But if the unbelieving depart
If the unbelieving party, man or woman, separate themselves from
the believing party on account of religion, and in hatred to it,
and will not live with the believer unless Christ is denied, his
Gospel abjured, and his ordinances and worship relinquished:
let him depart;
he or she, though not without making use of all proper means to
retain them; but if, after all, they will go, unless such things
are complied with as are unreasonable and sinful, they are not to
be held, but let go; and the deserted person may sit down
contented, being not to be blamed, the fault entirely lying upon
the deserter:
a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such
cases.
The Ethiopic version reads it, "to such an one"; one that is
called by grace a church member, and so a brother or sister in
Christ, is not to be subject to an unbeliever in matters of
conscience, in things appertaining to the worship of God, and the
service and glory of Christ; nor, being in such circumstances,
that either Christ must be forsaken, or the unbeliever will
depart, are they obliged to yield to such an one, but rather
suffer a departure; nor are they bound to remain unmarried, but
are free to marry another person, after all proper methods have
been tried for a reconciliation, and that appears to be
impracticable; desertion in such a case, and attended with such
circumstances, is a breach of the marriage contract, and a
dissolution of the bond, and the deserted person may lawfully
marry again; otherwise a brother, or a sister in such a case,
would be in subjection and bondage to such a person:
but God hath called us to peace;
which ought to be sought after and maintained, so far as it can
be consistent with truth, the glory of God, the honour of Christ,
and interest of religion. The believing party being threatened
with a desertion, ought as much as possible to seek for peace and
reconciliation, and do all that can be to prevent a departure;
for saints are called by the grace of God, to follow after and
cultivate peace, not only with one another in their Christian
communion as saints, but with all men, even their enemies, and
especially with such as are so nearly allied; wherefore the
departure should not be easily admitted, or a new marriage be
suddenly entered into, reconciliation, if it can be obtained,
being most eligible and becoming a Christian.