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As these Laws of our Country are consonant to, or at least are supposed to be founded upon the Laws of God, and the Laws of Nature.
And as we are all bound, as Members of the Conftitution, to fubmit to, and be governed by the Laws of our Country.
And, lastly, we are bound by the Laws of God, to obey the lawful Authority of that Government and Country we live under.
So by all these Obligations we are obliged against Poligamy, and it would be a sinful Excursion for us to come into it.
Secondly, Because both the Man and the Woman bind themselves against it by mutual Agreement, and marry positively upon that Condition.
What we are mutually engaged by Contract to perform, and which it is lawful to perform, it is unlawful for us not to perform. It is a Vulgar, but well-founded Proverb or proverbial Saying, Every honest Man is as good as his Word. Certainly a mutual Compact is mutually obliging; nor can it be pretended, that there is any Force in it, for the Man knows he marries upon that Condition; if not, let him but tell his Wife he will, notwithstanding his Agreement, marry another while she is living; and let him see who will take him upon those Terms; if the Lady consents to it, that's another Case. I shall then say this only, (viz.) that he does not offend her; he commits no Breach, no Trespass upon her; as to his disobeying and breaking the Laws of God and of his Country; let him answer for that where those Things are to be answered for: But as tohis
