XXIII. Jt is good and commendable, if any being indu∣ed with the gift of continencie, abstaine from marriage.

Meane while we denie not, but they which are indued of God with the gift of a pure sin∣gle life: they may more fittly attend vpon di∣uine causes, and more easily serue the church, then they which are married: by reason of ma∣nie greeuous cares and troubles which mar∣riage bringeth with it, and whereby often times, euen against our wills wee are drawne awaye from following the diuine causes, to deale in domesticall and troublesome busi∣nesses of this life: as the Apostle also saieth, the vnmaried careth for the things of the Lord, * howe he may please the Lord: but he that is married careth for the thinges of the worlde, howe he may please his wife. And therefore as these men haue their iust commendation, which do therefore take a wife, that they maye liue with a cleane and pure conscience to God; So also do we thinke them worthie to be commended, who there∣fore choose to themselues a chast single life, that they may the better employ their labour on the church: and in the same do liue so long as they can.