A09377:122
Christian economyChristian oeconomie
Christian economy: or, A short survey of the right manner of erecting and ordering a family according to the scriptures. First written in Latin by the author M. W. Perkins, and now set forth in the vulgar tongue, for more common use and benefit, by Tho. Pickering Bachelor of Divinity.Christian oeconomie: or, A short survey of the right manner of erecting and ordering a familie according to the scriptures. First written in Latine by the author M. W. Perkins, and now set forth in the vulgar tongue, for more common vse and benefit, by Tho. Pickering Bachelar of Diuinitie.
London: printed by Felix Kyngston, 1609
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Howbeit in this case, the rule of the Apostle is to be followed; That nothing be done, even in things that are otherwise lawful, whereby a mans brother may stumble, or be offended, or made weak, Rom. 14. 21. Wherefore it is convenient, that such marriages should not be, because sometimes they may give offence in regard of the law of the Magistrate; and because they come somewhat near to the bonds and terms of blood and stock, which God hath set down in his word. Augustine in his 15. book, De civitate Dei, chap. 16. saith to this purpose, Experti autem sumus, &c. that is, We have found by experience, that in regard of that nearness of blood, which cousin-germans have unto the degrees of ⟨p. 38⟩brothers and sisters, how rarely custom hath admitted those marriages, which were warrantable by laws, because the law of God hath not forbidden them, nor as yet the law of man. Nevertheless the practise lawful in it self, was forborne the rather, because it came near to that which was unlawful, and therefore marriage with the cousin-german, seemed in a manner to be marriage with a mans own brother or sister, &c. Howbeit, there is no question, but in these times it hath been well provided by laws, that such marriages should not be undertaken. For as the multiplication of alliance is hindered thereby, so this inconvenience also groweth from them, that friendship and love which is procured by affinity, between men that are strangers; cannot be enlarged and increased, where men go not out of the limits, and terms of their own blood; Yea, there is naturally in man a commendable measure of shamefastness, whereby upon consideration of nearness in blo•d, he acknowledgeth a due debt of modesty and honour to his next kindred, and consequently estraineth himself in regard of them from he occasions and actions of concupiscence, ⟨p. 39⟩whereunto he is inclinable in respect of others. And hence it is, that generally the modesty that ought to be in those which intend marriage, avoideth as much as may be, these and such like conjunctions.
Howbeit in this case, the rule of the Apostle is to be followed; That nothing be done, euen in things that are otherwise lawfull, whereby a mans brother may stumble, or bee offended, or made weake,