1778-07-10 (static/transcriptions/1778/07/016.jpg)

1778. 3 Term. [Friday] July 10.

said he beleived it was so, for that all protestant Countries except England, or at least all who follow’d the Doctrine of Calvin, pronounced a Divorse a Vinculo Matrimonii for Adultery, and he said that the Contrary Practice in the Ecclesiastical Courts of England was a Relict of Popery.
Perhaps it may, and yet I think the practice is right, even on principles of prudence alone, without taking into Consideration the true Doctrine of the Christian Religion, for if compleat Divorses could be easily obtain’d many husbands in these times when Religion has little weight on mens mind, would commit Adultery on purpose that their Wives might bring suits against them and obtain Divorces: And Wives might think it a temptation to commit Adultery, that they might be quite freed from their husbands. And Husbands knowing that if their Wives were guilty of Adultery, they might be completely divorced from them, might be careless about their conduct, and not use all the precautions in their power to prevent the
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