First then, they affirme, that the very bond and knot may bee dissolued in the mariage of Infidels, if one of them after mariage become a Christian: his reason is, because mariage contracted in infidelitie is no sacrament, and there∣fore may be dissolued, Bellarmin. cap. 12.
Argum. Saint Paul sayth, If the Infidell partie will departe, let him de∣part, a brother or sister is not in subiection in such a case, 1. Corinth. 7.15.
Answ. Saint Paul giueth not liberty to the one partie at their pleasure vt∣terly to renounce the other, as though they were no longer man and wife: for Saint Paul had sayd before, that if the Infidell partie bee content to dwell with the other, he or she is not to be put away. But his meaning is, that if one partie wilfully depart, the other is no longer bound, nor in subiection for the perfor∣mance of the mutuall dueties of mariage.
The Papists.
[error 30] SEcondly, separation from bed and boorde may be admitted, they say, for di∣uers causes, Concil. Trident. sess. 24. can. 8. Bellarmine nameth three: Forni∣cation, according to Christs rule, Math. 5. Heresie, Tit. 3. An heretike must be auoyded. Thirdly, when one is a continuall offence to another & a prouocati∣on to sinne: If thine eye offend thee, pull it out, Math. 5.29. Bellarmin. cap. 14.
Answ. Fornication we admit is a iust cause of separation and diuorce, but not heresie: for Saint Paul would not haue a woman to forsake an Infidell, 1. Corinth. 7.13. therefore not an heretike. Wee must auoyd such, that is, take heede of their poysoned opinions, and shun their company also, where we are not otherwise bound: Neither is the eye to be cut off, where there is any hope: but who knoweth whether the offensiue partie may returne to grace? And this place proueth as well a finall ••utting off of mariage, as a separation or disiun∣ction.
The Protestants.
FIrst, that there is no cause of vtter dissolution of mariage by way of diuorce, but onely adulterie and fornication: it is plaine by our Sauiour Christes wordes, Math. 5.32. & 19.9. where neither infidelitie nor any cause beside is excepted, but onely fornication.
Secondly, Saint Augustine sometime was of opinion, that the wife might be dismissed for infidelitie: but he reuoketh and retracteth that opinion, Lib. retract. 1. cap. 19. For elsewhere he flatly concludeth thus: A viro non fornican∣te non licere omnino discedere: that it is not lawfull for a woman at all to leaue her husband, if he committe not fornication, De adulter. coniug. 1.7.
And yet further, to make this matter more playne, we acknowledge no o∣ther cause of lawful diuorse in mariage but that only, which is prescribed in the Gospell, namely, for adultery or fornication, Math. 5.32. & 19.9. There is notwithstanding another cause whereby the mariage knot may bee dissolued,