XXV. Of Marriage
1. Marriage is to be between one Man and one Woman; aneither 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.
aGen. 2:24; Mal. 2:15; Matt. 19:5–6
2. Marriage was ordained for the mutual help aof Husband and Wife, bfor the increase of Mankind, with a legitimate issue, and for cpreventing of uncleanness.
aGen. 2:18 bGen. 1:28 c1 Cor. 7:2, 9
3. It is lawful for aall sorts of people to Marry, who are able with judgment to give their consent; yet it is the duty of Christians bto marry in the Lord, and therefore such as profess the true Religion, should not Marry with Infidels, cor Idolaters; neither should such as are godly be unequally yoked, by marrying with such as are wicked, in their life, or maintain damnable Heresy.
aHeb. 13:4; 1 Tim. 4:3 b1 Cor. 7:39 cNeh. 13:25–27
4. Marriage ought not to be within the degrees of consanguinity, aor Affinity forbidden in the word; nor can such incestuous Marriage ever be made lawful, by any law of Man or consent of parties, bso as those persons may live together as Man and Wife.
aLev. 18:1–30 bMark 6:18; 1 Cor. 5:1