_Quest._ XXV. May a man give money for orders or benefices, when they cannot otherwise be had? _Answ._ This is answered in quest. xxii. 1. If the law absolutely forbid it, for the common safety, you may not. 2. If your end be chiefly your own commodity, ease, or honour, you may not. But in case you were clear from all such evils, and the case were only this, whether you might not give money to get in yourself, to keep out a heretic, a wolf, or insufficient man, who might destroy the people's souls, I see not but it might well be done. _Quest._ XXVI. May I give money to officers, servants, or assistants for their furtherance? _Answ._ For writings or other servile acts about the circumstantials you may; but not (directly or indirectly) to promote the simoniacal contract. What you may not give to the principal agent, you may not give his instruments or others for the same end. _Quest._ XXVII. May I give or do any thing afterward by way of gratitude, to the patron, bishop, or any others, their relations or retainers? _Answ._ Not when the expectation of that gratitude was a (secret or open) condition of the presentation or orders; and you believe that you should not else have received them: therefore promised gratitude is but a kind of contracting. Nor may you show gratitude by any scandalous way, which seemeth simony. Otherwise, no doubt but you may be prudently grateful for that or any other kindness. _Quest._ XXVIII. May not a bishop or pastor take money for sermons, sacraments, or other offices? _Answ._ Not for the things themselves; he must not sell God's word and sacraments, or any other holy thing. But they that serve at the altar may live on the altar, and the elders that rule well are worthy of double honour; and the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn should not be muzzled. They may receive due maintenance while they perform God's service, that they may be vacant to attend their proper work. _Quest._ XXIX. May one person disoblige another of a promise made to him? _Answ._ Yes, if it be no more than a promise to that person; because a man may give away his right; but if it be moreover a vow to God, or you intend to oblige yourself in point of veracity under the guilt of a lie if you do otherwise, these alter the case, and no person can herein disoblige you. _Quest._ XXX. But what if the contract be bound by an oath, may another then release me? _Answ._ Yes, if that oath did only tie you to perform your promise; and were no vow to God, which made him a party by dedicating any thing to him; for then the oath being but subservient to the promise, he that dischargeth you from the promise, dischargeth you also from the oath which bound you honestly to keep it. _Quest._ XXXI. Am I bound by a promise when the cause or reason of it proveth a mistake?