Adultery or fornication committed after a contract, being detected before marriage, gives just occasion to the innocent party to dissolve that contract. In the case of adultery after marriage, it is lawful for the innocent party to sue out a divorce. and, after the divorce, to marry another, as if the offending party were dead.
Unfaithfulness during engagement/betrothal or after marriage and desertion by an unbelieving spouse are biblical grounds for divorce, although the Confession does not mention the last circumstance here. See Matthew 5:31-32 and 19:9 as well as 1 Corinthians 7:10-15. Yet while both Scripture and the Confession permit divorce under these circumstances no Christian is required to pursue divorce.
The current state of marriage in our society and the ease with which one may obtain a divorce from the civil authorities are rather distressing. Unhappily the American church is no different from the surrounding culture in this regard and may even be worse. This is certainly cause for God's displeasure. We are just plain disobedient in our attitudes toward marriage.
Tomorrow: Supporting marriage.
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