CHAP. XXV.
Of Marriage.

1. Marriage is to be between one Man and one Woman; ^(a) 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.

a Gen. 2.24. Mal. 2 15. Mat. 19.5,6.

2. Marriage was ordained for the mutual help ^(b) of Husband and Wife, ^(c) for the increase of Man-kind, with a legitimate issue, and for ^(d) preventing of uncleanness.

b Gen. 2.18.

c Gen 1.28.

d 1 Cor. 7 2,9.

3. It is lawful for ^(e) all sorts of people to Marry, who are able with judgment to give their consent; yet it is the duty of Christians ^(f) to marry in the Lord, and therefore such as profess the true Religion, should not Marry with Infidels, ^(g) 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.

e Heb. 13,4. 1 Tim. 4,3.

f 1 Cor. 7.39.

g Neh. 13 25,26,27.

4. Marriage ought not to be within the degrees of consanguinity, ^(h) or Affinity forbidden in the word; nor can such incestuous Marriage ever be made lawful, by any law of Man or consent of parties, ⁽ⁱ⁾ so as those persons may live together as Man and Wife.

h Levit. 18.

i Mar. 6.18. 1 Cor. 5.1.