argument in proof of the abrogation of the Injil by the Qur'an is therefore contrary to the
Qur'an itself, to the Gospel, and to Reason.
78. M. Christ and Moses gave different and contrary commands regarding divorce. Thus we
see that the Gospel did annul the Law, even in certain matters of morality.
C. Not so: for Christ tells us that the permission for divorce which Moses gave (Matt. xix.
3-10; cf. Matt. v. 31, 32), because of the "hardness of heart" of the Israelites, was but temporary,
and it was given only in order doubtless to prevent worse evils. But Christ does not annul this by
making a new law on the subject. He points to the fact that, in Gen. ii. 24, God had once for all
stated the eternal Moral Law in this matter, and that that Law is still and must ever be in force.
Neither Moses nor any one else could abrogate that Law, recorded as it is in the Torah itself. It
is God's law, and is in force from the beginning to the end of the world. It can never be annulled,
because it is founded on the eternal principles of morality.
Somewhat similarly in certain countries the people are so prone to commit murder, and think it so
slight a crime, that the legislature of those countries has attached to murder something less than
the death penalty: otherwise no one would ever be there convicted of murder. But the law of God on
the subject (Gen. ix. 6) cannot be altered