Page:Unlawfulmarriage00jane.djvu/66

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62
CONSEQUENCES OF THE

stances of awful grandeur, the ten commandments, and afterwards engraved them on two tables of stone; and thus furnished them with a complete written summary of moral duties, in all their branches. Nor did his kindness here cease. Many inspired teachers were, in successive ages, raised up to explain and unfold the duties so comprehensively set forth in the ten commandments; till his own Son came, and his inspired apostles, who threw additional light on the moral law, and explained it in all its spiritual and extensive meaning.

Now, when all this is duly considered, does it appear probable that God has left the subject of incest, a branch of moral duty so important, in that imperfect state of instruction in which the Puritan has placed it? There is no presumption in this question. We only infer, from what God has done for his Church in one particular, what He has probably done for her in another. From the light which He has shed upon the moral law, we are led to believe He has not withheld proportional light on the law of Incest. By this we do not determine what Infinite Wisdom ought to communicate to his Church.