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CHAP. IX.
Of Marrying at Unsuitable Years.
T is true, that the Laws of Matrimony have not prescribed us to Years, except in the Case of Infancy and Childhood, and the Reasons for that are obvious; but, as is mentioned before, where the Laws are Silent, there the general Rules of Reason and Religion take Place, and are Laws to Christians and to Men of Reason, as is the Case of our Limitations in Meats and Drinks. We are not limited or directed to what, when, or how much we shall eat or drink; but all Excesses in either are sinful; and so all scandalous and indecent Things among Christians are sinful and unlawful; and the Rules of Decency and Sobriety have certainly the Force of Laws to those who profess themselves Christians, as much as if they were expressly mentioned in the Decalogue it self.
Now to judge of Decency with respect to the disparity of Years in Persons marrying, I think we need go no farther than to bring it down to the original Word, Modesty, of which I took notice in the Introduction; and, I think, this may pass for a Maxim, that what can't be Modest is not Decent; or, if you will, transpose the Particles is and can, and read it thus:That
