Exodus 22
Exodus 22:16, 17 | |
16. And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her; he shall surely endow her to be his wife. | 16. Quum seduxerit quispiam virginem quae non est desponsata, et coierit cum ea, dotando dotabit sibi in uxorem. |
17. If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins. | 17. Si renuendo renuerit pater ejus ei dare ipsam, pecuniam appendet secundum dotem virginum. |
Hence, also, it is manifest that, although God remits the judicial penalty, fornication is displeasing to Him. As to the spiritual judgment of the conscience, there were expiations to propitiate Him; He here only has consideration for young females, lest, being deceived, and having lost their virginity, they should become prostitutes; and thus the land should be defiled by whoredom. The remedy is, that lie who has corrupted girl should be compelled to marry her, and also to give tie a dowry from his own property, lest, if he should afterwards cast her off, she should go away from her bed penniless. But, if the marriage should not please her father, the penalty imposed on her seducer is, that he should assign her a wedding portion.