A69646:96
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 27
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.
CHAP. XXVII.
That what the Lord permitted and commanded to his ancient people concerning divorce, belongs also to Christians.
Now what the Lord permitted to his first-borne people, that certainly he could not forbid to his own among the Gentiles, whom he made coheirs and into one body with his people, nor could he ever permit, much less command ought that was not good for them, at least so used, as he commanded. For being God, he is not changed as man. Which thing who seriously considers, how can he imagine that God would make that wicked to them that believe, and serve him under grace, which he granted and commanded to them that served him under the Law. When as the same causes require the same permission. And who that knows but humane matters, and loves the truth, will deny that many marriages hang as ill together now, as ever they did among the Jews? So that such marriages are liker to torments then true marriages. As therefore the Lord doth always succour and help the oppressed, so he would ever have it provided for injured husbands and wives, that under pretence of the marriage-bond, they be not sold to perpetual vexations, instead of the loving and comfortable marriage-duties. And lastly, as God doth always d•te […], and fraud, so neither doth he approve, that […] his […], that should be counted marriage, wherein none of those duties remain whereby the league of wedlock is chiefly preserved. What inconsiderate neglect ⟨p. 11⟩