By the whith wordes ( if ye wreste and writhe them not ) what other thinge I praye yow may a man gather , but that the lord saide : All take not this thinge , because it is not geuen to al , but to certaine men only , electe from aboue to this kinde of lyuinge .

But Uvinchester ●aithe to my charge , that this interpretation is taken of mine own braine , & that he hathe his which he alleagethe of men that were of the right opinion & faith . Which how vainely he hath written I reporte me to the witnesse of the faithfull and right opinioned fathers and such as affyrme trulye and godlye the vnfainid and holye chastitie .

S. Hierom in dede a great defender of the solitarie lyfe writ against Iouinianus , S. Hier. in that booke wherin he defendeth to the vtter moste , the diguitie of trewe chastitie . If al might be virgiues the lorde wold neuer haue said , he that can take it , let him take it : And the Apostle wold neuer haue sticked to swade the same . Also he writtinge vpon the selfe same place of Mathewe , after he had denied that this the lordes sainge ( they alone take that saing to whom it is geuen ) shold be referred to destyme , fortune or chaunce , but muste be vndrstanded that it is geuen to such as praye , make dilygence inquisytion and laboure to get it , shewed this reason of that his exposytyon . Bycause all that aske , do receaue , & that seke , do fynde , and to them that knocke , the dore is opeind . Notwythstandynge sone after he expounded ( he that can take it , let hym take it ) he added this whervpon ( he saith ) the lord bringeth in . He that can take it , let him take it , that euerye man should loke vpon his possybylitie , wether he be able to performe the preceptes of virginitie and chastitie . For chastitie of her selfe is amiable and entiseth euery man vnto her . Marke , he that can , and not he that well . But he must consyder his strength , that he which can take it , maye take it , this is his sainge . Uvherfor he percea●ethe that the chastitie taken for the kingdom of heauens sake , is not geuen to euery man , but to whom it is geuen , it is not geuen by destinye , fortune or chaunce , but by the gyft of GOD , and by suche a gyft that must be receaued & kept with prayers , diligens and laboure . And therfor vpon whom so euer God inspirithe his spirite to praye and to s●ke for this gift by faith , they praye for it and obtaine it . But God inspirethe this spirite vpon thos only , whom he hath called to chastitie , as he inspirethe with his spirite to praye and to laboure for copled chastitie , thos whom he hath called to holye matrimonie . For God bringeth to effect in euerye one by hys spyrite that he hathe decred , and distributeth hys giftes to eche o●e as he thinketh belle , and to eche one acordyng to hys vocatyon .i. Corinth .xij.

And for thys cause Sanctus Hilarius vpon the selfe same place of Mathewe write the , S. Hila. that the lorde wolde therbye admonishe vs to be lyke vnto him , which hath willingly decred to be vnmaried , yf we can : he saith not , if we will So S. Austine also wher as he writteth . S. Augustin . De adulterinis nuptijs .xix. capi. ad Pollentium , speaketh of that the Apostle writ ( he that ioyneth hys virgin in mariage ▪ doth well , but he that doth not ioyne his virgin in mariage , doth better ) and saith , he is prouoked that can take it . who so can take it , is motioned vnto the better by the Apostles counsayle . Marke , he saith not , that euerye man is motioned to chastitie by the Apostles cousayll , but they onlye which can take it .

Upon this S. Gregorie also in his booke De pastorali cura , S. Gre. capi . xxix . Part. iij. writeth that the faithfull and godlye shepherdes should admonishe the chast , that if they sustaine the stormes of temptations with the diffycultie of their helth , they should drawe to the hauen of matrimonie . And in the chapter followinge of the same booke he wretteth : Leth the ignorant of sinners fleshe geue eare , because treuthe spea●keth of him selfe concerninge this integritie a●d purenes : All men can not a wye with this saing , which he sygnifyeth to be the chefeste thinge of all , in that he put a negatiue . Christ denied that all men take the worde of chastitie . Beholde he witnesseth , how God saith plainlye , that this gifte is not in euerye mannes power .

Also S. Bernarde writt vnto the clearkes whiche then in his tyme began to runne to take holie orders without reuerence or consyderation , I wold God ( saithe he ) that suche as are not able to abstaine , wolde not be so bolde to professe perfectnesse or to take vpon them to lyue vncorruptely . For it is a sumptious bulwarke , All can not take it . and a waightie worde which all can not take . In sermone ad clericos , de contempt● mundi cap. 29.

Ye se therfor ( moste deuowte brethern ) how many of the holy and faithfull fathers vnderstood and expounded thos the Lordes saynge that all take not holye chastitie , after the sa●e fassyon , as we . Yet is not Uvynchester ashamed to affyrme , and write that we interpreted it of oure owne braine , and otherwise then the right opinionid haue done . And therfor ye see by thys one place what a thankelesse thinge it is to answere such manifeste , and impudent quarellynges , and brablinges . Yet do I not gainsaye but Uvinchester hathe certaine of the olde writers whom he recitethe for the authores of his interpretation , though they be verye fewe , and in thys exposytyon not to be compared withe ours . And besydes that , the lordes verie saing maketh with vs . Ye se therfore by what audacitie Uvynchester hath written that we brought this interpretation out of our owne brayne , and contrarie to the meaninge of the right opinionid .

And when I had confyrmed oure interpretation which we brought , by S. Pauls anthotitie , alleaginge this place : I wold all men were as I my selfe ame . But euerie man hathe his proper gyft of God , one after this maner an other after that . Uvynchester went about to wreste and writhe this place also . For he saith : In that , some men haue not the gyfte of Chastity it is by theyr owne defalt , for God offereth thys gyfte equally . And of this hys saynge he bringeth thre reasons . One bycause Saynt Paule sayth . Uvynchester taketh it to be spoken vndeterminatly , thoughe it be spoken determinatly It is good for a man not to towche a woman : and sayth not , it is good for hym , or hym , but vndeterminatelye for all . And for a more probation thereof he addeth . I wolde all men were as I my selfe am , but the Apostle wolde not haue wysshed for all , the thynge that colde by no meanes agre to al , or disagre to Gods bountyfull goodnes , that he shold geue it to some only with respecte of parsonnes , whiche he spake by the Apostles mouthe to be expedyent for all men .

Bicause the Apo. wisshed all to be chaste , it is not concluded , the chastitie is profitable for all . Do ye not se ( most deuout men ) how moche thys Bysshope presumeth vpon Gods worde ? Dyd the Apostle then speake vniuersally and vndeterminatlye ( It is good , & to be desyreth for of all men not to touche a woman ) because he saide I wolde all men were as I my selfe ame ? Dyd he not furthwithe add a contraction and exposytion of his sauing . But euerie man hathe hys proper gift of God , one after this maner an other after that , and immediatlye after . They that can not abstaine , let them marye . Also , It is better to marie , than to burne . As to his forsaing , It is good for a man not to touche a woman . He added incontinently hys exposytion . But for to auoide fornication , let uery man haue his wyfe ?

Uvhich when Uvinchester interpreteth of him that is now already maried , & saith that it is good for such an one to touche his wyfe , if she also agre not to vnmaried state . Notwithstanding euery maried man ought to rendre mutualle beneuolence of wedlocke to his wyfe , agreable to the holie ghoste . How dare he be so bolde to saye that God speake by the mouthe of Paule that it is conuenient and good for all vniuersallye and vndeterminatlye , not to touche a woman ? Uynchester therfor after his accustomed maner vnderstod it here to be spoken vniuersallye & vndeterminatlye , which is spoken particulerlye and determinatlye . And so of a false argument a man may brynge in what he lyste .

Also if Paule had not added suche an euident and oft recited exposytyon after thys hys saynge vndeterminate . Yet by thes wordes ( I wolde all men were , as I my selfe ame ) it colde not be gathered , that abstinence therfor shold be such a gift whiche God of hys infynyte bountie sholde geue vnto all , vnlesse he wyl be counted parciale , and to haue respect of parsons . The selfe same thynge dothe he write to the Corinthians in the same Epistle , xiiij . chap. ( I wolde ye all spake with tunges , Bicause the Apostle said , I wolde that ye all spaeke with thungs and prophecieed , it foloweth not that it is good for al to speake with tunges . but rather that ye propheryed ) & addeth to thys hys wyshe no contraction , as he dyd before concerning chastitie . Hereof therfor ( yf Uyinchesters argumet be trew ) we may conclude that all they whiche onlye put to theyr wyll and praye , maye receaue the gift of tunges & prophecie of GOD . And that it is contrarie to Gods bountyful goodnes to geue that thinge to certaine with respecte of parsons , whiche he hath spoken by the Apostles mouthe so manifestlye to be good and worthie to be desyred for of all men . But the holy ghost spake by Paul that he distributeth his giftes as he thinketh mete and that without respect of parsons . For he hathe respect of no parson , but onlie hys holye and iuste will , and vtylytie of his churche , when to one he geueth the gyft of prophetye , to an other the gift of thunges , to an other the gift to discerne spirytes , to an other the gyft to heale , to an other the gyft to gouerne & rule . So in lyke case dothe he geue to an other the gift to leade a solitarye life , to an other to ●e coopled in holye matrymonye , regardinge no parson , but onlye accordinge to his vocation , and commoditie of his churche .