* near to kin. Heb. remainder of his flesh.
Not withstanding the prohibitions here, it must be evident,
that in the infancy of the world, persons very near of kin,
and even brothers and sisters, must have joined in
matrimonial alliances; and therefore we cannot pronounce them
immoral in themselves. But, in these first instances,
necessity required it; but when this necessity no longer
existed, the thing became inexpedient and improper: for 1.
As human nature now is, it is very expedient that those who
are so much together in youth, should, by such a restriction
be taught to look upon all such intercourse as prohibited and
incestuous; for unless such restrictions are made, it would
be impossible to prevent the prevalence of very early
corruption among young persons. (See Michaelis on the laws
of Moses, Art. 108.) 2. That the duties owing by nature to
relatives might not be confounded with those of a social or
political kind; for could a man be a brother and a husband,
or a son and a husband at the same time, and fulfil the
duties of both? Impossible. 3. That by intermarrying with
other families, relationship and its endearments might be
diffused. These prohibitions are, therefore, to be
considered so eminently moral obligations as to be observed
by all mankind.
* to uncover.
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