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Propagation, being a general Work, ought not to be brought into Bondage, and under the Subjection of these Constitution-Regularities, but that Successions and Inheritances should be wholly Patriarchal, the Father dividing his Substance among his Children, as he thinks fit; and then they add Mr. Dryden, a leud Poet, upon that Subject:
"When Man on many multiply'd his Kind,
"'Ere one to one was cursedly confin'd.
If I was upon the Subject of Poligamy in this Chapter, I should, perhaps seasonably too, answer this corrupt Way of Reasoning here; but it may come in its Place; at present my Thoughts and Applications are another Way.
The Laws of our Country, and the acknowledged Principles of the Christian Religion which we profess, have united their Force to lay us under Subjection to this Part of Constitution-Government, as those Men call it; and be it right or wrong in its own Nature, be it better or worse in it self, and in its Circumstances, we are under this Regulation, born in the reach of it, the Laws of God and of our Country bind us to it, and there is no room to make that a Pretence; the Cavil can have no force among us in this Nation.
Let me explain a little upon this Subject, and if it be too grave, I shall be the shorter, but it is absolutely necessary to be understood: It is plain, whatever Silence we may pretend the Scripture has shewn, our Laws have determined it to be fixed fast upon us; no Man may have two Wives at a time here.
i. Be-
