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…

However, if we know at all, when to ascribe the occurrences of this life to the work of a special providence, as nothing is more usual in the talk of good men, what can be more like to a special providence of God, then in the first reformation of England, that this question of divorce, as a main thing to be restored to just freedom, was written, and seriously commended to Edward the sixth, by a man called from another Country to be the instructor of our nation, and now in this present renewing of the Church and Common-wealth, which we pray may be more lasting, that the same question should be again treated and presented to this Parliament, by one enabled to use the same reasons without the lest sight or knowledge of what was done before. It were no trespass, Lords and Commons, though something of less note were attributed to the ordering of a heavenly power; this question therefore of such prime concernment both to Christian and civil welfare, in such an extraordinary manner, not recovered, but plainly twice born to these latter ages, as from a divine hand I tender to your acceptance, and most considerate thoughts. Think not that God raised up in vain a man of greatest a•ority in the Church to tell a trivial and licentious tale in the ears of that good Prince, and to bequeath it as his last will and testament, nay rather as the testament and royal law of Christ to this Nation, or that it should of it self after so many years, as it were in a new field where it was never sown, grow up again as a vicious plant in the mind of another, who had spoke honestest things to the Nation; though he knew not that what his youth then reasoned without a pattern, had bin heard already, and well allowed from the gravity and worth of Martin Bucer: till meeting with the envy of men ignorant in their own undertaken calling, God directed him to the forgotten Writings of this faithful Evangelist, to be his defence and warrant against the gross imputation of broaching licence. Ye are now in the glorious way to high virtue, and matchless deeds, trusted with a most inestimable trust, the asserting of our just liberties. Ye have a nation that expects now, and from mighty sufferings aspires to be the example of all Christendom to a perfectest reforming.

However, if we know at all, when to ascribe the occurrences of this life to the work of a special providence, as nothing is more usual in the talk of good men, what can be more like to a special providence of God, then in the first reformation of England, that this question of divorce, as a main thing to be restor'd to just freedom, was writt'n, and seriously cmmended to Edward the sixt, by a man call'd from another Countrey to be the instructer of our nation, and now in this presnt renewing of the Church and Common-wealth, which we pray may be more lasting, that the same question should be again treated and presented to this Parlament, by one enabl'd to use the same reasons without the lest sight or knowledge of what was done before. It were no trespas, Lords and Commons, though something of lesse note were attributed to the ordering of a heavnly power; this question therfore of such prime concernment both to Christian and civil welfare, in such an extraordinary manner, not recover'd, but plainly twise born to these latter ages, as from a divine hand I tender to your acceptance, and most considerate thoughts. Think not that God rais'd up in vain a man of greatest aority in the Church to tell a trivial and licentious tale in the eares of that good Prince, and to bequeath it as his last will and testament, nay rather as the testamont and royall law of Christ to this Nation, or that it should of it self after so many yeares, as it were in a new feild where it was never sow'n, grow up again as a vitious plant in the minde of another, who had spoke honestest things to the Nation; though he knew not that what his youth then reason'd without a pattern, had bin heard already, and well allow'd from the gravity and worth of Martin Bucer: till meeting with the envy of men ignorant in thir own undertak'n calling, God directed him to the forgott'n Writings of this faithfull Evangelist, to be his defence and warrant against the gross imputation of broaching licence. Ye are now in the glorious way to high vertu, and matchless deeds, trusted with a most inestimable trust, the asserting of our just liberties. Ye have a nation that expects now, and from mighty suffrings aspires to be the example of all Christendom to a perfetest reforming.