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and so far as He permits us, to keep it from all defilement or breach in the laws of our country. We call ourselves, and rightly, a Christian country, for we are, as baptized into the body of Christ, His members. Let us remember, if even carelessly, much more if wilfully, we go against His commands, and set human law in its permission against the divine law in its prohibition, we are rebellious against Him who is our God and our King; we are going back from our Christian state and profession; we are placing ourselves on the level of the nations—the Egyptians and the Canaanites—who committed all those abominations, against which His curse is denounced who is "the same yesterday and today, and for ever."
I have the honour to be,
My Lord,
Your Lordship's very faithful and humble servant,
Buckingham Road, Brighton, July 14th, 1869.
P.S.—Whilst these sheets are passing through the press, I am reminded of an objection taken to the whole line of the argument of my letter upon the very strength of the law of the Levirate. I am told (and I think the view was touched upon in the report of the Commission) that there are some who deem the law of the Levirate to be the total repeal of the prohibition as to the brother's wife (which most certainly it is not), and who would then go on to say, And, upon your own shewing, after the wife's death this very law of the Levirate will bring you to the conclusion of marrying the wife's sister.
I should, perhaps, hardly deem it necessary to notice seriously such an objection, but that I hear of it as actually made or revived at the present time. I will then say a few words upon it. I reply; Consider what must be assumed,
