CHAP. XXV.

Of Marriage.

1. Marriage is to be between one Man and one Woman; ⁴⁰⁷⁴⁰⁷Gen. 2.24. Mal. 2 15. Mat. 19.5,6.neither is it lawful for any man to have more then one Wife, nor for any Woman to have more then one Husband at the same time.

2. Marriage was ordained for the mutual help ⁴⁰⁸⁴⁰⁸ Gen. 2.18.of Husband and Wife, ⁴⁰⁹⁴⁰⁹ Gen 1.28.for the increase of Man-kind, with a legitimate issue, and for ⁴¹⁰⁴¹⁰1 Cor. 7 2,9.preventing of uncleanness.

3. It is lawful for ⁴¹¹⁴¹¹Heb. 13,4. 1 Tim. 4,3.all sorts of people to Marry, who are able with judgment to give their consent; yet it is the duty of Christians ⁴¹²⁴¹²1 Cor. 7.39.to marry in the Lord, and therefore such as profess the true Religion, should not Marry with Infidels, ⁴¹³⁴¹³Neh. 13 25,26,27.or Idolaters; neither should such as are godly be unequally yoked, by marrying with such as are wicked, in their life, or maintain damnable Heresie.

4. Marriage ought not to be within the degrees of consanguinity, ⁴¹⁴⁴¹⁴Levit. 18.or Affinity forbidden in the word; nor can such incestuous Marriage ever be made lawful, by any law of Man or consent of parties, ⁴¹⁵⁴¹⁵Mar. 6.18. 1 Cor. 5.1.so as those persons may live together as Man and Wife.