His opinions concerning marriage and divorce, as set forth in several of his prose writings, would, if generally adopted, destroy the sacred character of divinely appointed wedlock.

His views may be found in his essay on _The Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce;_ in his _Tetrachordon, or the four chief places in Scripture, which treat of Marriage, or Nullities in Marriage_; in his _Colasterion_, and in his translation of Martin Bucer's _Judgment Concerning Divorce_, addressed to the Parliament of England.
Where women were concerned he was a hard man and a stern master.
In 1643 he married Mary Powell, the daughter of a Cavalier; and, taking her from the gay life of her father's house, he brought her into a gloom and seclusion almost insupportable.

He loved his books better than he did his wife.

He fed and sheltered her, indeed, but he gave her no tender sympathy.

Then was enacted in his household the drama of the rebellion in miniature; and no doubt his domestic troubles had led to his extended discussion of the question of divorce.