M. Hardinge.
* 1.1 VVe neuer tooke our selues bounde to any priuate opinion of what so euer Doctoure. For al our faithe is Catholike, that is to saie, Vniuersal, sutche as not one Doctour alone‡ 1.2 but the Vniuersal num∣ber of Doctoures haue taught, and Christen people haue receiued. If in a secrete pointe of learninge S. Augustine or S. Cyprian teache singulerly, we folowe them not. Mutche lesse do we binde our selues to mainteine, what so euer Albertus Pighius hath written. Our Doctrine of Original sinne is to be readen in the fifth session of the late Tridentine councel.* 1.3 If Pighius dissent from that, he dissenteth from vs. But if he stande onely vpon some pointe not yet determined by the Churche, his opinion maie be tollerated vntil the Churche define that question. VVhen you note the pointe, (for there are many pointes in that Doctrine) then we wil shewe you further our minde therein.
The mariage, whiche is made after a simple Vowe of chastitie, standeth in his force, by reason that there is more in mariage, then was in the bare Vowe.* 1.4 For in the simple vowe there is nothinge but a promise made to God, without any deliuerance of that thinge, whiche was promised. But in ma∣riage the man and woman by present acceptation of eche others bonde, do make the matter to extende beyonde the nature of a promise. Therefore if likewise the vowe made to God were not a simple pro∣mise, but also a deliueringe of the thinge promised: then cannot the mariage folowinge make voide the vowe, whiche was not onely promised, but also performed.‡ 1.5 The performance is, when he that voweth, doth professe him selfe in the handes of his Superiour by taking the habite of some Religion, or by receiuinge holy orders of the Bishop. For in that solemne acte he deliuereth vp al his owne right and power, so that now be is not maister of him selfe to geue his Body to any person in mariage, or otherwise. You shoulde knowe by the Lawe of nature, if you woulde consider it, that if I pro∣mise a horse to one man, and afterwarde promise the same, and deliuer him to an other: that the seconde man is true Lorde of that horse, although I haue donne iniurie to him, to whom I made the firste promise. For the promise with the deliuery, is more vaileable to transferre my right in the horse, then my promise alone. Euen so it is a greate sinne to breake a simple Vowe of chastitie made to God.