Reformed Christian Studies

Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) Chapter XXIV I. 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] II. Marriage was ordained for the mutual help of husband and wife, [2] for the increase of mankind with a legitimate issue, and of the Church with an holy seed; [3] and for preventing of uncleanness. [4] III. It is lawful for all sorts of people to marry, who are able with judgment to give their consent. [5] Yet it is the duty of Christians to marry only in the Lord. [6] And therefore such as profess the true reformed religion should not marry with infidels, papists, or other idolaters: neither should such as are godly be unequally yoked, by marrying with such as are notoriously wicked in their life, or maintain damnable heresies. [7] IV. Marriage ought not to be within the degrees of consanguinity or affinity forbidden by the Word. [8] Nor