Chapter 24: Of Marriage, and Divorce

Marriage is to be between one Man and one Woman: neither is it lawful for any Man to have more then one Wife, nor for any Woman to have more then one Husband; at the same time.^a

Marriage is to be between one Man and one Woman: neither is it lawful for any Man to have more then one Wife, nor for any Woman to have more then one Husband; at the same time.^a

Marriage was ordained for the mutual help of Husband and Wife,^a for the increase of mankinde with a legitimate issue, and of the Church with an holy seed;^b and, for preventing of uncleanness.^c

Marriage was ordained for the mutual help of Husband and Wife,^a for the increase of mankind with a legitimate issue, and of the Church with an holy seed;^b and, for preventing of uncleanness.^c

It is lawful for all sorts of people to marry, who are able with judgment, to give their consent.^a Yet, is it the duty of Christians to marry only in the Lord:^b And therefore such as profess the true reformed Religion, should not marry with Infidels, Papists, or other Idolaters: Neither should such as are godly, be unequally yoked, by marrying with such as are notoriously wicked in their life, or maintain damnable Heresies.^c

It is lawful for all sorts of people to marry, who are able with judgment, to give their consent.^a Yet, is it the duty of Christians to marry only in the Lord:^b And therefore such as profess the true reformed Religion, should not marry with Infidels, Papists, or other Idolaters: Neither should such as are godly, be unequally yoked, by marrying with such as are notoriously wicked in their life, or maintain damnable Heresies.^c

Marriage ought not to be within the degrees of Consanguinity or Affinity forbidden in the Word;^a Nor can such incestuous marriages ever be made lawful by any Law of man or consent of Parties, so as those persons may live together as man and wife.^b The man may not marry any of his wives kindred, nearer in blood, then he may of his own; nor, the woman, of her husbands kindred, nearer in blood, then of her own.^c

Marriage ought not to be within the degrees of Consanguinity or Affinity forbidden in the Word;^a Nor can such incestuous marriages ever be made lawful by any Law of man or consent of Parties, so as those persons may live together as man and wife.^b The man may not marry any of his wives kindred, nearer in blood, then he may of his own; nor, the woman, of her husbands kindred, nearer in blood, then of her own.^c

Adultery, or fornication committed after a Contract, being detected before marriage, giveth just occasion to the innocent party to dissolve that Contract.^a In the case of Adultery after marriage, it is lawful for the innocent party to sue out a Divorce:^b And, after the Divorce, to marry another, as if the offending party were dead.^c

Adultery, or fornication committed after a Contract, being detected before marriage, gives just occasion to the innocent party to dissolve that Contract.^a In the case of Adultery after marriage, it is lawful for the innocent party to sue out a Divorce:^b And, after the Divorce, to marry another, as if the offending party were dead.^c

Although the corruption of man be such as is apt to study arguments, unduely to put asunder those whom God hath joyned together in marriage: yet, nothing but Adultery, or such wilful desertion as can no way be remedied, by the Church, or Civil Magistrate, is cause sufficient of dissolving the bond of marriage:^a Wherein, a publique, and orderly course of Proceeding, is to be observed; And, the persons concerned in it, not left to their own wills and discretion, in their own case.^b

Although the corruption of man be such as is apt to study arguments, unduely to put asunder those whom God has joined together in marriage: yet, nothing but Adultery, or such wilful desertion as can no way be remedied, by the Church, or Civil Magistrate, is cause sufficient of dissolving the bond of marriage:^a Wherein, a public, and orderly course of Proceeding, is to be observed; And, the persons concerned in it, not left to their own wills and discretion, in their own case.^b