OF MARRIAGE

1.  Marriage is to be between one man and one woman; neither is it lawful for any man to have more than one wife, nor for any woman to have more than one husband at the same time.[1]

2.  Marriage was ordained for the mutual help of husband and wife, for the increase of mankind with a legitimate issue, and the preventing of uncleanness. [2]

3.  It is lawful for all sorts of people to marry if they are able with judgment to give their consent; yet it is the duty of Christians to marry in the Lord; and therefore such as profess the true religion, should not marry with infidels or idolaters; neither should such as are godly, be unequally yoked by marrying with those who are wicked in their life, or maintain damnable heresy.[3]

4.  Marriage ought not to be within the degrees of blood relation or affinity, forbidden in the Word; nor can such incestuous marriages ever be made lawful, by any law of man or consent of parties, so that such persons may live together as man and wife.[4]