Page:Unlawfulmarriage00jane.djvu/173

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UNLAWFUL MARRIAGE.
169

miss his wife "at pleasure;" God says, "He hateth putting away," and warns the husband not to "deal treacherously against the wife of his youth." Now, was the Hebrew wife, whom God denominates the companion of her husband, and whom He condescends thus to protect in the enjoyment of her rights, little better than his slave? If a wicked man treated her so, it was in opposition to Jehovah's known will.

6. That this Levitical law was addressed to Hebrew women, as well as to men, is plain from the twentieth chapter, which denounces the civil penalty equally against both sexes. See vs. 11, 12, 14, 17, 20, 21. If the law was not addressed to women, they were guiltless, and were not deserving of punishment. But, as they were to be punished for its violations, it is evident they were considered as guilty; and it follows that the law was addressed to them: for Paul says, "Where no law is, there is no transgression." And again, "Sin is not imputed when there is no law." Rom. 4:15, and 5:13.

7. The last proof of the correctness of this rule which we offer is, the interpretation which Jonathan, the son of Uzziel, has given of