The firstk they deny to wit that the clause of exception in Christs speech [except it be for whoredom] doth argue that the man committeth not adultery, who, having put away his wife for whoredom, marrieth another. And to overthrow this proposition, they do bring sundry answers and evasions. The best of all which as Bellarmin avoucheth, is, that those words [except it be for whoredom] are not an exception. For Christ (saith he) meant those words 1[except for whoredom] not as an exception, but as a negation. So that the sense is whosoever shall put away his wife. except for whoredom; that is to say 2without the cause of whoredom, & shall marry another doth commit adultery. Whereby it is affirmed that he is an adulterer who having put away his wife without the cause of whoredom, marrieth another: but nothing is said touching ⟨p. 4⟩him who marrieth another, having put away his former wife for whore dome. In deed this evasion might have some colour for it, if these words of Christ [except it be for whoredom] were not an exception. But neither hath Bellarmin ought that may suffice for the proof hereof and the very text of the scripture it self is soe clear against him, that he must of necessity give over his hold. For the principal pillar wherewith he under proppeth it, is S.l Austins judgment, who hath so expounded it in his first book touching adulterous marriages: Now of that treatise S. mAustin saith himself in his retractations I have written two books touching adulterous marriages, as near as I could according to the scriptures being desirous to open and loose the knots of a most difficult question. Which whether I have done so that no knot is left therein, I know not: nay rather I perceive that I have not done it perfectly, and throughly, although I have opened many creeks thereof, as whosoever readeth with judgment may discern. S. Augustin then acknowledgeth that there are some wants & imperfections in that work which they may see who read with judgment. And whether this that Bellarmin doth allege out of it, deserve not to fall within the compass of that censure I appeal to their judgment who have eyes to see: For S. Augustin thought that the word in the original of S. Mathews gospel, had, by the Proper signification of it, imported a negation rather then an exception.
The firstk they denie to weete that the clause of ex•eption in Christs speech [except it be for whoedome] doth argue that the mā committeth not adulterie, who, having put awaie his wife for whoredome, marrieth another. And to overthrowe this proposition, they doe bring soudry answers and evasions. The best of all which as Bellarmin avoucheth, is, that those words [except it bee for whoredome] are not an exception. For Christ (saith he) ment those words 1[except for whoredome] not as an exception, but as a negation. So that the sence is whosoever shall put awaie his wife. except for whoredome; that is to saie 2without the cause of whoredome, & shall marrie another doth commit adulteric. Whereby it is affirmed that he is an adulterer who having put awaie his wife without the cause of whoredoe, marrieth another: but nothing is sayde touching ⟨p. 4⟩him who marrieth another, having put away his former wife for whore dome. In deede this evasion might have some collour for it, if these words of Christ [except it be for whoredome] were not an exception. But neither hath Bellarmin ought that maye suffice for the proofe hereof and the verie text of the •cripture it selfe is soe cleare against him, that he must of necessitie give over his houlde. For the principal pillar wherewith he vnder proppeth it, is S.l Austins iudgmēt, who hath so expounded it in his first booke touching adulterous marriages: Now of that treatise S. mAustin saith himselfe in his retractations I have written two bookes touching adulterous marriages, as neere as I could according to the scripturs being desirous to open and loose the knotts of a most difficult question. Which whether I have done so that no knott is left therein, I know not: nay rather I perceave that I have not done it perfectly, and throughly, although I have opened many creeckes thereof, as whosoever readeth with iudgment may discerne. S. Augustin then acknowledgeth that there are some wants & imperfectiōs in that worke which they may see who reade with iudgment. And whether this that Bellarmin doth alleage out of it, deserve not to fal within the cōpasse of that cēsure I appeale to their iudgmēt who have eies to see: For S. Augustin thought that the word in the orignial of S. Mathews gospel, had, by the Proper significatiō of it, imported a negation rather then an exception.
- kBessa•min Tom, 2 contr 4 libr. de matrimonij sacr. cap. 5 16. et 7 The Pamphlet ter in his refutation of the discourse touching the law fullness of marriage after divorceior whoredom.Bessa•min Tom, 2 contr 4 libr. de matrimonij sacr. cap. 5 16. et 7 The Pamphlet ter in his refutation of the discourse touching the law fulnesse of marriadge after divorceior whoredome.
- 1Nisi ob for nicationem.
- 2Extra cousā fornicationis.Extra cousā fornicationis.
- lDe adulte• in conjug: lib cap. 9.De adulte• in conjug: lib •cap. 9.
- mRetractat. lib. 2. cap. 57.
