A69646:131
The Judgement of Martin Bucer concerning divorce written to Edward the sixth, in his…The Ivdgement of Martin Bucer concerning divorce written to Edward the sixt, in his…
The Judgement of Martin Bucer concerning divorce written to Edward the sixth, in his second book of the Kingdom of Christ, and now Englished : wherein a late book restoring the doctrine and discipline of divorce is here confirmed and justified by the authority of Martin Bucer to the Parliament of England.The Ivdgement of Martin Bucer concerning divorce written to Edward the sixt, in his second book of the Kingdom of Christ, and now Englisht : wherein a late book restoring the doctrine and discipline of divorce is heer confirm'd and justify'd by the authoritie of Martin Bucer to the Parlament of England.
London: printed by Matthew Simmons, 1644
Title page typeset from the transcription.
THE JUDGEMENT OF MARTIN BUCER TOUCHING DIVORCE. › Chapter 36
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.
Now is to be dealt with this question, Whether it be lawful to divorce and marry again for other causes besides adultery, since our Saviour expressed that only. To this question, if we retain our principles already laid, and must acknowledge it to be a cursed blasphemy, if we say that the words of God do contradict one another, of necessity we must confess that our Lord did grant divorce, and marriage after that for other causes besides adultery, notwithstanding what he said in Matthew. For first, they who consider but only that place, 1 Cor. 7. which treats of believers and misbelievers matched together, must of force confess, that our Lord granted just divorce, and second marriage in the cause of desertion, which is other then the cause of fornication. And if there be one other cause found lawful, then is it most true that divorce was granted not only for fornication.
NOw is to be dealt with this question, Whether it be lawful to divorce and marry again for other causes besides adultery, since our Saviour exprest that only. To this question, if we retain our principles already laid, and must acknowledge it to be a cursed blasphemy, if we say that the words of God doe contradict one another, of necessity we must confesse that our Lord did grant divorce, and mariage after that for other causes besides adultery, notwithstanding what he said in Matthew. For first, they who consider but only that place, 1 Cor. 7. which treats of beleevers and misbeleevers matcht together, must of force confesse, that our Lord granted just divorce, and second mariage in the cause of desertion, which is other then the cause of fornication. And if there be one other cause found lawfull, then is it most true that divorce was granted not only for fornication.
Next, it cannot be doubted, as I showed before, by them to whom it is given to know God and his judgements out of his own word, but that, what means of peace and safety God ever granted and ordained to his elected people, the same he grants and ordains to men of all ages who have equally need of the same remedies. And who, that is but a knowing man, dares say there be not husbands and wives now to be found in such a hardness of heart, that they will not perform either conjugal affection, or any requisite duty thereof, though it be most deserved at their hands.