The third part of the Defence of the Reformed Catholike against Doct. Bishops Second part of the Reformation of a Catholike, as the same was first guilefully published vnder that name, conteining only a large and most malicious preface to the reader, and an answer to M. Perkins his aduertisement to Romane Catholicks, &c. Whereunto is added an aduertisement for the time concerning the said Doct. Bishops reproofe, lately published against a little piece of the answer to his epistle to the King, with an answer to some few exceptions taken against the same, by M. T. Higgons latley become a proselyte of the Church of Rome. By R. Abbot Doctor of Diuinitie.

R. ABBOT. * 1.1

The limitation of diuorce which our Sauiour Christ hath set down ( a 1.2 except it be for fornication) maketh it law∣full for the party innocent to marry againe, the delinquent being left to the censure of the Church vntill satisfaction shall be giuen of true repentance for so hainous sinne. The Church of England notwithstanding for the preuenting of

some mischiefes that by the wickednesse of men doe arise by abusing the liberty of mariage vpon diuorce, vseth a re∣straint of that liberty, that the parties diuorced shall put in caution not to marry againe so long as they both liue. But the Church of Rome doth openly admit adultery in this behalfe, making it free to the Pope to pronounce of a so∣lemne mariage a nullity, and to giue liberty to the husband to marry againe, the former wife being neither deceased nor diuorced. As for incest (so determined by the law of God) the Pope hath giuen allowance to it in giuing dispen∣sation to the king of Spaine last deceased, to marry his own sisters daughter, as also to King Henry the eight of England to marry his own brothers wife. But that whereof M. Bi∣shop speaketh, for one cousin germain to marry with another, is no incest by Gods law, nor there determined to be vn∣lawfull. Yet thereof we commend that conceit which of old was had of it as S. Austen noteth; b 1.3 that that which was law∣full to be done, yet was abhorred, for that it is so neere to that that is vnlawfull. Therefore albeit by law we prescribe no other bounds than God hath set, yet we disswade such ma∣riages rather than approoue them, lest men by taking the vttermost of that that is lawfull, should thereby the rather presume to that that is altogether vnlawfull. As for the Ca∣nons of the Church of Rome we little respect them, because we know they make no conscience to permit or prohibit as they themselues list, who haue brought in a new deuise of spirituall kindred vnknown to ancient times whereby it is vnlawfull for them to marry ech to other, who haue been godfathers and god mothers tog••ther at the baptisme of a child. Let them make Canons for themselues, but for vs by the grace of God they shall make none.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Protestants allow neither adultery nor incest; Papists doe both.
• a 1.2

  Mat. 5.32. & 19.9.
• b 1.3

  August. de ciu. d••i l. 15. c. 16 ••actum eti∣am••••••••um propter vicini∣tatem horreba∣tur illiciti.