The sermons of Master Henry Smith gathered into one volume. Printed according to his…The sermons of Maister Henrie Smith gathered into one volume. Printed according to his…

So parents should say to suitors, I may not give my daughter to a man unsanctified, but if you will be sanctified, then I will give my daughter unto you. Though heresy and irreligion be not a cause of divorce, as Paul teacheth, yet it is a cause of restraint, for we may not marry all, with whom we may live being married. If adultery may separate marriage, shall not idolatry hinder marriage, which is worse than it?¹ Christ saith; Let no man separate whom God hath joined, ²so I may say, Let no man join whom God doth separate. For if our father must be pleased with our marriage, much more should we please that Father which ordained marriage.

So parents should say to suiters, I may not giue my daughter to a man vnsanctified, but if you will be sanctified, then I will giue my daughter vnto you. Though heresie and irreligion be not a cause of diuorce, as Paul teacheth, yet it is a cause of restraint, for we may not marry all, with whom we may liue being married. If adultery may separate marriage, shall not idolatrie hinder marriage, which is worse than it?¹ Christ saith; Let no man separate whom God hath ioyned, ²so I may say, Let no man ioyne whom God doth separate. For if our father must be pleased with our mariage, much more should we please that Father which ordeined marriage.

1. 1Mat. 29. 6.
2. 2Mark. 10. 9

Shall I say, Be my wife, to whom I may not say,