As the Lorde hath called euery man, so let him walke: and so ordeyne I in all congre∣gacions. If any man be called beyng circumcised, let hym not adde vncircumcision. If any be called vncircumcised, let him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothyng, and vn∣circumcsyon is nothyng: but the keping of the commaundementes of God. Let euery man abyde in the same callyng, wherin he was called. Art thou called a seruaunt? care not for it. Neuerthelesse yf thou mayest be fre, vse it rather. For he that is called in the Lorde, be∣yng a seruaunt, is the Lordes freman. Lykewyse, he that is called beyng fre, is Christes seruaunt. Ye are dearly bought, be not ye the seruauntes of men. Brethren let euery manne wherin he is called, therin abyde with God.
As the Lorde hath geuen euery man, in thesame let hym serue Christe. In what state of lyuing at the tyme of preachyng the ghospell a manne is founde, let hym in thesame continewe. Our newe religion abolysheth our olde lyfe, but it destroyeth not our olde state of lyfe: because christian religion agreeth and standeth with euery condicion of lyfe, nor was ge∣uen by God to trouble the ciuile policie of the worlde, but to the entente that in euery degree and state of lyfe, euery manne myght lyue therin god∣ly and deuoutly. This is my councell, whiche I not onely teache you, but also all other congregacions. Nor shall it be for you paynfull to folowe that, whiche euery manne foloweth. Wherfore yf the inspiracion of Gods holy spirite when he calleth, fynde the maryed, breake not therefore thy matrimony: if it fynde the circumcised, without cause art thou, why thou shouldest loth thy condicion, and seke to bee vncircumcised. For nothyng eyther furdereth or hyndereth vncircumcision this newe religion. Againe yf thesame fynde the vncircumcised, no cause haste thou to wyshe to be cir∣cumcised. For as touching this newe religion lytle force maketh it, whe∣ther thou be circumcised or vncircumcised. But to both sortes this egally belongeth, that eche lyue henceforth after the commaūdementes of God, whose rule they haue professed, & not as carnal desyres moue them. Suf∣ficient is it to chaunge thy old euil maners, as for to chaunge the condiciō of thy lyfe nothing neadeth, because it is suche a thing, as cannot be done