A09377:309
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.
Answ. Adultery and fornication are most grievous and open crimes, which do break the very bond and covenant of marriage, Prou. 2. 17. and therefore when they are certainly known by such persons, they are at no hand to be winked at, but the Magistrate is presently to be informed of them. Howbeit, if the innocent party be willing to receive the adulterer again, in regard of his repentance; lest he should seem to favour and maintain sin, and to be himself a practiser of uncleanness, he is to repair to the Congregation, and declare the whole matter to the Minister, that he may understand the parties repentance, and desire of forgiveness.
Answ. Adulterie and fornication are most grieuous and open crimes, which do breake the very bond and couenant of mariage, Prou. 2. 17. and therfore when they are certainly knowne by such persons, they are at no hand to be winked at, but the Magistrate is presently to be informed of them. Howbeit, if the innocent partie be willing to receiue the adulterer againe, in regard of his repentance; lest hee should seeme to fauour and maintaine sin, and to bee himselfe a practiser of vncleannesse, he is to repaire to the Congregation, and declare the whole matter to the Minister, that he may vnderstand the parties repentance, and desire of forgiuenesse.
And if the adulteress hath conceived, and is in travel, the husband to avoid the imputation of having an heir in bastardy, is to make relation to the Church of the repentance of the adulteress; or to acquaint some certain persons therewith, not to the end that she should be punished for the fact, but ⟨p. 119⟩that they may take notice of a child conceived in adultery, whom afterward he may lawfully put off, as none of his.
And if the adulteresse hath conceiued, and is in trauell, the husband to auoid the imputation of hauing an heire in bastardie, is to make relation to the Church of the repentance of the adulteresse; or to acquaint some certaine persons therewith, not to the end that she should be punished for the fact, but