Selden confirms what Puffendorf states: "Sed in Roma veteri etiam Patruelium, Amitinorum, seu consobrinorum nuptiæ nunc vetita fuere, nunc permissæ."[1]
Grotius, in p. 200, (translation,) quotes Tacitus: "To marry wives is to us entirely new, but very common with other people; nor is it by any law prohibited, says Tacitus." Tac. lib. xii. chap. 6.
In view of these quotations, what are we to think of the Puritan's round and bold assertion: "We look in vain through the Gentile world, for any traces of evidence that this law is one of those principles of general equity, which is taught by the light of nature. So the first criterion fails of bringing its obligation on us." (P. 4.) Had he extended his inquiries and searched more diligently, he might have found the above "traces of evidence," and many more "traces of natural law, touching the marriage institution." His look into the Gentile world was manifestly limited and confined. If he will examine Grotius, and Selden, and Puffendorf, &c., he will be convinced of his error.
- ↑ De Jure Nat. et Gent. lib. v. chap. 11.
