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…

And this all godly men will soon apprehend, that he who ought to be the head and preserver not only of his wife, but also of his children and family, as Christ is of his Church, had need be one of honest name: so likewise the wife which is to be the meet help of an honest and good man, the mother of an honest off-spring and family, the glory of the man, even as the man is the glory of Christ, should not be tainted with ignominy; as neither of them can avoid to be, having bin justly appeacht of those forenamed crimes; and therefore cannot be worthy to hold their place in a Christian family: yea they themselves turn out themselves and dissolve that holy covenant. And they who are true brethren and sisters in the Lord, are no more in bondage to such violators of marriage.

And this all godly men will soon apprehend, that he who ought to be the head and preserver not only of his wife, but also of his children and family, as Christ is of his Church, had need be one of honest name: so likewise the wife which is to be the meet help of an honest and good man, the mother of an honest off-spring and family, the glory of the man, ev'n as the man is the glory of Christ, should not be tainted with ignominy; as neither of them can avoid to be, having bin justly appeacht of those forenamed crimes; and therfore cannot be worthy to hold thir place in a Christian family: yea they themselvs turn out themselvs and dissolv that holy covnant. And they who are true brethren and sisters in the Lord, are no more in bondage to such violaters of mariage.

But here the Patrons of wickedness and dissolvers of Christian discipline will object, that it is the part of man and wife to bear one another's cross, whether in calamity, or infamy, that they might gain each other, if not to a good name, yet to repentance and amendment. But they who thus object, seek the impunity of wickedness, and the favour of wicked men, not the duties of true charity; which prefers ⟨p. 19⟩public honesty before private interest; and had rather the remedies of wholesome punishment appointed by God should be in use, then that by remissness the licence of evil doing should increase. For if they who by committing such offences, have made void the holy knot of marriage, be capable of repentance, they will be sooner moved when due punishment is executed on them; then when it is remitted.