Chapter XXV. Of Marriage.

CHAP. XXV.

Of Marriage.

1. Marriage is to be between one Man and one Woman; ⁴⁰⁷neither 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 ⁴⁰⁸of Husband and Wife, ⁴⁰⁹for the increase of Man-kind, with a legitimate issue, and for ⁴¹⁰preventing of uncleanness.

3. It is lawful for ⁴¹¹all sorts of people to Marry, who are able with judgment to give their consent; yet it is the duty of Christians ⁴¹²to marry in the Lord, and therefore such as profess the true Religion, should not Marry with Infidels, ⁴¹³or 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, ⁴¹⁴or Affinity forbidden in the word; nor can such incestuous Marriage ever be made lawful, by any law of Man or consent of parties, ⁴¹⁵so as those persons may live together as Man and Wife.