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LEVITICAL LAW

stance in which the Puritan does not follow his chosen guide; for he has left out an important part of Turrettin's criterion; which shows his meaning in the text. Immediately after the above translation must be added these words: "Which is easily discovered, if either the object, or the matter of the laws, or the causes of enacting them, be regarded." This seems to us like the offering of a lamp to throw light upon our path; and not to attend to this part of the criterion, looks like refusing the proffered aid of our guide.

But to apply the test to the case before us. Call the Levitical statutes what you please, natural, moral, or civil, we ask, What is their object? Domestic purity and sound morals in the community. And is not this the object of the seventh commandment in the Decalogue? What is the matter of these statutes? They prohibit all uncleanness, all incestuous acts, all illicit intercourse between near relations; and does not the seventh commandment prohibit the same? What were the causes or reason of the enactment of these statutes? To furnish the Israelites with a clear knowledge of the Divine will,