402. i&'rtmoNY. [Bose I[. more influenced by political than religious considerations. Multitudes of. case8 could be given, in which the popes of' Rome contravaned the. law of' God in ref.erence to marriage. But what is particularly worthy? of' obeerution is, that by the ov?er- of' ruling providence God the Pope'8 dispensations to Henry ?III. f'ur- uished the occasion for the extirl?ion of the papal power in ?Eugland, which prepared the way for the Reformation in that kingdom. -" Whom Cod hath joined together let not man put asunder," is a precept of God, with which no human power can dispense. Yet the pope did dbpeose with it im the first place, in the case of Henry and Catherine; and he would have continued his dispensations for future marriages and di- vorces, as history shows, diet not his worldly policy interfere. His dispensations respecting marriage, in England, gave occasion to such steps as finally terminated in the prostration of popery there, and in opening the door for the gospel. The decti*inca and practices, con- nected with indulgences, ?urnished an occasion for the Reformation in Germany.. Other errors an(? enormities of' Rome will present new opporttmities to promote the progress of' truth and righteousness. END OF VOLUME I.
�
