The Theater of Gods Judgments, Book 2 · Chapter 24
CHAP. XXIIII. Of Whoredomes committed under colour of Marriage.
SEeing that oftentimes it falleth out, that those which in shew seem most honest, thinke it a thing lawfull to converse together as man and wife by some secret and private contract, without making account of the publike celebration of Marriage as necessary, but for some worldly respects, according as their foolish and disordinate affections misperswadeth them, to dispence therewith: It shall not be impertinent as we go, to give warning how unlawfull all such conversation is, and how contrary to good manners, and to the laudable customes of all civill and well governed people. For it is so far from deserving the name of Marriage, that on the other side it can be nothing but plain whoredom and fornication: the which name and title Tertullian giveth to all secret and privy meeting which have not been allowed Corn. Tacit.of, received, and blessed by the Church of God. Again, besides the evill examples which is exhibited, there is this mischief moreover, that the children of such a bed cannot be esteemed legitimate, yea God himselfe accurseth such law lesse familiarity, as the mischiefes that arise therefrom do declare, whereof this one example which we alledge shall serve for sufficient proof.
In the reigne of Lewis the Ninth, King of France, and Iulius the Second, Pope of Rome, there was a Gentleman of Naples called Antonio Bologne, that had been Governour of Fredericke of Arragons house, when he was King of Naples, and had the same Office under the Duchesse of Malfi after she was widow; with whom in protract of time he grew to have such secret and privie acquaintance (albeit she was a princesse and he her servant) that he enjoyeed her as his owne wife. And thus they conversed secretly together under the colour of Marriage accorded betwixt them, the space of certain yeares, untill she had bore unto him three children: by which meanes their private dealings which they so much desired to smother and keep close, burst out and bewrayed it selfe. The matter being come to her brothers eares, they took it so to the heart, that they could not rest untill they had revenged the vile injury and dishonour which they pretended to have been done to them and their whole house, equally by them both. Therefore when they had chased them first from Ancona, whither in hope of quietnesse they had fled out of Naples, they drave them also out of Tuscane: who seeing themselves so hotly pursued on every side, resolved to make towards Venice, thinking there to finde some safety: But in the midway she was overtaken, and brought backe to Naples, where in short space she miserably ended her life: for her brothers Guard strangled her to death, together with her chambermaid, who had served in stead of a Baud to them; and her poor infants which she had by the said Bologne. But he by the goodnesse of his horse escaping, took his flight to Milan, where he sojourned quietly a long while, untill at the instant pursuit of one of her brothers, the Cardinall of Arragon, he was slain in the open streets, when he least mistrusted any present danger. And this was a true Cardinall like exploit indeed, representing that mildenesse, mercifulnesse, and good nature which is so required of every Christian, in traiterously murdering a man so many yeares after the first rancour was conceived, that might well in halfe that space have been digested, in fostering hatred so long in his cruell heart, and waging ruffians and murderers to commit so monstrous an act: wherein albeir the Cardinals cruelty was most famous, as also in putting to death the poor infants, yet Gods justice bare the sway, that used him as an instrument to punish those who under the vail of secret Marriage thought it lawfull for them to commit any villany. And thus God busieth sometime the most wicked about his will, and maketh the rage and fury of the Devill himselfe serve for meanes to bring to passe his fearfull judgements.