Marriage is a legal status not subject to any law spiritual.

If no law spiritual governs marriage, why did Christ say, “But I say unto you that whosoever shall put away his wife and marry another committeth adultery”? Christ was not the civil ruler, and He had said explicitly, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s.” If marriage belongs solely to civil authority, Christ woul< have left it to civil authority. And why did St. Paul say, “Marriage is a great Sacra ment, but I speak in Christ and in the Church”? He did not say, “But I speak for the viewpoint of civil authority.” Again, elsewhere he writes, “Let her marry to whom she will, only let it be in the Lord.” I. Cor. VI., 39.

Radio Replies Volume 1 by Rev. Dr. Leslie Rumble MSC and Rev. Charles Mortimer Carty