affect_v and_o voluntary_a absence_n from_o he_o for_o a_o whole_a year_n and_o half_a together_o and_o by_o continual_a and_o causeless_a quarrel_n against_o he_o that_o it_o be_v a_o causeless_a contrive_v malicious_a and_o obstinate_a desertion_n make_v against_o he_o propagate_v and_o encourage_v by_o her_o rebellious_a child_n and_o now_o beside_o all_o these_o thing_n it_o be_v now_o above_o eleven_o year_n since_o her_o desertion_n first_o begin_v and_o yet_o in_o all_o this_o time_n she_o have_v make_v no_o complaint_n moreover_o this_o respondent_fw-la have_v several_a time_n offer_v she_o to_o refer_v all_o matter_n in_o difference_n with_o she_o and_o offer_v to_o be_v conclude_v by_o reverend_a and_o holy_a father_n in_o god_n the_o bishop_n and_o particular_o by_o the_o late_a bishop_n of_o bath_n and_o wells_n unto_o who_o she_o be_v content_v to_o refer_v herself_o and_o yet_o afterward_o will_v not_o stand_v to_o it_o nor_o to_o any_o other_o bishop_n until_o at_o this_o time_n know_v this_o respondent_fw-la to_o be_v utter_o destitute_a of_o maintenance_n she_o sue_v out_o process_n in_o this_o honourable_a court_n very_o think_v to_o destroy_v this_o respondent_fw-la and_o to_o tread_v on_o he_o in_o his_o distress_n and_o this_o notwithstanding_o he_o have_v be_v hitherto_o so_o kind_a to_o she_o as_o to_o allow_v her_o maintenance_n all_o these_o year_n of_o his_o free_a good_a will_n without_o any_o condition_n until_o of_o late_a by_o mean_n of_o false_a friend_n and_o mishap_n of_o fortune_n he_o want_v daily_a bread_n for_o his_o own_o relief_n and_o can_v not_o allow_v she_o for_o want_v of_o wherewithal_o and_o now_o have_v answer_v her_o scandalous_a charge_n this_o respondent_fw-la be_v ready_a to_o proceed_v to_o the_o mater_fw-la of_o fact_n and_o far_o say_v that_o the_o say_v mary_n tomkins_n together_o with_o this_o respondent_fw-la and_o other_o company_n do_v go_v over_o into_o holland_n upon_o a_o very_a lawful_a and_o good_a account_n have_v a_o licence_n of_o absence_n from_o his_o dioeâ—â—san_n but_o not_o as_o a_o adulterer_n or_o fornicator_n or_o incontinent_a or_o for_o fear_n of_o any_o discovery_n as_o this_o complainant_n malicious_o insinuate_v for_o this_o respondent_fw-la have_v a_o cure_n at_o delft_n in_o holland_n and_o live_v there_o public_o be_v employ_v to_o preach_v untò_fw-la the_o english_a and_o scots_a in_o a_o public_a church_n in_o delft_n for_o most_o of_o the_o time_n he_o tarry_v there_o and_o hold_v correspondence_n with_o alban_n this_o complainants_n son_n all_o the_o time_n who_o from_o time_n to_o time_n send_v letter_n and_o give_v a_o account_n of_o his_o rent_n and_o have_v a_o continual_a course_n of_o letter_n from_o this_o respondent_fw-la and_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o live_v incontinent_o with_o any_o woman_n much_o lef_n with_o the_o say_v mary_n tomkins_n and_o the_o say_v mary_n tomkins_n have_v no_o bastard_n child_n bear_v there_o nither_o can_v any_o such_o thing_n be_v prove_v nor_o be_v there_o any_o fame_n of_o any_o such_o thing_n or_o any_o repute_n of_o a_o bastard_n child_n bear_v there_o but_o true_a it_o be_v that_o the_o say_v mary_n tomkins_n live_v there_o in_o delft_n in_o good_a repucation_n be_v deliver_v of_o a_o daughter_n who_o be_v baptize_v and_o name_v mary_n bear_v on_o the_o 26_o day_n of_o june_n 1688._o about_o nine_o year_n since_o and_o of_o this_o child_n this_o respondent_fw-la do_v confess_v he_o be_v as_o he_o very_o believe_v the_o true_a father_n and_o he_o humble_o conceive_v it_o be_v a_o lawful_a anda_fw-mi well_o bear_v 〈◊〉_d for_o that_o be_v desert_v of_o this_o complainant_n his_o pretend_a wife_n above_o two_o full_a year_n before_o this_o child_n be_v bear_v it_o be_v lawful_a for_o he_o to_o join_v himself_o unto_o another_o woman_n as_o by_o all_o the_o testimony_n aforesaid_a it_o do_v appear_v and_o what_o ever_o child_n he_o have_v at_o this_o time_n be_v no_o wrong_n to_o she_o who_o have_v utter_o forsake_v his_o bed_n and_o this_o child_n be_v but_o new_o conceive_v at_o his_o come_n away_o out_o of_o england_n there_o can_v be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o she_o malicious_o in_o her_o libel_n suggest_v that_o it_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o that_o the_o say_v mary_n tomkins_n be_v with_o child_n now_o true_a it_o be_v that_o this_o respondent_fw-la be_v not_o marry_v to_o the_o say_v mary_n tomkins_n according_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n for_o reason_n as_o aforesaid_a and_o whereas_o many_o will_v be_v apt_a slanderous_o to_o charge_v this_o respondent_fw-la as_o one_o keep_v a_o concubine_n or_o live_v in_o concubinage_n with_o a_o unlawful_a woman_n this_o respondent_fw-la humble_o answer_n that_o in_o a_o sense_n he_o be_v lawful_o marry_v to_o the_o say_v mary_n tomkins_n and_o that_o his_o child_n by_o she_o be_v lawful_o bear_v child_n and_o no_o bastard_n of_o a_o lawful_a concubinage_n in_o a_o case_n of_o necessity_n wherein_o lawful_a marriage_n convenient_o or_o possible_o can_v be_v obtain_v and_o to_o this_o purpose_n he_o humble_o conceive_v himself_o concern_v to_o make_v it_o appear_v according_a to_o god_n holy_a word_n and_o the_o english_a custom_n and_o good_a law_n of_o this_o land_n there_o be_v a_o sort_n of_o most_o lawful_a and_o necessary_a concubinage_n that_o in_o many_o case_n can_v possible_o be_v avoid_v this_o first_o wife_n this_o complainant_n call_v martha_n butler_n be_v never_o lawful_o marry_v to_o he_o this_o respondent_fw-la can_v not_o be_v his_o lawful_o marry_a wife_n and_o yet_o both_o of_o we_o have_v do_v our_o true_a endeavour_n to_o be_v lawful_a man_n and_o wife_n it_o be_v no_o fault_n of_o we_o that_o we_o be_v not_o so_o for_o as_o the_o time_n then_o reign_v few_o be_v or_o can_v be_v lawful_o marry_v but_o we_o be_v in_o a_o fair_a way_n to_o be_v lawful_o marry_v and_o have_v be_v so_o have_v not_o the_o mistake_n of_o the_o minister_n marry_v and_o unhappy_a accident_n prevent_v we_o wherefore_o have_v do_v what_o we_o can_v do_v who_o shall_v blame_v we_o that_o we_o live_v almost_o forty_o year_n together_o in_o concubinage_n and_o be_v never_o true_o marry_v until_o by_o the_o act_n of_o indemnity_n at_o the_o come_n in_o of_o king_n charles_n the_o ii_o our_o marriage_n and_o a_o thousand_o more_o unlawful_a marriage_n be_v all_o make_v good_a in_o law_n as_o if_o they_o have_v be_v the_o most_o regular_a marriage_n all_o of_o they_o that_o ever_o be_v make_v by_o a_o minister_n in_o holy_a order_n according_a to_o all_o the_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n require_v by_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o the_o land_n now_o all_o these_o thousand_o of_o marriage_n which_o be_v make_v by_o the_o directory_n and_o by_o justice_n and_o by_o quaker_n and_o many_o by_o take_v one_o another_o word_n be_v all_o of_o they_o but_o mere_a concubinage_n and_o no_o more_o but_o as_o if_o man_n and_o woman_n have_v go_v to_o bed_n together_o and_o beget_v child_n without_o any_o ceremony_n at_o all_o for_o our_o law_n call_v all_o bastard_n that_o be_v bear_v out_o of_o marriage_n and_o all_o directory_n and_o justice_n marriage_n be_v as_o much_o illegal_a as_o those_o wihtout_a any_o ceremony_n at_o all_o and_o be_v all_o equal_o fellow_n in_o concubinage_n until_o the_o say_a act_n of_o indemnity_n set_v all_o strait_a and_o make_v all_o good_a now_o by_o the_o say_a act_n of_o indemnity_n of_o the_o xiith_o of_o king_n charles_n the_o ii_o it_o be_v express_v that_o any_o the_o subject_n of_o the_o say_a king_n or_o the_o heir_n or_o executor_n of_o any_o of_o they_o shall_v not_o be_v sue_v vex_v or_o inquiet_v by_o or_o in_o behalf_n of_o the_o king_n majesty_n his_o heir_n or_o successor_n in_o their_o body_n good_n land_n or_o tenement_n for_o any_o manner_n of_o mater_fw-la cause_n contempt_n misdeameaner_n etc._n etc._n or_o any_o other_o thing_n suffer_v do_v or_o commit_v before_o the_o say_v 24_o of_o june_n 1660_o against_o his_o late_a majesty_n or_o that_o now_o be_v his_o crown_n dignity_n prerogative_n law_n or_o statute_n any_o statute_n statute_n law_n custom_n or_o usuage_n heretofore_o have_v make_v or_o use_v to_o the_o contrary_a in_o any_o wise_a not_o withstand_v and_o that_o all_o the_o say_a subject_n etc._n etc._n may_v plead_v this_o act_n for_o their_o free_a pardon_n now_o set_v aside_o law_n and_o statue_n of_o this_o realm_n according_a to_o holy_a writ_n there_o be_v no_o more_o ceremony_n require_v but_o consent_n on_o both_o part_n before_o witness_v sufficient_a and_o bede_v together_o according_a to_o exod._n 12_o 26._o without_o any_o presence_n nessary_o require_v of_o either_o magistrate_n or_o priest_n and_o though_o every_o one_o man_n be_v to_o marry_v but_o one_o woman_n who_o be_v to_o be_v lady_n or_o
the_o true_a state_n of_o the_o case_n of_o john_n butler_n b._n d._n a_o minister_n of_o the_o true_a church_n of_o england_n in_o answer_n to_o the_o libel_n of_o martha_n his_o sometime_o wife_n treat_v of_o a_o marriage_n dissolve_v and_o make_v null_a by_o desertion_n and_o of_o a_o lawful_a concubinage_n in_o a_o case_n of_o necessity_n wherein_o lawful_a marriage_n convenient_o or_o possible_o can_v be_v obtain_v psal._n vii_o ix_o o_o let_v the_o wickedness_n of_o the_o wicked_a come_v to_o one_o 〈◊〉_d but_o establish_v the_o just_a for_o the_o righteous_a god_n try_v the_o heart_n and_o reign_n pro._n xxviii_o xxiv_o whoso_o rob_v his_o father_n or_o his_o mother_n and_o say_v it_o be_v no_o transgression_n the_o same_o be_v the_o companion_n of_o a_o destroyer_n london_n print_v for_o the_o author_n 1697._o to_o the_o reader_n wo_n unto_o the_o world_n because_o of_o offence_n say_v our_o saviour_n mat._n 18._o 7._o but_o woe_n unto_o he_o especial_o by_o who_o the_o offence_n come_v woe_n be_v a_o harsh_a word_n and_o be_v speak_v misery_n and_o so_o much_o the_o worse_o out_o of_o our_o saviour_n lip_n because_o his_o word_n be_v never_o utter_v in_o vain_a that_o i_o be_o charge_v and_o that_o deep_a and_o wide_o with_o great_a offence_n hurt_v i_o not_o so_o far_o as_o i_o be_o innocent_a but_o woe_n be_v to_o he_o or_o she_o who_o be_v guilty_a be_v the_o clamour_n most_o silent_a adultery_n be_v a_o foul_a crime_n and_o fornication_n a_o dangerous_a sin_n and_o both_o these_o be_v lay_v at_o my_o door_n and_o the_o smart_n of_o this_o slander_n be_v so_o painful_a and_o sore_a upon_o i_o that_o i_o feel_v it_o wherever_o i_o go_v for_o many_o very_a good_a christian_n and_o holy_a people_n mourn_v for_o i_o i_o find_v as_o if_o i_o be_o so_o indeed_o and_o two_o good_a man_n my_o neighbour_n and_o my_o brethren_n of_o the_o clergy_n suppose_v i_o to_o be_v so_o indeed_o most_o kind_o befriend_v i_o with_o a_o brotherly_a reproof_n for_o which_o as_o i_o have_v great_a reason_n i_o be_v very_o thankful_a and_o return_v they_o my_o thanks_o in_o a_o answer_n as_o i_o think_v meet_v unto_o which_o i_o have_v no_o reply_n but_o other_o more_o barbarous_o have_v hage_v lie_v report_n and_o cherish_v slanderous_a clamour_n have_v increase_v the_o noise_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n suspect_v that_o there_o be_v snake_n in_o the_o grass_n i_o become_v patient_a with_o dumb_a silence_n and_o say_v to_o myself_o that_o day_n will_v speak_v and_o year_n will_v teach_v wisdom_n job_n 32._o 〈◊〉_d for_o though_o much_o be_v say_v and_o more_o be_v think_v much_o noise_n and_o little_a music_n loud_a clamour_n and_o small_a truth_n yet_o the_o testimony_n of_o my_o conscience_n concern_v the_o sincerity_n of_o my_o conversation_n towards_o god_n and_o man_n administer_v joy_n and_o comfort_n to_o my_o soul_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o my_o wound_a reputation_n even_o as_o it_o be_v at_o the_o gate_n of_o death_n 2_o cor._n 1._o 12._o and_o yet_o after_o more_o than_o ten_o year_n wait_v for_o a_o trial_n of_o truth_n i_o find_v myself_o render_v a_o public_a shame_n both_o among_o clergy_n and_o laity_n be_v wound_v at_o a_o distance_n by_o bark_a cur_n who_o keep_v out_o of_o gunshot_n wound_v i_o in_o the_o dark_a so_o as_o it_o be_v hard_a to_o say_v who_o hurt_v i_o while_o to_o my_o face_n all_o man_n seem_v stranger_n as_o if_o nothing_o ill_a have_v be_v once_o thought_n or_o speak_v against_o i_o hence_o be_v it_o trumpet_v both_o in_o city_n and_o country_n to_o the_o ruin_n of_o my_o reputation_n that_o i_o be_o or_o be_v a_o man_n deprive_v and_o cast_v out_o of_o the_o ministry_n and_o my_o benefice_n for_o misdemeanour_n and_o that_o i_o have_v two_o wife_n at_o once_o be_o a_o whoremaster_n a_o contentious_a man_n a_o bankrupt_a and_o a_o beggarly_a fellow_n a_o enemy_n to_o the_o government_n and_o abundance_n of_o such_o like_a stuff_n which_o be_v almost_o every_o titile_o false_a the_o first_o man_n who_o do_v i_o the_o kindness_n to_o say_v thus_o to_o my_o face_n be_v mr._n william_n cuffe_n my_o fellow_n prisoner_n in_o the_o common_a goal_n at_o northampton_n and_o very_o i_o believe_v this_o innocent_a man_n speak_v as_o he_o real_o think_v of_o i_o be_v actuated_o my_o own_o most_o disobedient_a and_o rebellious_a son_n to_o believe_v such_o lie_n of_o i_o and_o though_o he_o speak_v with_o too_o much_o of_o keenness_n beyond_o what_o become_v a_o man_n of_o his_o function_n have_v no_o proof_n of_o what_o he_o speak_v but_o out_o of_o bare_a hearsay_n and_o common_a fame_n yet_o do_v i_o free_o forgive_v his_o slander_n and_o i_o do_v hearty_o thank_v he_o that_o he_o give_v i_o this_o first_o occasion_n to_o vindicate_v myself_o i_o have_v reason_n to_o believe_v that_o the_o groundwork_n of_o all_o these_o slander_n be_v lay_v by_o a_o more_o design_v head_n than_o that_o poor_a man_n shoulder_n be_v able_a to_o bear_v no_o doubt_n but_o a_o diabolikal_a malice_n be_v at_o bottom_n of_o all_o and_o at_o first_o contrive_v and_o start_v those_o false_a report_n which_o cherish_v by_o my_o two_o rebellious_a son_n whereof_o one_o be_v a_o professed_a roman-catholick_n who_o by_o the_o principle_n of_o his_o religion_n be_v bind_v to_o seek_v all_o occasion_n he_o can_v imagine_v with_o safety_n to_o his_o own_o person_n to_o destroy_v i_o as_o one_o accurse_v by_o a_o papal_a decree_n for_o anobstinate_a haeretick_n and_o for_o that_o reason_n i_o have_v disherit_v he_o of_o his_o birthright_n as_o my_o elder_a son_n he_o become_v somuch_o the_o more_o embitter_v against_o i_o insomuch_o as_o his_o mother_n thereupon_o desert_v my_o bed_n join_v issue_n with_o this_o rebellious_a and_o schismatical_a son_n of_o her_o delight_n to_o divorce_v herself_o most_o obstinate_o malicious_o and_o absolute_o from_o our_o marriage_n bed_n after_o we_o have_v live_v together_o much_o comfortable_o and_o happy_o for_o above_o thirty_o year_n as_o man_n and_o wife_n in_o holy_a wedlock_n god_n be_v my_o witness_n how_o unapt_a i_o always_o be_v to_o harbour_v a_o ill_a opinion_n of_o this_o woman_n my_o sometime_o as_o i_o very_o think_v love_v wife_n for_o though_o there_o be_v just_a suspicion_n of_o her_o overmuch_a familiarity_n with_o other_o man_n and_o of_o her_o want_n of_o love_n to_o myself_o because_o of_o a_o purloin_v knack_n she_o have_v of_o private_a sell_v my_o good_n over_o and_o above_o her_o allowance_n and_o by_o keep_v up_o a_o private_a purse_n and_o by_o a_o coldness_n of_o affection_n in_o case_n of_o any_o difference_n with_o she_o intimate_v or_o kindred_n be_v all_o way_n apt_a to_o take_v party_n against_o i_o but_o espcial_o for_o that_o when_o by_o mean_n of_o adverse_a fortune_n in_o the_o world_n i_o be_v drive_v to_o lurk_v at_o some_o distance_n in_o remote_a place_n for_o about_o three_o year_n space_n she_o never_o be_v the_o woman_n that_o give_v i_o one_o visit_v during_o that_o kind_n of_o restrain_a exile_n no_o though_o for_o near_o ten_o month_n of_o the_o say_a time_n i_o be_v a_o close_a prisoner_n in_o the_o fleet_n and_o for_o as_o many_o month_n before_o that_o have_v not_o so_o much_o as_o once_o see_v her_o face_n and_o yet_o she_o know_v well_o where_o i_o be_v and_o want_v for_o no_o conveniency_n to_o come_v at_o i_o and_o though_o i_o often_o importune_v she_o by_o letter_n yet_o she_o will_v not_o regard_v i_o but_o seem_v as_o if_o please_v with_o my_o absence_n and_o as_o if_o at_o that_o time_n she_o have_v begin_v to_o desert_n i_o utter_o and_o yet_o after_o all_o these_o thing_n when_o the_o storm_n of_o my_o trouble_n be_v over_o i_o come_v home_o to_o she_o and_o abode_n with_o she_o as_o former_o as_o if_o she_o have_v never_o give_v i_o any_o occasion_n of_o offence_n and_o at_o length_n when_o she_o do_v utter_o deny_v any_o further_a duty_n to_o i_o in_o her_o marriage_n bed_n yet_o still_o i_o use_v all_o possible_a mean_n to_o reclaim_v she_o for_o one_o whole_a year_n and_o more_o until_o i_o find_v she_o past_o all_o hope_n of_o reconciliation_n and_o then_o i_o conclude_v with_o the_o apostle_n 1._o cor._n 7._o 9_o that_o see_v i_o can_v no_o long_o contain_v it_o be_v better_o to_o marry_v again_o than_o to_o burn_v and_o now_o it_o be_v more_o than_o eleven_o year_n since_o she_o have_v thus_o desert_v i_o and_o yet_o now_o at_o length_n she_o charge_v i_o with_o adultery_n or_o fornication_n or_o incontinency_n or_o with_o all_o and_o yet_o i_o thank_v god_n for_o it_o who_o by_o his_o grace_n have_v preserve_v i_o that_o i_o never_o have_v carnal_a knowledge_n with_o any_o man_n wife_n before_z or_o since_o i_o know_v she_o
and_o never_o have_v a_o child_n by_o any_o woman_n but_o herself_o until_o above_o one_o year_n after_o she_o utter_o leave_v i_o and_o in_o attestation_n of_o these_o thing_n and_o in_o vindication_n of_o my_o proceed_n in_o the_o whole_a mater_fw-la i_o have_v write_v this_o ensue_a treatise_n in_o answer_n to_o her_o scandalous_a libel_n and_o in_o vindication_n of_o the_o nullity_n of_o our_o marriage_n by_o her_o desertion_n of_o i_o of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o a_o honest_a concubinage_n in_o a_o case_n of_o necessity_n where_o lawful_a marriage_n can_v convenient_o or_o possible_o be_v enjoy_v unto_o which_o discourse_n i_o refer_v my_o reader_n as_o to_o the_o malicious_a rebellion_n of_o both_o my_o son_n who_o be_v the_o chief_a incendiary_n unto_o all_o the_o evil_a that_o their_o say_a mother_n have_v act_v against_o i_o and_o yet_o i_o have_v great_a reason_n to_o imagine_v that_o the_o green_a head_n of_o these_o infernal_o inspire_v villain_n have_v yet_o a_o deep_a foundation_n than_o their_o own_o unripe_a pale_n to_o build_v upon_o there_o be_v among_o my_o pretend_a intimate_a friend_n a_o certain_a divine_a of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o he_o pretend_v to_o be_v and_o may_v a_o man_n of_o integrity_n be_v judge_v by_o his_o hat_n and_o gown_n and_o girdle_n he_o be_v so_o cap-a-pee_n or_o may_v a_o man_n be_v distinguish_v by_o his_o graceful_a garb_n a_o smooth_a tongue_n affable_a discourse_n and_o a_o courteous_a presence_n he_o can_v not_o be_v otherwise_o but_o when_o we_o approach_v so_o near_o a_o man_n as_o to_o find_v a_o achitophel_n head_n rabshakel_n lip_n and_o a_o doeg_n hard_a heart_n all_o meet_v in_o the_o presence_n of_o a_o stubborn_a jew_n and_o a_o church-man_n habit_n upon_o the_o body_n of_o a_o secret_o resolve_v papist_n what_o can_v a_o man_n look_v for_o but_o a_o beast_n out_o of_o a_o bottomless_a pit_n throw_v about_o his_o firebrand_n arrow_n and_o death_n and_o say_v be_o not_o i_o in_o sport_n what_o can_v a_o man_n expect_v otherwise_o but_o infernal_o contrive_v mischief_n which_o without_o the_o gracious_a help_n of_o god_n above_o can_v reasonable_o be_v prevent_v i_o have_v receive_v this_o sting_n at_o my_o heart_n and_o these_o humble_a paper_n be_v intend_v as_o a_o humble_a antidote_n against_o the_o poison_n thereof_o and_o the_o good_a god_n grant_v i_o his_o blessing_n therein_o according_a to_o my_o integrity_n let_v truth_n and_o righteousness_n ever_o flourish_v but_o let_v lie_n and_o slander_n of_o the_o ungodly_a always_o be_v detect_v and_o come_v to_o nought_o and_o the_o good_a lord_n of_o his_o mercy_n justify_v the_o innocent_a and_o let_v i_o ever_o escape_v the_o malicious_a plot_n and_o contrivance_n of_o the_o venomous_a lip_n of_o cham_n ham._n and_o let_v not_o the_o innocent_a and_o godly_a son_n of_o the_o pure_a church_n who_o have_v keep_v promise_n though_o to_o their_o hurt_n be_v ensnare_v to_o believe_v the_o gild_a lie_n of_o a_o false_a brother_n amen_n the_o true_a state_n of_o the_o case_n between_o john_n butler_n clerk_n and_o martha_n sometime_o his_o wife_n in_o a_o matter_n of_o marriage_n dissolve_v by_o desertion_n as_o it_o be_v now_o about_o to_o be_v controvert_v in_o the_o honourable_a court_n of_o arch_n by_o a_o libel_n bring_v by_o the_o say_v martha_n against_o john_n and_o the_o allegation_n of_o the_o say_v john_n in_o answer_n thereto_o etc._n etc._n the_o libel_n come_v to_o the_o hand_n of_o this_o respondent_fw-la on_o the_o ten_o day_n of_o june_n 1697._o and_o say_v as_o follow_v in_o dei_fw-la nomine_fw-la amen_o coram_fw-la vobis_fw-la venerabili_fw-la &_o egregio_fw-la viro_fw-la georgio_n oxenden_n legum_n doctore_fw-la almae_fw-la curiae_fw-la cantuar_fw-la de_fw-la arcubus_fw-la london_n officiali_fw-la principali_fw-la legitime_fw-la constituto_fw-la vestrove_v surro_n aut_fw-la alio_fw-la judice_fw-la in_o hac_fw-la parte_fw-la competenti_fw-la quocunque_fw-la pars_fw-la discretae_fw-la foeminae_fw-la marthae_fw-la butler_n uxoris_fw-la johannis_n butler_n de_fw-fr hammersmith_n in_o com_n mid_a cler_fw-mi contra_fw-la &_o adversus_fw-la dictum_fw-la johannem_fw-la butler_n ejus_fw-la maritum_fw-la paroch_n de_fw-fr hammersmith_n predict_v ac_fw-la con._n &_o adversus_fw-la quemcunque_fw-la alium_fw-la five_o quoscunque_fw-la alios_fw-la per_fw-la viam_fw-la quaerelae_fw-la ac_fw-la vobis_fw-la in_o hac_fw-la parte_fw-la querelando_fw-la dicit_fw-la allegat_fw-la &_o in_o hiis_fw-la scriptis_fw-la injure_v proponit_fw-la articulatim_fw-la pro_fw-la ut_fw-la sequitur_fw-la viz._n imprimis_fw-la that_o the_o say_v john_n butler_n clerk_n and_o martha_n butler_n former_o perkins_n daughter_n of_o one_o isaac_n perkins_n be_v free_a from_o all_o matrimonial_a contract_n be_v on_o or_o about_o the_o seven_o day_n of_o may_n which_o be_v in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n god_n 1651_o join_v together_o in_o holy_a matrimony_n by_o a_o minister_n in_o holy_a order_n in_o the_o parish_n church_n of_o weedon_n in_o the_o county_n of_o northampton_n according_a to_o the_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o after_o such_o their_o marriage_n they_o do_v live_v or_o cohabit_v together_o as_o lawful_a man_n and_o wife_n and_o for_o and_o as_o lawful_a man_n and_o wife_n they_o the_o say_v john_n butler_n and_o martha_n be_v and_o still_o be_v common_o account_v repute_v and_o take_v to_o be_v and_o the_o say_a marriage_n have_v be_v consummate_v by_o carnal_a copulation_n and_o he_o the_o say_v john_n butler_n have_v have_v several_a child_n bear_v on_o the_o body_n of_o the_o say_v mar_n ha_o his_o wife_n four_o of_o which_o to_o wit_n simon_n alban_n annsusan_n and_o barbara_n be_v now_o live_v and_o be_v and_o be_v common_o account_v repute_v the_o lawful_a child_n of_o they_o the_o say_v john_n and_o martha_n butler_n his_o wife_n and_o the_o marriage_n of_o the_o say_v john_n and_o martha_n butler_n do_v appear_v to_o be_v enter_v in_o the_o register-book_n keep_v for_o marriage_n in_o the_o parish_n church_n of_o weedon_n in_o the_o county_n of_o northampton_n aforesaid_a hoc_fw-la que_fw-la fuit_fw-la &_o est_fw-la verum_fw-la publicum_fw-la notorium_fw-la manifestum_fw-la pariter_fw-la ac_fw-la famosum_fw-la ponit_fw-la tamen_fw-la de_fw-la quolibet_fw-la alio_fw-la temporis_fw-la spatio_fw-la majori_fw-la medio_fw-la vel_fw-la minori_fw-la &_o ponit_fw-la conj_fw-la &_o divisim_fw-la &_o de_fw-la quolibet_fw-la such_o be_v her_o first_o article_n of_o her_o libel_n unto_o which_o be_v answer_v by_o this_o respondent_fw-la that_o it_o be_v not_o altogether_o true_a be_v stuff_v with_o several_a presumption_n which_o can_v be_v prove_v nor_o apt_o be_v discover_v and_o first_o as_o to_o the_o pretend_a marriage_n this_o respondent_fw-la say_v that_o it_o be_v real_o his_o desire_n that_o such_o a_o marriage_n may_v have_v be_v effect_v as_o in_o the_o libel_n be_v pretend_v but_o in_o the_o year_n above_o mention_v it_o be_v a_o time_n of_o rebellion_n and_o of_o great_a disorder_n both_o in_o church_n and_o state_n and_o the_o lawful_a way_n of_o solemn_a matrimony_n according_a to_o the_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v gainsay_v and_o â—â—erly_o forbid_v in_o those_o day_n and_o forty_o shilling_n fine_a impose_v on_o every_o minister_n as_o shall_v marry_v by_o the_o common-prayer_n book_n and_o hence_o lawful_a minister_n in_o benefice_n dare_v not_o perform_v lawful_a marriage_n under_o the_o pain_n of_o the_o say_v forty_o shilling_n 〈◊〉_d wherefore_o this_o respondent_fw-la be_v ill_o willing_a to_o submit_v unto_o a_o scismatical_a and_o new_a invent_v form_n of_o marrimony_n be_v constrain_v to_o make_v use_n of_o a_o strange_a that_o he_o never_o see_v before_o nor_o since_o who_o be_v a_o man_n out_o of_o benefice_n and_o promise_v to_o marry_v we_o in_o due_a form_n in_o the_o church_n as_o in_o the_o libel_n mention_v and_o in_o presence_n of_o witness_n do_v begin_v to_o read_v the_o form_n of_o marriage_n but_o in_o the_o management_n whether_o out_o of_o mistake_n or_o ignorance_n or_o wilfulness_n this_o respondent_fw-la can_v say_v but_o so_o it_o be_v that_o he_o neglect_v and_o utter_o omit_v to_o use_v that_o most_o essential_a part_n of_o the_o marriage_n whereby_o this_o respondent_fw-la shall_v have_v be_v betroth_v to_o the_o say_v martha_n the_o complainant_n and_o although_o this_o respondent_fw-la do_v whisper_v and_o correct_v he_o by_o make_v know_v his_o mistake_n yet_o he_o amend_v it_o not_o seem_v as_o one_o confound_v and_o in_o a_o amazement_n insomuch_o that_o the_o company_n burst_v out_o into_o a_o loud_a laughter_n so_o as_o he_o do_v not_o take_v this_o respondent_fw-la by_o the_o right_a hand_n nor_o cause_v he_o to_o take_v the_o say_v martha_n by_o her_o right_a hand_n and_o to_o say_v after_o he_o say_v i_o john_n take_v thou_o martha_n to_o my_o wed_a wife_n to_o have_v and_o to_o hold_v from_o this_o day_n forward_o for_o better_a for_o worse_o for_o rich_a for_o poor_a
dame_n of_o the_o family_n yet_o god_n do_v plain_o allow_v of_o a_o lawful_a concubinage_n or_o addional_a wife_n for_o the_o bed_n for_o issue_n sake_n the_o issue_n whereof_o be_v no_o where_o term_v bastard_n either_o in_o old_a or_o new_a testament_n but_o upon_o all_o occasion_n in_o case_n of_o heir_n male_a want_v by_o the_o proper_a wife_n the_o son_n of_o concubinage_n become_v heir_n thus_o ishmael_n son_n of_o abraham_n by_o his_o maid_n servant_n shall_v have_v be_v heir_n if_o isaac_n have_v not_o be_v bear_v of_o sarah_n gen._n 17_o 18._o and_o thus_o rehoboam_n son_n of_o soloman_n by_o naamah_n a_o mere_a concubine_n be_v his_o heir_n unto_o his_o throne_n for_o that_o he_o have_v no_o son_n by_o his_o proper_a wife_n yea_o though_o daughter_n he_o have_v several_a and_o thus_o jephâ—bab_v son_n of_o gilead_n by_o a_o stranger_n or_o a_o mere_a concubine_n become_v the_o prince_n of_o the_o people_n before_o any_o of_o his_o brethren_n bear_v of_o the_o lawful_a wife_n because_o of_o his_o ability_n above_o any_o of_o they_o judg._n 11._o â—_o 2_o and_o 11_o which_o have_v he_o be_v a_o bastard_n can_v not_o have_v be_v for_o a_o bastard_n may_v not_o enter_v into_o any_o office_n in_o the_o church_n to_o become_v so_o much_o as_o a_o constable_n or_o a_o churchwarden_n much_o less_o a_o king_n or_o judge_n deut._n 23_o 2._o but_o be_v to_o remain_v a_o slave_n equal_a to_o the_o gibeonite_n a_o hewer_n of_o wood_n and_o a_o drawer_n of_o water_n and_o at_o this_o rate_n none_o be_v esteem_v bastard_n but_o child_n beget_v in_o adultery_n or_o whordom_n of_o another_o man_n wife_n or_o of_o a_o common_a whore_n and_o such_o can_v not_o inherit_v incest_n be_v a_o foul_a sin_n and_o yet_o the_o child_n bear_v of_o incest_n do_v inherit_v and_o be_v not_o repute_v bastard_n as_o pharez_n son_n of_o judah_n by_o his_o son_n widow_n and_o janna_n son_n of_o joseph_n arses_n by_o his_o nice_a both_o which_o be_v heir_n in_o the_o genealogy_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o therefore_o no_o bastard_n but_o the_o pope_n make_v bastord_n of_o such_o which_o by_o god_n law_n be_v repute_v well_o bear_v and_o from_o the_o pope_n our_o statute_n law_n still_o keep_v up_o the_o practice_n declare_v all_o childeren_n to_o be_v bastard_n which_o be_v bear_v out_o of_o marriage_n so_o as_o childeren_fw-ge beget_v out_o of_o marriage_n be_v a_o sin_n against_o the_o king_n law_n and_o statute_n and_o yet_o no_o sin_n against_o god_n law_n now_o it_o happen_v that_o betewen_v the_o year_n from_o janu._n 1._o 1637_o unto_o the_o 24_o of_o june_n 1660._o there_o be_v so_o many_o hundred_o thousand_o child_n bear_v out_o of_o marriage_n because_o of_o the_o true_a law_n of_o marriage_n put_v down_o that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o remedy_n to_o heal_v so_o many_o disorder_n in_o marriage_n by_o sin_v against_o the_o king_n law_n but_o by_o a_o act_n of_o indemnity_n and_o by_o that_o act_n all_o manner_n of_o sin_n against_o the_o king_n law_n in_o case_n of_o deficient_a marriage_n except_o some_o exception_n in_o that_o act_n express_v whereof_o this_o be_v none_o be_v pardon_v all_o sort_n of_o come_v together_o by_o any_o single_a man_n and_o si_fw-la ngle_a woman_n and_o not_o disallow_v by_o god_n law_n and_o the_o child_n bear_v of_o such_o a_o bede_n together_o be_v make_v as_o lawful_a to_o all_o intent_n and_o purpose_n as_o if_o they_o have_v be_v marry_v in_o all_o thing_n according_a to_o the_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o hence_o all_o manner_n of_o concubinage_n between_o single_a person_n during_o the_o time_n aforesaid_a be_v make_v good_a in_o law_n by_o a_o statute-law_n and_o thus_o the_o marriage_n of_o this_o respondent_fw-la with_o this_o say_a complainant_n become_v a_o lawful_a marriage_n by_o statute-law_n as_o well_o as_o by_o god_n law_n and_o so_o it_o be_v also_o of_o all_o other_o concubinage_n of_o the_o same_o time_n from_o 1637_o unto_o june_n 1660._o and_o the_o child_n of_o such_o a_o bed_n be_v lawful_a bear_v child_n and_o no_o bastard_n but_o be_v and_o be_v to_o be_v take_v as_o the_o true_a and_o lawful_a heir_n unto_o their_o father_n dignity_n and_o estate_n in_o as_o much_o as_o if_o they_o have_v be_v bear_v of_o lawful_a marriage_n and_o now_o the_o second_o marriage_n of_o this_o respondent_fw-la with_o the_o say_v mary_n tomkins_n be_v a_o lawful_a marriage_n according_a to_o god_n word_n bar_v of_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o king_n law_n only_o because_o of_o dangerous_a inconvenience_n in_o the_o way_n and_o be_v in_o the_o same_o state_n as_o all_o the_o concubinage_n in_o the_o year_n aforesaid_a lament_v only_o the_o want_n of_o the_o same_o remedy_n and_o be_v a_o lawful_a marriage_n before_o god_n plead_v for_o its_o self_n as_o a_o lawful_a and_o innocent_a concubinage_n though_o not_o a_o good_a marriage_n according_a to_o the_o king_n law_n 2_o this_o respondent_fw-la farther_z plead_v that_o though_o the_o statute-law_n of_o this_o realm_n seem_v to_o condemn_v this_o his_o deficiency_n of_o marriage_n yet_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o kingdom_n do_v full_o and_o plain_o allow_v of_o it_o for_o first_o whereas_o it_o appear_v by_o the_o chronicle_n of_o scotland_n that_o robert_n stuart_n the_o next_o heir_n unto_o david_n then_o king_n of_o scotland_n as_o his_o elder_a sister_n son_n live_v with_o elizabeth_n the_o daughter_n of_o sir_n adam_n moor_n as_o his_o concubine_n out_o of_o marriage_n and_o have_v by_o she_o three_o son_n john_n robert_n and_o alexander_n and_o afterward_o the_o say_a elizabeth_n still_o live_v he_o marry_v with_o euphame_n the_o daughter_n of_o the_o earl_n of_o rosse_n by_o who_o he_o have_v two_o son_n call_v david_n and_o walter_n and_o after_o that_o be_v crown_v king_n euphame_n die_v and_o he_o marry_v his_o old_a concubine_n elizabeth_n and_o be_v old_a he_o call_v a_o parliament_n of_o lord_n spiritual_a and_o temporal_a to_o advise_v he_o which_o 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