Reformed Covenanter
Cancelled Commissioner
Thirdly, here may be asked, whether after divorce for adultery, the parties divorced may marry again, without committing adultery? This point hath bin diversely discussed, we will consider the reasons on both sides; First, for the lawfulness of it, especially to the party innocent.
1. From Christ’s doctrine in this place; for in his answer to the false interpretation of Moses’ politick Law, touching divorce, he first propounds a general rule, and then puts an exception thereto: the nature of which exception is, always to imply and put down the contrary to the general rule. As in this place; the general rule is, Whosoever putteth away his wife, causeth her to commit adultery; & he that marrieth her committeth adultery. The exception then must be contrary; namely, that in the case of adultery, he that puts away his wife, lawfully convicted thereof, causeth her not to commit adultery; neither he that marrieth her that is divorced, doth commit adultery. If it be said, that Christ propounded two rules, one for the case of divorce, the other for the case of marrying after divorce; & applieth his exception for adultery only to the case of divorce, and not to the case of marriage after divorce.
Ans. As the exception for adultery, is here in this chapter joined with the case of divorce; he that putteth away his wife, except it be for fornication, &c. so in the 19. cha. v. 9. the same exception for adultery, is expressly applied not only to the case of divorce, but also to the case of marriage after divorce; saying, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and marry another, committeth adultery: so that if in this place the exception make the divorce lawful for adultery, then in the 19. chapter, it maketh it lawful to marry again after such divorce, without the guilt of adultery. 2. The innocent party is not to be punished for the wilfulness of the offender, and therefore the party that is faultless may with good conscience marry again, after lawful divorce. 3. God hath provided marriage to be a remedy against incontinency for all persons, 1. Corinth. 7. 2. ...
For more, see William Perkins on divorce and remarriage.
This extract is too long to post in full here but it is worth reading in full if you get the opportunity.
1. From Christ’s doctrine in this place; for in his answer to the false interpretation of Moses’ politick Law, touching divorce, he first propounds a general rule, and then puts an exception thereto: the nature of which exception is, always to imply and put down the contrary to the general rule. As in this place; the general rule is, Whosoever putteth away his wife, causeth her to commit adultery; & he that marrieth her committeth adultery. The exception then must be contrary; namely, that in the case of adultery, he that puts away his wife, lawfully convicted thereof, causeth her not to commit adultery; neither he that marrieth her that is divorced, doth commit adultery. If it be said, that Christ propounded two rules, one for the case of divorce, the other for the case of marrying after divorce; & applieth his exception for adultery only to the case of divorce, and not to the case of marriage after divorce.
Ans. As the exception for adultery, is here in this chapter joined with the case of divorce; he that putteth away his wife, except it be for fornication, &c. so in the 19. cha. v. 9. the same exception for adultery, is expressly applied not only to the case of divorce, but also to the case of marriage after divorce; saying, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and marry another, committeth adultery: so that if in this place the exception make the divorce lawful for adultery, then in the 19. chapter, it maketh it lawful to marry again after such divorce, without the guilt of adultery. 2. The innocent party is not to be punished for the wilfulness of the offender, and therefore the party that is faultless may with good conscience marry again, after lawful divorce. 3. God hath provided marriage to be a remedy against incontinency for all persons, 1. Corinth. 7. 2. ...
For more, see William Perkins on divorce and remarriage.
This extract is too long to post in full here but it is worth reading in full if you get the opportunity.