Deuteronomy 24

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XXIV.—Harmony in sin often issues in mutual hatred and angry separation. And it is mournful to observe that, for the cruelty and hatred of husbands to wives, or other injurious effects of sin, God should see it necessary to permit the divorcement of them. But such a separation ought to be taken with great deliberation, as there is such hardship connected with it, and no recalling of it. Happy is it when the mutual affection of married persons is fixed at first, and remains with prudent tenderness. How necessary is it to observe God’s ordinances, however shameful they may be to us! It is better now to confess our sin and be pardoned, than to conceal it and be damned. Superiors, and especially judges, who are the substitutes of God, ought to conduct themselves in every case with equity and truth. And with great compassion ought we to treat our neighbours, especially the poor, as their circumstances may require: though they cannot recompense us with their wealth or labour, they may do it with their prayers. And let us consider the great compassion God has towards them. But how great his kindness in leaving to us, sinners of the Gentiles, in his word such plentiful gleanings of divine truth!