The Ivdgement of Martin Bucer concerning divorce written to Edward the sixt, in his second book of the Kingdom of Christ, and now Englisht : wherein a late book restoring the doctrine and discipline of divorce is heer confirm'd and justify'd by the authoritie of Martin Bucer to the Parlament of England.
         De regno Christi. De coniugio & divortio. English
         Bucer, Martin, 1491-1551.
      
       
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             The Ivdgement of Martin Bucer concerning divorce written to Edward the sixt, in his second book of the Kingdom of Christ, and now Englisht : wherein a late book restoring the doctrine and discipline of divorce is heer confirm'd and justify'd by the authoritie of Martin Bucer to the Parlament of England.
             De regno Christi. De coniugio & divortio. English
             Bucer, Martin, 1491-1551.
             Milton, John, 1608-1674.
          
           [16], 24, [2] p.
           
             Printed by Matthew Simmons,
             London :
             1644.
          
           
             Translated by John Milton. Cf. BLC.
             The 1st anonymous edition of the "late book" mentioned in the title, Milton's Doctrine and discipline of divorce, was published in 1643, the second edition in 1644.
             "To the Partlament," 5th-8th prelim. p. signed: John Milton.
             "A post-script": 2 p. appended.
             Reproduction of original in Thomason Collection, British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Milton, John, 1608-1674. -- Doctrine and discipline of divorce.
           Divorce.
           Marriage -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
       A69646  R3964  (Wing B5270).  civilwar no The iudgement of Martin Bucer, concerning divorce. Writt'n to Edward the sixt, in his second book of the kingdom of Christ. And now Englisht Bucer, Martin 1644    18145 139 0 0 0 0 0 77 D  The  rate of 77 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the D category of texts with between 35 and 100 defects per 10,000 words. 
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           THE
           IVDGEMENT
           OF
           MARTIN
           BUCER
           ,
           CONCERNING
           DIVORCE
           .
        
         
           Writt'n
           to
           
             Edward
          
           the
           sixt
           ,
           in
           his
           second
           Book
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           Christ
           .
        
         
           And
           now
           Englisht
           .
        
         
           Wherin
           a
           late
           Book
           restoring
           the
           
             Doctrine
             and
             Discipline
             of
             Divorce
             ,
          
           is
           heer
           confirm'd
           and
           justify'd
           by
           the
           authoritie
           of
           MARTIN
           BUCER
           .
        
         
           
             To
             the
             Parlament
             of
             England
             .
          
        
         
           
             JOHN
             3.
             10.
             
          
           
             
               Art
               thou
               a
               teacher
               of
               Israel
               ,
               and
               know'st
               not
               these
               things
               ?
            
          
        
         
           Publisht
           by
           Authoritie
           .
        
         
           
             LONDON
             ,
          
           Printed
           by
           
             Matthew
             Simmons
             ,
          
           1644.
           
        
      
       
       
       
         
           Testimonies
           of
           the
           high
           approbation
           which
           learned
           men
           have
           given
           of
           
             Martin
             Bucer
             .
          
        
         
           
             
               Simon
               Grynaeus
               ,
            
             
               1533
            
             .
          
           
             AMong
             all
             the
             
               Germans
               ,
            
             I
             give
             the
             palm
             to
             
               Bucer
            
             for
             excellence
             in
             the
             Scriptures
             ,
             
               Melanchton
            
             in
             human
             learning
             is
             wondrous
             fluent
             ;
             but
             greater
             knowledge
             in
             the
             Scripture
             I
             attribute
             to
             
               Bucer
               ,
            
             and
             speak
             it
             unfainedly
             .
          
        
         
           
             
               Iohn
               Calvin
               ,
            
             
               1539
            
             .
          
           
             
               Martin
               Bucer
            
             a
             most
             faithfull
             Doctor
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             besides
             his
             rare
             learning
             &
             copious
             knowledge
             of
             many
             things
             ,
             besides
             his
             cleernes
             of
             wit
             ,
             much
             reading
             ,
             and
             other
             many
             and
             various
             vertues
             ,
             wherein
             he
             is
             almost
             by
             none
             now
             living
             excell'd
             ,
             hath
             few
             equalls
             ,
             and
             excells
             most
             ,
             hath
             this
             praise
             peculiar
             to
             himself
             ,
             that
             none
             in
             this
             age
             ha●h
             us'd
             exacter
             diligence
             in
             the
             exposition
             of
             Scripture
             .
          
           
             
               And
               a
               little
               beneath
               .
            
             
               
                 Bucer
              
               is
               more
               large
               then
               to
               be
               read
               by
               over-busied
               men
               ,
               and
               too
               high
               to
               be
               easily
               understood
               by
               unattentive
               men
               ,
               and
               of
               a
               low
               capacitie
               .
            
          
        
         
         
           
             
               Sir
               Iohn
               Cheek
               ,
               Tutor
               to
               K.
               Edw.
               the
               sixth
               .
            
             
               1551
            
             .
          
           
             Wee
             have
             lost
             our
             Master
             ,
             then
             whom
             the
             world
             scarce
             held
             a
             greater
             ,
             whether
             we
             consider
             his
             knowledge
             of
             true
             Religion
             ,
             or
             his
             integrity
             and
             innocence
             of
             life
             ,
             or
             his
             incessant
             study
             of
             holy
             things
             ,
             or
             his
             matchless
             labour
             of
             promoting
             piety
             ,
             or
             his
             authority
             and
             amplitude
             of
             teaching
             ,
             or
             whatever
             els
             was
             praise-worthy
             and
             glorious
             in
             him
             .
             
               Script
               .
               Anglicana
               ,
               pag.
            
             864.
             
          
        
         
           
             Iohn
             Sturmius
             of
             Strasborrow
             .
          
           
             No
             man
             can
             be
             ignorant
             what
             a
             great
             and
             constant
             opinion
             and
             estimation
             of
             
               Bucer
            
             there
             is
             in
             
               Italy
               ,
               France
               ,
            
             and
             
               England
               .
            
             Whence
             the
             saying
             of
             
               Quintilian
            
             hath
             oft
             come
             to
             my
             minde
             ,
             that
             he
             hath
             well
             profited
             in
             Eloquence
             whom
             
               Cicero
            
             pleases
             .
             The
             same
             ●ay
             I
             of
             
               Bucer
               ,
            
             that
             he
             hath
             made
             no
             small
             progress
             in
             Divinitie
             ,
             whom
             
               Bucer
            
             pleases
             ;
             for
             in
             his
             Volumes
             ,
             which
             he
             wrote
             very
             many
             ,
             there
             is
             the
             plain
             impression
             to
             be
             discern'd
             of
             many
             great
             vertues
             ,
             of
             diligence
             ,
             of
             charitie
             ,
             of
             truth
             ,
             of
             acutenes
             ,
             of
             judgment
             ,
             of
             learning
             .
             Wherin
             he
             hath
             a
             certain
             prop●r
             kind
             of
             writing
             ,
             wherby
             he
             doth
             not
             only
             teach
             the
             Reader
             ,
             but
             affects
             him
             with
             the
             sweetness
             of
             his
             sentences
             ,
             and
             with
             the
             manner
             of
             his
             arguing
             ,
             which
             is
             so
             teaching
             ,
             and
             so
             logical
             ,
             that
             it
             may
             be
             perceiv'd
             how
             learnedly
             he
             separates
             probable
             reasons
             from
             necessary
             ,
             how
             forcibly
             he
             confirms
             what
             he
             has
             to
             prove
             ,
             how
             suttly
             he
             refutes
             ,
             not
             with
             sharpnes
             ,
             but
             with
             truth
             .
          
        
         
         
           
             
               Theodore
               Beza
               on
               the
               portraiture
               of
            
             M.
             Bucer
             .
          
           
             This
             is
             that
             countnance
             of
             
               Bucer
               ,
            
             the
             mirror
             of
             mildnes
             ,
             temper'd
             with
             gravitie
             ;
             to
             whom
             the
             C●tie
             of
             
               Strasburgh
            
             owes
             the
             reformation
             of
             her
             Church
             .
             Whose
             singular
             learning
             ,
             and
             eminent
             zeal
             ,
             joyn'd
             with
             excellent
             wisdom
             ,
             both
             his
             learned
             books
             ,
             and
             public
             disputations
             in
             the
             general
             diets
             of
             the
             Empire
             ,
             shall
             witness
             to
             all
             ages
             .
             Him
             the
             
               German
            
             persecution
             drove
             into
             
               England
               ;
            
             where
             honourably
             entertain'd
             by
             
               Edward
            
             the
             sixt
             ,
             he
             was
             for
             two
             years
             chief
             professor
             of
             Divinity
             in
             
               Cambridge
               ,
            
             with
             greatest
             frequency
             and
             applause
             of
             all
             learned
             and
             pious
             men
             untill
             his
             death
             .
             1551.
             
             
               Bezae
               Icones
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             Mr
             
               Fox
               book
               of
               Martyrs
               ,
               Vol.
            
             3.
             
               p.
            
             763.
             
          
           
             
               Bucer
            
             what
             by
             writing
             ,
             but
             chiefly
             by
             reading
             and
             preaching
             openly
             ,
             wherin
             being
             painfull
             in
             the
             Word
             of
             GOD
             ,
             he
             never
             spar'd
             himself
             ,
             nor
             regarded
             his
             health
             ,
             brought
             all
             men
             into
             such
             an
             admiration
             of
             him
             ,
             that
             neither
             his
             friends
             could
             sufficiently
             praise
             him
             ,
             nor
             his
             enemies
             in
             any
             point
             find
             fault
             with
             his
             singular
             life
             ,
             &
             sincere
             doctrine
             .
             A
             most
             certain
             tok'n
             wherof
             may
             be
             his
             sumptuous
             burial
             at
             
               Cambridge
               ,
            
             solemniz d
             with
             so
             great
             an
             assistance
             of
             all
             the
             Universitie
             ,
             that
             it
             was
             not
             possible
             to
             devise
             more
             to
             the
             setting
             out
             and
             amplifying
             of
             the
             same
             .
          
        
         
           
             Dr
             
               Pern
               the
               Popish
               Vicechancelour
               of
               Cambridge
               his
               adversary
               .
            
          
           
             Cardinal
             
               Pool
            
             about
             the
             fourth
             year
             of
             Queen
             
               Mary
               ,
            
             
             intending
             to
             reduce
             the
             Universitié
             of
             
               Cambridge
            
             to
             Popery
             again
             ,
             thought
             no
             way
             so
             effectuall
             ,
             as
             to
             cause
             the
             bones
             of
             
               Martin
               Bucer
            
             and
             
               Paulus
               Fagius
               ,
            
             which
             had
             been
             foure
             years
             in
             the
             grave
             ,
             to
             be
             tak'n
             up
             and
             burnt
             openly
             with
             thir
             Books
             ,
             as
             knowing
             that
             those
             two
             worthy
             men
             had
             bin
             of
             greatest
             moment
             to
             the
             reformation
             of
             that
             place
             from
             Popery
             ,
             and
             had
             left
             such
             powerfull
             seeds
             of
             thir
             doctrine
             behind
             them
             ,
             as
             would
             never
             die
             ,
             unless
             the
             men
             themselvs
             were
             diggd
             up
             ,
             and
             openly
             condemn'd
             for
             heretics
             by
             the
             Universitie
             it self
             .
             This
             was
             put
             in
             execution
             ,
             and
             Doctor
             
               Pern
            
             Vicechancelor
             appointed
             to
             preach
             against
             
               Bucer
               .
            
             Who
             among
             other
             things
             laid
             to
             his
             charge
             the
             opinions
             which
             he
             held
             of
             the
             marriage
             of
             Priests
             ,
             of
             divorcement
             ,
             and
             of
             usury
             .
             But
             immediatly
             after
             his
             Sermon
             ,
             or
             somwhat
             before
             ,
             as
             the
             Book
             of
             Martyrs
             for
             a
             truth
             relates
             ,
             
               Vol.
            
             3.
             
               p.
            
             770.
             
             The
             said
             Doctor
             
               Pern
            
             smiting
             himself
             on
             the
             breast
             ,
             and
             in
             manner
             weeping
             ,
             wisht
             with
             all
             his
             heart
             ,
             that
             God
             would
             grant
             his
             soul
             might
             then
             presently
             depart
             ,
             and
             remain
             with
             
               Bucers
               ;
            
             for
             he
             knew
             his
             life
             was
             such
             ,
             that
             if
             any
             mans
             soul
             were
             worthy
             of
             heaven
             ,
             he
             thought
             
               Bucers
            
             in
             special
             ,
             to
             be
             most
             worthy
             ,
             
               Histor.
               de
               Combust
               .
               Buceri
               ,
               &
               Fagii
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             Acworth
             the
             Vniversitie
             Orator
             .
          
           
             Soon
             after
             ,
             that
             Queen
             
               Elizabeth
            
             came
             to
             the
             crown
             ,
             this
             condemnation
             of
             
               Bucer
            
             and
             
               Fagius
            
             by
             the
             Cardinal
             and
             his
             Doctors
             ,
             was
             solemnly
             repeal'd
             by
             the
             
             Universitie
             ;
             and
             the
             memory
             of
             those
             two
             famous
             men
             celebrated
             in
             an
             Oration
             by
             
               Acworth
            
             the
             Universitie
             Orator
             ,
             which
             is
             yet
             extant
             in
             the
             Book
             of
             Mattyrs
             ,
             
               Vol.
            
             3.
             
               p.
            
             773.
             and
             in
             Latin
             .
             
               Scripta
               Anglic.
               p.
            
             936.
             
          
           
             
               Nicolas
               Carre
               ,
            
             a
             learned
             man
             ,
             
               Walter
               Haddon
            
             Maister
             of
             the
             Requests
             to
             Queen
             
               Elizabeth
               ,
               Matthew
               Parker
               ,
            
             afterwards
             Primate
             of
             
               England
               ,
            
             with
             other
             eminent
             men
             ,
             in
             their
             funeral
             Orations
             and
             Sermons
             expresse
             abundantly
             how
             great
             a
             man
             
               Martin
               Bucer
            
             was
             ,
             what
             an
             incredible
             losse
             
               England
            
             sustain'd
             in
             his
             death
             ;
             and
             that
             with
             him
             dy'd
             the
             hope
             of
             a
             perfet
             reformation
             for
             that
             age
             .
             
               Ibid.
               
            
          
        
         
           
             Iacobus
             Verheiden
             of
             Grave
             ,
             in
             his
             Elogies
             of
             famous
             Divines
             .
          
           
             Though
             the
             name
             of
             
               Martin
               Luther
            
             be
             famous
             ,
             yet
             thou
             
               Martin
               Bucer
               ,
            
             for
             piety
             ,
             learning
             ,
             labour
             ,
             care
             ,
             vigilance
             ,
             and
             writing
             ,
             art
             not
             to
             be
             held
             inferior
             to
             
               Luther
               .
               Bucer
            
             was
             a
             singular
             instrument
             of
             God
             ,
             so
             was
             
               Luther
               .
            
             By
             the
             death
             of
             this
             most
             learned
             and
             most
             faithfull
             man
             ,
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             sustaind
             a
             heavy
             losse
             ;
             as
             
               Calvin
            
             witnesteth
             ;
             and
             they
             who
             are
             studious
             of
             
               Calvin
               ,
            
             are
             not
             ignorant
             how
             much
             he
             ascribes
             to
             
               Bucer
               ;
            
             for
             thus
             he
             writes
             in
             a
             Letter
             to
             
               Viretus
               :
            
             What
             a
             manifold
             losse
             be●ell
             the
             Church
             of
             God
             in
             the
             death
             o●Bucer
             
               ,
            
             as
             oft
             as
             I
             call
             to
             minde
             ,
             I
             feel
             my
             heart
             almost
             rent
             asunder
             .
          
        
         
         
           
             Peter
             Martyr
             Epist.
             to
             Conradus
             Hubertus
             .
          
           
             He
             is
             dead
             ,
             who
             hath
             overcome
             in
             many
             battells
             of
             the
             Lord
             .
             God
             lent
             us
             for
             a
             time
             this
             our
             Father
             ,
             and
             our
             Teacher
             ,
             never
             enough
             prais'd
             .
             Death
             hath
             divided
             me
             from
             a
             most
             unanimous
             friend
             ,
             one
             truly
             according
             to
             mine
             own
             heart
             .
             My
             minde
             is
             over-prest
             with
             grief
             ,
             in
             so
             much
             that
             I
             have
             not
             power
             to
             write
             more
             .
             I
             bid
             thee
             in
             Christ
             farewell
             ,
             and
             wish
             thou
             maist
             be
             able
             to
             beare
             the
             losse
             of
             
               Bucer
               ,
            
             better
             then
             I
             can
             beare
             it
             .
          
        
         
           
             Testimonies
             giv'n
             by
             learned
             men
             to
             Paulus
             Fagius
             ,
             who
             held
             the
             same
             opinion
             with
             Martin
             Bucer
             concerning
             Divorce
             .
          
           
             
               Paulus
               Fagius
            
             born
             in
             the
             
               Palatinate
               ,
            
             became
             most
             
             skilfull
             in
             the
             Hebrew
             tongue
             .
             Beeing
             call'd
             to
             the
             Ministery
             at
             
               Isna
               ,
            
             he
             publisht
             many
             ancient
             and
             profitable
             Hebrew
             Books
             ,
             being
             aided
             in
             the
             expenses
             by
             a
             Senator
             of
             that
             Citie
             ,
             as
             
               Origen
            
             somtime
             was
             by
             a
             certain
             rich
             man
             call'd
             
               Ambrosius
               .
            
             At
             length
             invited
             to
             
               Strasburgh
               ,
            
             he
             there
             famously
             discharg'd
             the
             office
             of
             a
             Teacher
             ;
             until
             the
             same
             persecution
             drove
             him
             and
             
               Bucer
            
             into
             
               England
               ,
            
             where
             he
             was
             preferr'd
             to
             a
             Professors
             place
             in
             
               Cambridge
               ,
            
             and
             soon
             after
             died
             .
          
           
             
               Melchior
               Adamus
            
             writes
             his
             life
             among
             the
             famous
             
               German
            
             Divines
             .
          
           
             
               Sleidan
            
             and
             
               Thuanus
            
             mention
             him
             with
             honour
             in
             their
             History
             .
             And
             
               Verheiden
            
             in
             his
             
               Elogies
               .
            
          
        
      
       
       
         
           To
           the
           PARLAMENT
           .
        
         
           THE
           Book
           which
           among
           other
           great
           and
           high
           points
           of
           reformation
           ,
           contains
           as
           a
           principall
           part
           thereof
           ,
           this
           treatise
           here
           presented
           ,
           Supreme
           Court
           of
           Parlament
           ,
           was
           by
           the
           famous
           Author
           
             Martin
             Bucer
             ,
          
           dedicated
           to
           
             Edward
          
           the
           sixt
           :
           whose
           incomparable
           youth
           doubtless
           had
           brought
           forth
           to
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           such
           a
           glorious
           manbood
           ,
           bad
           his
           life
           reacht
           it
           ,
           as
           would
           have
           left
           in
           the
           affairs
           of
           religion
           ,
           nothing
           without
           an
           excellent
           pattern
           for
           us
           now
           to
           follow
           .
           But
           since
           the
           secret
           purpose
           of
           divine
           appointment
           hath
           reserv'd
           no
           lesse
           perhaps
           then
           the
           just
           half
           of
           such
           a
           sacred
           work
           to
           be
           accomplisht
           in
           this
           age
           ,
           and
           principally
           ,
           as
           we
           trust
           ,
           by
           your
           succesful
           wisdom
           and
           authority
           ,
           religious
           Lords
           and
           Commons
           ,
           what
           wonder
           if
           I
           seek
           no
           other
           ,
           to
           whose
           exactest
           judgement
           ,
           and
           revieu
           I
           may
           commend
           these
           last
           and
           worthiest
           labours
           of
           this
           renowned
           teacher
           :
           whom
           living
           ,
           all
           the
           pious
           nobility
           of
           those
           reforming
           times
           ,
           your
           truest
           and
           best
           imitated
           ancestors
           ,
           reverenc't
           and
           admir'd
           .
           Nor
           was
           be
           wanting
           to
           a
           recompence
           as
           great
           as
           was
           himself
           ;
           when
           both
           at
           many
           times
           before
           ,
           and
           especially
           among
           his
           last
           sighs
           and
           prayers
           testifying
           his
           dear
           and
           fatherly
           affection
           to
           the
           Church
           and
           Realm
           of
           England
           ,
           he
           sincerely
           wisht
           in
           the
           hearing
           of
           many
           devout
           men
           ,
           
             that
             what
             he
             had
             in
             this
             his
             last
             book
             
             written
             to
             King
          
           Edward
           
             concerning
             discipline
             ,
             might
             have
             place
             in
             this
             Kingdom
             .
             His
             hope
             was
             then
             that
             no
             calamity
             ,
             no
             confusion
             ,
             or
             deformity
             would
             happen
             to
             the
             Common-wealth
             ;
             but
             otherwise
             he
             fear'd
             ,
             lest
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             all
             this
             ardency
             to
             know
             God
             ,
             yet
             by
             the
             neglect
             of
             discipline
             ,
             our
             good
             endeavours
             would
             not
             succeed
             .
          
           These
           remarkable
           words
           of
           so
           godly
           and
           so
           eminent
           a
           man
           at
           his
           death
           ,
           as
           they
           are
           related
           by
           a
           sufficient
           and
           well
           known
           witnes
           ,
           who
           heard
           them
           and
           inserted
           by
           
             Thuanus
          
           into
           his
           grave
           and
           serious
           history
           ,
           so
           ought
           they
           to
           be
           chiesly
           consider'd
           by
           that
           nation
           for
           whose
           sake
           they
           were
           utter'd
           ,
           and
           more
           especially
           by
           that
           general
           Counsel
           which
           represents
           the
           body
           of
           that
           nation
           .
           If
           therfore
           the
           book
           ,
           or
           this
           part
           therof
           ,
           for
           necessary
           causes
           ,
           be
           now
           reviv'd
           and
           recommended
           to
           the
           use
           of
           this
           undisciplin'd
           age
           ,
           it
           hence
           appears
           that
           these
           reasons
           
           have
           not
           err'd
           in
           the
           choyee
           of
           a
           fit
           patronage
           ,
           for
           a
           discourse
           of
           such
           importance
           .
           But
           why
           the
           whole
           tractat
           is
           not
           beer
           brought
           entire
           ,
           but
           this
           matter
           of
           divorcement
           selected
           in
           particular
           ,
           to
           prevent
           the
           full
           speed
           of
           some
           mis-interpreter
           ,
           I
           hasten
           to
           disclose
           .
           First
           ,
           it
           will
           be
           soon
           manifest
           to
           them
           who
           know
           what
           wise
           men
           should
           know
           ,
           that
           the
           constitution
           and
           reformation
           of
           a
           common-wealth
           ,
           if
           
             Ezra
          
           and
           
             Nehemiah
          
           did
           not
           mis-reform
           ,
           is
           ,
           like
           a
           building
           ,
           to
           begin
           ord●rly
           from
           the
           foundation
           therof
           ,
           which
           is
           mariage
           and
           the
           family
           ,
           to
           set
           right
           fi●st
           what
           ever
           is
           amisse
           therein
           .
           How
           can
           there
           els
           grow
           up
           a
           race
           of
           warrantable
           men
           ,
           while
           the
           house
           and
           home
           that
           breeds
           them
           ,
           is
           troubl'd
           and
           disquieted
           under
           a
           bondage
           not
           of
           Gods
           constraining
           with
           a
           natureles
           conste●int
           (
           if
           his
           most
           righte●us
           judgements
           may
           be
           our
           rule
           )
           but
           laid
           upon
           us
           impe●iously
           in
           the
           worst
           and
           weakest
           ages
           of
           knowledge
           ,
           by
           a
           canonicall
           tyranny
           of
           stupid
           and
           malicious
           Monks
           :
           who
           having
           rashly
           vow'd
           themselves
           to
           a
           single
           life
           ,
           which
           they
           could
           not
           undergoe
           ,
           invented
           new
           fetters
           to
           throw
           on
           matrimony
           ,
           that
           the
           world
           thereby
           waxing
           more
           dissolute
           ,
           they
           also
           in
           a
           general
           loosnes
           might
           sin
           with
           more
           favor
           .
           Next
           ,
           there
           being
           yet
           among
           many
           ,
           such
           a
           strange
           iniquity
           and
           perversnes
           against
           all
           necessary
           divorce
           ,
           while
           they
           will
           needs
           expound
           the
           words
           of
           our
           Saviour
           not
           duly
           by
           comparing
           other
           places
           ,
           as
           they
           must
           doe
           in
           the
           resolving
           of
           a
           hunder'd
           other
           Scriptures
           ,
           but
           by
           persisting
           deafely
           in
           the
           abrupt
           and
           Papistical
           way●
           of
           a
           literal
           apprehension
           against
           the
           direct
           
             analogy
          
           of
           sense
           ,
           reason
           ,
           law
           and
           Gospel
           ,
           it
           therfore
           may
           well
           seem
           more
           then
           time
           to
           apply
           the
           sound
           and
           holy
           persuasions
           of
           this
           Apostolic
           man
           ,
           to
           that
           part
           in
           us
           ,
           which
           is
           not
           yet
           fully
           dispossest
           of
           an
           error
           as
           absurd
           ,
           as
           most
           that
           we
           deplove
           in
           our
           blindest
           adversaries
           ;
           and
           to
           let
           his
           autority
           and
           unanswerable
           reasons
           be
           vulgarly
           known
           ,
           that
           either
           his
           name
           ,
           or
           the
           force
           of
           his
           doctrine
           may
           work
           a
           wholsom
           effect
           .
           Lastly
           ,
           I
           find
           it
           cleer
           to
           be
           the
           authors
           intention
           that
           this
           point
           of
           divorcement
           should
           be
           ●eld
           and
           receav'd
           as
           a
           most
           necessary
           and
           prime
           part
           of
           discipline
           in
           every
           Christian
           government
           .
           And
           therfore
           having
           reduc't
           his
           model
           of
           reformation
           to
           14.
           heads
           ,
           he
           bestows
           almost
           as
           much
           time
           about
           this
           one
           point
           of
           divorce
           ,
           as
           about
           all
           the
           rest
           ;
           which
           also
           was
           the
           judgement
           of
           his
           heirs
           and
           learned
           friends
           in
           Germany
           ,
           best
           acquainted
           with
           his
           meaning
           ;
           who
           first
           publishing
           this
           his
           book
           by
           
             Oporinus
          
           at
           
             Basil
          
           (
           a
           Citie
           for
           learning
           and
           constancie
           in
           the
           the
           true
           faith
           ,
           honorable
           among
           the
           first
           )
           added
           a
           special
           note
           in
           the
           title
           ,
           
             that
             there
             the
             reader
             should
             finde
             the
             doctrine
             of
             Divorce
             handl'd
             so
             solidly
             ,
             and
             so
             fully
             ,
             as
             scars
             the
             like
             in
             any
             Writer
             of
             that
             age
             :
          
           and
           with
           this
           particular
           commendation
           they
           doubted
           not
           to
           dedicate
           the
           book
           ,
           as
           a
           most
           profitable
           &
           exquisit
           discours
           ,
           to
           
             Christian
          
           the
           
             3d
             
             ,
          
           a
           worthy
           &
           pious
           King
           of
           
             Denmark
             ,
          
           as
           the
           author
           himself
           had
           done
           before
           to
           our
           
             Edward
          
           the
           sixt
           .
           Yet
           did
           not
           
             Bucer
          
           in
           that
           volume
           only
           declare
           what
           his
           constant
           opinion
           was
           herein
           ,
           but
           also
           in
           his
           comment
           upon
           
           
             Matthew
             ,
          
           written
           at
           
             Strasburgh
          
           divers
           years
           before
           ,
           he
           treats
           distinctly
           and
           copiously
           the
           same
           argument
           in
           three
           severall
           places
           ;
           touches
           it
           also
           upon
           the
           
             7.
          
           to
           the
           Romans
           ,
           &
           promises
           the
           same
           solution
           more
           largely
           upon
           the
           
             1.
          
           to
           the
           Corintbians
           ,
           omitting
           no
           occasion
           to
           weed
           out
           this
           last
           and
           deepest
           mischief
           of
           the
           Canon
           law
           sown
           into
           the
           opinions
           of
           modern
           men
           against
           the
           lawes
           and
           practice
           both
           of
           Gods
           chosen
           people
           ,
           and
           the
           best
           primitive
           times
           .
           Wheri●
           his
           faithfulnes
           and
           powerful
           evidence
           prevail'd
           so
           farre
           with
           all
           the
           Church
           of
           
             Strasburgh
             ,
          
           that
           they
           publisht
           this
           doctrine
           of
           divorce
           ,
           as
           an
           article
           of
           their
           confession
           ,
           after
           they
           had
           taught
           so
           eight
           and
           twenty
           years
           ,
           through
           all
           those
           times
           ,
           when
           that
           Citie
           flourisht
           ,
           and
           excell'd
           most
           ,
           both
           in
           religion
           ,
           lerning
           ,
           and
           good
           government
           ,
           under
           those
           first
           restorers
           of
           the
           Gospel
           there
           ,
           
             Zellius
             ,
             Hedio
             ,
             Capito
             ,
             Fagius
             ,
          
           and
           those
           who
           incomparably
           then
           govern'd
           the
           Common-wealth
           ,
           
             Farrerus
          
           and
           
             Sturmius
             .
          
           If
           therefore
           God
           in
           the
           former
           age
           found
           out
           a
           servant
           ,
           and
           by
           whom
           he
           had
           converted
           and
           reform'd
           many
           a
           citie
           ,
           by
           him
           thought
           good
           to
           restore
           the
           most
           needfull
           doctrine
           of
           divorce
           from
           rigorous
           and
           harmfull
           mistakes
           on
           the
           right
           hand
           ,
           it
           can
           be
           no
           strange
           thing
           if
           in
           this
           age
           be
           stirre
           up
           by
           whatsoever
           means
           whom
           it
           pleases
           him
           ,
           to
           take
           in
           hand
           &
           maintain
           the
           same
           assertion
           .
           Certainly
           if
           it
           be
           in
           mans
           discerning
           to
           sever
           providence
           from
           chance
           ,
           I
           could
           allege
           many
           instances
           ,
           wherin
           there
           would
           appear
           cause
           to
           esteem
           of
           me
           no
           other
           then
           a
           passive
           instrument
           under
           some
           power
           and
           counsel
           higher
           and
           better
           then
           can
           be
           human
           ,
           working
           to
           a
           general
           good
           in
           the
           whole
           cours
           of
           this
           matter
           .
           For
           that
           I
           ow
           no
           light
           ,
           or
           leading
           receav'd
           from
           anyman
           in
           the
           discovery
           of
           this
           truth
           ,
           what
           time
           I
           first
           undertook
           it
           
             in
             the
             doctrine
             and
             discipline
             of
             divorce
             ,
          
           and
           had
           only
           the
           infallible
           grounds
           of
           Scripture
           to
           be
           my
           guide
           ,
           he
           who
           tries
           the
           inmost
           heart
           ,
           and
           saw
           with
           what
           severe
           industry
           and
           examination
           of
           my self
           ,
           I
           set
           down
           ever●
           period
           ,
           will
           be
           my
           witnes
           ,
           When
           I
           had
           almost
           finisht
           the
           first
           edition
           ,
           I
           chanc't
           to
           read
           in
           the
           notes
           of
           
             H●go
             Grotius
          
           upon
           the
           
             5.
          
           o●
           Matth.
           whom
           I
           strait
           understood
           inclining
           to
           reasonable
           terms
           in
           this
           controversie
           :
           and
           somthing
           be
           whisper'd
           rather
           then
           disputed
           about
           the
           law
           of
           charity
           ,
           and
           the
           true
           end
           of
           wedlock
           ,
           Glad
           therfore
           of
           such
           an
           able
           assistant
           ,
           how
           ever
           at
           much
           distance
           ,
           I
           resolv'd
           at
           length
           to
           put
           off
           into
           this
           wild
           and
           calumnious
           world
           .
           For
           God
           ,
           it
           seems
           ,
           intended
           to
           prove
           me
           ,
           whether
           I
           durst
           alone
           take
           up
           a
           rightful
           cause
           against
           a
           world
           of
           disesteem
           ,
           &
           found
           I
           durst
           .
           My
           name
           I
           did
           not
           publish
           ,
           as
           not
           willing
           it
           should
           sway
           the
           reader
           either
           for
           me
           or
           against
           me
           .
           But
           when
           I
           was
           told
           ,
           that
           the
           stile
           ,
           which
           what
           it
           ailes
           to
           be
           so
           soon
           distinguishable
           ,
           I
           cannot
           tell
           ,
           was
           known
           by
           most
           men
           ,
           and
           that
           some
           of
           the
           Clergie
           began
           to
           inveigh
           and
           exclaim
           on
           what
           I
           was
           credibly
           inform'd
           they
           had
           not
           read
           ,
           I
           took
           it
           then
           for
           my
           proper
           season
           both
           to
           shew
           them
           a
           name
           that
           could
           easily
           contemn
           such
           as
           indiscreet
           kind
           of
           censure
           ,
           and
           to
           reinforce
           the
           question
           with
           a
           more
           
           accurat
           diligence
           :
           that
           if
           any
           of
           them
           would
           be
           so
           good
           as
           to
           leav
           rayling
           ,
           and
           to
           let
           us
           hear
           so
           much
           of
           his
           lerning
           and
           Christian
           wisdom
           ,
           as
           will
           be
           strictly
           demanded
           of
           him
           in
           his
           answering
           to
           this
           probl●me
           ,
           care
           was
           had
           he
           should
           not
           spend
           his
           prep●rations
           against
           〈◊〉
           pamphlet
           .
           By
           this
           time
           I
           had
           l●rnt
           that
           
             Paulus
             Fagius
             ,
          
           one
           of
           the
           chief
           Divines
           in
           Germany
           ,
           sent
           for
           by
           
             Frederic
          
           the
           
             Pa●tine
             ,
          
           to
           reforme
           his
           dominion
           ;
           and
           after
           that
           invited
           hither
           in
           King
           
             Edwards
          
           dayes
           to
           be
           Professor
           of
           Divinity
           in
           Cambridge
           ,
           was
           of
           the
           same
           opinion
           touching
           divorce
           ,
           which
           these
           men
           so
           lavishly
           traduc't
           in
           me
           .
           What
           I
           found
           ,
           I
           inserted
           where
           fittest
           place
           was
           ,
           thinking
           sure
           they
           would
           respect
           so
           g●ave
           an
           author
           ,
           at
           lest
           to
           the
           moderating
           of
           their
           odious
           inferences
           .
           And
           having
           now
           perfected
           a
           second
           edition
           ,
           I
           referr'd
           the
           judging
           therof
           to
           your
           high
           and
           impartial
           sentence
           ,
           honour'd
           Lords
           and
           Commons
           .
           For
           I
           was
           confident
           ,
           if
           any
           thing
           generous
           ,
           any
           thing
           noble
           ,
           and
           above
           the
           multitude
           ,
           were
           left
           yet
           in
           the
           spirit
           of
           England
           ,
           it
           could
           be
           no where
           sooner
           found
           ,
           and
           no where
           sooner
           understood
           ,
           then
           in
           that
           house
           of
           justice
           and
           true
           liberty
           where
           ye
           sit
           in
           c●unsel
           .
           Nor
           doth
           the
           event
           hitherto
           ,
           for
           some
           reasons
           which
           I
           shall
           not
           ●eer
           deliver
           ,
           faile
           me
           of
           what
           I
           conceiv'd
           so
           highly
           .
           Nevertheless
           being
           farre
           otherwise
           dealt
           with
           by
           some
           ,
           of
           whose
           profession
           and
           supposed
           knowledge
           I
           had
           better
           hope
           ,
           and
           esteem'd
           the
           deviser
           of
           a
           new
           and
           pernicious
           paradox
           ,
           I
           felt
           no
           difference
           within
           me
           from
           that
           peace
           &
           firmnes
           of
           minde
           ,
           which
           is
           of
           neerest
           kin
           to
           patience
           and
           contentment
           :
           both
           for
           that
           I
           knew
           I
           had
           divulg'd
           a
           truth
           linkt
           inseparably
           with
           the
           most
           fundamental
           rules
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           to
           stand
           or
           fall
           together
           ,
           and
           was
           not
           un-inform'd
           that
           divers
           lerned
           and
           judicious
           men
           testify'd
           their
           d●ily
           approbation
           of
           the
           book
           .
           Yet
           at
           length
           it
           hath
           pleas'd
           God
           ,
           who
           had
           already
           giv'n
           me
           satisfaction
           in
           my self
           ,
           to
           afford
           me
           now
           a
           means
           wherby
           I
           may
           be
           fully
           justify'd
           also
           in
           the
           eyes
           of
           men
           .
           When
           the
           book
           had
           bin
           now
           the
           second
           time
           set
           forth
           wel-nigh
           three
           months
           ,
           as
           I
           best
           remember
           ,
           I
           then
           first
           came
           to
           hear
           that
           
             Martin
             Bucer
          
           had
           writt'n
           much
           concerning
           divorce
           :
           whom
           earnestly
           turning
           over
           ,
           I
           soon
           p●rceav'd
           ,
           but
           not
           without
           amazement
           ,
           in
           the
           same
           opinion
           ,
           confirm'd
           with
           the
           same
           reasons
           which
           in
           that
           publisht
           book
           without
           the
           help
           or
           imitation
           of
           any
           precedent
           Writer
           ,
           I
           had
           labour'd
           out
           ,
           and
           laid
           together
           .
           Not
           but
           that
           there
           is
           some
           difference
           in
           the
           handling
           ,
           in
           the
           order
           ,
           and
           the
           number
           of
           arguments
           ,
           but
           still
           agreeing
           in
           the
           same
           conclusion
           .
           So
           as
           I
           may
           justly
           gra●ulat
           mine
           own
           mind
           ,
           with
           due
           acknowledgement
           of
           assistance
           from
           above
           ,
           which
           led
           me
           ,
           not
           as
           a
           lerner
           ,
           but
           as
           a
           collateral
           teacher
           ,
           to
           a
           sympathy
           of
           judgement
           with
           no
           lesse
           am
           in
           then
           
             Martin
             Bucer
             .
          
           And
           he
           ,
           if
           our
           things
           heer
           below
           arrive
           him
           where
           he
           is
           ,
           does
           not
           rep●nt
           him
           to
           see
           that
           point
           of
           knowledge
           which
           he
           first
           ,
           and
           with
           an
           unche●t
           freedom
           preacht
           to
           those
           more
           knowing
           times
           of
           England
           ,
           now
           found
           so
           necessary
           ,
           though
           what
           he
           admonisht
           were
           lost
           out
           of
           
           our
           memory
           ,
           yet
           that
           God
           doth
           now
           again
           create
           the
           same
           doctrin
           in
           another
           un●
           table
           ,
           and
           raises
           it
           up
           immediatly
           out
           of
           his
           pure
           oracle
           to
           the
           convincement
           of
           〈◊〉
           p●rvers
           age
           ,
           eager
           in
           the
           reformation
           of
           names
           and
           ceremonies
           ,
           but
           i●
           real●ies
           as
           traditional
           and
           as
           ignorant
           as
           their
           forefathers
           .
           I
           would
           ask
           now
           the
           foremost
           of
           my
           profound
           accusers
           ,
           whether
           they
           dare
           affirm
           that
           to
           be
           lic●ntious
           ,
           new
           and
           dangerous
           ,
           which
           
             Martin
             Bucer
          
           so
           often
           ,
           and
           so
           urgently
           avoucht
           to
           be
           most
           lawfull
           ,
           most
           necessary
           ,
           and
           most
           Christian
           ,
           without
           the
           lest
           blemish
           to
           his
           good
           name
           ,
           among
           all
           the
           worthy
           men
           of
           that
           age
           ,
           and
           since
           ,
           who
           testifie
           so
           highly
           of
           him
           ?
           If
           they
           dare
           ,
           they
           must
           then
           set
           up
           an
           arrogance
           of
           their
           own
           against
           all
           those
           Churches
           and
           Saints
           who
           honour'd
           him
           without
           this
           exception
           :
           If
           they
           dare
           not
           ,
           how
           can
           they
           now
           make
           that
           licentious
           doctrin
           in
           another
           ,
           which
           was
           never
           blam'd
           ,
           or
           confuted
           in
           
             Bucer
             ,
          
           or
           in
           
             Fagius
             ?
          
           The
           truth
           is
           ,
           there
           will
           be
           due
           to
           them
           for
           this
           their
           unadvised
           rashnes
           ,
           the
           best
           donative
           that
           can
           be
           giv'n
           them
           ,
           I
           mean
           ,
           a
           round
           reproof
           ;
           now
           that
           where
           they
           thought
           to
           be
           most
           Magisterial
           ,
           they
           have
           display'd
           their
           own
           want
           ,
           both
           of
           reading
           ,
           and
           of
           judgement
           .
           First
           ,
           to
           be
           so
           unacquainted
           in
           the
           writings
           of
           
             Bucer
             ,
          
           which
           are
           so
           obvious
           and
           so
           usefull
           in
           their
           own
           faculty
           ;
           next
           ,
           to
           be
           so
           caught
           in
           a
           prejudicating
           weaknes
           ,
           as
           to
           condemn
           that
           for
           lewd
           ,
           which
           (
           whether
           they
           knew
           or
           not
           )
           these
           elect
           servants
           of
           Christ
           commended
           for
           lawfull
           ;
           and
           for
           new
           ,
           that
           which
           was
           taught
           by
           these
           almost
           the
           first
           and
           greatest
           authors
           of
           reformation
           ,
           who
           were
           never
           taxt
           for
           so
           teaching
           ;
           and
           dedicated
           without
           scruple
           to
           a
           royall
           pair
           of
           the
           first
           reforming
           Kings
           in
           Christendom
           ,
           and
           confest
           in
           the
           public
           confession
           of
           a
           most
           
             orthodoxall
          
           Church
           &
           state
           in
           Germany
           .
           This
           is
           also
           another
           fault
           which
           I
           must
           tell
           them
           ;
           that
           they
           have
           stood
           now
           almost
           this
           whole
           year
           clamouring
           a
           farre
           off
           ,
           while
           the
           book
           hath
           bin
           twice
           printed
           ,
           twice
           bought
           up
           ,
           &
           never
           once
           vouchs●
           a
           friendly
           conference
           with
           the
           author
           ,
           who
           would
           be
           glad
           and
           thankfull
           to
           be
           sh●wn
           an
           error
           ,
           either
           by
           privat
           dispute
           ,
           or
           public
           answer
           ,
           and
           could
           retract
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           wise
           men
           before
           him
           ;
           might
           also
           be
           worth
           the
           gaining
           ,
           as
           one
           who
           heertofore
           ,
           hath
           done
           good
           service
           to
           the
           Church
           by
           their
           own
           confession
           .
           Or
           if
           he
           be
           obstinat
           ,
           their
           confutation
           would
           have
           render'd
           him
           without
           excuse
           ,
           and
           reclam'd
           others
           of
           no
           mean
           parts
           who
           incline
           to
           his
           opinion
           .
           But
           now
           their
           work
           is
           more
           then
           doubl'd
           ;
           and
           how
           they
           will
           hold
           up
           their
           heads
           against
           the
           sudden
           aspect
           of
           these
           two
           great
           and
           reverend
           S●ints
           whom
           they
           have
           defam'd
           ,
           how
           they
           will
           make
           good
           the
           censuring
           of
           that
           for
           a
           novelty
           of
           licence
           ,
           which
           
             Bucer
          
           constantly
           taught
           to
           be
           a
           pure
           and
           holy
           law
           of
           Christs
           kingdom
           ,
           let
           them
           advise
           .
           For
           against
           these
           my
           adversaries
           ,
           who
           before
           the
           examining
           of
           a
           propounded
           truth
           in
           a
           fit
           time
           of
           reformation
           ,
           have
           had
           the
           conscience
           to
           oppose
           ●ght
           〈◊〉
           but
           their
           blind
           reproaches
           and
           surmises
           ,
           that
           a
           single
           innocence
           might
           not
           be
           oppr●st
           and
           overborn
           by
           a
           c●ow
           of
           mouths
           for
           the
           restoring
           of
           a
           law
           and
           doctrin
           
           falsely
           and
           unlernedly
           reputed
           new
           and
           scandalous
           ,
           God
           ,
           that
           I
           may
           ever
           magnifie
           and
           record
           this
           his
           goodnes
           ,
           hath
           unexpectedly
           rais'd
           up
           as
           it
           were
           from
           the
           dead
           ,
           more
           then
           one
           famous
           light
           of
           the
           first
           reformation
           to
           bear
           witne●
           with
           me
           ,
           and
           to
           d●e
           me
           honour
           in
           that
           very
           thing
           ,
           wherin
           these
           men
           thought
           to
           have
           blotted
           me
           :
           And
           hath
           giv'n
           them
           the
           proof
           of
           a
           capacity
           which
           they
           despis'd
           ,
           running
           equal
           ,
           and
           authentic
           with
           some
           of
           thir
           chiefest
           masters
           unthought
           of
           ,
           and
           in
           a
           point
           of
           sagest
           moment
           .
           However
           ,
           if
           we
           know
           at
           all
           ,
           when
           to
           ascribe
           the
           occurrences
           of
           this
           life
           to
           the
           work
           of
           a
           special
           providence
           ,
           as
           nothing
           is
           more
           usual
           in
           the
           talk
           of
           good
           men
           ,
           what
           can
           be
           more
           like
           to
           a
           special
           providence
           of
           God
           ,
           then
           in
           the
           first
           reformation
           of
           England
           ,
           that
           this
           question
           of
           divorce
           ,
           as
           a
           main
           thing
           to
           be
           restor'd
           to
           just
           freedom
           ,
           was
           writt'n
           ,
           and
           seriously
           c●mmended
           to
           
             Edward
          
           the
           sixt
           ,
           by
           a
           man
           call'd
           from
           another
           Countrey
           to
           be
           the
           instructer
           of
           our
           nation
           ,
           and
           now
           in
           this
           pres●nt
           renewing
           of
           the
           Church
           and
           Common-wealth
           ,
           which
           we
           pray
           may
           be
           more
           lasting
           ,
           that
           the
           same
           question
           should
           be
           again
           treated
           and
           presented
           to
           this
           Parlament
           ,
           by
           one
           enabl'd
           to
           use
           the
           same
           reasons
           without
           the
           lest
           sight
           or
           knowledge
           of
           what
           was
           done
           before
           .
           It
           were
           no
           trespas
           ,
           Lords
           and
           Commons
           ,
           though
           something
           of
           lesse
           note
           were
           attributed
           to
           the
           ordering
           of
           a
           heavnly
           power
           ;
           this
           question
           therfore
           of
           such
           prime
           concernment
           both
           to
           Christian
           and
           civil
           welfare
           ,
           in
           such
           an
           extraordinary
           manner
           ,
           not
           recover'd
           ,
           but
           plainly
           twise
           born
           to
           these
           latter
           ages
           ,
           as
           from
           a
           divine
           hand
           I
           tender
           to
           your
           acceptance
           ,
           and
           most
           considerate
           thoughts
           .
           Think
           not
           that
           God
           rais'd
           up
           in
           vain
           a
           man
           of
           greatest
           a●ority
           in
           the
           Church
           to
           tell
           a
           trivial
           and
           licentious
           tale
           in
           the
           eares
           of
           that
           good
           Prince
           ,
           and
           to
           bequeath
           it
           as
           his
           last
           will
           and
           testament
           ,
           nay
           rather
           as
           the
           testamont
           and
           royall
           law
           of
           Christ
           to
           this
           Nation
           ,
           or
           that
           it
           should
           of
           it self
           after
           so
           many
           yeares
           ,
           as
           it
           were
           in
           a
           new
           feild
           where
           it
           was
           never
           sow'n
           ,
           grow
           up
           again
           as
           a
           vitious
           plant
           in
           the
           minde
           of
           another
           ,
           who
           had
           spoke
           honestest
           things
           to
           the
           Nation
           ;
           though
           he
           knew
           not
           that
           what
           his
           youth
           then
           reason'd
           without
           a
           pattern
           ,
           had
           bin
           heard
           already
           ,
           and
           well
           allow'd
           from
           the
           gravity
           and
           worth
           of
           
             Martin
             Bucer
             :
          
           till
           meeting
           with
           the
           envy
           of
           men
           ignorant
           in
           thir
           own
           undertak'n
           calling
           ,
           God
           directed
           him
           to
           the
           forgott'n
           Writings
           of
           this
           faithfull
           Evangelist
           ,
           to
           be
           his
           defence
           and
           warrant
           against
           the
           gross
           imputation
           of
           broaching
           licence
           .
           Ye
           are
           now
           in
           the
           glorious
           way
           to
           high
           vertu
           ,
           and
           matchless
           deeds
           ,
           trusted
           with
           a
           most
           inestimable
           trust
           ,
           the
           asserting
           of
           our
           just
           liberties
           .
           Ye
           have
           a
           nation
           that
           expects
           now
           ,
           and
           from
           mighty
           suffrings
           aspires
           to
           be
           the
           example
           of
           all
           Christendom
           to
           a
           perfetest
           reforming
           .
           Dare
           to
           be
           as
           great
           ,
           as
           ample
           ,
           and
           as
           eminent
           in
           the
           fair
           progress
           of
           your
           noble
           designes
           ,
           as
           the
           full
           and
           goodly
           stature
           of
           truth
           and
           excellence
           it self
           :
           as
           unlimited
           by
           petty
           presidents
           and
           copies
           ,
           as
           your
           unquestionable
           calling
           from
           heaven
           giv●
           ye
           power
           to
           be
           .
           What
           are
           all
           our
           public
           immunities
           
           and
           privileges
           worth
           ,
           and
           how
           shall
           it
           be
           judg'd
           that
           we
           sight
           for
           them
           with
           minds
           worthy
           to
           enjoy
           them
           ,
           if
           wee
           suffer
           our selvs
           in
           the
           mean
           while
           not
           to
           understand
           the
           most
           important
           freedom
           that
           God
           and
           Nature
           hath
           givn
           us
           in
           the
           family
           ;
           which
           no
           wise
           Nation
           ever
           wanted
           ,
           till
           the
           Popery
           and
           superstition
           of
           some
           former
           ages
           attempted
           to
           remove
           and
           alter
           divine
           and
           most
           prudent
           Laws
           for
           human
           and
           most
           imprudent
           Canons
           ;
           whereby
           good
           men
           in
           the
           best
           portion
           of
           t●ir
           lives
           ,
           and
           in
           that
           ordinance
           of
           God
           which
           entitles
           them
           from
           the
           beginning
           to
           most
           just
           and
           requisite
           contentments
           ,
           are
           compell'd
           to
           civil
           indignities
           ,
           which
           by
           the
           law
           of
           
             Moses
          
           bad
           men
           were
           not
           compell'd
           to
           .
           Be
           not
           bound
           about
           ,
           and
           straitn'd
           in
           the
           spatious
           wisdom
           of
           your
           free
           Spirits
           ,
           by
           the
           scanty
           and
           unadequat
           and
           inconsistent
           principles
           of
           such
           as
           condemn
           others
           for
           adhering
           to
           traditions
           ,
           and
           are
           themselvs
           the
           prostrate
           worshippers
           of
           Custom
           ;
           and
           of
           such
           a
           tradition
           as
           they
           can
           deduce
           from
           no
           antiquitie
           ,
           but
           from
           the
           rud●st
           ,
           and
           thick●st
           barbarism
           of
           Antichristian
           times
           .
           But
           why
           doe
           I
           anticipate
           the
           more
           acceptable
           ,
           and
           prevailing
           voice
           of
           lerned
           
             Bucer
          
           himself
           ,
           the
           pastor
           of
           Nations
           ?
           And
           O
           that
           I
           could
           set
           him
           living
           before
           ye
           in
           that
           doctoral
           chair
           ,
           where
           once
           the
           lernedest
           of
           
             England
          
           thought
           it
           no
           disparagement
           to
           sit
           at
           his
           feet
           ▪
           He
           would
           be
           such
           a
           pilot
           ,
           and
           such
           a
           father
           to
           ye
           ,
           as
           ye
           would
           soon
           find
           the
           difference
           of
           his
           hand
           and
           skill
           upon
           the
           helm
           of
           reformation
           .
           Nor
           doe
           I
           forget
           that
           faithfull
           associate
           of
           his
           labours
           ,
           
             Paulus
             Fagius
             ;
          
           for
           these
           thir
           great
           names
           and
           merits
           ,
           how
           pretious
           so
           ever
           ,
           God
           hath
           now
           joyn'd
           with
           me
           necessarily
           ,
           in
           the
           good
           or
           evil
           report
           of
           this
           doctrin
           which
           I
           leav
           with
           you
           .
           It
           was
           writt'n
           to
           a
           religious
           King
           of
           this
           land
           ;
           writt'n
           earnestly
           ,
           as
           a
           main
           matter
           wher
           in
           this
           kingdom
           needed
           a
           reform
           ,
           if
           it
           purpos'd
           to
           be
           the
           kingdom
           of
           Christ
           :
           Writt'n
           by
           him
           who
           if
           any
           since
           the
           d●ies
           of
           
             Luther
             ,
          
           merits
           to
           be
           counted
           the
           Apostle
           of
           our
           Church
           ;
           whose
           unw●aried
           pains
           and
           watching
           for
           our
           sakes
           ,
           as
           they
           spent
           him
           quickly
           heer
           among
           us
           ,
           so
           did
           they
           ,
           during
           the
           shortnes
           of
           his
           life
           ,
           incredibly
           promote
           the
           Gospel
           throughout
           this
           Realm
           .
           The
           autority
           ,
           the
           lerning
           ,
           the
           godlines
           of
           this
           man
           consulted
           with
           ,
           is
           able
           to
           out-ballance
           all
           that
           the
           lightnes
           of
           a
           vulgar
           opposition
           can
           being
           to
           counterpoise
           .
           I
           leav
           him
           also
           as
           my
           complete
           suretie
           and
           testimonial
           ,
           if
           Truth
           be
           not
           the
           best
           witnes
           to
           it self
           ,
           that
           what
           I
           formerly
           presented
           to
           your
           reading
           on
           this
           subject
           ,
           was
           good
           ,
           and
           just
           ,
           and
           honest
           ,
           not
           licentious
           .
           Not
           that
           I
           have
           now
           more
           confidence
           by
           the
           addition
           of
           these
           great
           Authors
           to
           my
           party
           ;
           for
           what
           I
           wrote
           was
           not
           my
           opinion
           ,
           but
           my
           knowledge
           ;
           evn
           then
           when
           I
           could
           trace
           no
           footstep
           in
           the
           way
           I
           went
           :
           nor
           that
           I
           think
           to
           win
           upon
           your
           apprehensions
           with
           numbers
           and
           with
           names
           ,
           rather
           then
           wi●h
           reasons
           ,
           yet
           certainly
           the
           worst
           of
           my
           d●tracters
           will
           not
           except
           against
           so
           good
           a
           baile
           of
           my
           integritie
           and
           judgement
           ,
           as
           now
           appeares
           for
           me
           .
           They
           must
           els
           put
           in
           the
           fame
           of
           
             Bucer
          
           and
           of
           
             Fagins
             ,
          
           as
           my
           accomplices
           
           and
           confederats
           into
           the
           same
           endightment
           ;
           they
           must
           dig
           up
           the
           good
           name
           of
           these
           prime
           worthies
           (
           if
           thir
           names
           could
           be
           ever
           buried
           )
           they
           must
           dig
           them
           up
           and
           brand
           them
           as
           the
           Papists
           did
           thir
           bodies
           ;
           and
           those
           thir
           pure
           unblamable
           spirits
           ,
           which
           live
           not
           only
           in
           heaven
           ,
           but
           in
           thir
           writings
           ,
           they
           must
           attaint
           with
           new
           attaintures
           which
           no
           Protestant
           ever
           before
           aspers't
           them
           with
           .
           Or
           if
           perhaps
           wee
           may
           obtain
           to
           get
           our
           appeachment
           new
           drawn
           a
           Writ
           of
           Error
           ,
           not
           of
           Libertinism
           ,
           that
           those
           two
           principal
           leaders
           of
           reformation
           may
           not
           come
           now
           to
           be
           su'd
           in
           a
           bill
           of
           licence
           ,
           to
           the
           scandal
           of
           ,
           our
           Church
           ,
           the
           brief
           result
           will
           be
           ,
           that
           for
           the
           error
           ,
           if
           thir
           own
           works
           be
           not
           thought
           sufficient
           to
           defend
           them
           ,
           there
           livs
           yet
           who
           will
           be
           ready
           ,
           in
           a
           fair
           and
           christianly
           discussive
           way
           ,
           to
           debate
           and
           sift
           this
           matter
           to
           the
           utmost
           ounce
           of
           lerning
           and
           religion
           ,
           in
           him
           that
           shall
           lay
           it
           as
           an
           error
           ,
           either
           upon
           
             Martin
             Bueer
             ,
          
           or
           any
           other
           of
           his
           opinion
           .
           If
           this
           be
           not
           anough
           to
           qualifie
           my
           traducers
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           think
           it
           more
           for
           the
           wisdom
           of
           thir
           virulence
           ,
           not
           to
           recant
           the
           injuries
           they
           have
           bespoke
           me
           ,
           I
           shall
           not
           for
           much
           more
           disturbance
           then
           they
           can
           bring
           me
           ,
           intermitt
           the
           prosecution
           of
           those
           thoughts
           which
           may
           render
           me
           best
           serviceable
           ,
           either
           to
           this
           age
           ,
           or
           if
           it
           so
           happ'n
           ,
           to
           posteritie
           ;
           following
           the
           fair
           path
           which
           your
           illustrious
           exploits
           ,
           Honourd
           Lords
           and
           Commons
           ,
           against
           the
           brest
           of
           tyrany
           have
           open'd
           ;
           and
           depending
           so
           on
           your
           happy
           successes
           in
           the
           hopes
           that
           I
           have
           conceiv'd
           either
           of
           my self
           ,
           or
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           as
           must
           needs
           conclude
           me
           one
           who
           most
           affectionately
           wishes
           and
           awaits
           the
           prosperous
           issue
           of
           your
           noble
           and
           valorous
           counsels
           .
        
         
           
             JOHN
             MILTON
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
       
         
           THE
           JUDGEMENT
           OF
           
             MARTIN
             BUCER
          
           TOUCHING
           
             DIVORCE
             .
          
        
         
           Taken
           out
           of
           the
           second
           Book
           entitl'd
           
             Of
             the
             kingdom
             of
             Christ
          
           writt'n
           by
           
             Martin
             Bucer
          
           to
           
             Edward
          
           the
           6th
           K.
           of
           
             England
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAPTER
             XV
             .
          
           
             
               
                 The
              
               7th
               
                 Law
                 of
                 the
                 sanctifying
                 and
                 ordering
                 of
                 mariage
                 .
              
            
          
           
             BEsides
             these
             things
             ,
             Christ
             our
             King
             ,
             and
             his
             Churches
             
             require
             from
             your
             sacred
             Majesty
             ,
             that
             you
             would
             take
             upon
             you
             the
             just
             care
             of
             mariages
             .
             For
             it
             is
             unspeakable
             ,
             how
             many
             good
             consciences
             are
             heerby
             entangl'd
             ,
             af●licted
             ,
             and
             in
             danger
             ,
             because
             there
             are
             no
             just
             laws
             ,
             no
             speedy
             way
             constituted
             ,
             according
             to
             Gods
             Word
             ,
             touching
             this
             holy
             society
             and
             fountain
             of
             mankind
             .
             For
             seeing
             matrimony
             is
             a
             civil
             thing
             ,
             men
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             rightly
             contract
             ,
             inviolably
             keep
             ,
             and
             not
             without
             extreme
             necessitie
             dissolv
             mariage
             ,
             are
             not
             only
             to
             be
             taught
             by
             the
             doctrine
             and
             discipline
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             but
             also
             are
             to
             be
             acquitted
             ,
             aided
             ,
             and
             compell'd
             by
             laws
             and
             judicature
             of
             the
             Common-wealth
             .
             Which
             thing
             pious
             Emperours
             acknowledgeing
             ,
             and
             therin
             framing
             themselvs
             to
             the
             law
             of
             Nations
             ,
             gave
             laws
             both
             of
             contracting
             and
             preserving
             ,
             and
             also
             where
             an
             unhappy
             need
             requir'd
             ,
             of
             divorcing
             mariages
             .
             As
             may
             be
             seen
             in
             the
             Code
             of
             
               Justinian
            
             the
             5
             Book
             ,
             from
             the
             beginning
             through
             24
             titles
             .
             And
             in
             the
             Authentic
             of
             
               Justinian
            
             the
             22
             ,
             and
             some
             others
             .
          
           
           
             But
             the
             Antichrists
             of
             
               Rome
               ,
            
             to
             get
             the
             imperial
             power
             into
             thir
             
             own
             hands
             ,
             first
             by
             fraud●lent
             persuasion
             ,
             afterwards
             by
             force
             drew
             to
             themselvs
             the
             whole
             autority
             of
             determining
             and
             judging
             as
             well
             in
             mat●imonial
             causes
             ,
             as
             in
             most
             other
             matters
             .
             Therfore
             it
             hath
             bin
             long
             beleiv'd
             ,
             that
             the
             care
             and
             government
             therof
             doth
             not
             belong
             to
             the
             civil
             Magistrate
             .
             Yet
             where
             the
             Gospel
             of
             Christ
             is
             receav'd
             ,
             the
             laws
             of
             Antichrist
             should
             be
             rejected
             .
             If
             therfore
             Kings
             and
             Governours
             take
             not
             this
             care
             ,
             by
             the
             power
             of
             law
             and
             justice
             to
             provide
             that
             mariages
             be
             piously
             contracted
             ,
             religiously
             kept
             ,
             and
             lawfully
             dissolv'd
             ,
             if
             need
             require
             ,
             who
             sees
             not
             what
             confusion
             and
             trouble
             is
             brought
             upon
             this
             holy
             society
             ;
             and
             what
             a
             rack
             is
             prepar'd
             ,
             evn
             for
             many
             of
             the
             best
             consciences
             ,
             while
             they
             have
             no
             certain
             laws
             to
             follow
             ,
             no
             justice
             to
             implore
             ,
             if
             any
             intolerable
             thing
             happen
             .
             And
             how
             much
             it
             concerns
             the
             honour
             and
             safety
             of
             the
             Common-wealth
             ,
             that
             mariages
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             will
             of
             Christ
             ,
             be
             made
             ,
             maintain'd
             ,
             and
             not
             without
             just
             cause
             dissolv'd
             ,
             who
             understands
             not
             ?
             for
             unlesse
             that
             first
             and
             holi●st
             society
             of
             man
             and
             woman
             be
             purely
             constituted
             ,
             that
             houshold
             discipline
             may
             be
             upheld
             by
             them
             according
             to
             Gods
             law
             ,
             how
             can
             wee
             expect
             a
             race
             of
             good
             men
             .
             Let
             your
             Majesty
             therfore
             know
             that
             this
             is
             your
             duty
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             first
             place
             ,
             to
             reassume
             to
             your self
             the
             just
             ordering
             of
             matrimony
             ,
             and
             by
             firm
             laws
             to
             establish
             and
             defend
             the
             religion
             of
             this
             first
             and
             divine
             societie
             among
             men
             ,
             as
             all
             wise
             law-givers
             of
             old
             ,
             and
             Christian
             Emperours
             have
             carefully
             don
             .
          
           
             
               The
               two
               next
               Chapters
               because
               they
               chiefly
               treat
               about
               the
               degrees
               of
               Consanguinity
               and
               affinity
               I
               omit
               ;
               only
               setting
               down
               a
               passage
               or
               two
               concerning
               the
               judicial
               laws
               of
               Moses
               ,
               how
               fit
               they
               be
               for
               Christians
               to
               imitate
               rather
               then
               any
               other
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XVII
             .
             toward
             the
             end
             .
          
           
             I
             Confesse
             that
             wee
             beeing
             free
             in
             Christ
             are
             not
             bound
             to
             the
             civil
             Laws
             of
             
               Moses
            
             in
             every
             circumstance
             ,
             yet
             seeing
             no
             laws
             can
             be
             more
             honest
             ,
             just
             ,
             and
             wholsom
             ,
             then
             those
             which
             God
             himself
             gave
             ,
             who
             is
             eternal
             wisdom
             &
             goodnes
             ,
             I
             see
             not
             why
             Christians
             ,
             in
             things
             which
             no
             lesse
             appertain
             to
             them
             ,
             ought
             not
             to
             follow
             the
             laws
             of
             God
             ,
             rather
             then
             of
             any
             men
             .
             Wee
             are
             not
             to
             use
             circumcision
             ,
             sacrifice
             ,
             and
             those
             bodily
             washings
             prescrib'd
             to
             the
             
               Jews
               ;
            
             yet
             by
             these
             things
             wee
             may
             rightly
             learn
             ,
             with
             what
             purity
             and
             devotion
             both
             Baptism
             and
             the
             Lords
             Supper
             should
             be
             administerd
             and
             receay'd
             .
             How
             much
             more
             is
             it
             our
             duty
             to
             observ
             diligently
             what
             the
             Lord
             
             hath
             commanded
             ,
             and
             taught
             by
             the
             examples
             of
             his
             people
             concerning
             mariage
             ;
             wherof
             wee
             have
             the
             use
             no
             lesse
             then
             they
             .
          
           
             
               And
               because
               this
               same
               worthy
               Author
               hath
               another
               passage
               to
               this
               purpose
               in
               his
               Comment
               upon
               Matthew
               ,
               Chap.
            
             5.
             19.
             
             
               I
               heer
               insert
               it
               from
               p.
            
             46.
             
          
           
             Since
             wee
             have
             need
             of
             civil
             laws
             and
             the
             power
             of
             punishing
             ,
             it
             will
             be
             wisest
             not
             to
             contemn
             those
             giv'n
             by
             
               Moses
               ;
            
             but
             seriously
             rather
             to
             consider
             what
             the
             meaning
             of
             God
             was
             in
             them
             ,
             what
             he
             cheifly
             requir'd
             ,
             and
             how
             much
             it
             might
             be
             to
             the
             good
             of
             every
             Nation
             ,
             if
             they
             would
             borrow
             thence
             thir
             manner
             of
             governing
             the
             Common-wealth
             ;
             yet
             freely
             all
             things
             and
             with
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Christ
             .
             For
             what
             
               Solon
               ,
            
             or
             
               Plato
               ,
            
             or
             
               Aristotle
               ,
            
             what
             Lawyers
             or
             
               Caesars
            
             could
             make
             better
             laws
             then
             God
             ?
             And
             it
             is
             no
             light
             argument
             ,
             that
             many
             Magistrates
             at
             this
             day
             doe
             not
             anough
             acknowledge
             the
             kingdom
             of
             Christ
             ,
             though
             they
             would
             seem
             most
             Christian
             ,
             in
             that
             they
             govern
             thir
             States
             by
             laws
             so
             divers
             from
             those
             of
             
               Moses
               .
            
          
           
             
               The
            
             18
             
               Chap.
               I
               only
               mention
               as
               determining
               a
               thing
               not
               heer
               in
               question
               ,
               that
               mariage
               without
               consent
               of
               parents
               ought
               not
               to
               be
               held
               good
               ;
               yet
               with
               this
               qualification
               fit
               to
               be
               known
               .
            
          
           
             That
             if
             parents
             admit
             not
             the
             honest
             desires
             of
             thir
             children
             ,
             but
             shall
             persist
             to
             abuse
             the
             power
             they
             have
             over
             them
             ,
             they
             are
             to
             be
             mollifi'd
             by
             admonitions
             ,
             entreaties
             ,
             and
             persuasions
             ,
             first
             of
             thir
             freinds
             and
             kindred
             ,
             next
             of
             the
             Church
             Elders
             .
             Whom
             if
             still
             the
             hard
             parents
             refuse
             to
             hear
             ,
             then
             ought
             the
             Magistrate
             to
             interpose
             his
             power
             :
             left
             any
             by
             the
             evil
             minde
             of
             thir
             parents
             be
             detain'd
             from
             mariage
             longer
             then
             is
             meet
             ,
             or
             fore't
             to
             an
             unworthy
             match
             :
             in
             which
             case
             the
             
               Roman
            
             laws
             also
             provided
             .
             
               G●de
               nupt.
               l.
            
             11.
             13.
             26.
             
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XIX
             .
          
           
             
               Whether
               it
               may
               be
               permitted
               to
               revoke
               the
               promise
               of
               mariage
               .
            
          
           
             HEer
             ariseth
             another
             question
             concerning
             Contracts
             ,
             when
             they
             ought
             to
             be
             unchangeable
             ;
             for
             religious
             Emperours
             decre●'d
             that
             the
             contract
             was
             not
             indissoluble
             ,
             until
             the
             spouse
             were
             brought
             home
             ,
             and
             the
             solemnities
             perform'd
             .
             They
             thought
             it
             a
             thing
             unworthy
             of
             divine
             and
             human
             equitie
             ,
             and
             the
             due
             consideration
             of
             mans
             infirmitie
             in
             deliberating
             and
             determining
             ,
             when
             space
             is
             giv'n
             to
             renounce
             other
             contracts
             of
             much
             lesse
             moment
             ,
             which
             are
             not
             yet
             confirm'd
             before
             the
             Magistrate
             ,
             to
             deny
             that
             to
             the
             most
             waighty
             contract
             of
             marriage
             ,
             which
             requires
             the
             greatest
             care
             and
             consultation
             .
             Yet
             left
             such
             a
             covenant
             should
             be
             brok'n
             for
             no
             just
             cause
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             
             injury
             of
             that
             person
             to
             whom
             mariage
             was
             promis'd
             ,
             they
             decreed
             a
             fine
             ,
             that
             he
             who
             deni'd
             mariage
             to
             whom
             he
             had
             promis'd
             ,
             and
             for
             some
             cause
             not
             approv'd
             by
             the
             Judges
             ,
             should
             pay
             the
             double
             of
             that
             pledge
             which
             was
             giv'n
             at
             making
             sure
             ,
             or
             as
             much
             as
             the
             Judge
             should
             pronounce
             might
             satisfie
             the
             dammage
             or
             the
             hinderance
             of
             either
             parsie
             .
             It
             beeing
             most
             certain
             that
             ofttimes
             after
             contract
             ,
             just
             and
             honest
             causes
             of
             departing
             from
             promise
             ,
             come
             to
             be
             known
             and
             found
             out
             ,
             it
             cannot
             be
             other
             then
             the
             duty
             of
             pious
             Princes
             ,
             to
             give
             men
             the
             s●me
             liberty
             of
             unpromising
             in
             these
             cases
             ,
             as
             pious
             Emperours
             granted
             :
             especially
             where
             there
             is
             only
             a
             promise
             ,
             and
             not
             carnal
             knowledge
             .
             And
             as
             there
             is
             no
             true
             mariage
             between
             them
             ,
             who
             agree
             not
             in
             true
             consent
             of
             mind
             ,
             so
             it
             will
             be
             the
             part
             of
             godly
             Magistrates
             to
             procure
             that
             no
             matrimony
             be
             among
             thir
             Subjects
             ,
             but
             what
             is
             knit
             with
             love
             and
             consent
             .
             And
             though
             your
             Majesty
             be
             not
             bound
             to
             th
             imperial
             laws
             ,
             yet
             it
             is
             the
             duty
             of
             a
             Christian
             King
             to
             embrace
             and
             follow
             what
             ever
             he
             knows
             to
             be
             anywhere
             piously
             and
             justly
             constituted
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             honest
             ,
             just
             and
             well-pleasing
             to
             his
             people
             .
             But
             why
             in
             Gods
             law
             and
             the
             examples
             of
             his
             Saints
             nothing
             heerof
             is
             read
             ,
             no
             marvell
             ,
             seeing
             his
             ancient
             people
             had
             power
             ,
             yea
             a
             precept
             ,
             that
             who
             so
             could
             not
             bend
             hismind
             to
             the
             true
             love
             of
             his
             wife
             ,
             should
             give
             her
             a
             bill
             of
             divorce
             ,
             and
             send
             her
             from
             him
             ,
             though
             after
             carnal
             knowledge
             and
             long
             dwelling
             together
             .
             This
             is
             anough
             to
             authorize
             ag●dly
             Prince
             in
             that
             indulgence
             which
             he
             gives
             to
             the
             changing
             of
             a
             Contract
             ;
             both
             because
             it
             is
             certainly
             the
             inv●ntion
             of
             Antichrist
             ,
             that
             the
             pro●rise
             of
             mariage
             
               de
               praesenti
            
             as
             they
             call
             it
             ,
             should
             be
             indissoluble
             ,
             and
             because
             it
             should
             be
             a
             Princes
             care
             that
             matrimony
             be
             so
             joyn'd
             ,
             as
             God
             ordain'd
             ;
             which
             is
             ,
             that
             every
             one
             should
             love
             his
             wife
             with
             such
             a
             love
             as
             
               Adam
            
             exprest
             to
             
               Eve
               :
            
             So
             ,
             as
             wee
             may
             hope
             that
             they
             who
             marry
             may
             become
             one
             sl●sh
             ,
             and
             one
             also
             in
             the
             Lord
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XX
             .
          
           
             Concerns
             only
             the
             celebration
             of
             mariage
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XXI
             .
          
           
             
               The
               means
               of
               preserving
               mariage
               holy
               and
               pure
               .
            
          
           
             NOw
             since
             there
             ought
             not
             to
             be
             lesse
             care
             that
             mariage
             be
             religiously
             kept
             ,
             then
             that
             it
             be
             piously
             and
             deliberately
             contracted
             ,
             it
             will
             be
             meet
             that
             to
             every
             Church
             be
             ordan'd
             certain
             grave
             and
             godly
             men
             ,
             who
             may
             have
             this
             care
             upon
             them
             ,
             to
             observ
             whether
             the
             
             husband
             bear
             himself
             wisely
             toward
             the
             wife
             ,
             loving
             ,
             &
             inciting
             her
             to
             all
             piety
             and
             the
             other
             duties
             of
             this
             life
             ;
             and
             whether
             the
             wife
             be
             subject
             to
             her
             husband
             ,
             and
             study
             to
             be
             truly
             a
             meet
             help
             to
             him
             ,
             as
             first
             to
             all
             godlines
             ,
             so
             to
             every
             other
             use
             of
             life
             .
             And
             if
             they
             shal
             find
             each
             to
             other
             failing
             of
             their
             duty
             ,
             or
             the
             one
             long
             absent
             from
             the
             other
             without
             just
             and
             urgent
             cause
             ,
             or
             giving
             suspicion
             of
             irreligious
             and
             impure
             life
             ,
             or
             of
             living
             in
             manifest
             wickednes
             ,
             let
             it
             be
             admonisht
             them
             in
             time
             .
             And
             if
             thir
             autority
             be
             contemn'd
             ,
             let
             the
             names
             of
             such
             contemners
             be
             brought
             to
             the
             Magistrate
             ,
             who
             may
             use
             punishment
             to
             compell
             such
             violaters
             of
             mariage
             ,
             to
             thir
             duty
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             abstain
             from
             all
             probable
             suspicion
             of
             transgressing
             ;
             and
             if
             they
             admit
             of
             suspected
             company
             ;
             the
             Magistrate
             is
             to
             forbid
             them
             ;
             whom
             they
             not
             therin
             oboying
             ,
             are
             to
             be
             punisht
             as
             adulterers
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             law
             of
             
               Justinian
               ,
               Authont
            
             117.
             
             For
             if
             holy
             wedlock
             the
             Fountain
             and
             Seminary
             of
             good
             subjects
             ,
             be
             not
             vigilantly
             preserv'd
             from
             all
             blots
             and
             disturbances
             ,
             what
             can
             be
             hop'd
             ,
             as
             I
             said
             before
             ,
             of
             the
             springing
             up
             of
             good
             men
             ,
             and
             a
             right
             reformation
             of
             the
             Common-wealth
             .
             We
             know
             it
             is
             not
             anough
             for
             Christians
             to
             abstain
             from
             foul
             deeds
             ,
             but
             from
             the
             appearance
             and
             suspicion
             therof
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XXII
             .
          
           
             
               Of
               full
               divorce
               ▪
               what
               the
               ancient
               Churches
               have
               thought
               .
            
          
           
             Now
             we
             shall
             speak
             about
             that
             dissolving
             of
             mutrimony
             which
             may
             be
             approv'd
             ,
             in
             the
             sight
             of
             God
             ,
             if
             any
             greevous
             necessity
             requite
             .
             In
             which
             thing
             the
             Roman
             Antichrists
             have
             knit
             many
             a
             pernicious
             entanglement
             to
             distrissed
             consuiences
             ;
             for
             that
             they
             might
             heer
             also
             exalt
             themselvs
             above
             God
             ,
             as
             if
             they
             would
             be
             wiser
             and
             chaster
             then
             God
             himself
             is
             ,
             for
             no
             cause
             ,
             honest
             ,
             or
             necessary
             ,
             will
             they
             permit
             final
             divorce
             ,
             in
             the
             〈◊〉
             while
             whordoms
             and
             adulteries
             ,
             and
             wor●
             things
             then
             these
             ,
             not
             duly
             tolerating
             in
             themselvs
             and
             others
             ,
             but
             therishing
             ,
             and
             throwing
             then
             headlong
             into
             these
             evils
             .
             For
             although
             ,
             they
             also
             dis-joyn
             married
             persons
             from
             board
             and
             bed
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             from
             all
             conjugall
             society
             and
             communion
             ,
             and
             this
             not
             only
             for
             adultery
             ,
             but
             for
             ill
             usage
             ,
             and
             matrimoniall
             duties
             deni'd
             ,
             yet
             they
             forbid
             thos●
             thus
             parted
             to
             joyn
             in
             wedlock
             with
             others
             ,
             but
             ,
             as
             I
             said
             before
             ,
             any
             dishonest
             associating
             they
             permit
             .
             And
             they
             pronounce
             the
             bond
             of
             that
             〈◊〉
             to
             remain
             between
             those
             whom
             they
             have
             thus
             separat
             .
             As
             if
             the
             bond
             of
             mariage
             ,
             God
             so
             teaching
             and
             pronouncing
             ,
             were
             not
             such
             a
             league
             as
             bindee
             the
             maried
             couple
             to
             all
             society
             
             of
             life
             ,
             and
             communion
             in
             divine
             &
             humane
             things
             ;
             and
             so
             associated
             keeps
             them
             .
             Somthing
             indeed
             out
             of
             the
             latter
             Fathers
             they
             may
             pretend
             for
             this
             thir
             tyranny
             ,
             especially
             out
             of
             
               Austine
            
             and
             some
             others
             ,
             who
             were
             much
             taken
             wth
             a
             preposterous
             admiration
             of
             sing'e
             life
             ;
             yet
             though
             the●
             ,
             Fathers
             ,
             from
             the
             words
             of
             Christ
             not
             rightly
             understood
             ,
             taught
             that
             it
             was
             unlawfull
             to
             marry
             again
             ,
             while
             the
             former
             wife
             liv'd
             ,
             whatever
             cause
             ther
             had
             bin
             either
             of
             desertion
             or
             divorce
             ,
             yet
             if
             we
             mark
             the
             custom
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             and
             the
             common
             judgement
             which
             ●oth
             in
             their
             times
             and
             afterward
             prevail'd
             ,
             we
             shall
             perceave
             that
             neither
             these
             Fathers
             did
             ever
             cast
             out
             of
             the
             Church
             any
             one
             for
             marying
             after
             a
             divorce
             ,
             approv'd
             by
             the
             Imperiall
             laws
             .
          
           
             Nor
             only
             the
             first
             Christian
             Emperours
             ,
             but
             the
             lator
             also
             ,
             ov'n
             to
             
               Justinian
               ,
            
             and
             after
             him
             ,
             did
             grant
             for
             certain
             causes
             approv'd
             by
             Judges
             ,
             to
             make
             a
             true
             divorse
             ;
             which
             made
             and
             confirm'd
             by
             law
             ,
             it
             might
             be
             lawfull
             to
             marry
             again
             :
             which
             if
             it
             could
             not
             have
             bin
             done
             without
             disple
             sing
             Christ
             and
             his
             Church
             ,
             surely
             it
             would
             not
             have
             been
             granted
             by
             Christian
             Emperours
             ,
             nor
             had
             the
             Fathers
             then
             winkt
             at
             those
             doings
             in
             the
             Emperours
             .
             Hence
             ye
             may
             see
             that
             
               Jerom
            
             also
             ,
             though
             zealous
             of
             single
             life
             more
             then
             anough
             ,
             and
             such
             a
             condemner
             of
             second
             mariage
             though
             after
             the
             death
             of
             either
             party
             ,
             yet
             forc't
             by
             plain
             equity
             ,
             desended
             .
             
               Fabiola
               ,
            
             a
             noble
             Matron
             of
             Rome
             ,
             who
             having
             refus'd
             her
             husband
             for
             just
             causes
             ,
             was
             married
             to
             another
             .
             For
             that
             the
             sending
             of
             a
             divorce
             to
             her
             husband
             was
             not
             blame-worthy
             ,
             he
             affirms
             ,
             because
             the
             man
             was
             hainously
             vitious
             ,
             and
             that
             if
             an
             adulterous
             wife
             may
             be
             discarded
             ,
             an
             adulterous
             husband
             is
             not
             to
             be
             kept
             .
             But
             that
             she
             maried
             again
             ,
             while
             yet
             her
             husband
             was
             alive
             ,
             he
             defends
             in
             that
             the
             Apostle
             hath
             said
             ,
             
               It
               is
               better
               to
               mary
               then
               to
               burn
               ,
            
             and
             that
             young
             widows
             should
             mary
             ,
             for
             such
             was
             
               Fabiola
               ,
            
             and
             could
             not
             remain
             in
             widowhood
             .
          
           
             But
             some
             one
             will
             object
             that
             
               Jerom
            
             there
             addes
             ,
             
               Neither
               did
               she
               know
               the
               vigor
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               wherein
               all
               cause
               of
               marying
               i●
               debarr'd
               from
               women
               ,
               while
               thi●
               husbands
               live
               ,
               and
               again
               ,
               while
               she
               avoided
               many
               wounds
               of
               Satan
               ,
               she
               receav'd
               one
               ere
               she
               was
               aware
               .
            
             Put
             let
             the
             equall
             Reader
             minde
             also
             what
             went
             before
             ;
             
               Because
               ,
            
             saith
             he
             soon
             after
             the
             beginning
             ,
             
               there
               is
               a
               rock
               and
               storm
               of
               slanderers
               oppos'd
               against
               her
               ,
               I
               will
               not
               praise
               her
               converted
               ,
               unlesse
               I
               first
               absolve
               her
               guilty
               .
            
             For
             why
             does
             he
             call
             them
             slanderers
             who
             accus'd
             
               Fabiola
            
             of
             marying
             again
             ,
             if
             he
             did
             not
             judge
             it
             a
             matter
             of
             Christian
             equity
             and
             charity
             ,
             to
             passe
             by
             and
             pardon
             that
             fact
             ,
             though
             in
             his
             own
             opinion
             he
             held
             it
             a
             fault
             .
             And
             what
             can
             this
             mean
             ?
             
               I
               will
               not
               praise
               her
               ,
               unlesse
               I
               first
               absolv
               her
               .
            
             For
             
             how
             could
             he
             absolv
             her
             but
             by
             proving
             that
             
               Fabiola
            
             neither
             in
             rejecting
             her
             vitious
             husband
             ,
             nor
             in
             marying
             another
             ,
             had
             committed
             such
             a
             sin
             ,
             as
             could
             be
             justly
             condem'd
             .
             Nay
             ,
             he
             proves
             both
             by
             evident
             reason
             ,
             and
             cleer
             testimonies
             of
             Scripture
             ,
             that
             she
             avoided
             sin
             .
          
           
             This
             also
             is
             hence
             understood
             ,
             that
             
               Jerom
            
             by
             the
             vigor
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             meant
             that
             height
             and
             perfection
             of
             our
             Saviours
             precept
             ,
             which
             might
             be
             remitted
             to
             those
             that
             burn
             ;
             for
             he
             addes
             ,
             
               But
               if
               she
               be
               accus'd
               in
               that
               she
               remain'd
               not
               unmarried
               ,
               I
               shall
               confesse
               the
               fault
               ,
               so
               I
               may
               relate
               the
               necessity
               .
            
             If
             then
             he
             acknowledg'd
             a
             necessity
             ,
             as
             he
             did
             ,
             because
             she
             was
             young
             ,
             and
             could
             not
             live
             in
             Widowhood
             ,
             certainly
             he
             could
             not
             impute
             her
             second
             mariage
             to
             her
             much
             blame
             :
             but
             when
             he
             excuses
             her
             out
             of
             the
             word
             of
             God
             ,
             does
             he
             not
             openly
             declare
             his
             thoughts
             ,
             that
             the
             second
             mariage
             of
             
               Fabiola
            
             was
             permitted
             her
             by
             the
             holy
             Ghost
             himself
             for
             the
             necessity
             which
             she
             suffer'd
             ,
             and
             to
             shun
             the
             danger
             of
             fornication
             ,
             though
             she
             went
             somwhat
             aside
             from
             the
             vigor
             of
             the
             Gospel
             .
             But
             if
             any
             urge
             that
             
               Fabiola
            
             did
             public
             penance
             for
             her
             second
             mariage
             ,
             which
             was
             not
             impos'd
             but
             for
             great
             faults
             .
             T'
             is
             answer'd
             ,
             she
             was
             not
             enjoyn'd
             to
             this
             pennance
             .
             but
             did
             it
             of
             her
             own
             accord
             ,
             
               and
               not
               till
               after
               her
               second
               husbands
               death
               .
            
             As
             in
             the
             time
             of
             
               Cyprian
            
             we
             read
             that
             many
             were
             wont
             to
             doe
             voluntary
             penance
             for
             small
             faults
             ,
             which
             were
             not
             liable
             to
             excommunication
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XXIII
             .
          
           
             
               
                 That
                 Mariage
                 was
                 granted
                 by
                 the
                 ancient
                 Fathers
                 ,
                 ev'n
                 after
                 the
                 vow
                 of
                 single
                 life
                 .
              
               
            
          
           
             SOme
             will
             say
             perhaps
             ,
             whersore
             all
             this
             concerning
             mariage
             after
             vow
             of
             single
             life
             ,
             when
             as
             the
             question
             was
             of
             mariage
             after
             divorse
             ?
             For
             this
             reason
             ,
             that
             they
             whom
             it
             so
             much
             moves
             ,
             because
             some
             of
             the
             Fathers
             thought
             mariage
             after
             any
             kind
             of
             divorce
             ,
             to
             be
             condemn'd
             of
             our
             Saviour
             ,
             may
             see
             that
             this
             conclusion
             follows
             not
             .
             The
             Fathers
             thought
             all
             mariage
             after
             divorce
             to
             be
             forbidd'n
             of
             our
             Saviour
             ,
             therfore
             they
             thought
             such
             mariage
             was
             not
             to
             be
             tolerated
             in
             a
             Christian
             .
             For
             the
             same
             Fathers
             judg'd
             it
             forbidd'n
             to
             marry
             after
             vow
             ;
             yet
             such
             mariages
             they
             neither
             dissolv'd
             nor
             excommunicated
             .
             For
             these
             words
             of
             our
             Saviour
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             holy
             Ghost
             ,
             stood
             in
             their
             way
             ;
             
               All
               cannot
               receav
               this
               saying
               ,
               but
               they
               to
               whom
               it
               is
               giv'n
               .
               Every
               one
            
             
             
               hath
               his
               proper
               gifs
               from
               God
               ,
               one
               after
               this
               manner
               ,
               another
               after
               that
               .
               It
               is
               better
               to
               marry
               then
               to
               burn
               .
               I
               will
               that
               younger
               Widows
               marry
               ,
            
             and
             the
             like
             .
          
           
             So
             there
             are
             many
             Canons
             ,
             and
             Laws
             extant
             ,
             wherby
             Priests
             ,
             if
             they
             maried
             ,
             were
             remov'd
             from
             their
             office
             ,
             yet
             is
             it
             not
             read
             that
             their
             mariage
             was
             dissolv'd
             ,
             as
             the
             Papists
             now-a-dayes
             doe
             ,
             or
             that
             they
             were
             excommunicated
             ,
             nay
             expressly
             they
             might
             communicate
             as
             Lay
             men
             .
             If
             the
             consideration
             of
             human
             infirmitie
             ,
             and
             those
             testimonies
             of
             divine
             Scripture
             which
             grant
             mariage
             to
             every
             one
             that
             wants
             it
             ,
             persuaded
             those
             Fathers
             to
             bear
             themselvs
             so
             humanly
             toward
             them
             who
             had
             maried
             with
             breach
             of
             vow
             to
             God
             ,
             as
             they
             beleev'd
             ,
             and
             with
             divorce
             of
             that
             mariage
             wherin
             they
             were
             in
             a
             manner
             joyn'd
             to
             God
             ;
             who
             doubts
             ,
             but
             that
             the
             same
             Fathers
             held
             the
             like
             humanitie
             was
             to
             be
             afforded
             to
             those
             who
             after
             divorce
             &
             faith
             broken
             with
             men
             ,
             as
             they
             thought
             ,
             enter'd
             into
             second
             mariage
             :
             for
             among
             suchare
             also
             found
             no
             lesse
             weak
             ,
             and
             no
             lesse
             burning
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XXIV
             .
          
           
             
               Who
               of
               the
               ancient
               Fathers
               have
               granted
               marriage
               after
               divorce
               .
            
          
           
             THis
             is
             cleer
             both
             by
             what
             hath
             bin
             said
             ,
             and
             by
             that
             which
             
               Origen
            
             relates
             of
             certain
             Bishops
             in
             his
             time
             ,
             
               Homil.
            
             7.
             in
             Matth.
             
             
               I
               know
               some
               ,
            
             saith
             he
             ,
             
               which
               are
               over
               Churches
               ,
               who
               without
               Scripture
               have
               permitted
               the
               wife
               to
               mary
               while
               her
               former
               husband
               liv'd
               .
               And
               did
               this
               against
               Scripture
               which
               saith
               ,
               The
               wife
               is
               bound
               to
               her
               husband
               so
               long
               as
               he
               lives
               ,
               and
               she
               shall
               be
               call●d
               an
               adulteresse
               ,
               if
               ,
               her
               husband
               living
               ,
               she
               take
               another
               man
               ,
               yet
               did
               they
               not
               permit
               this
               without
               cause
               ,
               perhaps
               for
               the
               infirmitie
               of
               such
               as
               had
               not
               continence
               ,
               they
               permitted
               evill
               to
               avoid
               worse
               .
            
             Ye
             see
             
               Origen
            
             and
             the
             Doctors
             of
             his
             age
             ,
             not
             without
             all
             cause
             ,
             permitted
             women
             after
             divorce
             to
             marry
             ,
             though
             their
             former
             husbands
             were
             living
             :
             yet
             writes
             that
             they
             permitted
             against
             Scripture
             .
             But
             what
             cause
             could
             they
             have
             to
             doe
             so
             ,
             unlesse
             they
             thought
             our
             Saviour
             in
             his
             precepts
             of
             divorce
             ,
             had
             so
             forbid'n
             ,
             as
             willing
             to
             remit
             such
             perfection
             to
             his
             weaker
             ones
             ,
             cast
             into
             danger
             of
             worse
             faults
             .
          
           
             The
             same
             thought
             
               Leo
               ,
            
             Bishop
             of
             
               Rome
               ,
               Ep.
            
             85.
             to
             the
             African
             Bishops
             of
             
               Mauritania
               Caesariensis
               ,
            
             wherin
             cōplaining
             of
             a
             certain
             Priest
             ,
             who
             divorcing
             his
             wife
             ,
             or
             being
             divorc't
             by
             her
             ,
             as
             other
             copies
             have
             it
             ,
             had
             maried
             another
             ,
             neither
             dissolvs
             the
             matrimony
             ,
             nor
             excommunicates
             
             him
             ,
             only
             unpreists
             him
             .
             The
             fathers
             therfore
             as
             wee
             see
             ,
             did
             not
             simple
             and
             wholly
             condemn
             mariage
             after
             divorce
             .
          
           
             But
             as
             t●
             me
             ,
             this
             remi●ting
             of
             our
             Saviours
             precepts
             ,
             which
             these
             ancients
             allow
             to
             the
             〈◊〉
             in
             marrying
             after
             vow
             and
             divorce
             ,
             I
             can
             in
             no
             ways
             admit
             ;
             for
             what
             so
             ever
             plunly
             consents
             not
             with
             the
             commandment
             ,
             cannot
             ,
             I
             am
             certain
             ,
             be
             permitted
             ,
             or
             suffer'd
             in
             any
             Christian
             :
             for
             heav'n
             and
             earth
             shall
             p●sse
             away
             ,
             but
             not
             a
             ●le
             from
             the
             commands
             of
             God
             among
             them
             who
             expect
             ●e
             eternal
             .
             Let
             us
             therfore
             consi●er
             ,
             and
             waigh
             the
             words
             of
             our
             Lord
             concerning
             mariage
             ,
             and
             divorce
             ,
             which
             he
             pronounc't
             both
             by
             himself
             ,
             and
             by
             his
             Apostle
             ,
             and
             let
             us
             compare
             them
             with
             other
             Cracles
             of
             God
             ;
             for
             whatsoever
             is
             contrary
             to
             these
             ,
             I
             shall
             not
             persuade
             the
             least
             tolerating
             therof
             .
             But
             if
             it
             can
             be
             taught
             to
             agree
             with
             the
             Word
             of
             God
             ,
             yea
             to
             be
             commanded
             that
             most
             men
             may
             have
             permission
             giv'n
             them
             to
             divorce
             and
             marry
             again
             ,
             I
             must
             preferre
             the
             au●rity
             of
             Gods
             Word
             before
             the
             opinion
             of
             Fathers
             and
             Doctors
             ,
             as
             they
             themselvs
             teach
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XXV
             .
          
           
             
               The
               words
               of
               our
               Lord
               ,
               a●d
               of
               the
               holy
               Ghost
               by
               the
               Apostle
               Paul
               concerning
               Divorce
               are
               explain'd
               .
            
          
           
             BVt
             the
             words
             of
             our
             Lord
             and
             of
             the
             holy
             Ghost
             ,
             out
             of
             which
             
               Austin
               ,
            
             and
             some
             others
             of
             the
             Fathers
             think
             it
             concluded
             that
             our
             Saviour
             forbids
             ma●iage
             after
             any
             divorce
             are
             these
             ,
             
               Mat.
            
             5.
             31
             ,
             32.
             
             
               I●
               hath
               bin
               said
               &c.
            
             And
             
               Mat.
            
             19.
             7.
             
             
               They
               say
               unto
               him
               ,
               why
               did
               Moses
               then
               command
               ,
               &c.
               
            
             And
             
               Mark
            
             the
             10th
             ,
             and
             
               Luke
            
             the
             16.
             
             
               Rom.
            
             7.
             1
             ,
             2
             ,
             3.
             1
             
               Cor.
            
             7.
             10
             ,
             11.
             
             H●nce
             therfore
             they
             conclude
             that
             all
             mariage
             after
             divorce
             is
             call'd
             adultery
             ;
             which
             to
             commit
             beeing
             no
             ways
             to
             be
             tolerated
             in
             any
             Christian
             ,
             they
             think
             it
             follows
             that
             second
             ●ariage
             is
             in
             no
             case
             to
             be
             permitted
             either
             to
             the
             divorcer
             or
             to
             the
             divorsed
             .
          
           
             But
             that
             it
             may
             be
             more
             fully
             and
             plainly
             perceav'd
             ,
             what
             force
             is
             in
             this
             kind
             of
             reasoning
             ,
             it
             will
             be
             the
             best
             cours
             to
             lay
             down
             certain
             
             grounds
             wher
             of
             no
             Christian
             can
             doubt
             the
             truth
             .
             First
             it
             is
             a
             wickednes
             to
             suspect
             that
             our
             Saviour
             branded
             that
             for
             adultery
             ,
             which
             himself
             in
             his
             own
             Law
             ,
             which
             he
             came
             to
             fulfill
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             dissolv
             ,
             did
             not
             only
             permit
             ,
             but
             also
             command
             ;
             for
             by
             him
             the
             only
             Mediator
             was
             the
             wh●le
             law
             of
             God
             giv'n
             .
             But
             that
             by
             this
             law
             of
             God
             mariage
             was
             permitted
             after
             any
             divorce
             is
             certain
             by
             
               Deut.
            
             24.
             1.
             
          
        
         
         
           
             CHAP.
             XXVI
             .
          
           
             
               That
               God
               in
               his
               law
               did
               not
               only
               grant
               ,
               but
               also
               command
               divorce
               to
               certain
               men
               .
            
          
           
             
               DEul
               .
            
             24.
             1.
             
             
               When
               a
               man
               hath
               taken
               a
               wife
               ,
               &c.
               
            
             But
             in
             
               Mala.
            
             2.
             15
             ,
             16.
             is
             read
             the
             Lords
             command
             to
             put
             her
             away
             whom
             a
             man
             hates
             ,
             in
             these
             words
             .
             
               Take
               heed
               to
               your
               spirit
               ,
               and
               let
               none
               deal
               injuriously
               against
               the
               wife
               of
               his
               youth
               .
               If
               he
               hate
               ,
               let
               him
               put
               away
               ,
               saith
               the
               Lord
               God
               of
               Israel
               .
               And
               he
               shall
               hide
               thy
               violence
               with
               his
               garment
               ,
            
             that
             maries
             her
             divorc't
             by
             thee
             ,
             
               saith
               the
               Lord
               of
               hosts
               ;
            
             But
             
               take
               heed
               to
               your
               spirit
               ,
               and
               doe
               no
               injury
               .
            
             By
             these
             testimonies
             of
             the
             divine
             law
             ,
             wee
             see
             that
             the
             Lord
             did
             not
             only
             permit
             ,
             but
             also
             expresly
             and
             earnestly
             commanded
             his
             people
             ,
             by
             whom
             he
             would
             that
             all
             holiness
             and
             faith
             of
             mariage
             convant
             should
             be
             observ'd
             ,
             that
             he
             who
             could
             not
             induce
             his
             minde
             to
             love
             his
             wife
             with
             a
             true
             conjugal
             love
             ,
             might
             dismisse
             her
             that
             shee
             might
             marry
             to
             another
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XXVII
             .
          
           
             
               That
               what
               the
               Lord
               permitted
               and
               commanded
               to
               his
               ancient
               people
               concerning
               divorce
               ,
               belongs
               also
               to
               Christians
               .
            
          
           
             NOw
             what
             the
             Lord
             permitted
             to
             his
             first-borne
             people
             ,
             that
             certainly
             he
             could
             not
             forbid
             to
             his
             own
             among
             the
             Gentils
             ,
             whom
             he
             made
             coheires
             and
             into
             one
             body
             with
             his
             people
             ,
             nor
             could
             he
             ever
             permit
             ,
             much
             lesse
             command
             ought
             that
             was
             not
             good
             for
             them
             ,
             at
             least
             so
             us'd
             ,
             as
             he
             commanded
             .
             For
             beeing
             God
             ,
             he
             is
             not
             chang'd
             as
             man
             .
             Which
             thing
             who
             seriously
             considers
             ,
             how
             can
             he
             imagine
             that
             God
             would
             make
             that
             wicked
             to
             them
             that
             beleeve
             ,
             and
             serv
             him
             under
             grace
             ,
             which
             he
             granted
             and
             commanded
             to
             them
             that
             serv'd
             him
             under
             the
             Law
             .
             When
             as
             the
             same
             causes
             require
             the
             same
             permission
             .
             And
             who
             that
             knows
             but
             humane
             matters
             ,
             and
             loves
             the
             truth
             ,
             will
             deny
             that
             many
             mariage●
             hang
             as
             ill
             together
             now
             ,
             as
             ever
             they
             did
             among
             the
             Jews
             ?
             So
             that
             such
             mariages
             are
             liker
             to
             torments
             then
             true
             mariages
             .
             As
             therfore
             the
             Lord
             doth
             always
             fuctour
             and
             help
             the
             oppressed
             ,
             so
             he
             would
             ever
             have
             it
             provided
             for
             injur'd
             husbands
             and
             wives
             ,
             that
             under
             pretence
             of
             the
             mariage-bond
             ,
             they
             be
             not
             sold
             to
             perpetual
             vexations
             ,
             instead
             of
             the
             loving
             and
             comfortable
             mariage-duties
             .
             And
             lastly
             ,
             as
             God
             doth
             always
             d●te
             〈◊〉
             ,
             and
             fraud
             ,
             so
             neither
             doth
             he
             approvo
             ,
             that
             〈◊〉
             his
             〈◊〉
             ,
             that
             should
             be
             counted
             mariage
             ,
             wherin
             none
             of
             those
             duties
             remain
             wherby
             the
             league
             of
             wedlock
             is
             chiefly
             preserv'd
             .
             What
             inconsiderat
             neglect
             
             then
             of
             Gods
             law
             is
             this
             ,
             that
             I
             may
             not
             call
             it
             worse
             ,
             to
             hold
             that
             Christ
             our
             Lord
             would
             not
             grant
             the
             same
             remedies
             both
             of
             divorce
             and
             second
             mariage
             to
             the
             weak
             ,
             or
             to
             the
             evil
             ,
             if
             they
             will
             needs
             have
             it
             so
             ,
             but
             especially
             to
             the
             innocent
             and
             wronged
             ,
             when
             as
             the
             same
             urgent
             causes
             remain
             ,
             as
             before
             ,
             when
             the
             discipline
             of
             the
             church
             and
             Magistrate
             hath
             tri'd
             what
             may
             be
             tri'd
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XXVIII
             .
          
           
             
               That
               our
               Lord
               Christ
               intended
               not
               to
               make
               new
               Laws
               of
               mariage
               and
               divorce
               ,
               or
               of
               any
               civil
               matters
               .
            
          
           
             IT
             is
             agreed
             by
             all
             who
             determine
             of
             the
             Kingdom
             ,
             and
             offices
             of
             
             Christ
             by
             the
             holy
             Scriptures
             ,
             as
             all
             godly
             men
             ought
             to
             doe
             ,
             that
             our
             Saviour
             upon
             earth
             took
             not
             on
             him
             either
             to
             give
             new
             laws
             in
             civil
             affairs
             ,
             or
             to
             change
             the
             old
             .
             But
             it
             is
             certain
             that
             matrimony
             and
             divorce
             are
             civil
             things
             .
             Which
             the
             Christian
             Emperours
             knowing
             ,
             gave
             conjugal
             laws
             ;
             and
             reserv'd
             the
             administration
             of
             them
             to
             thir
             own
             Courts
             ;
             which
             no
             true
             ancient
             Bishop
             ever
             condemn'd
             .
          
           
             Our
             Savour
             came
             to
             preach
             repentance
             ,
             and
             remission
             ;
             seeing
             therfore
             those
             who
             put
             away
             thir
             wives
             without
             any
             just
             cause
             ,
             were
             not
             toucht
             with
             conscience
             of
             the
             sin
             ,
             through
             misunderstanding
             of
             the
             law
             ,
             he
             recall'd
             them
             to
             a
             right
             interpretation
             ,
             and
             taught
             that
             the
             woman
             in
             the
             beginning
             was
             so
             joyn'd
             to
             the
             man
             ,
             that
             there
             should
             be
             a
             perpetual
             union
             both
             in
             body
             and
             spirit
             :
             where
             this
             is
             not
             ,
             the
             matrimony
             is
             already
             broke
             ,
             before
             there
             be
             yet
             any
             divorce
             made
             or
             second
             mariage
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XXIX
             .
          
           
             
               That
               it
               is
               wicked
               to
               strain
               the
               words
               of
               Christ
               beyond
               thir
               purpose
               .
            
          
           
             This
             is
             his
             third
             Axiom
             ,
             wherof
             there
             needs
             no
             explication
             heer
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XXX
             .
          
           
             
               That
               all
               places
               of
               Scripture
               about
               the
               same
               thing
               are
               to
               be
               
               joyn'd
               ,
               and
               compar'd
               ,
               to
               avoid
               Contradictions
               .
            
          
           
             
               This
               be
               demonstrates
               at
               large
               out
               of
               sundry
               places
               in
               the
               Gospel
               ;
               and
               principally
               by
               that
               precept
               against
               swearing
               ,
               which
               compar'd
               with
               many
               places
               of
            
             
             
               the
               Law
               and
               Prophets
               ,
               is
               a
               flat
               contradiction
               of
               them
               all
               ,
               if
               we
               follow
               superstitiously
               the
               letter
               .
               Then
               having
               repeated
               briefly
               his
               fo●re
               Axioms
               ,
               he
               thus
               proceeds
               .
            
          
           
           
             These
             things
             thus
             preadmonisht
             ,
             let
             us
             enquire
             what
             the
             undoubted
             meaning
             is
             of
             our
             Saviours
             words
             ;
             and
             enquire
             according
             to
             the
             rule
             which
             is
             observ'd
             by
             all
             learned
             and
             good
             men
             in
             their
             expositions
             ;
             that
             praying
             first
             to
             God
             ,
             who
             is
             the
             only
             opener
             of
             our
             hearts
             ,
             wee
             may
             first
             with
             fear
             and
             reverence
             consider
             well
             the
             words
             of
             our
             Saviour
             touching
             this
             question
             .
             Next
             ,
             that
             wee
             may
             compare
             them
             with
             all
             other
             places
             of
             Scripture
             ,
             treating
             of
             this
             matter
             ,
             to
             see
             how
             they
             consent
             with
             our
             Saviours
             words
             ,
             and
             those
             of
             his
             Apostle
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XXXI
             .
          
           
             This
             Chapter
             disputes
             against
             Austin
             and
             the
             Papists
             ,
             who
             deny
             second
             mariage
             ,
             ev'n
             to
             them
             who
             divorce
             in
             case
             of
             adultery
             ,
             which
             because
             it
             is
             not
             controverted
             among
             true
             Protestants
             ,
             but
             that
             the
             innocent
             person
             is
             easily
             allow'd
             to
             marry
             ,
             I
             spare
             the
             translating
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XXXII
             .
          
           
             
               That
               a
               manifest
               adulteresse
               ought
               to
               be
               divorc't
               ,
               and
               cannot
               lawfully
               be
               retain'd
               in
               mariage
               by
               any
               true
               Christian
               .
            
          
           
             This
             though
             be
             prove
             sufficiently
             ,
             yet
             I
             let
             passe
             ,
             because
             this
             question
             was
             not
             hindl'd
             in
             the
             Doctrine
             and
             discipline
             of
             divorce
             ;
             to
             which
             book
             I
             bring
             so
             much
             of
             this
             Treatise
             as
             runs
             parallel
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAPTER
             XXXIII
             .
          
           
             
               That
               adultery
               is
               to
               be
               punisht
               by
               death
               .
            
          
           
             This
             Chapter
             also
             I
             omitt
             for
             the
             reason
             last
             alleg'd
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XXXIV
             .
          
           
             
               That
               it
               is
               lawfull
               for
               a
               wife
               to
               leav
               an
               adulterer
               ,
               and
               to
               marry
               another
               husband
               .
            
          
           
             This
             is
             generally
             granted
             ,
             and
             therfore
             excuses
             me
             the
             writing
             out
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XXXV
             .
          
           
             
               Places
               in
               the
               Writings
               of
               the
               Apostle
               Paul
               touching
               divorce
               explain'd
               .
            
          
           
             LEt
             us
             consider
             the
             answers
             of
             the
             Lord
             giv'n
             by
             the
             Apostle
             severally
             .
             Concerning
             the
             first
             which
             is
             
               Rom.
            
             7.
             1.
             
             
               Know
               yet
               not
               brethren
               ,
               for
               I
               speak
               to
               them
               that
               know
               the
               law
               ,
            
             &c.
             
             Ver.
             2.
             
             
               The
               woman
               is
               bound
            
             
             
               by
               the
               law
               to
               her
               husband
               so
               long
               as
               he
               liveth
               .
            
             Heer
             it
             is
             certain
             that
             the
             holy
             Ghost
             had
             no
             purpose
             to
             determine
             ought
             of
             mariage
             ,
             or
             divorce
             ,
             but
             only
             to
             bring
             an
             example
             from
             the
             common
             and
             ordinary
             law
             of
             wedlock
             ,
             to
             shew
             that
             as
             no
             covnant
             holds
             either
             party
             beeing
             dead
             ,
             so
             now
             that
             wee
             are
             not
             bound
             to
             the
             law
             ,
             but
             to
             Christ
             our
             Lord
             ,
             seeing
             that
             through
             him
             wee
             are
             dead
             to
             sin
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             law
             ;
             and
             so
             joyn'd
             to
             Christ
             that
             wee
             may
             bring
             forth
             fruit
             in
             him
             from
             a
             willing
             godlines
             ,
             and
             not
             by
             the
             compulsion
             of
             law
             ,
             wherby
             our
             sins
             are
             more
             excited
             ,
             and
             become
             more
             violent
             .
             What
             therfore
             the
             holy
             Spirit
             heer
             speaks
             of
             matrimony
             ,
             cannot
             be
             extended
             beyond
             the
             general
             rule
             .
          
           
             Besides
             it
             is
             manifest
             ,
             that
             the
             Apostle
             did
             allege
             the
             law
             of
             wedlock
             ,
             as
             it
             was
             deliver'd
             to
             the
             
               Jews
               ;
            
             for
             ,
             saith
             he
             ,
             I
             speak
             to
             them
             that
             know
             the
             law
             .
             They
             knew
             no
             law
             of
             God
             but
             that
             by
             
               Moses
               ,
            
             which
             plainly
             grants
             divorce
             for
             several
             reasons
             .
             It
             cannot
             therfore
             be
             said
             that
             the
             Apostle
             cited
             this
             generall
             example
             out
             of
             the
             law
             ,
             to
             abolish
             the
             several
             exceptions
             of
             that
             law
             ,
             which
             God
             himself
             granted
             by
             giving
             autority
             to
             divorce
             .
          
           
             Next
             when
             the
             Apostle
             brings
             an
             example
             out
             of
             Gods
             law
             concerning
             man
             and
             wife
             ,
             it
             must
             be
             necessary
             that
             wee
             understand
             such
             for
             man
             and
             wife
             ,
             as
             are
             so
             indeed
             according
             to
             the
             same
             law
             of
             God
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             who
             are
             so
             dispos'd
             as
             that
             they
             are
             both
             willing
             and
             able
             to
             perform
             the
             necessary
             duties
             of
             mariage
             ;
             not
             those
             who
             under
             a
             false
             title
             of
             mariage
             ,
             keep
             themselves
             mutually
             bound
             to
             injuries
             and
             disgraces
             ;
             for
             such
             twain
             are
             nothing
             lesse
             then
             lawfull
             man
             and
             wife
             .
          
           
             The
             like
             answer
             is
             to
             be
             giv'n
             to
             all
             the
             other
             places
             both
             of
             the
             Gospel
             and
             the
             Apostle
             ,
             that
             what
             ever
             exception
             may
             be
             prov'd
             out
             of
             Gods
             law
             ,
             be
             not
             excluded
             from
             those
             places
             .
             For
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             doth
             not
             condemn
             things
             formerly
             granted
             ,
             and
             allow'd
             ,
             where
             there
             is
             like
             cause
             and
             reason
             .
             Hence
             
               Ambrose
            
             upon
             that
             place
             ,
             
               1
               Cor.
            
             7.
             15.
             
             
               A
               brother
               or
               a
               sister
               is
               not
               under
               bondage
               in
               such
               cases
               ;
            
             thus
             expounds
             ;
             
               The
               reverence
               of
               mariage
               is
               not
               due
               to
               him
               who
               abhors
               the
               author
               of
               mariage
               ;
               nor
               is
               that
               mariage
               ratify'd
               which
               is
               without
               devotion
               to
               God
               :
               he
               sins
               not
               therfore
               who
               is
               put
               away
               for
               Gods
               cause
               ,
               though
               be
               joyn
               himself
               to
               another
               .
               For
               the
               dishonor
               of
               the
               Creator
               dissolves
               the
               right
               of
               matrimonl
               to
               him
               who
               is
               deserted
               ,
               that
               he
               be
               not
               accus'd
               ,
               though
               marrying
               to
               another
               .
               The
               faith
               of
               wedlock
               is
               not
               to
               be
               kept
               with
               him
               who
               departs
               ,
               that
               he
               might
               not
               hear
               the
               God
               of
               Christians
               to
               be
               the
               author
               of
               wedlock
               .
               For
               if
            
             Ezra
             
               caus'd
               the
               mis-beleeving
               wives
               and
               husbands
               to
               be
               divorc't
               ,
               that
               God
               might
               be
               appeas'd
               ,
               and
               not
               effended
               ,
               though
               they
               took
               others
               of
               thir
               own
               faith
               ,
               how
               much
               more
               shall
               it
               be
               free
               ,
               if
               the
               mis-beleever
               depart
               to
               marry
               one
               of
               our
               own
               Religion
               .
               For
               this
               is
               not
               to
               be
               counted
               matrimony
               which
               is
               against
               the
               law
               of
               God
               .
            
          
           
           
             Two
             things
             are
             heer
             to
             be
             observ'd
             toward
             the
             following
             discourse
             ,
             which
             truth
             it self
             ,
             and
             the
             force
             of
             Gods
             word
             hath
             drawn
             from
             this
             holy
             man
             .
             For
             those
             words
             are
             very
             large
             ,
             
               Matrimony
               is
               not
               ratify'd
               without
               devotion
               to
               God
               .
            
             And
             
               the
               dishonour
               of
               the
               Creator
               dissolvs
               the
               right
               of
               matrimony
               .
            
             For
             devotion
             is
             farre
             off
             ,
             and
             dishonor
             is
             done
             to
             God
             by
             all
             who
             persist
             in
             any
             wickednes
             and
             hainous
             crime
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XXXVI
             .
          
           
             
               That
               although
               it
               seem
               in
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               as
               if
               our
               Saviour
               granted
               divorce
               only
               for
               adultery
               ,
               yet
               in
               very
               deed
               he
               granted
               it
               for
               other
               causes
               also
               .
            
          
           
             NOw
             is
             to
             be
             dealt
             with
             this
             question
             ,
             Whether
             it
             be
             lawful
             to
             divorce
             and
             marry
             again
             for
             other
             causes
             besides
             adultery
             ,
             since
             our
             Saviour
             exprest
             that
             only
             .
             To
             this
             question
             ,
             if
             we
             retain
             our
             principles
             already
             laid
             ,
             and
             must
             acknowledge
             it
             to
             be
             a
             cursed
             blasphemy
             ,
             if
             we
             say
             that
             the
             words
             of
             God
             doe
             contradict
             one
             another
             ,
             of
             necessity
             we
             must
             confesse
             that
             our
             Lord
             did
             grant
             divorce
             ,
             and
             mariage
             after
             that
             for
             other
             causes
             besides
             adultery
             ,
             notwithstanding
             what
             he
             said
             in
             
               Matthew
               .
            
             For
             first
             ,
             they
             who
             consider
             but
             only
             that
             place
             ,
             1
             
               Cor.
            
             7.
             which
             treats
             of
             beleevers
             and
             misbeleevers
             matcht
             together
             ,
             must
             of
             force
             confesse
             ,
             that
             our
             Lord
             granted
             just
             divorce
             ,
             and
             second
             mariage
             in
             the
             cause
             of
             desertion
             ,
             which
             is
             other
             then
             the
             cause
             of
             fornication
             .
             And
             if
             there
             be
             one
             other
             cause
             found
             lawfull
             ,
             then
             is
             it
             most
             true
             that
             divorce
             was
             granted
             not
             only
             for
             fornication
             .
          
           
             Next
             ,
             it
             cannot
             be
             doubted
             ,
             as
             I
             shew'd
             before
             ,
             by
             them
             to
             whom
             it
             is
             giv'n
             to
             know
             God
             and
             his
             judgements
             out
             of
             his
             own
             word
             ,
             but
             that
             ,
             what
             means
             of
             peace
             and
             safety
             God
             ever
             granted
             and
             ordain'd
             to
             his
             elected
             people
             ,
             the
             same
             he
             grants
             and
             ordains
             to
             men
             of
             all
             ages
             who
             have
             equally
             need
             of
             the
             same
             remedies
             .
             And
             who
             ,
             that
             is
             but
             a
             knowing
             man
             ,
             dares
             say
             there
             be
             not
             husbands
             and
             wives
             now
             to
             be
             found
             in
             such
             a
             hardnesse
             of
             heart
             ,
             that
             they
             will
             not
             perform
             either
             conjugal
             affection
             ,
             or
             any
             requis●t
             duty
             therof
             ,
             though
             it
             be
             most
             deserv'd
             at
             thir
             hands
             .
          
           
             Neither
             can
             any
             one
             deferre
             to
             confesse
             ,
             but
             that
             God
             whose
             property
             it
             is
             to
             judge
             the
             cause
             of
             them
             that
             suffer
             injury
             ,
             hath
             provided
             for
             innocent
             and
             honest
             persons
             wedded
             ,
             how
             they
             might
             free
             themselvs
             by
             lawfull
             means
             of
             divorce
             ,
             from
             the
             bondage
             and
             iniquity
             of
             those
             who
             are
             falsly
             term'd
             thir
             husbands
             or
             thir
             wives
             .
             This
             is
             cleer
             out
             of
             Deut
             ,
             24.
             1.
             Malach.
             2.
             Matth.
             19.
             1
             Cor.
             7.
             and
             out
             of
             those
             
             principles
             which
             the
             Scripture
             every where
             teaches
             ,
             That
             God
             changes
             not
             his
             minde
             ,
             dissents
             not
             from
             himself
             ,
             is
             no
             accepter
             of
             persons
             ;
             but
             allows
             the
             same
             remedies
             to
             all
             men
             opprest
             with
             the
             same
             necessities
             and
             infirmities
             ;
             yea
             ,
             requires
             that
             wee
             should
             use
             them
             .
             This
             he
             will
             easily
             perceave
             ,
             who
             considers
             these
             things
             in
             the
             Spirit
             of
             the
             Lord
             .
          
           
             Lastly
             ,
             it
             is
             most
             certain
             ,
             that
             the
             Lord
             hath
             commanded
             us
             to
             obey
             the
             civil
             laws
             every
             one
             of
             his
             own
             Common-wealth
             ,
             if
             they
             be
             not
             against
             the
             laws
             of
             God
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XXXVII
             .
          
           
             
               
                 For
                 what
                 causes
                 divorce
                 is
                 permitted
                 by
                 the
                 civil
                 Law
              
               ex
               1.
               consensu
               Codic
               .
               de
               repudiis
               .
            
          
           
             IT
             is
             also
             manifest
             that
             the
             law
             of
             
               Theodosius
            
             and
             
               Valentinian
               ,
            
             which
             begins
             
               Consensu
               ,
               &c.
            
             touching
             divorce
             ,
             and
             many
             other
             decrees
             of
             pious
             Emperours
             agreeing
             heerwith
             ,
             are
             not
             contrary
             to
             the
             word
             of
             God
             .
             And
             therfore
             may
             be
             recall'd
             into
             use
             by
             any
             Christian
             Prince
             or
             Common-wealth
             ,
             nay
             ought
             to
             be
             with
             due
             respect
             had
             to
             every
             nation
             .
             For
             whatsoever
             is
             equall
             and
             just
             ,
             that
             in
             every
             thing
             is
             to
             be
             sought
             and
             us'd
             by
             Christians
             .
             Hence
             it
             is
             plain
             that
             divorce
             is
             granted
             by
             divine
             approbation
             ,
             both
             to
             husbands
             and
             to
             wives
             ,
             if
             either
             party
             can
             convict
             the
             other
             of
             these
             following
             offences
             before
             the
             Magistrate
             .
          
           
             If
             the
             husband
             can
             prove
             the
             wife
             to
             be
             an
             adulteresse
             ,
             a
             witch
             ,
             a
             murdresse
             ,
             to
             have
             bought
             or
             sold
             to
             slavery
             any
             one
             free
             born
             ,
             to
             have
             violated
             sepulchers
             ,
             committed
             sacrilege
             ,
             favor'd
             theevs
             and
             robbers
             ,
             desitous
             of
             feasting
             with
             strangers
             ,
             the
             husband
             not
             knowing
             ,
             or
             not
             willing
             ,
             if
             she
             lodge
             forth
             without
             a
             just
             and
             probable
             cause
             ,
             or
             frequant
             theaters
             and
             sights
             ,
             he
             forbidding
             ,
             if
             she
             be
             privie
             with
             those
             that
             plot
             against
             the
             State
             ,
             or
             if
             she
             deal●
             falsly
             ,
             or
             offer
             blows
             .
             And
             if
             the
             wife
             can
             prove
             her
             husband
             guilty
             of
             any
             those
             fore-named
             crimes
             ,
             and
             frequent
             the
             company
             of
             lewd
             women
             in
             her
             sight
             ;
             or
             if
             he
             beat
             her
             ,
             she
             had
             the
             like
             liberty
             to
             quit
             herselfe
             ,
             with
             this
             difference
             ,
             that
             the
             man
             after
             divorce
             might
             forthwith
             marry
             again
             ;
             the
             woman
             not
             till
             a
             year
             after
             ,
             lest
             she
             might
             chance
             to
             have
             conceav'd
             .
          
        
         
         
           
             CHAP.
             XXXVIII
             .
          
           
             
               An
               exposition
               of
               those
               places
               wherein
               God
               declares
               the
               nature
               of
               holy
               wedlock
               :
            
          
           
             NOw
             to
             the
             end
             it
             may
             be
             seen
             that
             this
             agrees
             with
             the
             divine
             law
             ,
             the
             first
             institution
             of
             mariage
             is
             to
             be
             consider'd
             ,
             and
             those
             texts
             in
             which
             God
             establisht
             the
             joyning
             of
             male
             and
             famale
             ,
             and
             describ'd
             the
             duties
             of
             them
             both
             .
             When
             God
             had
             determin'd
             to
             make
             woman
             ,
             and
             give
             her
             as
             a
             wife
             to
             man
             ,
             he
             spake
             thus
             ,
             
               Gen.
            
             2.
             18.
             
             
               It
               is
               not
               good
               for
               man
               to
               be
               alone
               ,
               I
               will
               make
               him
               a
               help
               meet
               for
               him
               .
               And
               Adam
               said
               ,
            
             but
             in
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             ,
             v.
             23.
             24.
             
             
               This
               is
               now
               bone
               of
               my
               bone
               ,
               and
               slesh
               of
               my
               slesh
               .
               Therfore
               shall
               a
               man
               leav
               his
               father
               and
               mother
               ,
               and
               shall
               cl●av
               to
               his
               wise
               ,
               and
               thy
               shall
               be
               one
               slesh
               .
            
          
           
             To
             this
             first
             institution
             did
             Christ
             recall
             his
             own
             ;
             when
             answering
             the
             Pharises
             ,
             he
             condemn'd
             the
             licence
             of
             unlawfull
             divorce
             .
             He
             taught
             therfore
             by
             his
             example
             ,
             that
             we
             ,
             according
             to
             this
             first
             institution
             ,
             and
             what
             God
             hath
             spok'n
             therof
             ,
             ought
             to
             determin
             what
             kind
             of
             covnant
             mariage
             is
             ,
             how
             to
             be
             kept
             ,
             and
             how
             farre
             ;
             and
             lastly
             ,
             for
             what
             cau●s
             to
             be
             dislolv'd
             .
             To
             which
             decrees
             of
             God
             these
             also
             are
             to
             be
             joyn'd
             ,
             which
             the
             holy
             Ghost
             hath
             taught
             by
             his
             Apostle
             ,
             that
             neither
             the
             husband
             nor
             the
             wife
             
               hath
               power
               of
               their
               own
               body
               ,
               but
               mutually
               each
               of
               eithers
               .
            
             That
             
               the
               husband
               shall
               love
               the
               wife
               as
               his
               own
               body
               ,
               yea
               as
               Christ
               loves
               his
               Church
               ,
               and
               that
               the
               wife
               ought
               to
               be
               subject
               to
               her
               husband
               ,
               as
               the
               Church
               is
               to
               Christ
               .
            
          
           
             By
             these
             things
             the
             nature
             of
             holy
             wedlock
             is
             certainly
             known
             ;
             whereof
             if
             only
             one
             be
             wanting
             in
             both
             or
             either
             party
             ,
             and
             that
             either
             by
             obstinate
             malev●lence
             ,
             or
             too
             deep
             inbred
             weak●es
             of
             minde
             ,
             or
             lastly
             ,
             through
             incurable
             impotence
             of
             body
             ,
             it
             cannot
             then
             be
             said
             that
             the
             covnant
             of
             matrimony
             holds
             good
             between
             such
             ;
             if
             we
             mean
             that
             covnant
             which
             God
             instituted
             and
             call'd
             Mariage
             ,
             and
             that
             wherof
             only
             it
             must
             be
             understood
             that
             our
             Saviour
             said
             ,
             
               Those
               whom
               God
               hath
               joyn'd
               ,
               let
               no
               man
               separate
               .
            
          
           
             And
             hence
             is
             concluded
             ,
             that
             matrimonv
             requires
             continuall
             cohabitation
             and
             living
             together
             ,
             unlesse
             the
             calling
             of
             God
             be
             otherwise
             evident
             ;
             which
             union
             if
             the
             parties
             themselves
             dis-joyn
             either
             by
             mutuall
             consent
             ,
             or
             one
             against
             the
             others
             will
             depart
             ,
             the
             marriage
             is
             then
             brok'n
             .
             Wherein
             the
             Papists
             ,
             as
             in
             other
             things
             oppose
             themselvs
             against
             God
             ;
             while
             they
             ●rate
             for
             many
             causes
             from
             bed
             and
             board
             ,
             &
             yet
             will
             have
             the
             bond
             of
             matrimony
             remain
             ,
             as
             if
             this
             covnant
             could
             be
             other
             then
             the
             conjunction
             and
             communion
             not
             only
             of
             bed
             &
             board
             ,
             but
             of
             all
             other
             loving
             and
             helpfull
             duties
             .
             This
             we
             may
             see
             in
             these
             
             words
             ;
             
               I
               will
               make
               him
               a
               help
               meet
               for
               him
               ;
               bone
               of
               his
               bones
               ,
               and
               flesh
               of
               his
               slesh
               ;
               for
               this
               cause
               shall
               he
               leav
               father
               and
               mother
               ,
               and
               cleav
               to
               his
               wife
               ,
               and
               they
               twain
               shall
               be
               one
               flesh
               .
            
             By
             which
             words
             who
             discerns
             not
             ,
             that
             God
             requires
             of
             them
             both
             so
             to
             live
             together
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             united
             not
             only
             in
             body
             but
             in
             mind
             also
             ,
             with
             such
             an
             affection
             as
             none
             may
             be
             dearer
             and
             more
             ardent
             among
             all
             the
             relations
             of
             mankind
             ,
             nor
             of
             more
             efficacy
             to
             the
             mutual
             offices
             of
             love
             ,
             and
             loyalty
             .
             They
             must
             communicate
             and
             consent
             in
             all
             things
             both
             divine
             and
             human
             ,
             which
             have
             any
             moment
             to
             well
             and
             happy
             living
             .
             The
             wife
             must
             honour
             and
             obey
             her
             husband
             ,
             as
             the
             Church
             honours
             and
             obeys
             Christ
             her
             head
             .
             The
             husband
             must
             love
             and
             cherish
             his
             wife
             ,
             as
             Christ
             his
             Church
             .
             Thus
             they
             must
             be
             to
             each
             other
             ,
             if
             they
             will
             be
             true
             man
             and
             wife
             in
             the
             sight
             of
             God
             ,
             whom
             certainly
             the
             Churches
             ought
             to
             follow
             in
             thir
             judgement
             .
             Now
             the
             proper
             and
             ultimate
             end
             of
             mariage
             is
             not
             copulation
             ,
             or
             children
             ,
             for
             then
             there
             was
             not
             true
             matrimony
             between
             
               Joseph
            
             and
             
               Mary
            
             the
             mother
             of
             Christ
             ,
             nor
             between
             many
             holy
             persons
             more
             ;
             but
             the
             full
             and
             proper
             and
             main
             end
             of
             mariage
             ,
             is
             the
             communicating
             of
             all
             duties
             ,
             both
             divine
             and
             humane
             ,
             each
             to
             other
             ,
             with
             utmost
             benevolence
             and
             affection
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XXXIX
             .
          
           
             
               The
               properties
               of
               a
               true
               and
               Christian
               mariage
               ,
               more
               distinctly
               repeated
               .
            
          
           
             BY
             which
             definition
             wee
             may
             know
             that
             God
             esteems
             and
             reckons
             upon
             these
             foure
             necessary
             properties
             to
             be
             in
             every
             true
             mariage
             .
             1.
             
             That
             they
             should
             live
             together
             ,
             unlesse
             the
             calling
             of
             God
             require
             otherwise
             for
             a
             time
             .
             2.
             
             That
             they
             should
             love
             one
             another
             to
             the
             height
             of
             dearnes
             ,
             and
             that
             in
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             communion
             of
             true
             Religion
             .
             3.
             
             That
             the
             husband
             beare
             himself
             as
             the
             head
             and
             preserver
             of
             his
             wife
             ,
             instructing
             her
             to
             all
             godlines
             and
             integritie
             of
             life
             ;
             that
             the
             wife
             also
             be
             to
             her
             husband
             a
             help
             ,
             according
             to
             her
             place
             ,
             especially
             furdering
             him
             in
             the
             true
             worship
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             next
             in
             all
             the
             occasions
             of
             civil
             life
             .
             And
             4.
             
             That
             they
             defraud
             not
             each
             other
             of
             conjugal
             benevolence
             ,
             as
             the
             Apostle
             commands
             ,
             1
             
               Cor.
            
             7.
             
             Hence
             it
             follows
             according
             to
             the
             sentence
             of
             God
             ,
             which
             all
             Christians
             ought
             to
             be
             rul'd
             by
             ,
             that
             between
             those
             who
             either
             through
             obstinacy
             ,
             or
             helples
             inabilitie
             ,
             cannot
             or
             will
             not
             perform
             these
             repeated
             duties
             ,
             between
             those
             there
             can
             be
             no
             true
             matrimony
             ,
             nor
             ought
             they
             to
             b●
             counted
             man
             and
             wife
             .
          
        
         
         
           
             CHAP.
             XL
             .
          
           
             
               
                 Whether
                 those
                 crimes
                 recited
                 Chap.
              
               37.
               
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 civil
                 law
                 dissolv
                 matrimony
                 in
                 Gods
                 account
                 .
              
            
          
           
             NOw
             if
             a
             husband
             or
             wife
             be
             found
             guilty
             of
             any
             those
             crimes
             ,
             which
             by
             the
             law
             
               consensu
            
             are
             made
             causes
             of
             divorce
             ,
             t
             is
             manifest
             that
             such
             a
             man
             cannot
             be
             the
             head
             ,
             and
             preserver
             of
             his
             wife
             ,
             nor
             such
             a
             woman
             be
             a
             meet
             help
             to
             her
             husband
             ,
             as
             the
             divine
             law
             in
             true
             wedlock
             requires
             ;
             for
             these
             faults
             are
             punisht
             either
             by
             death
             ,
             or
             deportation
             ,
             or
             extream
             infamy
             ,
             which
             are
             directly
             opposite
             to
             the
             covnant
             of
             mariage
             .
             If
             they
             deserve
             death
             ,
             as
             adultery
             and
             the
             like
             ,
             doubtles
             God
             would
             not
             that
             any
             should
             live
             in
             wedlock
             with
             them
             whom
             he
             would
             not
             have
             to
             live
             at
             all
             .
             Or
             if
             it
             be
             not
             death
             ,
             but
             the
             incurring
             of
             notorious
             infamy
             ,
             certain
             it
             is
             neither
             just
             ,
             nor
             expedient
             ,
             nor
             meet
             ,
             that
             an
             honest
             man
             should
             be
             coupl'd
             with
             an
             infamous
             woman
             ,
             nor
             an
             honest
             matron
             with
             an
             infamous
             man
             .
             The
             wise
             Roman
             Princes
             had
             so
             great
             regard
             to
             the
             equal
             honour
             of
             either
             wedded
             person
             ,
             that
             they
             counted
             those
             mariages
             of
             no
             force
             which
             were
             made
             between
             the
             one
             of
             good
             repute
             ,
             and
             the
             other
             of
             evill
             note
             .
             How
             much
             more
             will
             all
             honest
             regard
             of
             Christian
             expedience
             and
             comlines
             beseem
             &
             concern
             those
             who
             are
             set
             free
             and
             dignify'd
             in
             Christ
             ,
             then
             it
             could
             the
             Roman
             Senate
             ,
             or
             thir
             sons
             ,
             for
             whō
             that
             law
             was
             provided
             .
          
           
             And
             this
             all
             godly
             men
             will
             soon
             apprehend
             ,
             that
             he
             who
             ought
             to
             be
             the
             head
             and
             preserver
             not
             only
             of
             his
             wife
             ,
             but
             also
             of
             his
             children
             and
             family
             ,
             as
             Christ
             is
             of
             his
             Church
             ,
             had
             need
             be
             one
             of
             honest
             name
             :
             so
             likewise
             the
             wife
             which
             is
             to
             be
             the
             meet
             help
             of
             an
             honest
             and
             good
             man
             ,
             the
             mother
             of
             an
             honest
             off-spring
             and
             family
             ,
             the
             glory
             of
             the
             man
             ,
             ev'n
             as
             the
             man
             is
             the
             glory
             of
             Christ
             ,
             should
             not
             be
             tainted
             with
             ignominy
             ;
             as
             neither
             of
             them
             can
             avoid
             to
             be
             ,
             having
             bin
             justly
             appeacht
             of
             those
             forenamed
             crimes
             ;
             and
             therfore
             cannot
             be
             worthy
             to
             hold
             thir
             place
             in
             a
             Christian
             family
             :
             yea
             they
             themselvs
             turn
             out
             themselvs
             and
             dissolv
             that
             holy
             covnant
             .
             And
             they
             who
             are
             true
             brethren
             and
             sisters
             in
             the
             Lord
             ,
             are
             no
             more
             in
             bondage
             to
             such
             violaters
             of
             mariage
             .
          
           
             But
             heer
             the
             Patrons
             of
             wickednes
             and
             dissolvers
             of
             Christian
             discipline
             will
             object
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             the
             part
             of
             man
             and
             wife
             to
             bear
             one
             anothers
             crosse
             ,
             whether
             in
             calamit●e
             ,
             or
             infamy
             ,
             that
             they
             might
             gain
             each
             other
             ,
             if
             not
             to
             a
             good
             name
             ,
             yet
             to
             repentance
             and
             amendment
             .
             But
             they
             who
             thus
             object
             ,
             seek
             the
             impunity
             of
             wickednes
             ,
             and
             the
             favour
             of
             wicked
             men
             ,
             not
             the
             duties
             of
             true
             charity
             ;
             which
             preferrs
             
             public
             honesty
             before
             private
             interest
             ;
             and
             had
             rather
             the
             remedies
             of
             wholsom
             punishment
             appointed
             by
             God
             should
             be
             in
             use
             ,
             then
             that
             by
             remisness
             the
             licence
             of
             evil
             doing
             should
             encrease
             .
             For
             if
             they
             who
             by
             committing
             such
             offences
             ,
             have
             made
             void
             the
             holy
             knott
             of
             mariage
             ,
             be
             capable
             of
             repentance
             ,
             they
             will
             be
             sooner
             mov'd
             when
             due
             punishment
             is
             executed
             on
             them
             ;
             then
             when
             it
             is
             remitted
             .
          
           
             Wee
             must
             ever
             beware
             ,
             lest
             ,
             in
             contriving
             what
             will
             be
             best
             for
             the
             souls
             health
             of
             delinquents
             ,
             wee
             make
             our selvs
             wiser
             and
             discreeter
             then
             God
             .
             He
             that
             religiously
             waighs
             his
             oracles
             concerning
             mariage
             ,
             cannot
             doubt
             that
             they
             who
             have
             committed
             the
             foresaid
             transgressions
             ,
             have
             lost
             the
             right
             of
             matrimony
             ,
             and
             are
             unworthy
             to
             hold
             thir
             dignity
             in
             an
             honest
             and
             Christian
             family
             .
          
           
             But
             if
             any
             husband
             or
             wife●see
             such
             signs
             of
             repentance
             in
             thir
             transgressor
             ,
             as
             that
             they
             doubt
             not
             to
             regain
             them
             by
             continuing
             with
             them
             ,
             and
             partaking
             of
             thir
             miseries
             and
             attaintures
             ,
             they
             may
             be
             left
             to
             thir
             own
             hopes
             ,
             and
             thir
             own
             mind
             ,
             saving
             ever
             the
             right
             of
             Church
             and
             Common-wealth
             ,
             that
             it
             receav
             no
             scandal
             by
             the
             neglect
             of
             due
             severity
             ,
             and
             thir
             children
             no
             harm
             by
             this
             invitation
             to
             licence
             ,
             and
             want
             of
             good
             education
             .
          
           
             From
             all
             these
             considerations
             ,
             if
             they
             be
             thought
             on
             ,
             as
             in
             the
             presence
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             out
             of
             his
             Word
             ,
             any
             one
             may
             perceav
             ,
             who
             desires
             to
             determine
             of
             these
             things
             by
             the
             Scripture
             ,
             that
             those
             causes
             of
             lawfull
             divorce
             ,
             which
             the
             most
             religious
             Emperours
             
               Theodosius
            
             and
             
               Valentinian
            
             set
             forth
             in
             the
             forecited
             place
             ,
             are
             according
             to
             the
             law
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             prime
             institution
             of
             mariage
             .
             
               And
               were
               still
               more
               and
               more
               straitn'd
               ,
               as
               the
               Church
               and
               State
               of
               the
               Empire
               still
               more
               and
               more
               corrupted
               and
               degenerated
               .
            
             Therfore
             pious
             Princes
             &
             Common-wealths
             both
             may
             and
             ought
             establish
             them
             again
             ,
             if
             they
             have
             a
             mind
             to
             restore
             the
             honour
             ,
             sanctitie
             ,
             and
             religion
             of
             holy
             wedlock
             to
             thir
             people
             ,
             and
             dis-intangle
             many
             consciences
             from
             a
             miserable
             and
             perilous
             condition
             ,
             to
             a
             chaste
             and
             honest
             life
             .
          
           
             To
             those
             recited
             causes
             wherfore
             a
             wife
             might
             send
             a
             divorce
             to
             her
             husband
             ,
             
               Justinian
            
             added
             foure
             more
             ,
             
               Constit
               ,
            
             117.
             
             And
             foure
             more
             ,
             for
             which
             a
             man
             might
             put
             away
             his
             wife
             .
             Three
             other
             causes
             were
             added
             in
             the
             
               Code
               derepudiis
               l.
               
               Jubemus
               .
            
             All
             which
             causes
             are
             so
             cleerly
             contrary
             to
             the
             first
             intent
             of
             mariage
             ,
             that
             they
             plainly
             dissolv
             it
             .
             
               I
               set
               them
               not
               down
               beeing
               easie
               to
               be
               found
               in
               the
               body
               of
               the
               civil
               Law
               .
            
          
           
             It
             was
             permitted
             also
             by
             Christian
             Emperours
             ,
             that
             they
             who
             would
             divorce
             by
             mutuall
             conscnt
             ,
             might
             without
             impediment
             .
             
               Or
               if
               there
               were
               any
               difficulty
               at
               all
               in
               it
               ,
               the
               law
               expresses
               the
               reason
               ,
               that
               it
               was
               only
            
             
             
               in
               favour
               of
               the
               children
               ,
               so
               that
               if
               there
               were
               none
               ,
               the
               law
               of
               those
               godly
               Emperours
               made
               no
               other
               difficulty
               of
               a
               divorce
               by
               consent
               .
            
             Or
             if
             any
             were
             minded
             without
             consent
             of
             the
             other
             to
             divorce
             ,
             and
             without
             those
             causes
             which
             have
             bin
             nam'd
             ,
             the
             Christian
             Emperours
             laid
             no
             other
             punishment
             upon
             them
             ,
             then
             that
             the
             husband
             wrongfully
             divorcing
             his
             wife
             should
             give
             back
             her
             dowry
             ,
             and
             the
             use
             of
             that
             which
             was
             call'd
             
               Don●tio
               propter
               nuptias
               ;
            
             or
             if
             there
             were
             no
             dowry
             nor
             no
             donation
             ,
             that
             he
             should
             then
             give
             her
             the
             fourth
             part
             of
             his
             goods
             .
             The
             like
             penalty
             was
             inflicted
             on
             the
             wife
             departing
             without
             just
             cause
             .
             But
             that
             they
             who
             were
             once
             maried
             should
             be
             compe●l'd
             to
             remain
             so
             ever
             against
             thir
             wills
             ,
             was
             not
             exacted
             .
             Wherin
             those
             pious
             Princes
             follow'd
             the
             law
             of
             God
             in
             
               Deut.
            
             24.
             1.
             and
             his
             expresse
             charge
             by
             the
             Profet
             
               Malachy
            
             to
             dismisse
             from
             him
             the
             wife
             whom
             he
             hates
             .
             For
             God
             never
             meant
             in
             mariage
             to
             give
             to
             man
             a
             perpetuall
             torm●
             ,
             instead
             of
             a
             meet
             help
             .
             Neither
             can
             God
             approve
             that
             to
             the
             violation
             of
             this
             holy
             league
             (
             which
             is
             violated
             as
             soon
             as
             true
             affection
             ceases
             and
             is
             lost
             ,
             )
             should
             be
             added
             murder
             ,
             which
             is
             already
             committed
             by
             either
             of
             them
             who
             res●lvedly
             hates
             the
             other
             ,
             as
             I
             shew'd
             out
             of
             1
             
               John
            
             15.
             
             
               Who
               so
               hateth
               his
               brother
               is
               a
               murderer
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XLI
             .
          
           
             
               Whether
               the
               husband
               or
               wife
               deserted
               may
               marry
               to
               another
               .
            
          
           
             THe
             wives
             desertion
             of
             her
             husband
             the
             Christian
             Emperours
             plainly
             decreed
             to
             be
             a
             just
             cause
             of
             divorce
             ,
             when
             as
             they
             granted
             him
             the
             right
             therof
             ,
             if
             she
             had
             but
             lain
             out
             one
             night
             against
             his
             will
             without
             pr●ble
             ●use
             .
             But
             of
             the
             man
             deserting
             his
             wife
             they
             did
             not
             so
             determine
             :
             Yet
             if
             we
             look
             into
             the
             Word
             of
             God
             ,
             wee
             shall
             find
             ,
             that
             he
             who
             though
             but
             for
             a
             year
             without
             just
             cause
             forsakes
             his
             wife
             ,
             and
             neither
             provides
             for
             her
             maintenance
             ,
             nor
             signifies
             his
             purpose
             of
             returning
             ,
             and
             good
             will
             towards
             her
             ,
             when
             as
             he
             may
             ,
             hath
             forfe●ted
             hi●
             〈◊〉
             in
             ●er
             s●
             for●ak'n
             .
             For
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             speaks
             plainly
             ,
             th●t
             both
             man
             and
             wife
             hath
             such
             power
             over
             one
             anothers
             person
             as
             that
             they
             cannot
             deprive
             each
             other
             of
             ●iving
             together
             ,
             but
             by
             〈◊〉
             and
             for
             a
             time
             .
          
           
             H●
             may
             b●
             added
             that
             the
             holy
             Spirit
             grants
             desertion
             to
             be
             a
             cause
             of
             divorce
             ,
             in
             those
             answers
             giv'n
             to
             the
             
               Corin●hians
            
             concerning
             a
             brother
             or
             sister
             d●d
             by
             a
             ●is-beleever
             .
             
               If
               he
               depart
               ,
               let
               him
               depart
               ,
               a
               brother
               〈◊〉
               siste●
               〈◊〉
               not
               under
               bondage
               in
               such
               cases
               .
            
             In
             which
             words
             ,
             who
             sees●
             of
             that
             the
             holy
             Ghost
             openly
             pronoune't
             ,
             that
             the
             party
             without
             c●e
             deserted
             ,
             is
             not
             bound
             for
             anothers
             wilfull
             defe●ion
             ,
             to
             abstain
             from
             mariage
             ,
             if
             he
             have
             need
             therof
             .
          
           
           
             But
             some
             will
             say
             ,
             that
             this
             is
             spok'n
             of
             a
             mis-beleever
             departing
             .
             But
             I
             beseech
             yee
             ,
             doth
             not
             he
             reject
             the
             faith
             of
             Christ
             in
             his
             deeds
             ,
             who
             rashly
             breaks
             the
             holy
             covnant
             of
             wedlock
             instituted
             by
             God
             ?
             And
             besides
             this
             ,
             the
             holy
             Spirit
             does
             not
             make
             the
             mis-beleeving
             of
             him
             who
             departs
             ,
             but
             the
             departing
             of
             him
             who
             mis-beleevs
             to
             be
             the
             just
             cause
             of
             freedom
             to
             the
             brother
             or
             sister
             .
          
           
             Since
             therfore
             it
             will
             be
             agreed
             among
             Christians
             ,
             that
             they
             who
             depart
             from
             wedlock
             without
             just
             cause
             ,
             doe
             not
             only
             deny
             the
             faith
             of
             matrimony
             ,
             but
             of
             Christ
             also
             ,
             what
             ever
             they
             professe
             with
             thir
             mouths
             ,
             it
             is
             but
             reason
             to
             conclude
             ,
             that
             the
             party
             deserted
             is
             not
             bound
             in
             case
             of
             causlesse
             desertion
             ,
             but
             that
             he
             may
             lawfully
             seek
             another
             consort
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             needfull
             to
             him
             toward
             a
             pure
             and
             blameles
             conversation
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XLII
             .
          
           
             
               That
               impotence
               of
               body
               ,
               leprosie
               ,
               madnes
               ,
               &c.
               are
               just
               causes
               of
               divorce
               .
            
          
           
             OF
             this
             ,
             because
             it
             was
             not
             disputed
             in
             the
             doctline
             and
             discipline
             of
             divorce
             ,
             him
             that
             would
             know
             furder
             I
             commend
             to
             the
             Latin
             original
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XLIII
             .
          
           
             
               That
               to
               grant
               divorce
               for
               all
               the
               causes
               which
               have
               bin
               hitherto
               brought
               ,
               disagrees
               not
               from
               the
               words
               of
               Christ
               naming
               only
               the
               cause
               of
               adultery
               .
            
          
           
             NOw
             wee
             must
             see
             how
             these
             things
             can
             stand
             with
             the
             words
             of
             our
             Saviour
             ,
             who
             seems
             directly
             to
             forbid
             all
             divorce
             excepti
             be
             for
             adultery
             .
             To
             the
             understanding
             wherof
             ,
             wee
             must
             ever
             remember
             this
             :
             That
             in
             the
             words
             of
             our
             Saviour
             there
             can
             be
             no
             contrarietie
             .
             That
             his
             words
             and
             answers
             are
             not
             to
             be
             stretcht
             beyond
             the
             question
             propos'd
             .
             That
             our
             Saviour
             did
             not
             there
             purpose
             to
             treat
             of
             all
             the
             causes
             for
             which
             it
             might
             be
             lawfull
             to
             divor●
             and
             marry
             again
             ;
             
               for
               then
               that
               in
               the
               Co●hiaus
               of
               marrying
               again
               with
               〈◊〉
               guilt
               of
               adultery
               could
               not
               be
               added
               .
            
             That
             it
             is
             not
             good
             for
             that
             man
             to
             be
             alone
             who
             hath
             not
             the
             special
             gift
             from
             above
             .
             That
             it
             is
             good
             for
             every
             such
             one
             to
             be
             married
             ,
             〈◊〉
             he
             may
             sh●
             fornication
             .
          
           
             With
             regard
             to
             these
             principle
             let
             us
             see
             what
             our
             Lord
             answer'd
             to
             the
             tempting
             Pharises
             about
             divorce
             ,
             and
             second
             ma●iage
             ,
             and
             how
             ●rre
             his
             answer
             doth
             extend
          
           
             First
             ,
             No
             man
             who
             is
             not
             very
             contentious
             ,
             will
             deny
             that
             the
             Pharises
             
             askt
             our
             Lord
             whether
             it
             were
             lawfull
             to
             put
             away
             such
             a
             wife
             ,
             as
             was
             truly
             ,
             and
             according
             to
             Gods
             law
             ,
             to
             be
             counted
             a
             wife
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             such
             a
             one
             as
             would
             dwell
             with
             her
             husband
             ,
             and
             both
             would
             &
             could
             perform
             the
             necessary
             duties
             of
             wedlock
             tolerably
             .
             But
             shee
             who
             will
             not
             dwell
             with
             her
             husband
             ,
             is
             not
             put
             away
             by
             him
             ,
             but
             goes
             of
             her self
             :
             and
             sh●e
             who
             denies
             to
             be
             a
             meet
             help
             ,
             or
             to
             be
             so
             ,
             hath
             made
             her self
             unsit
             by
             open
             misd●meanours
             ,
             or
             through
             incurable
             impotencies
             cannot
             be
             able
             ,
             is
             not
             by
             the
             law
             of
             God
             to
             be
             esteem'd
             a
             wife
             ;
             as
             hath
             bin
             shewn
             both
             from
             the
             first
             institution
             ,
             and
             other
             places
             of
             Scripture
             .
             Neither
             certainly
             would
             the
             Pharises
             propound
             a
             question
             concerning
             such
             an
             unconjugall
             wife
             ;
             
               for
               thir
               depravation
               of
               the
               law
               had
               brought
               them
               to
               that
               passe
               ,
               as
               to
               think
               a
               man
               bad
               right
               to
               put
               away
               his
               wife
               for
               any
               cause
               ,
               though
               never
               so
               slight
               .
            
             Since
             therfore
             it
             is
             manifest
             that
             Christ
             answer'd
             the
             Pharises
             concerning
             a
             sit
             and
             meet
             wife
             according
             to
             the
             law
             of
             God
             ,
             whom
             he
             forbid
             to
             divorce
             for
             any
             cause
             but
             fornication
             .
             Who
             sees
             not
             that
             it
             is
             a
             wickednes
             so
             to
             wrest
             and
             extend
             that
             answer
             of
             his
             ,
             as
             if
             it
             forbad
             to
             divorce
             her
             who
             hath
             already
             forsak'n
             ,
             or
             hath
             lost
             the
             place
             and
             dignitie
             of
             a
             wife
             by
             deserved
             infamy
             ,
             
               or
               hath
               undertak'n
               to
               be
               that
               which
               she
               hath
               not
               naturall
               ability
               to
               be
               .
            
          
           
             This
             truth
             is
             so
             powerfull
             that
             it
             hath
             mov'd
             the
             Papists
             to
             grant
             their
             kind
             of
             divorce
             for
             other
             causes
             besides
             adultery
             ,
             as
             for
             ill
             usage
             ,
             and
             the
             not
             performing
             of
             conjugal
             dutie
             ;
             and
             to
             separate
             from
             b●d
             and
             board
             for
             these
             causes
             ,
             which
             is
             as
             much
             divorce
             ,
             as
             they
             grant
             for
             adultery
             .
          
           
             But
             some
             perhaps
             will
             object
             ,
             that
             though
             it
             be
             yeilded
             ,
             that
             our
             Lord
             granted
             divorce
             not
             only
             for
             adultery
             ,
             yet
             it
             is
             not
             certain
             that
             he
             permitted
             mariage
             after
             divorce
             ,
             unlesse
             for
             that
             only
             cause
             .
             I
             answer
             ,
             first
             ,
             that
             the
             sentence
             of
             divorce
             ,
             and
             second
             mariage
             ,
             is
             one
             and
             the
             same
             .
             So
             that
             when
             the
             right
             of
             divorce
             is
             evinc't
             to
             belong
             not
             only
             to
             the
             cause
             of
             fornication
             ,
             the
             power
             of
             second
             mariage
             is
             also
             prov'd
             to
             be
             not
             limited
             to
             that
             cause
             only
             ;
             and
             that
             most
             evidently
             ,
             when
             as
             the
             holy
             Ghost
             ,
             1
             
               Cor.
            
             7.
             so
             frees
             the
             deserted
             party
             from
             bondage
             ,
             as
             that
             he
             may
             not
             only
             send
             a
             just
             divorce
             in
             case
             of
             desertion
             ,
             but
             may
             seek
             another
             marriage
             .
          
           
             Lastly
             ,
             Seeing
             God
             will
             not
             that
             any
             should
             live
             in
             danger
             of
             fornication
             and
             utter
             ruine
             for
             the
             default
             of
             another
             ,
             and
             hath
             commanded
             the
             husband
             to
             send
             away
             with
             a
             bill
             of
             divorce
             her
             whom
             he
             could
             not
             love
             ,
             it
             is
             impossible
             that
             the
             charge
             of
             adultery
             should
             belong
             to
             him
             who
             for
             lawfull
             causes
             divorces
             and
             marries
             ,
             or
             to
             her
             who
             marries
             after
             she
             hath
             bin
             unjustly
             rejected
             ,
             or
             to
             him
             who
             receavs
             
             her
             without
             all
             fraud
             to
             the
             former
             wedlock
             .
             For
             this
             were
             a
             horrid
             blasphemy
             against
             God
             ,
             so
             to
             interpret
             his
             words
             ,
             as
             to
             make
             him
             dissent
             from
             himself
             ;
             for
             who
             sees
             not
             a
             flat
             contradiction
             in
             this
             ,
             to
             enthrall
             blameles
             men
             and
             women
             to
             mis●ries
             and
             injuries
             ,
             under
             a
             false
             and
             soothing
             title
             of
             mariage
             ,
             and
             yet
             to
             declare
             by
             his
             Apostie
             that
             a
             brother
             or
             sister
             is
             not
             under
             bondage
             in
             such
             cases
             .
             No
             lesse
             doe
             these
             two
             things
             conflict
             with
             themselvs
             ,
             to
             enforce
             the
             innocent
             and
             faultles
             to
             endure
             the
             pain
             and
             misery
             〈◊〉
             nothers
             perversnes
             ,
             or
             els
             to
             live
             in
             unavoidable
             temptation
             ;
             and
             to
             affirm
             elswhere
             that
             he
             lays
             on
             no
             man
             the
             burden
             of
             another
             mans
             sin
             ,
             nor
             doth
             constrain
             any
             man
             to
             the
             endangering
             of
             his
             soul
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XLIV
             .
          
           
             
               That
               to
               those
               also
               who
               are
               justly
               divorc't
               ,
               second
               mariage
               ought
               to
               be
               permitted
               .
            
          
           
             This
             although
             ●t
             be
             well
             prov'd
             ,
             yet
             because
             it
             concerns
             only
             the
             offendor
             ,
             I
             leav
             him
             to
             search
             out
             his
             own
             charter
             himself
             in
             the
             Author
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XLV
             .
          
           
             That
             some
             persons
             are
             so
             ordain'd
             to
             mariage
             ,
             as
             that
             they
             cannot
             obtain
             the
             gift
             of
             continence
             ,
             no
             not
             by
             earnest
             prayer
             ,
             and
             that
             therin
             every
             one
             is
             to
             be
             left
             to
             his
             own
             judgement
             ,
             and
             conscience
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             have
             a
             burden
             laid
             upon
             him
             by
             any
             other
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XLVI
             .
          
           
             
               The
               words
               of
               the
               Apostle
               concerning
               the
               praise
               of
               single
               life
               unfolded
               .
            
          
           
             THese
             two
             Chapters
             not
             so
             immediatly
             debating
             the
             right
             of
             divorce
             ,
             I
             chose
             rather
             not
             to
             insert
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XLVII
             .
          
           
             
               The
               Conclusion
               of
               this
               Treatise
               .
            
          
           
             THese
             things
             ,
             most
             renowned
             King
             ,
             I
             have
             brought
             together
             ,
             both
             to
             explain
             for
             what
             causes
             the
             unhappy
             ,
             but
             sometimes
             most
             necessary
             help
             of
             divorce
             ought
             to
             be
             granted
             ,
             according
             to
             Gods
             Word
             ,
             by
             Princes
             and
             Rulers
             :
             as
             also
             to
             explain
             how
             the
             words
             of
             Christ
             d●e
             consent
             with
             such
             a
             grant
             .
             I
             have
             bin
             large
             indeed
             both
             in
             handling
             
             those
             Oracles
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             in
             laying
             down
             those
             certain
             principles
             ,
             which
             he
             who
             will
             know
             what
             the
             mind
             of
             God
             is
             in
             this
             matter
             ,
             must
             ever
             think
             on
             ,
             and
             remember
             .
             But
             if
             wee
             consider
             what
             mist
             and
             obscuritie
             hath
             bin
             powrd
             out
             by
             Antichrist
             upon
             this
             question
             ,
             and
             how
             deep
             this
             pernicious
             contempt
             of
             wedlock
             ,
             and
             admiration
             of
             single
             life
             ,
             ev'n
             in
             those
             who
             are
             not
             call'd
             therto
             ,
             hath
             sunk
             into
             many
             mens
             persuasions
             ,
             I
             fear
             lest
             all
             that
             hath
             bin
             said
             ,
             be
             hardly
             anough
             to
             persuade
             such
             that
             they
             would
             cease
             at
             length
             to
             make
             themselvs
             wiser
             &
             holier
             then
             God
             himself
             ,
             in
             beeing
             so
             severe
             to
             grant
             lawfull
             mariage
             ,
             and
             so
             easie
             to
             connive
             at
             all
             ,
             not
             only
             whordoms
             ,
             but
             deflowrings
             ,
             and
             adulteries
             .
             When
             as
             among
             the
             people
             of
             God
             ,
             no
             whordom
             was
             to
             be
             tolerated
             .
          
           
             Our
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             who
             came
             to
             destroy
             the
             works
             of
             Satan
             ,
             send
             down
             his
             Spiritupon
             all
             Christians
             ,
             and
             principally
             upon
             Christian
             Governours
             both
             in
             Church
             and
             Common-wealth
             (
             for
             of
             the
             cleer
             judgement
             of
             your
             royall
             Majesty
             I
             nothing
             doubt
             ,
             revolving
             the
             Scripture
             so
             often
             as
             yee
             doe
             )
             that
             they
             may
             acknowledge
             how
             much
             they
             provoke
             the
             anger
             of
             God
             against
             us
             ,
             when
             as
             all
             kind
             of
             unchastity
             is
             tolerated
             ,
             fornications
             and
             adulteries
             winkt
             at
             :
             But
             holy
             and
             honourable
             wedlock
             is
             oft
             withheld
             by
             the
             meer
             persuasion
             of
             Antichrist
             ,
             from
             such
             as
             without
             this
             remedy
             ,
             cannot
             preserve
             themselves
             from
             damnation
             !
             For
             none
             who
             hath
             but
             a
             spark
             of
             honesty
             will
             deny
             that
             Princes
             and
             States
             ought
             to
             use
             diligence
             toward
             the
             maintaining
             of
             pure
             and
             honest
             life
             among
             all
             men
             ,
             without
             which
             all
             justice
             ,
             all
             fear
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             true
             religion
             decayes
             .
          
           
             And
             who
             knows
             not
             that
             chastity
             and
             purenes
             of
             life
             ,
             can
             never
             be
             restor'd
             ,
             or
             continu'd
             in
             the
             Common-wealth
             ,
             unlesse
             it
             be
             first
             establisht
             in
             private
             houses
             ,
             from
             whence
             the
             whole
             breed
             of
             men
             is
             to
             come
             forth
             .
             To
             effect
             this
             ,
             no
             wise
             man
             can
             doubt
             that
             it
             is
             necessary
             for
             Princes
             and
             Magistrates
             first
             with
             severity
             to
             punish
             whordom
             and
             adultery
             ;
             next
             to
             see
             that
             mariages
             be
             lawfully
             contracted
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             Lord
             ,
             then
             that
             they
             be
             faithfully
             kept
             ;
             and
             lastly
             ,
             when
             that
             unhappines
             urges
             ,
             that
             they
             be
             lawfully
             dissolv'd
             ,
             and
             other
             mariage
             granted
             ,
             according
             as
             the
             law
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             of
             nature
             ,
             and
             the
             Constitutions
             of
             pious
             Princes
             have
             decreed
             ;
             as
             I
             have
             shewn
             both
             by
             evident
             autorities
             of
             Scripture
             ,
             together
             with
             the
             writings
             of
             the
             ancient
             Fathers
             ,
             and
             other
             testimonies
             .
             Only
             the
             Lord
             grant
             that
             we
             may
             learn
             to
             preferre
             his
             ever
             just
             and
             saving
             Word
             ,
             before
             the
             Comments
             of
             Antichrist
             ,
             too
             deeply
             rooted
             in
             many
             ,
             and
             the
             false
             and
             blasphemous
             exposition
             of
             our
             Saviours
             words
             .
          
           
             Amen
             .
          
        
         
           The
           end
        
      
    
     
       
       
         
           A
           POST-SCRIPT
           .
        
         
           THus
           farre
           
             Martin
             Bucer
             ;
          
           Whom
           where
           I
           might
           without
           injury
           to
           either
           part
           of
           the
           cause
           ,
           I
           deny
           not
           to
           have
           
             epitomiz'd
             :
          
           in
           the
           rest
           observing
           a
           well-warranted
           rule
           ,
           not
           to
           give
           an
           Inventory
           of
           so
           many
           words
           ,
           but
           to
           weigh
           thir
           force
           .
           I
           could
           have
           added
           that
           eloquent
           and
           right
           Christian
           discours
           ,
           writt'n
           by
           
             Erasmus
          
           on
           this
           Argument
           ,
           not
           disagreeing
           in
           effect
           from
           
             Bucer
             .
          
           But
           this
           ,
           I
           hope
           ,
           will
           be
           anough
           to
           excuse
           me
           with
           the
           meer
           
             Englishman
             ,
          
           to
           be
           no
           forger
           of
           new
           and
           loose
           opinions
           .
           Others
           may
           read
           him
           in
           his
           own
           phrase
           on
           the
           first
           to
           the
           
             Corinthians
             ,
          
           and
           ease
           me
           who
           never
           could
           delight
           in
           long
           citations
           ,
           much
           lesse
           in
           whole
           traductions
           ;
           Whether
           it
           be
           natural
           disposition
           or
           education
           in
           me
           ,
           or
           that
           my
           mother
           bore
           me
           a
           speaker
           of
           what
           God
           made
           mine
           own
           ,
           and
           not
           a
           translator
           .
           There
           be
           others
           also
           whom
           I
           could
           reck'n
           up
           ,
           of
           no
           mean
           account
           in
           the
           Church
           (
           and
           
             Peter
             Martyr
          
           among
           the
           first
           )
           who
           are
           more
           then
           half
           our
           own
           in
           this
           controversy
           .
           But
           this
           is
           a
           providence
           not
           to
           be
           slighted
           ,
           that
           as
           
             Bucer
          
           wrote
           this
           tractat
           of
           divorce
           in
           
             England
          
           and
           for
           
             England
             ,
          
           so
           
             Erasmus
          
           professes
           he
           begun
           heer
           among
           us
           the
           same
           subject
           ,
           especially
           out
           of
           compassion
           ,
           for
           the
           need
           he
           saw
           this
           Nation
           had
           of
           some
           charitable
           redresse
           heerin
           ;
           and
           seriously
           exhorts
           others
           to
           use
           thir
           best
           industry
           in
           the
           cleering
           of
           this
           point
           ,
           wherin
           custom
           hath
           a
           greater
           sway
           then
           verity
           .
           That
           therfore
           which
           came
           into
           the
           minde
           of
           these
           two
           admired
           strangers
           to
           doe
           for
           
             England
             ,
          
           and
           in
           a
           touch
           of
           highest
           prudence
           which
           they
           took
           to
           be
           not
           yet
           recover'd
           from
           monastic
           superstition
           ,
           if
           I
           a
           native
           am
           found
           to
           have
           don
           for
           
           mine
           own
           Country
           ,
           altogether
           sutably
           and
           conformly
           to
           their
           so
           large
           and
           cleer
           understanding
           ,
           yet
           without
           the
           lest
           help
           of
           theirs
           ,
           I
           suppose
           that
           hence-forward
           among
           conscionable
           and
           ju●icious
           persons
           ,
           it
           will
           no
           more
           be
           thought
           to
           my
           discredit
           ,
           or
           at
           all
           to
           this
           Nations
           dishonor
           .
           And
           if
           these
           thir
           books
           ,
           the
           one
           shall
           be
           printed
           often
           ,
           with
           best
           allowance
           in
           most
           religious
           Cities
           ,
           the
           other
           with
           express
           autority
           of
           
             Leo
          
           the
           tenth
           a
           Pope
           ,
           shall
           for
           the
           propagating
           of
           truth
           be
           publisht
           and
           republisht
           ,
           though
           against
           the
           receav'd
           opinion
           of
           that
           Church
           ,
           and
           mine
           containing
           but
           the
           same
           thing
           ,
           shall
           in
           a
           time
           of
           reformation
           ,
           a
           time
           of
           free
           speaking
           ,
           free
           writing
           ,
           not
           find
           a
           permission
           to
           the
           Presse
           ,
           I
           referre
           me
           to
           wisest
           men
           ,
           whether
           truth
           be
           suffer'd
           to
           be
           truth
           ,
           or
           liberty
           to
           be
           liberty
           now
           among
           us
           ,
           and
           be
           not
           again
           in
           danger
           of
           new
           fetters
           and
           captivity
           after
           all
           our
           hopes
           and
           labours
           lost
           :
           and
           whether
           learning
           be
           not
           (
           which
           our
           enemies
           too
           profetically
           fear'd
           )
           in
           the
           way
           to
           be
           trodd'n
           down
           again
           by
           ignorance
           .
           Wherof
           while
           time
           is
           ,
           out
           of
           the
           faith
           owing
           to
           God
           and
           my
           Country
           ,
           I
           bid
           this
           Kingdom
           beware
           :
           and
           doubt
           not
           but
           God
           ,
           who
           hath
           dignify'd
           this
           Parlament
           already
           to
           so
           many
           glorious
           degrees
           ,
           will
           also
           give
           them
           (
           which
           is
           a
           singular
           blessing
           )
           to
           inform
           themselvs
           rightly
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           an
           unprincipl'd
           age
           ;
           and
           to
           prevent
           this
           working
           mystery
           of
           ignorance
           and
           ecclestastical
           thraldom
           ,
           which
           under
           new
           shapes
           and
           disguises
           begins
           afresh
           to
           grow
           upon
           us
           .
        
         
           The
           end
           .
        
      
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A69646e-200
           
             Bezae
             Icones
             .
          
        
         
           Notes for div A69646e-1500
           
             *
             Nicol.
             de
             obit
             Bri.
             
          
        
         
           Notes for div A69646e-2070
           
             That
             the
             ●dering
             of
             ●riage
             belo●
             to
             the
             civi●
             power
             .
          
           
             The
             Popes
             have
             invaded
             by
             fraud
             and
             force
             the
             ordering
             of
             ma●iage
             .
          
           
             
               I
               omit
               his
               testimonies
               out
               of
               Cyprian
               ,
               Gelasius
               ,
               Epiphanius
               ,
               contented
               only
               to
               relate
               what
               he
               thence
               collects
               to
               the
               present
               purpose
               .
            
          
           
             The
             1.
             axion●
             that
             Christ
             could
             not
             '
             condemn
             of
             adultery
             that
             which
             he
             once
             commanded
             .
          
           
             The
             second
             Axiom
             .
          
           
             Axiom
             4.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             5.
             34.