The Unlawfulness of Mixed Marriages, Title page – To the reader
THE UNLAWFULNESSE OF Mixt-Marriages, OR, An Answer to a Book Entituled Mixt-Marriages Vindicated in a Dialogue between A and B
Written by Stephen Tory.
In a Friendly Discourse between E and F.
First, Shewing that for Persons to be joyned together in Marriage, who differ about Institutions in matters of Religion, is contrary to the Law of God, and therefore sinful.
Secondly, That such Marriages being the breach of a Law, that there is a Rule left to the Church to Excommunicate Persons for so Marrying.
TOGETHER With a Word to those Congregations in general, who allow of Mixt Marriages; and another to Mr. Tory in particular.
By John Griffith.
Ne impari jugo copulamini cum Infidelibus, 2 Cor. 6.14.
It is a secret poyson that destroyeth virtue more speedily then any thing. Doct. Babbington.
Whoso causeth the Righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own Pit, but the upright shall have good things in possession, Prov. 28.10.
LONDON, Printed for the Authour, and are to be sold by him, and by Enoch Prosser, at the sign of the Rose and Crown in Sweethings-Atly, at the East End of the Royal Exchange, 1681.
The Epistle to the Reader.
Christian Reader,
THou hast before thee a controversie, that doth not often appear in Print, it therefore may seem strange to some, especially in this day, wherein there should be a healing of Breaches, and a uniting, rather then open, and publick differences heightned and encreased, which is most certainly true yet it hath pleased Mr. T. not to consider the times, but rashly (I may say) to publish his uncouth notions, and preposterous opinions, to the view of the world, on whom the fault must lye, and not on them who answer him, yet I hope Almighty God who brought light out of darkness, will bring forth good out of this contention (which he hath raised) to his People, and may be a means to purge some from their defilements, and be a warning to, and prevent others from falling into that evil some have done, who headily have transgressed against God, in taking them wives of all that they liked, Mr. T's book no doubt is as an Oracle to some, by which they are confirmed and setled upon their lees, and others imboldned to run hastily into the same sin: when a Door is opened to let sin into the Church, and another Door fast lock'd to keep that sin, and sinner in the Church, all means being taken away of purging, and reforming, (all which Mr. T. hath done his best endeavour to do) it's then high time, when such things are attempted to contend against such enormity, which is the thing that moved me to answer him in this publick way; not that I am ambitious at this time, especially to make my name more publick, and popular then it is already, though I am not ashamed of any thing I hold, and am perswaded is a truth, but am willing and desirous if Mr. T. be not convinced (by what I have writ) of his errors, that he will (seeing he hath begun it,) in the same publick manner; (or any man for him) disprove me if he can, and I shall either yield or reply, if the Lord will spare and permit me, I desire to make (as I ever did) the Holy Scriptures my Rule; believing all that is written in them, and that they were written for my learning, and dare not imbrace any thing but what there is Scripture warranty for, nor dare I receive any Doctrine, though never so plausible and elegantly delivered or penn'd, and though under never so many fair and specious pretences, if it come not with this authority thus saith the Lord; therefore if I have written any thing that is not consonant with the holy Scripture, I heartily desire Mr. T. or any other, by the word of God to detect it, and I shall be bound to be thankfull for the same; but if I have the truth, and the mind of Christ according to the Scripture, (giving me those grains of allowance that all men short of perfection and infallability must have) then I hope Mr. T. and all now of his mind and judgment, (upon a diligent impartial and unprejudiced search,) will find what I have writ to be true, which I hope they nor he, will not then insist any longer upon the justification of his mistake, but will be ready to acknowledge his reflections, and labour a reformation, which will be to the Glory of God, the peace and purity of the Church, and the honour of Mr. T.
Reader, I desire thy carefull and diligent reading this answer to Mr. T., and that thou diligently search the Scriptures, to see whether what I say be so or no, if thou art a Believer one regenerated, a Child of God by Faith in Christ Jesus, it highly concerns thee, that thou keep thy body which is the Temple of the Holy Ghost undefiled, if Ʋnmarried, to Marry only in the Lord, and not to yoke thy self with an unbeliever, for the Temple of God can have no Communion nor agreement with Idols nor Idolaters, if thou art an Ʋnbeliever, ungodly, and in the wofull state of nature, thou mayest see that God looks upon thee as he did upon those nations Moab and Ammon &c. Whom God would not suffer the Children of Israel to Marry with, because they were polluted, and unclean, being ungodly Idolaters, even so he forbids his Children now. Marrying with thee, because, being unregenerated thou art not washed, nor sanctified, nor justified in the name of our Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God, 1 Cor. 6.11. By this then thou wilt perceive if thou read and search diligently, that thou art by nature a Child of wrath, Eph. 2.3. And that the wrath of God abideth upon thee; John 3.36. And therefore God will not have his Children that are according to his mercy, saved by the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Tit. 3.5. To be yoked together in Marriage with thee, let this open thine eyes, and cause thee to look into the sad condition of thy Soul, that thou mayest fly to Christ for Mercy, who will receive and imbrace thee in his arms, and wash thee clean in his blood, by which thou wilt receive the forgiveness of thy sins, and inheritance among them that are sanctified, by faith that is in him; Act. 26.18. Which I pray God my labours may be blest as a means of good both to the Souls of Saints and Sinners, and then I have my whole design and end, Who am,
The Servant of all men for the sake of Christ. John Griffith.