A09377:198
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.
Touching this error, it is to be considered, whether the contract was made absolute, for the time present, & so for ever afterward, or conditional for time to come only. If it were absolute, that is, conceived in terms of the present time, then though the deceit be very offensive to the party deluded, and upon his complaint ought in equity to be punished by the Magistrate; yet it is not of force to break off the contract; because the ability of either or both ⟨p. 73⟩parties belongs not to the essence of marriage. But if it were for time to come and conditionate, then he or she that made promise upon this condition, is free and not bound in conscience to fulfil the promise; unless the condition expressed aforehand be kept, and performed.
Touching this error, it is to be considered, whether the cōtract was made absolute, for the time present, & so for euer afterward, or conditional for time to come only. If it were absolute, that is, conceiued in termes of the present time, then though the deceit bee verie offensiue to the partie deluded, and vpon his complaint ought in equitie to be punished by the Magistrate; yet it is not of force to breake off the contract; because the abilitie of either or both ⟨p. 73⟩parties belongs not to the essence of mariage. But if it were for time to come and conditionate, then he or she that made promise vpon this condition, is free and not bound in conscience to fulfill the promise; vnlesse the condition expressed aforehand be kept, and performed.
Error of the quality of the person, is, when she which was in the espousals taken to be a virgin, is afterward found to be with child by another, before they come together. By this error the Covenant is made void, and becomes a mere nullity; so as the man cannot be compelled, upon true and certain knowledge thereof, to marry the woman; but may renounce her, unless both parties come to a new agreement, or have privately known each other upon mutual consent. For first, God did in express terms command the Jews, that such a woman should be stoned to death: