1.82-83 Of Two Only to be Joined Together in Marriage

Section 1.82. Of Two Only to be Joined Together in Marriage.

The third point concerning the nearness of man and wife, in these words they two shall be one flesh affords two other doctrines.

1. Marriage can be but between two, one man, and one woman: for it is impossible that more than two should so nearly, and firmly be joined together, as man and wife are. Every word almost in this law proves this doctrine. For it says a man, not men: to a wife, not to wives: to his wife, not to another's wife: two, not more than two: they two, not any two: one flesh, not many fleshes.

Objection. This particle two is not in the law as Moses records it. [Gen 2:24]

Answer. It is there necessarily implied, for at that time there were but two in the world: God then speaking of them, means but two. The same Spirit that guided Moses, guided also the Evangelists, [Matt 19:5] and the apostles: [1 Cor 6:16] so as by their inserting of this particle two it is certain that it was intended by Moses: as the particle only which Christ puts into this text, him only shalt thou serve. [Deut 6:13; Matt 4:10]

Question. Why did God at first make but one man, and one woman?

  Answer. The prophet answers, that he might seek a godly seed. [Mal 2:15]

If therefore there be more than two, it is an adulterous seed which proceeds from thence.

Section 1.83. Of Polygamy and Bigamy.

Can polygamy (the having of many wives) or bigamy (the having of two wives at once) have any good warrant against such an express law? Are not both of them against the first institution of marriage, so as we may say, from the beginning it was not so? [Matt 19:8] Yea also and against other particular laws? [Deut 17:17; Lev 18:18] Lamech one of Cain's cursed stock was the first that we read of to have presumed against that ancient law. [Gen 4:19]

Objection. Afterwards many patriarchs, and other saints took that liberty unto themselves.

Answer. It was their sin, and a great blemish in them. The common error of the time, and their unsatiable desire of increase made them fall into it. Many inconveniences followed thereupon: neither can it be thought but that much mischief must needs follow upon having more wives than one: for whereas God at first made a wife to be as an help unto man, [Gen 2:18] two, or more wives cannot but be a great grief and vexation unto him by reason of that emulation that is between them. [Gen 16:5] Through Hagar's means was Sarah stirred against Abraham, and Abraham grieved at Sarah's words. [Gen 21:11] Though Leah and Rachel were sisters, yet great were their emulations: the like whereof is noted of Peninnah and many others.

Considering the heinousness of this sin, our laws have justly made it felony for a man to have more wives than one, or a woman more husbands.