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When one of the parties is of a contrary Religion, the pro∣mises of Marriage shall not be received nor published in the Church, until the party of contrary Religion be sufficiently instructed, doth protest publickly in the Church of the place where the said party is known, that with full resolution he renounces all Idolatry, and Superstition, particularly the Mass, and will by Gods assistance persevere therest of his life, in his
true worship and service, of which instruction the Consistory shall take account. And it shall not be lawful for any Pastor or Consistory to do otherwise, under pain of being suspended, and even of being turn'd out of their office.
Even from the first Ages of Christianity, the Orthodox were forbidden to Marry with Persons which were not of their Communion, but of some other Sect which was looked on as Heretical and contrary. * 1.1 The Coun∣cil of Elebori, or Eluira in Spain, in the year 305, imploys to this purpose the 6th. of its Cannons. The 10th. and 31st. of Laodicea about the year 360, treat of the same thing; But the 14th. of Calcedon is more full; for it pro∣hibits those kind of Marriages, unless him that intends to Marry an Orthodox Maid, * 1.2 doth promise to be converted to the true Faith: The Frier Blastares in his Pandects print∣ed at Oxford, of whom I have spoke already, explaining this Cannon of Chalcedon, makes two considerable re∣marks; first, that the Consummation of Marriage now spoke of ought to be deferr'd until the Heterodox party has accomplish'd his promise; the second, that the same thing is to be required of Latins (that is, to say of those of the Church of Rome) when they desire to marry Women that are Orthodox; an evident proof that the Latin Church was esteemed a Hetorodox Church by the Greeks, in Blastares's time, which was in the XIV. Century.
I may alledge several other Cannons against the Mar∣riages now spoke of, * 1.3 as the 72 of the 6th. Oecumenical Council at the end of the 7th. Century. The 19th. of the 2d. Council of Orleans in the year 533. the 6th. of that of Auvergne, assembled 2 years after, and the 25, and 26 Decrees of the 1 Title of the 2d. Council of Millan, which I cited on the foregoing Article.
If from Councils we pass to Ecclesiastical Writers, * 1.4 we shall find several which have explained themselves after the same manner. St. Ambrose in the 9th chapter of his first Book touching Abraham speaks so clearly, * 1.5 and alleages such strong Reasons that 'tis not to be doubted but he condemned Marriages, con∣tracted betwixt Persons of different Religions; it is what he teaches also on the 118th Psalm, and according to the Hebrews the 119th. * 1.6 And in the 24th Epistle of the Third Book in the 5th Volume of his Works, he is not far from this Opinion. The Deacon Hillary in the Third Volume of the Writings of the same St. Ambrose, explains the words of the 39th verse of the 7th chap. of the 1st Epistle to the Cor. Let her marry in the Lord, by these, to a man of her own Religion; and Balsamon, to an Orthodox, * 1.7 in interpreting the 41 Cannon of the Second Canonical Epistle of St. Basil; Blastares on this same Cannon, to a believing man.
Tom. 1. conc. pag. 234.
Let. G. c. 12.
Tom. 1. conc. Gall. pag. 231. 242.
Tom. 1 p 239, 240.
Tom. 2. p. 1071.
pag. 232.
Lic. G. c. 4.