not goe single but by couples into hell §. Sect. 2. Fornicaion in some respects more hainous then either thest or murther Whereby it appeareth that howsoeuer this sinne is but lightly esteemed and turned into a iest amongst wicked men yet in this and some other respects it is worse and more pernicious to our neighbour then either theft or murther and oftentimes more vncomfortable to our owne consciences it exceedeth these euen in theft for the thiefe onely strippeth the bodie but the fornicator spoileth the soule of his chiefe ornaments puritie and chastitie the thiefe taketh away momentanie riches which oftentimes doe the owner little good and sometimes much hurt when as they through abuse become the mammon of iniquitie and furtherances in sinne but the fornicator robbeth his neighbour of Gods graces a good conscience cleannes of heart puritie of body and soule and finally of the assurance of his saluation And so also he exceedeth the murtherer euen in the act of murthering for the murtherer inflicteth deepe wounds in the bodie the which sometimes may be cured and healed by earthly meanes but the fornicator grieuouslie woundeth both his owne soule and the soule of his neighbour which no worldly thing can cure but onely the soueraigne balme of Christ Iesus his precious blood the murtherer whē he hath done his worst doth only kil the body in the meane time he who is killed being a faithfull Christian is neuer the worse because this temporarie death is but a passage into life eternall but the fornicator destroyeth the bodie and soule of his neighbour eternally by drawing him into sinne the wages whereof is euerlasting death vnlesse it bee preuented by hartie and vnfained repentance Rom. 6.23 yea and which is more horrible and vnnaturall he with the same blow also murthereth himselfe The murtherer inflicteth onely the euill of punishment the which poyson the Lord so tempereth with his gifts and graces that it becommeth a wholesome medicine to cure his seruants of their spirituall diseases but the fornicator inflicteth the euill of sinne which without repentance is accompanied with eternall condemnation And in this respect also this sinne of whoredome is most vncomfortable §. Sect. 3. The sinne of vvhoredome most vncomfortable and destitute of all peace of conscience for whereas they who commit other sinnes sinning alone may also repent alone and vpon the assurance of their true conuersion may recouer their former peace of conscience being by Gods gratious promises ascertained of his fauour the fornicator euen after himselfe hath repented of his sinne can not but be exceedingly troubled and turmoiled in his mind when as his conscience shall tell him that by his lust and vncleannes he hath brought others through his wicked fellowship into the same sinne and condemnation in which state they still remaine without repentance or at least hee their companion in wickednesse is not assured that they also accompanie him in his true conuersion But as the fornicatour sinneth against his copartner in vncleannes § Sect. 4. The fornicator sinneth against the parents and friends of the partie defiled so also against others as namely against his owne and his companions parents and neere friends first because this filthinesse causeth a tainter in the blood and with the staine thereof bringeth some blemish vpon their name though they be innocent of the fault The which so much incensed Iacobs sonnes for the deflouring of their sister because the shame thereof redounded not only to her selfe but to her father and friends for so it is said that they were grieued and very angrie because this villanie was committed in Israel Gen. 34.7 and because Sichem had lien with Iacobs daughter And this was the cause why the high Priests daughter playing the harlot was by the law of God to be burnt with fire because by her whoredome she had polluted her father as it is Leuit. 21.9 Leuit. 21.9 And secondly in that hereby robbing their children or friends of grace vertue and that chiefe ornament of chastitie they also depriue their hearts of all true ioy and sound comfort which they otherwise might haue had of them when as being priuie to their sinne they cannot looke vpon them without shame and blushing nor acknowledge them for their owne vnto others lest they may seeme to haue some interest in their faults So also they sinne grieuously against their owne children begotten in fornication and that before they are borne § Sect. 5. The fornicator sinneth against his owne children begotten in fornication and afterwards for they ingraine them in the deepe die of their sinne which wil neuer be washed out although it may be couered with their vertues and brand them with the infamous marke of bastardie before they breathe the aire They make the poore infant beare the punishment of their sinne euen whilest it selfe is borne in the mothers bellie and before it hath any name giuen it they intitle it to the infamous surname of a base bastard They also rob it of their owne loue not for any faultines in the childe but for the guilt of their owne sinne in which respect whilest it is in the wombe the mother wisheth that it may bee a false conception and abortiue and the father that it may neuer liue to see the Sunne When it is borne they are readie to thinke that when it crieth it proclaimeth their sinne and when it beginneth to speake they blush for shame when they heare themselues called vpon by the sweete names of father and mother because thereby their sinne is called to remembrance And as they do communicate to their poore children the shame and punishment of their faults so also their sinnes and corruptions themselues for they poison them in the bud and the fountaine of generation being defiled with filthie lust and vncleannes polluteth also the streames which issue from it so that it is no rare thing to see such children resemble their parents in their vnchast manners more then in their face and countenance All which iniuries they recompense by shewing themselues more iniurious for as they hated them in the birth so they neglect them commonly in their growth and make amends for their sinfull generation with giuing vnto them loose and prophane education whereby they grow in their corruptions faster then in the stature of their bodie And yet this is not halfe the mischiefe which they do vnto them for besides all this as much as in them lieth they exclude them out of the couenant of grace and blot them out of the number of Gods people and family the which the Lord will haue procreated and increased with a holie seede Matth. 2.15 whereas they remaine polluted being the children of fornication and vncleane seede of vncleane parents 1. Cor. 7.14 And if at all they bee admitted into the outward couenant and receiue the seales thereof it is not for their parents sake if they continue in their sinne
and all manner of idolaters he doth not approue of vaine swearing for in his law he hath absolutely condemned this taking of his name in vaine but that wee sweare in that manner which hee hath prescribed in truth righteousnes and iudgement that is for confirming of a necessarie truth which cā by no other lawful means be cleered and not vpon euery vaine and trifling occasion with feare and reuerence of Gods Maiestie as being in his presence and not in a swaggering humour impiously and irreligiously aiming in our othes neither at Gods glory nor the good of men Others there are who are not come to that audacious impudencie to defend their vaine swearing as lawfull §. Sect. 2. The excuse of vaine swearing by custome taken avvay and yet neuerthelesse if they be taxed and reprooued for it will not sticke to pretend many excuses why either they cannot or will not leaue it Some alleage for their excuse that they haue been inured to such a naughtie custome of swearing that howsoeuer they disallow it in themselues yet they fall into it at vnawares and can by no meanes giue it ouer But did they euer indeede condemne it as a sinne and themselues for falling into it Were they euer seriously and soundly grieued at their hearts because thereby they haue displeased and dishonored God Do they lothe and hate this wicked custome and earnestly labour to weane themselues from it Alas their consciences tell them that they doe nothing lesse but either that they carelesly neglect to set a watch before their lips that they may not thus offend or that what shew soeuer they make to the contrarie they like and loue their sinne and take a pride in vsing of it Wherof it must needs follow that howsoeuer these men please themselues as though all were well and haue put their secure consciences to silence by this vaine excuse yet in truth their estate is most wretched seeing they are content to liue in a known sin without repētance which if it be finall will enter them into the certen possession of eternall death Yea but many of them will say that they repent of their sinne for after they haue vainly sworne they smite themselues on the breast and aske God forgiuenesse O blindnesse to be pitied if it were not wilfully affected Is this the mends which thou makest in hypocriticall manner to smite thy breast for piercing of thy Sauiour Is this a prayer acceptable vnto God or like to returne with fruite into thy bosome when thou askest forgiuenes with a purpose still to offend and desirest his pardon as a priuiledge by vertue whereof thou maist securely goe forward in thy sinne Is this the repentance which God requireth to smite the breast and to aske forgiuenesse with fained lips when as in the meane time the heart is not smitten at all with bitter griefe nor earnestly resolued in a true hatred to leaue this sinne so vaine and so vnprofitable If for euery oath these swearers should sustaine the least worldly losse or indure the least bodily punishment euen the losse of a groat or the smart of a phillip it would soone reclaime them from their euill custome and yet so basely doe they esteeme the saluation of their soules so little doe they feare the hellish torments so slenderly doe they regard the Lords commandement and so meane a respect they haue of his Maiestie either to loue or feare him that they cannot finde in their hearts to weane themselues from this wicked custome of vaine swearing which bringeth vnto them no benefit no not so much as any worldly profit or aduantage Say therefore no more that it is an vnresistable custome but rather thy carnall prophanenes and vtter contempt of God which continueth thee in this sinne Neither alleage any longer this vaine excuse which doth but proclaime thy follie and aggrauate thy fault making it questionable whether thy sottishnes or impietie exceede one the other For may not any other sinner after the same manner pleade possession of their sinne as well as thou may not the murtherer say I cannot leaue murthering of my neighbour because I haue bin so often fleshed by killing and slaying may not the adulterer with as good reason and more necessitie excuse his adulteries because by long custome he hath gotten such an habit of whoredome that hee cannot leaue it may not a theefe when hee is arraigned before a Iudge as well excuse his theft by alleaging that hee hath so long continued in his rapine and robberie that hee hath no power to reclaime himselfe from stealing Now if in these cases euery one would condemne such excuses as ridiculous and the excusers as outragiously impious because customable liuing in sinne exceedingly aggrauateth the wickednes of the sinner then why should wee not condemne this excuse of swearers of like folly and impietie when as being reprooued for swearing at some times they pleade for themselues that it is their ordinarie custome and therefore they cannot leaue it For if it be a sin to sweare once or twice then is it out of measure sinfull to make an ordinarie practise of it and so to bring vpon our selues an habit of swearing Others excuse themselues §. Sect. 3. Their excuse taken avvay vvhich say they think no harme that though they sweare yet they thinke no harme and therefore they hope God will haue them excused To these I answere with our Sauiour that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh and therefore if the words be prophane we may safely conclude that the heart also is polluted Mat. 12.34.35 If the heart were a good treasurie they would as Christ saith bring out of it good things euen such pure golden speeches as would indure the touch and triall of Gods word and not vent foorth nothing else but drosse and filth If pietie and the true feare of God were rooted in their hearts they would not from these good trees bring foorth such euill fruites Mat 7.16.20 Iam. 3.10.11 if they were pure fountaines seasoned with Gods grace they would neuer send forth such bitter and polluted streames neither would they blaspheme God with their mouth if they blessed him in their hearts In a word if they had any dramme of true religion seated in the heart it would bridle the tongue and restraine it from vaine swearing for what sinne will a man leaue for Gods sake if he will not leaue this which is euerie way vnprofitable and manie waies hurtfull And therfore we may conclude with the Apostle that if any man amongst vs seemeth religious and refraineth not his tongue he deceiueth his owne heart and his religion is vaine Iam. 1.26 Iam. 1.26 Neither let them thinke that howsoeuer they excuse themselues God will haue them excused seeing he hath plainely told them that they shall giue an account for euerie idle word and therefore much more for vaine and impious oathes and that when he commeth to iudge he
will passe the sentence not according to our secret thoughts but according to our words and workes Matth. Matt. 12.37 12.37 By thy words thou shalt bee iustified and by thy words thou shalt be condemned Neither let them suppose that this excuse which would seeme friuolous and foolish to a mortall man will goe for currant before the most wise and iust Iudge of heauen and earth Now what Prince hearing himselfe abused to his face by the reprochfull words of his base subiect would admit of such an excuse that whatsoeuer hee spoke with his mouth yet hee thought no ill in heart and will not thinke we the Lord be as iealous of his glorie which is most deare vnto him as an earthly King or will hee in his iustice acquite such offenders vpon such friuolous and vaine pretences Others shroude their sinne vnder the example of the multitude §. Sect. 4. Their excuse answered who pretend the example of the multitude alleaging that it is the common custome of all some few onely excepted who are but too scrupulous about euerie trifle But let such know that after this manner they may excuse and countenance any manner of wickednesse seeing no custome is more common then to liue in sinne Let them remember that God hath forbidden vs to follow the example of a multitude in that which is euill Exod. 23.2 or to fashion our selues according to the world whereof we are but pilgrims if at least we be inhabitants of the heauenly Ierusalem that Christ hath chosen vs out of the world not that we should still imbrace the impious practises of wicked worldlings but that becomming his Disciples we should follow his word and holy example as our onely guides Let them consider that common vse of committing sinne doth not excuse but much aggrauate it in Gods sight and that it doth more inflame his wrath and increase the punishment when as men combine themselues to worke wickednesse Finally let them call to minde that it is the narrow path and straite gate leading to eternall life Matth. 7.13.14 which is least frequented so that the Christian may goe in it without crouding though it be not large and spacious in respect of the small number which trauaile this way and contrariwise that there is no way more commonly haunted then the broade way which leadeth to destruction and consequently that wee can haue small comfort in hauing a numerous multitude to accompanie vs into hell Others alleage in their excuse §. Sect. 5. Their excuse taken away who alleage that they sweare nothing but the truth that they sweare nothing but the truth which may lawfully be confirmed with an oath But as I haue shewed Gods name is prophaned and abused not onely although most grieuouslie when wee sweare that which is false but also when it is vsed vpon euery trifling occasion to confirme an vnnecessarie truth which either is not worth proouing or may be demonstrated by other arguments or without that reuerend and religious respect of his glorious Maiestie which he requireth Yea §. Sect. 6. Their excuse answered vvho pretend that they svveare by small oathes but will some say I auoide this danger seeing my custome is not to sweare by God but by slight and small oathes as by my faith troth by our Lady the masse and such like and therefore I am to be excused because I do not take the name of God in vaine To this I haue alreadie answered whereas I prooued that the Lord requireth that we should sweare by his name only to which I may adde that our Sauiour hath directly forbidden such kind of oathes and hath inioyned vs in our ordinary cōmunication Matth. 5.34 to vse only yea yea nay nay telling vs that whatsoeuer is more commeth of euil Though therefore it be not so hainous a sin as that horrible abusing of Gods holy name yet it is a sin seeing Christ himselfe hath forbidden and condemned it and therefore not to be entertained and much lesse excused or defended by any Christian For wee should thinke no sinne so small that wee may willingly commit it seeing the least sinne meriteth the wages of eternall death and can no otherwise be expiated and done away but by the inestimable price of Christs precious blood or if we doe let vs assure our selues it shall not be small vnto vs for the least sinne in it owne nature is hainous and vnpardonable so long as it is willingly committed and excused or defended Lastly §. Sect. 7. Their excuse answered who alleage others incredulitie they excuse themselues by alleadging the incredulitie and suspition of others which is such that vnlesse they sweare they cannot be credited and beleeued But vnto this I answere that the best way to haue our words credited is not to confirme euerie thing we speake with an oath for so our oathes becomming common and ordinarie will be as little respected as a simple affirmation nay in truth they will deserue lesse credit for it is to be thought that hee who maketh no conscience of transgressing one commandement will not make much more conscience of transgressing another he that sticketh not to vse deieration and vaine swearing will not sticke at periurie and forswearing or if he doe it is not because he wanteth an heart to doe it but rather some strong inducement to perswade him But the best way to haue our speeches credited is to accustome our tongues to speake the truth and to be of an vpright iust and vnblameable life and conuersation and so shall our word be more regarded than anothers oath for it is not the oath that giueth credit and authoritie to a man but a man to his oath and if in our whole course and cariage we clearely shew that we make more conscience of lying than another of periurie his oath will not be so much credited as our bare promise or assertion Whereby it appeareth that ordinarie swearing is either needlesse or bootelesse For if a man be of an holy and religious conuersation there will be no vse of it vnlesse it be in waightie causes wherein an oath is lawfull because his word will carrie with it sufficient credit and contrariwise if he be knowne to haue accustomed himselfe to lying dissembling and false dealing his swearing will not profit him seeing his vnconscionable falsehood doth take away all credite and authoritie from his oath But let it be supposed that though we are iust and faithful §. Sect. 8. we cannot bee credited vnlesse wee sweare yet this giueth vs no dispensation for oathes in light or needlesse occasions seeing we are rather to obey our Sauiour Iesus Christs commandement who hath forbidden vs to sweare in our ordinarie communication then by vaine swearing to gaine credit to our speeches or to satisfie such suspitious and incredulous persons who will not beleeue vs without an oath For hereby we shall approue our obedience to God by making conscience of transgressing his law
heauie curse and malediction for howsoeuer the curse of the law belongeth generally to all transgressors yet in some speciall manner it is denounced against this sinne of Adulterie and therefore the Prophet foretelleth that when they of the captiuitie of Iudah should take vp a fearefull curse against any it should bee in this forme that the Lord would make them like vnto Zedechiah and like Ahab two notable adulterers as appeareth Ier. 29.22 Ier. 29.22 So the Lord saith in his law that when the adulteres had drunke the cursed water is shuld be turned into bitternesse and cause her bellie to swell and her thighe to rot and the woman should be accursed among her people as it is Numb 5.27 Numb 5.27 §. Sect. 7. The punishment of adulterie in the life to come But showeuer the Lord to shew the riches of his mercie to all repentant sinners and to make the impenitent much more vnexcusable doth sometimes forbeare to inflict these punishments vpon adulterers in this life yet will hee most surely and most seuerely punish them in the life to come For if fornicators shall be depriued of the ioyes of heauen and haue their portion in hell fire euen in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone as before I haue shewed then surely the adulterers whose sinne is much more vnexcusable and hainous shall be plunged into a farre deeper degree of condemnation and be much more exquisitely tormented in those hellish torments And these are those intollerable and eternall punishments which are in so many places of the holy Scriptures denounced against adulterers some whereof I will annex that who so wil may search and examine them 1. Cor. 6.9.10 Gal. 5.19.21 Ephes 5.5 Apoc. 21.8 and 22.15 CHAP. XVII Of the meanes whereby we may be preserued from whoredome ANd thus haue I spoken of the sinnes of vncleannesse §. Sect. 1. The first means is to reclaime our willes from vncleannesse by considering euils which the doe accompanie it both of fornication which is that filthinesse that is committed betweene single persons and of adulterie which is committed betweene married folkes and haue prooued that they are not only hainous sins but also that they are attented vpon with innumerable mischiefes and punished with fearefull punishments both in this life and the life to come Now in the last place I will set downe some meanes whereby wee may be the better inabled to preserue our bodies in puritie and chastitie and bee either restrained or reclaimed from whoredome and vncleannesse The which meanes are either common preseruatiues from all manner of filthie lusts or more proper remedies against adulterie Concerning the former if we would be preserued from whoredome and all manner of filthinesse it behooueth vs first to reclaime our willes and to worke in our hearts and affections an vtter hatred and detestation of this sin so as we may desire nothing more then to be preserued from it if we be yet innocent or at least may be reclaimed if we haue offended For as it is in vaine to prescribe good medicines to such a patient as being in loue with his diseases will not receiue them so it is in vaine to thinke of meanes to preserue vs from sinne if wee still haue a liking of it or of remedies to cure our spiritual diseases if we be not come to an earnest desire and hearty resolution to part with them To this purpose therefore let vs in the first place often meditate with our selues of that which hath been alreadie spoken both concerning the hainousnes of the sinne and the greatnesse of the punishment As for example that it is in a high degree a notorious breach of Gods commandement the transgression whereof is accompanied with a fearefull curse that is is a badge of such an one as God hateth and a notable fruite of the flesh in which whosoeuer liue shall die eternally That he who committeth it grieuouslie sinneth against God his neighbour and himselfe and that in manie respects as hath been shewed That it is a cause also of many other sinnes the least wherof deserueth eternall death That howsoeuer carnall men make it their idoll and chiefe delight yet in truth it is a fearefull punishment of diuers other grieuous sinnes That it selfe also hath many fearefull punishments attending vpon it for it ruineth a mans estate it exposeth his name to infamie and reproch it maketh him a slaue to his owne filthie lusts and a vassall to an odious strumpet it infatuateth the mind and bridgeth vpon the bodie lothsome diseases and vntimely death it subiecteth a man to Gods fearce wrath and causeth impenitencie and hardnesse of heart it setteth the offender vpon a continuall racke and haunteth him like a hellish furie and in a word it dispossesseth him of the ioyes of heauen and casteth him headlong into the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone And if hauing put into the one skole these manifold euils of sinne and punishment we also put into the other the pleasure and profit of this sinne and consider with our selues how that we vndergoe all these mischiefes for the satisfying of our brutish lusts and for the inioying of a vaine short and beastly pleasure it is not possible if wee be not altogether blockish and void of common sense but that we should hate and abhorre this sinne and earnestly labour in the vse of all good meanes whereby we may bee preserued and deliuered from it Now these meanes which may bee vsed for this purpose are manifold §. Sect. 2. The second meanes is to purifie our hearts from filthinesse first wee must labour to purge and purifie our hearts from vncleane lusts as being the verie fountaines of all filthinesse and pollution and to withstand to the vttermost of our power the first motions and inclinations which draw vs vnto this sinne For as Christians ought to bee so farre off from committing these works of darkenes that they should not so much as take their names into their mouthes as the Apostle telleth vs so also they should not giue them the least intertainement into their hearts but as soone as the tentation or motion vnto vncleannes is cast into their mind they are at the first to reiect it as abominable and not to reuolue it in their thoughts nor to fight with these vncleane lusts as it were at handi-blowes but rather by skilfull shunning and auoiding of them For if we suffer them to rest any while in our hearts they will be able to make a strong partie of our owne corruptions and the longer they are retained the more hardly they will be repelled To this purpose Ambrose speaketh Quum alijs vitijs potest exspectari conflictus 1. Cor. 6.18 hanc fugite quia non potest aliter melius vinci Whereas saith he in some other vices wee may abide a conflict wee are to flie from these sins of vncleannesse as being the best meanes to get the victorie ouer them In
tame and gentle as the Cowe or Calfe Esa 11.6.7 according to the prophecie Esa 11.6.7 The Woolfe shall lie with the Lambe and the Leopard shall lie with the Kid and the Calfe and the Lion and the fat beasts together and a little child shall leade them and the Beare shall feede with the Cowe and their young ones shall lie together not that regeneration doth take away nature and the affections but because it doth partly subdue their violence and furie and partly sanctifieth and reformeth them so that whereas they were hurtfull and pernicious now they are good and profitable to themselues and others the qualitie and the obiect of them being altered Their loue which was immoderately set on the world and the pleasures of the flesh is now fixed vpon God their neighbour and spirituall things Their ambtious hope which expected nothing but honors and riches now longeth after the presence of God and fulnesse of ioy in the heauenly Ierusalem Their timorous feare wherby they were restrained from doing good and constrained to doe that which was euill because they would not displease men is now a notable bridle to curbe in their vnlawfull desires and a sharpe spurre to pricke them forward in the course of godlinesse because they would not offend God and whereas before it was a corrupt fountaine from which nothing did spring but polluted streames of sinne whose descent is into the deepe gulfe of eternall perdition now it is become the Welspring of life to make vs auoid the snares of death Prou. 14.27 as it is Prou. 14.27 So likewise rash and vnbridled anger which before regeneration caused men to rage against the person of their neighbour doth now oppose it selfe against sinne and vniustice only whereby God is dishonored and the Church and common-wealth damnified Do not therfore hereafter excuse thy furious rash anger by alleaging thy nature for thou mightest as wel say I cānot abstaine from it because I am carnall and vnregenerate as because I am hastie by nature for those who haue laid aside the old man and are renewed by Gods spirit haue this affection partly tamed and subdued and partly sanctified reformed and made fit for necessarie profitable vses whereas on the other side they that let the raines loose to this corrupt affection were neuer washed with the water of Gods spirit and consequently while they continue in this state cannot enter into the kingdome of heauen Ioh. 3.5 Iohn 3.5 But that we may neuer alleage this vaine excuse let vs consider further that it is no better then Lazers ragges to couer the deepe festred sores of our corruption or then Adams fig leaues to hide the nakednesse of sinne which may be as fit a vizour to disguise euen the most vglie vices as this of anger for nature corrupted prouoketh not onely to rash anger but also to all outrages And therefore the murtherer by as great shew of reason might excuse his murther because he is by nature cruell or the adulterer his adulterie because he is by nature lecherous or the theefe his theft because he is by nature couetous as the hastie man his anger because he is by nature cholericke As therefore if a murtherer or theefe should come before a Iudge and excuse his fact by saying it was his nature and therefore he could not chuse but commit it the Iudge would answere that it was his destinie also that he should be hanged So when wee shall bee arraigned before the Lord chiefe Iustice of heauen and earth the alleadging of our corrupted nature wil be so farre from excusing vs that it alone will bee sufficient to condemne vs. And so much for the first sort of anger which is to be seen in angry and cholericke men The second sort is of such as are slow to anger §. Sect. 2. 2. Anger which is slovvly entertained but long retained but being incensed are hardly pacified And these are like vnto more solid timber which is long before it be kindled but being kindled continueth long in burning As these are better then the other in respect of their slownesse to wrath so they are farre worse because they continue in it for anger retained becommeth hatred which is an affection farre more pernicious then anger it selfe and much more incorrigible for as rash anger is most commonly ioyned with repentance so this inueterate anger is alwaies ioyned with perseuerance in euill And he that is subiect thereunto doth not onely fall into sinne but also is resolued to continue in it yea he taketh delight therein oft times by meditating on reuenge as we may see in Esau who was resolued to retaine his anger against Iacob till his fathers death and in the meane time comforted himselfe by thinking on reuenge Gen. 27.41.42 Gen. 27.41.42 But if wee would bee the children of our heauenly father we must resemble him not onely in slownesse to anger but also in swiftnesse to forgiue and though our brother offend vs seuentie times seuen times yet must we continually bee readie to imbrace reconciliation Mat. 18.22 Matth. 18.22 and so wee shall not be ouercome of euill but ouercome euill with goodnesse as the Apostle exhorteth vs Rom. 12.21 Rom. 12.21 Whereas if we continue in malice we shall make our selues like vnto Satan and subiect to Gods wrath Matth. 7.2 For with what measure wee mete it shall bee measured vnto vs againe Matth. 7.2 And as we forgiue men their trespasses so will our heauenly father forgiue vs Mat. 6.14.15 §. Sect. 9. Hastinesse to anger and slovvnes to reconciliation Matth. 6.14.15 And so much for the second sort The third sort is of them who are easilie prouoked vnto anger and being prouoked will neuer be reconciled These men are monsters in nature and flat opposite to the Lord for whereas he is slowe to anger and readie to forgiue they are most slowe to forgiue and most prone to anger This anger I know not how to expresse nor to what I may compare it seeing naturall things cannot resemble it because it is monstrous and against the nature of all things sauing man For the most fierce Lions and cruell Tigers haue some cause which incenseth them to anger and some measure and end of their furie after it is prouoked and therefore they are far worse who are angrie without a cause and know not how to make an end Seeing therefore naturall things are not fit to resemble them let vs consider artificiall They are like vnto tinder which being kindled with the least sparke will also retaine the fire till it be consumed But herein they are vnlike the tinder may easilie be extinguished but their anger can by no meanes bee mitigated the tinder doth but consume it selfe or at the least those things which are neere about it but those that are frō them furthest distant are often scorched with the burning heat of their furious passion It is like vnto wild fire which
not neede to stand vpon it seeing not onely the booke of God but also auncient histories yea euen our owne Chronicles and daily experience doe make this but too euident You see then the manifold euils which waite vpon this raging disease of the minde vniust anger for it is not onely a deadly impostume breaking out in our selues but also an infectious and contagious plague which destroyeth whole peoples and common wealths With how great care therefore should wee vse all good meanes and wholesome remedies to preuent or cure such a dangerous disease CHAP. VII The remedyes of vniust Anger THe remedies against anger are of two sorts first Sect. 1. those which cure anger in our selues secondly those which cure it in others and they both are of two kindes first such as preuent anger and preserue vs from falling into it secondly such as free vs from it after it hath taken place For anger is a disease of the minde as therefore wise Phisitions thinke it the better safer course to preserue health and preuent sicknesse then to remoue the disease after it hath taken possession of the body We must first seek to preuent anger Sen. epi. 119 so the best course in ministring spirituall Phisick is to preserue the soule from vice rather then to purge it away after it hath infected it for Vitia facilius repelluntur quam expelluntur Vices are more easily kept from entrance then thrust out after they are entred for as the common prouerbe is there are but twelue points in the law and possession is as good as eleauen of them If therefore anger haue gotten possession we shall hardly dispossesse it It is our soules mortall enimie as therefore we first seeke to keepe the enimie from entring the frontires of our country but if hee be entred as soone as we can to expell him so we must first endeauour to repel anger by stopping the passages of our harts that it may haue no entrance but if it haue taken place quickly to expell and remoue it For if we suffer it to fortifie it selfe it will grow so strong and violent that we shall be vnable to dislodge it And as in a siege of a Cittie the Citizens prouide all things necessary for their defence before the assault that the enimie when he approcheth the wals may not take them vnprouided so if we will repell anger when it commeth wee are to fortifie and arme our selues against it before it comes for if it take vs vnprouided it will easily make entrance and more easily ouercome vs. Let vs therfore first of all endeuour to vse all good means by which we may preuent anger for if it haue once gotten hold of vs it will easily plunge vs headlong into violence and fury whereas we may with greater facillity preuent the danger before we fall into it For as experience teacheth vs a man may easily contayne himselfe from running downe the hill while hee is on the toppe but after he is entred into a full race hee cannot stay himselfe before he commeth to the bottome so it is more easie for any to abstaine from running into anger then to containe himselfe when he is in the race from falling into the bottome of fury Let vs then see the meanes how to preuent anger Sect. 2 The meanes to preuent vniust anger the first remedy is by taking away the causes therof for sublatâ causâ tollitur effectum The causes thereof are to be remoued 1 Selfe-loue The cause being taken away the effect ceaseth The first cause of anger is selfe loue if therefore wee would not fall into anger we must labour to bannish selfe loue and to follow the rule of charitie Loue our neighbours as our selues and doe nothing vnto them which wee would not haue them do vnto vs. Before therefore we let the reines loofe vnto our anger let vs set our selues in the place of him with whom we are angry and consider how we would desire to be vsed if we had so offended and in like manner are we to behaue our selues towards him So shall we not aggrauate those iniuries which are offered vs and extenuate those which we offer others so shall we not haue our iudgement ouer-ballanced with an vnequall affection so shall wee not bee incensed for suffering that which wee haue often offered The second cause of anger is pride and hautinesse of spirit if therefore we would not fall into anger Sect. 3. 2 Pride we are to subdue pride and labour for the contrary grace of humilitie For they who would bee meeke with our Sauiour Christ must also learne of him the lesson of true humilitie Math. 11.29 Learne of me for I am meeke and lowly of hart Mat. 11.29 If we would lay aside that arrogant conceit which we haue of our selues and the ouerweening opinion of our owne excellencies if we would consider with Abraham that we are but dust and ashes and with Dauid Gen. 18.17 Psal 22.6 Iob. 17.14 that wee are wormes and no men or if we would in sincerity of hart say with Iob Vnto corruption thou art my father and vnto the worme thou art my mother and my sister If wee would but remember that by our sinnes committed against God and our neighbour we haue deserued not onely contumelies and wrongs but also eternall death of body and soule we would not so easely bee prouoked to anger vpon euery trifting occasion nor thinke it any great disparagement to endure lesser iniuries seeing we haue deserued farre greater The third cause is Couetousnesse Sect. 4. 3 Couetousnes which vice wee must banish out of our hearts if we would not be ouercome with vniust anger so shall wee not gape after great preferments nor expect much and consequently we shall not be disturbed with vnquietnesse nor incensed with anger when vvee come short of our hopes So shall we not intermeddle with euery domesticall trifle but commit some thing to the care of Seruants some thing to Children and most of all to the Wife who is a ioynt gouernour in this little common wealth And if any thing miscarry vnder any of their hands we will not so much looke to the meanes as to the supreame cause the prouidence of God considering that if he build not the house they labour in vaine that build it if he blesse not their labours they cannot prosper Psal 127.1 The fourth cause is luxuriousnesse and curious nicenesse Sect. 5. 4. Luxurious nicenesse if therefore we would subdue anger we must subdue this vice also and labour to attaine vnto decent homelines the Nurse of good hospitality and the preseruer of peace and quietnesse for if with our first parents Adam and Eue we were clothed with skinnes that is with meane attyre wee would not be so easily prouoked to anger if a spotte or wrinckle be found vpon our garments if with them wee did feed vpon roots and hearbs we would not eate with surfetted
also to haue vtterly destroyed his enimies If therfore Christ was so milde and patient who vvas free from sinne surely much more should we be if it were possible who by our sinnes haue deserued the greatest iniuries yea eternall death But if these examples be too high for our imitation let vs cast the eyes of our mindes vpon the patience and long suffering of our fellow brethren As of Abraham vvho when iust cause of offence was offered by Lot and his shepheards was rather content to part from his right then hee would haue any discord and dissention Gen. 13.8 Gen. 23.8 Of Moses who then was ready to pray for the people when they were ready to stone him Exod. 17.4.11 Exod. 17.4.11 Of Dauid who hauing reuenge in his owne hand when he was prouoked by the outragious iniuries of Shemei did notwithstanding containe himselfe 2 Sam. 16.10 and of Stephen 2 Sam. 16.10 who when the stones flew about his eares prayed for his enimies that threw them at him Acts 7.60 Acts. 7.60 The example of others being in their fury Or if these examples will not moue vs to the loue of mildnes and patience let vs set before our eyes those men which are subiect to the fury of anger and so shall wee easily discerne in others what an vgly and brutish vice it is in our selues One saith Sen. lib. 2. de ira cap. 36. that if an angry man would looke himselfe in a glasse in the middest of his fury hee would appeare so horrible in his owne sight that it would be a notable means to worke an hatred in his heart of so deformed a vice but for as much as angry men will hardly bee brought to this while they continue in their rage or if they could they haue somewhat relented already and so the coppy of their countenance is chaunged or though it were not the fury of their affection so cloudeth the iudgement of reason that they thinke all things become them which they doe in their passion Let vs therefore follow the example of the Spartanes who would cause their children to looke vpon their Hellots and slaues when they were drunken that they might bee brought into detestation of so vggly a vice when they beheld the beastlinesse thereof in others So let vs set before our eyes other men while they be in their furie and consider how it deformeth the body and disableth the minde the lamentable tragedies which it acteth and follies which it committeth and the vggly deformitie ioyned with brutish folly must needes moue vs to hate so foule a vice The sixt meanes Sect. 6. 6 To abstaine from multitude of businesse is to abstayne from multitude of businesse because not onely the minde is distracted and disturbed therwith so made a fit Inne for anger to lodge in but also because in such aboundance of businesse some things of necessity will miscarry among such a multitude of Irons some will burne and so inflame the minde to anger The seaueth meanes Sect. 7. 7. To abstaine from contentious controuersies is to auoide contentious controuersies for facilius est a certamine abstinere quam abducere howsoeuer it bee very easie to abstaine from them before they are begunne yet after a man is entred into them he cannot easilie giue them ouer Because he thinketh that it will derogate from his wit and iudgement Seneca lib. 3. de ira cap. 8. if he be forced to yeeld though it be to a truth and besides men naturally desire to bring others to be of their opinion and therefore they will vse great earnestnesse to perswade and oftentimes burst out into anger and furie if they cannot obtayne their desire The eight meanes Sect. 8. 8. To auoyde the company of chollerick men to preuent anger is to auoyde the company of those who are angry and chollericke because men will easily be infected with their contagion And this Salomon teacheth vs. Pro. 22.24 Make no friendship with an angry man Prou. 22.24 neither goe with the furious man least thou learne his wayes and receiue destruction to thy soule And also because they are likely to be prouoked by them and to receiue the heat of their flame For as one sticke of wood being set on fire doth kindle that also which is next vnto it So one man being inflamed with anger inflameth them also who are neere about him with his prouocations Lastly Sect. 9. 9. To bridle anger for a day those who finde themselues by nature prone to anger are to labour and as it were to vow vvith themselues that they will containe their furie for one day whatsoeuer occasion shall be offered and after that another and a third and so by little and little they shall attaine vnto an habit of patience and custome will alter nature CHAP. IX The remedies to expell or bridle Anger ANd so much for those meanes and remedies Sect. 1. whereby we may preuent and repell anger before we fall into it Now in the next place I will set downe how we are to behaue our selues after that anger hath made an entrance and taken place in vs. And this the Apostle teacheth vs in the restraint Let not the Sunne goe downe on your wrath That is if through infirmitie ye fall into vniust anger yet continue not in it but rather abandon this corrupt affection with all possible speede So that our anger must not sleepe with vs and after we awake awake also wee must not vse it like our garments lay it aside ouernight with a purpose to take it againe the next day but rather wee are to put it off like the old man with full resolution neuer againe to entertaine or assume it or like some polluted ragges which are not vvorth the vvearing And this must wee doe not once or twise but if euery day vvith the Sunne anger arise in our harts vvee are euery day to dislodge and expell it before the Sunne going downe And as the night doth coole the heat which in the day time the Sunne hath made so must it also quench the flames of anger kindled in our harts And not without great reason hee requireth that before night commeth we abandon anger The danger of anger retained for otherwise wee shall giue place to the diuels tentations as hee intimateth in the words following for hauing exhorted vs not to let the Sun goe downe on our wrath he presently addeth neither giue place to the Diuell Noting thereby that they who doe not onely entertaine anger in the day but also lodge it in the night doe thereby lay themselues open to the fiery darts of Sathan 1 Pet. 5.8 For he continually goeth about like a roaring Lyon seeking whom he may deuoure And vvhen he findeth such as haue retained anger euen in their beds thinking them a fit pray he approcheth and vvith his bellowes of fury he more inflameth the fire of anger till it blazeth
legib Periurij poena diuina exitium humana dedecus Diuine punishment inflicted vpon periured persons for their false swearing is destruction humane is shame and discredit And this is that punishment which both the Ciuill and Canon law imposed vpon such namely that if they were taken with this fault they should for euer bee so disabled in their credit and reputation that they might not be admitted to be witnesses and to giue testimonie either in their owne or other mens causes in any iudicial proceedings The which punishment was in Gods righteous iudgement inflicted in some proportion according to the qualitie of their sinne for whereas they to grace themselues in their vntruths care not as much as in them lieth to dishonour God by deriuing the imputation of fraud and deceit vpon him whom they inuocate as a witnesse of their lies God iustly meeteth with them and returneth the infamie and reproch vpon their owne heads Besides which punishment of infamie § Sect. 2. Other punishments of periurie the same lawes impose others vpon him that commits this sin as that he shall be depriued of all Ecclesiasticall preferments and dignities if he possesse them and not be admitted either into the Ministerie or gouernment of the Church That likewise he shall be dispoiled of all ciuill aduancement so as he shall not bee admitted vnto any such preferment nor reentred after he is displaced Besides which punishments in name and state they determine that he should be punished as a common cosener and be either beaten with cudgels and staues or exiled and banished or if it were in capitall matters and concerned the life of his neighbour he should be punished with death it selfe according to the law of God in that case prouided Deut. 19.19 The which punishment of death was inflicted vpon all among the Egyptians Patric lib. 5. tit 5. who were conuicted of wilful periurie vpon any cause whatsoeuer as Patricius recordeth But because these humane punishments are not alwaies inflicted vpon the offenders §. Sect. 3. How the Lord himselfe punisheth periurie either because their sinne being cunningly or closely acted is not discouered or through their negligence and want of zeale for Gods glorie who haue the sole authoritie to see the lawes executed therefore the Lord himselfe oftentimes taketh his owne cause into his owne hand and howsoeuer men wincke at and acquit them yet he holdeth them not guiltlesse who thus by their periurie prophane pollute his holy name And because his glory which is by this sin impeached is most deare vnto him therfore the Lord doth seuerely punish those who thus offend both with temporarie and eternall punishments in themselues and also in their posteritie as the Poet well obserued In prolemdilata ruunt periuria patris Et poenam merito filius ore luit Claudianus in Curctium And as this sin of periurie is in an extraordinarie sort abominable in Gods sight so doth he punish it with extraordinarie plagues and besides those vsuall punishments which are common to all offenders he hath inflicted vpon periured persons such fearefull iudgements from time to time which haue been so fitte and proportionable to the sinne that one might reade their offence written in their punishment as it were in great text letters set ouer their heads And thus did the Lord punish the breach of the couenant made with the Gibeonites and confirmed by oath with three yeeres famine and with the death of seuen of Sauls posteritie who had violated this oath 2. Sam. 21. and that not in a secret manner but openly declaring what was the sinne for which hee inflicted these punishments So because Zedechia broke the oath of the Lord which hee had made vnto Nebucadnezer hee had his sonnes slaine before his face and that hee might neuer behold cause of comfort after this sad spectacle his eyes were presently put out and he being bound with chaines was led captiue vnto Babylon where he slauishly liued and died wretchedly all which punishments were inflicted vpon him principally for his periurie Ezech. 17.15 as appeareth Ezech. 17.15.16.18.19 Besides which temporall punishments the Lord inflicteth vpon such as thus offend §. Sect. 4. God punisheth periurie with spirituall punishments and eternall death those which are spirituall and eternall for he hath denounced against them his fearfull curse which shall light so heauie vpon the periured person that it shall not onely destroy him and his posteritie but shall euen consume his house with the timber and stones thereof as appeareth Zach. 5.4 Zach. 5.4 And after this life if the flame of Gods wrath in the meane while be not quenched with the teares of vnfained repentance it shall burne hot against him kindling and preparing for him the fire of hell in which he shall bee eternally tormented for if the liar hath his portion in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second death Apoc. 21.8 as it is Apoc. 21.8 then much more the periured person who confirmeth his lies by an oath calling God himselfe to be not onely a witnesse and suretie but also a Iudge to auenge his falshood shall with the intollerable waight of this outragious sinne be suncke into the deepest bottome of this hellish condemnation And thus haue I shewed the lawfull vse of an oath §. Sect. 5. The conclusion of this treatise and also how it is abused both by vaine swearing and impious forswearing and withall haue propounded many reasons and arguments which may serue as wholsome preseruatiues to keepe those who haue any feare of God from falling into these sinnes or as profitable medicines to cure them of these dangerous diseases of the soule if alreadie they haue seazed on them Now as I heartily pray vnto God that all who shall reade this treatise and all other who professe the name of Christ may by these and such like reasons made effectuall by his grace and powerfull working of his holie Spirit bee brought both to a forsaking and also to an vtter hatred and detestation of these sinnes so with all humble earnestnesse I intreate our Magistrates and Gouernours who are as Gods deputies and Lieutenants set amongst vs to execute his righteous iudgements that they will in feruent zeale to Gods glorie whose person they doe sustaine as being pettie gods vpon earth not onely carefully reforme themselues of these vices whereby Gods holie name is polluted both in their owne particular and as they are examples vnto others but also that they would wisely enact and diligently execute such wholsome lawes as may restraine or seuerely punish these grosse abuses of vaine swearing and impious forswearing which in these times so commonly raigne amongst vs. That hereby they may shew and approne themselues truly religious in that they are carefull not only to suppresse such abuses and sins as tend to the hurt of their countrie and Common-wealth or to the damage and hindrance of particular subiects for
assault and encounter the spirit and the fruites thereof Gal. 5.19 Gal. 5.19 The workes of the flesh are manifest which are adulterie fornication vncleannes wantonnes The which corruptions wee are especially commanded to mortifie and subdue Col. 3.5 Col. 3.5 Mortifie therefore your members which are vpon earth fornication vncleannes the inordinate affection and euill concupiscence 1. Pet. 2.11 And not without great cause are we to imploy our chiefe strength in mortifying and subduing these filthie lusts of the flesh seeing as the Apostle telleth vs they fight against our soules and therfore if we doe not incounter them they will assault vs if wee doe not master and ouercome them they will surely giue vs a shamefull ouerthrow they are fruites of the flesh and notable signes of vnregeneration which stoppeth the entrance into Gods kingdome for except we bee borne againe wee shall not enter into the kingdome of God Ioh. 3.3 Ioh. 3.3 And as they dispossesse vs of our heauenly patrimonie so they enter vs into the certaine possession of the hellish inheritance for they who walke after the flesh in fulfilling the lusts thereof they are not in Christ Rom. 8.1.13 and consequently haue not escaped condemnation yea whosoeuer liue after the flesh they shall die euen the spirituall death of bodie and soule If therefore wee would not march in the rancke of the vnregenerate and fight vnder the conduct of the flesh whose victorie is our vtter ouerthrow and destruction if we loue eternall life or feare euerlasting death and condemnation in the hellish torments let vs not nourish these filthie lusts but vse our best meanes and imploy our strongest forces and most earnest endeuours to mortifie and subdue them CHAP. IIII. That the fornicatour sinneth many waies and first in respect of God THe fourth reason to restraine all men from the sinnes of fornication and vncleannes §. Sect. 7. That the sinnes of vncleannes are hainously euill is because they are hainously euill there being no respect or relation of euill to bee named which is not coincident and inseparably ioyned with these vices For whereas all kinde of euill may be reduced to two heads as being either the euill of sinne or the euill of punishment this sinne of fornication compriseth them both like an euill yet fruitfull tree bearing both the sommer fruite of sinne and the autumne and after fruite of punishment First that it is out of measure sinfull it may hereby appeare in that it is not only in it selfe a grieuous sin but also like a wicked mother onely fruitfull in wicked and monstrous births it bringeth forth many other kindes of wickednesse which resemble the parent in their malignant nature and qualitie so as they may be easily knowne to be of her ofspring and progenie The grieuousnes of this sinne being simply considered in it selfe is hereby manifest in that whereas there is but a threefold relation of sinne either as it is committed against God our neighbour or our selues this sinne alone comprehendeth them all and that in many and almost innumerable respects First the fornicatour grieuously sinneth against God §. Sect. 2. The fornicator sinneth against God by dishonoring him directly and immediatly when as professing himselfe a Christian and consequently one of Gods familie he by polluting and defiling his bodie dishonours his Lord and father for if mortall men who stand vpon their credit doe count it a great iniurie and disgrace to themselues when as a seruant of their familie is defiled and much more when their owne daughters are polluted with filthie whoredome then how much more doth the Lord detest this vncleannes which redoundeth to the dishonour of his holy name when as it is committed not onely by a common subiect vnder his dominion but by a speciall seruant of his familie yea by such as would be reputed in the number of his children And this was a principall argument which aggrauated the filthinesse of Sichem and Ammon Gen. 34.7 2. Sam. 13.12.13 because they committed this villanie or follie in Israel that is in the Church and familie of God which in a peculiar manner he had chosen and sanctified vnto himselfe and this also made Dauids grieuous sinne much more hainous because being committed by him who had professed and approued himselfe to be the seruant and sonne of God it greatly tended to Gods dishonour in that it caused the enemies of his trueth to blaspheme as appeareth 2. Sam. 12.14 2. Sam. 11.14 Secondly §. Sect. 3. Secondly the fornicator offendeth God by resisting his vvill the fornicatour sinneth grieuously against God by resisting his reuealed and knowne will for the Lords will is that being sanctified we should abstaine from fornication and that euery one should know how to possesse his vessell in holinesse and honour and not in the lust of concupiscence as the Gentiles which know not God 1. Thes 4 3. as appeareth 1. Thes 4.3.4.5 It is the will of God that wee should bee prepared as pure brides for his sonne Christ Ephes 5.27 not hauing any spot or wrinckle holie and without blame Yea so far off shuld we be from defiling of our bodies Ephes 5.3 by committing these sins of vncleannesse that hee would not haue vs so much as to defile our tongues by once naming of them with the least approbation or delight Whosoeuer therefore perpetrate and commit these works of darkenesse they contumaciouslie resist the will of God the which their rebellion is so much the more intollerable because they disobey the Lord to obey their owne filthy lusts and rebell against their supreme Soueraigne to pleasure and gratifie their slauish base and brutish affections Thirdly §. Sect. 4. 3. Fornicators sinne against God by subuerting mariage which is his own ordinance whoremongers sinne hainouslie against God by subuerting and destroying marriage which is Gods holy ordinance instituted by the Lord himselfe in Paradise that it might be the only lawful meanes of propagating his Church and people and to preserue them from being defiled with filthie lusts and inordinate concupiscence For they who spend their strength vpon harlots Gen. 2 24. Mal. 2.15 1. Cor. 7.2 disable themselues for lawfull marriage they who loue the stewes loathe the mariage bed and if the heart be inueigled with the inticing allurements of filthie strumpets they will neuer desire a lawfull wife but the mariage yoke vnto such is an intollerable burthen Qui amant agrè sibi serunt vxorem dari inquit Comicus and they seeme to themselues to indure a miserable thraldome and to bee depriued whollie of their libertie when as being inseparablie ioyned with a yokefellow they are restrained from running into lawlesse licentiousnesse And because they are in loue with their spirituall diseases of vncleannesse therefore they hate the cure and abhorre marriage the remedie of their sinne §. Sect. 5. Fornicators sin against euery person in the Deity and first
the fornicator is seldome troubled with any true sorrow for his sinne yet doth he neuer want vexation and griefe in respect of the punishment which doth accompanie it Before he committeth his sinne hee is set vpon the racke of his owne inordinate lusts which violently draw him to a resolution of perpetrating his filthinesse after he is resolued he is tormented with a multitude of vnrulie passions and affections which drawing contrarie waies diuersly distract him and euen pull him asunder One while he is vexed with vncertaine hopes and another while with doubtfull feares sometimes he is tormented with care how hee may compasse his desires and sometimes with ielousies and suspitions of manifold mischiefes which may accompanie the fruition of his carnall ioyes Now hee doubteth of his harlots loue and wisheth a cleere passage in his suite and soone after hee feareth his wish in respect of the shame or punishment which may follow the atchieuing of his desires if by any meanes his filthy fact be discouered and reuealed Neither is hee in better case after his lusts are satisfied but rather as his sinne which was but onely resolued on is now aggrauated by the execution and fact so also are his punishments in his soule and eonscience intended and increased For now the smoke which did arise from the flame of his lusts and darkened the eye of his vnderstanding being somewhat vanished vpon the quenching of this fire hee beginneth more cleerely to discerne the foulenesse of his fact and his owne sottish follie who for the inioying of a short and beastly pleasure hath robbed his conscience of peace and his heart of ioy and cast himselfe into an inextricable labyrinth of manifold mischiefes now his guiltie conscience maketh him to be in continuall feare lest his fact being discouered his name should be exposed to infamie and reproch and his person to the danger of the law and this maketh him suspitious of his friends and fearefull of his enemies if there bee but the least ielousie of any meanes wherby his workes of darkenesse may be brought to light And this Iob notably describeth Chap. 24.16 Iob 24.16 The whoremongers dig through houses in the darke which they marked for themselues in the day they know not the light 17. But the morning is vnto them as the shadow of death If one know them they are in the terrors of the shadow of death Yea though they haue so secretly acted their wickednesse that they are in this respect secure being assured that they shall neuer bee discouered yet if they bee not men of scared consciences they are contiuually haunted with terrors and troubles of mind as it were with hellish furies when as being guiltie of these foule sinnes they consider that their Iudge is also a witnesse of their hidden actions and that one day they shal be called to a reckoning when as they can haue but little hope that it will goe well with them 1. Cor. 6.9.10 Apoc. 21.8 seeing the sentence of eternall death and condemnation is alreadie passed vpon them in his word which is his infallible truth that admitteth of no change or alteration Who therfore would for a brutish and momentanie delight pierce his conscience with such deepe wounds which are so long in healing and bring such continuall griefe and bitter torments before they can be cured Who would at such high rates as the losse of Gods fauour and the peace of their owne conscience buy either at the best continually cause of repentance or otherwise the restlesse feares and torturing terrors of a guiltie soule euen to the end of life especially considering that these present terrors of conscience are but the beginnings of the eternall hellish torments CHAP. XII Of the publicke punishments which the Lord inflicteth vpon the common-wealth for the sinne of whoredome ANd these are the punishments which for the sin of whoredome are inflicted vpon priuate persons §. Sect. 1. That the common-wealth is diuersly punished for the sinne of whoredome Besides which the Lord imposeth manie heauie iudgements vpon the publicke state and vpon the whole common-wealth for where whoredome aboundeth there the whole land mourneth and being spoiled of her fruites Ier. 23.10 wherewith she should nourish her inhabitants shee sitteth sorrowfull hanging downe the head like a miserable mother who being importuned for foode by her starued children hath not any thing to giue them to satisfie their hunger and preserue them from famishing Sometimes the countrie is so grieuouslie sicke through the noisome humours and burthenous corruptions of vncleannesse that it hath no other meanes to ease it selfe but by vomiting out all the inhabitants as appeareth in the example of the Cananits Leuit. 18.25.28 Leu. 18.25.28 sometimes when men neglect the punishment of these sinnes of vncleannesse their cry ascendeth vp into heauen importuning the Lord to take extraordinarie vengeance when ordinarie iustice is not executed as we may see in the example of Sodom Gomorrah Gen. 19. which were destroied with fire and brimstone that came downe from heauen And sometime the heate of this filthie lust so inflameth the iust wrath of God that nothing will appease and quench it but a large streame of the offenders blood as appeareth in the example of the Israelites who for their spirituall and carnall whoredome with the Moabites were destroyed to the number of 24000. at one time as appeareth Numb 25.9 Num. 25.9 And in the Beniamites who were almost all put to the sword for committing and defending these sinnes of vncleannesse And also in the Sichemites Iud. 20 who for the filthines of their Lords son in deflouring Dinah Iacobs daughter were vtterly destroied Gen. 34. The which as it was a bloudie sinne in Iacobs sonnes so no doubt it was a fearefull iudgement of God vpon that citie the which hee hath left as an example vnto after ages to shew how odious and abominable the sinnes of whoredome and vncleannesse are in his sight The consideration whereof should both restraine priuate men from defiling themselues with the carnall filthinesse of their vncleane lusts §. Sect. 2. That loue to our countrie should make priuate men abhorre and Magistrates punish this sinne of whoredome seeing thereby they not only bring so manifold mischiefes vpon their owne heads but also make their deere countrie which hath giuen vnto them their first breath and continuall maintenance education and defence liable vnto Gods fearefull plagues which they should more tender and preciouslie esteeme then either goods lands or life it selfe As also it ought to moue Magistrates who are appointed by God as his deputies on earth that in zeale for Gods glory and loue to their country they both make wholesome lawes for the punishing and suppressing of these vices and also see them duely executed but inflicting iust and deserued punishments vpon the offenders for where sinne is punished with ordinarie punishments there the Lord seldome inflicteth his extraordinarie plagues