of the i, f fue of Beleevers.. to guelfe what I have faid, anfwers, If the Apoflle had takessin every part of the Corinthians imagined fcrúple, and relayed a. Mr. Blake aooldhave it that if my conjec7ure hold, then he mull write to the Corinthians If any .. brother kith. a wife , that is an idolater, fornicator , a drunkard, or extortioner, let him not put her allay; ret this doth not determine the controverj e fo much agitated, whether the innocent party might marry after a lawful `Divorce, except by degroying the thing fuppofed; that there is a lawful Divorce ; and if it did determine that which Mager Blake makes Dr. Howfons Talent, he needs not Wonder that they did not hit upon thin Text for their pur- pofe, /ithfuch a refolution' of the Apoflle is bred only in Mailer Slakes braine. Matter Tombes at laft (peaks fome truth, and the truth that was (to rife his language) in my braine. This had deftroyed the thing fuppofed, and there could have been no lawful! Divorce; and when tlie.Apoftle had determined againft all divorce and had given charge as concerning the unbelieving wife , fo concerning the wife of fornication., If any man have filch a wife, let him not put her away , why fhould there be any difpute about it either refpedive to Divorce, or Marriage after it? I farther adde q If the Apeflles words bad reached to Fornicatours in this refolution of his, as well as to idolaters, then the queflion whether adultery did di.fìfolve the Marriage - knot. would foon be fatisfied farther fay. ing, Your aquaintance with Mater Wheatley, was I think too late, otherWife you might have faved him the paines.of a Retra- a`ation in this thing, which he ingnuoufly publifhes. He firft profeffes his doubt whether 1 Pak this in jefr or in earnefi, I anfwerin earneft, to (hew the vanity of Matter Tombes his conjecture. Then tells the Reader; "It is true that he " (namely Matter Wheatley) did ingenuouflÿ retracq in a paffage " before his-Care -cl th, the pofition.in his Bride- buff,. The fins " of Adultery, and wilful! defertion diífolve the bond of Matri- mony. And farther addes; If I had been acquainted with him " fooner , and held the fame conjecture that I da now ; yea, and "the Apoflle muff refolve,as Matter Blake imagines would follow. " if my conjecture hold:; yet the fuggeftion of this would have " been fo farre from faxing his Retrac`:tation, that 4 would rather " have neceihtated him to it.. For if the,Apoffle fhould write " thus, l f any brother hath.a wife that isa fornicator, let him n t put her' 327
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