2. First of all I have to urge, what is of most
importance in such matters, our own custom, which has the force of law,
because the rules have been handed down to us by holy men. It is
as follows: if any one, overcome by impurity, falls into unlawful
intercourse with two sisters, this is not to be looked upon as
marriage, nor are they to be admitted at all into the Church until they
have separated from one another. Wherefore, although it were
possible to say nothing further, the custom would be quite enough to
safeguard what is right. But, since the writer of the letter has
endeavoured to introduce this mischief into our practice by a false
argument, I am under the necessity of not omitting the aid of
reasoning; although in matters which are perfectly plain every
man’s instinctive sentiment is stronger than argument.