WARNINGS TO THE Unclean IN A DISCOURSE From Rev. XXI 8. Preacht at Springfield Lecture August 25 th 1698. At the Execution of Sarah Smith By Mr. John Williams Pastor of the Church at Deerfield Boston Printed by B. Green and J. Allen for Michael Perry at his Shop over-against the Town-House 1699. THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE HENRY STEVENS of Vermont FSA c. 4 Trafalgar Square London 1882 TO THE READER ALthough in the Popish Sense we mâ—y allow no sin to be Venial For the wages of every sin is death yet there are doubtless degrees in sin some are in their nature circumstances more peculiarly aggravated and expose to a much sorer Condemnation Among which may be reckoned those which are not only violations of positive Precepts but of the very dictates and law of nature in such sins there is both a contempt of the Divine Authority and a great deal of violence offered to Conscience which would restrain from the commission of them and is a plain demonstration of prevailing Atheism of the heart and mighty power and love of sin in it to over-bear the light they have but that such sins should be committed under the clear light of the Gospel shews men to be wholly without excuse It therefore is and ought to be for a lamentation that though we live in such an Age of the World wherein the Light of the Gospel shines with greater clearness probably then it ever did since the first revelation of it yea in days too wherein the Wrath of God is revealed from heaven against the unrighteousness of men That in such days there should be found so many sad instances of these horrid and unnatural sins of Murther and Uncleanness but especially of this latter that there is ground to fear that it hath been one of the things for which God hath so long had a controversie with the Land As for what is obvious to men of this nature we have reason to hope that the Land is free from the guilt of it by the vigilance and faithfulness of those to whom God hath committed the Sword of Justice but there are many things of this nature secret which the method of God in his Judgments seems directly to point at It is noted among the procuring causes of Israels miseries 2 King 17.9 That the Children of Israel did secretly those things that were not right in the sight of the Lord probably this may reâ—err to what we read in 1 King 14.24 There were Sodomites in the land However that be it 's certain the Prophets reckon up the sins of Whoredom and Adultery among the black Catalogue of their abominations and the causes of their calamities Jer. 5.7 They assembled themselves by troops in Harlots houses and Hos. 4.11 Whorâ—dom and Wine take away the heart these are such things as defile the Land where-ever they are committed and will certainly procure an increase of Judgments unless repentance prevents whensoever God in his just Wrath leaves any to be monuments of shame ignominy before the world it is a loud call to all who lye under such guilt to be speedy and thorough in repentance God both requires and expects it should be so Deut. 13.11 All Israel shall hear and fear and do no more presumptuously on which account it seems very sutable to accompany such sad instances with solemn warnings that those who are under the like guilt may be awakened and others may be awed and it is especially needful that persons be put in remembrance of the dreadful consequence of these things in the world to come in comparison of which the greatest shame and severe penalties here are as nothing and as the Judgment of God is more severe so it is more certain he hath positively declared Heb. 13.4 Whoremongers and adulterers God will Judge these works of darkness may escape the notice so the Judgment of men but there will be no escaping the Judgment of God there is no darkness or shadow of death where the workers of Iniquity may hide themselves the eye of God follows men into their darkest recesses and he will surely have a day to bring to light the hidden things of darkness To promote these Ends it is that many of the Hearers of the following sollid and seasonable Warning delivered just before the Execution of a person convicted of these horrid sins of Murther and Adultery have desired the publication of it to which the Author hath consented being desirous to further the right Improvement of such a sad Example to deter others from the like abominations As for the person Executed for these sins she is an awful instance of the infatuating hardening and stupifying power of this bruitish Sin of Uncleanness her love to frequent practice of it having occasioned her stifling many convictions contracted a fearful stupidity and sottishness upon her near the approaches of death It is earnestly to be wished that such Warnings and Examples might not be in vain that all would so improve them that we might see no more such Examples To conclude therefore let me perswade all to consider the heinous nature and dreadful effects of these sins the Apostle gives a particular account hereof 1 Cor. 6.9 13 14 15 16 17. It s a sin against a mans own body it is a defiling of that which should be the temple of God it is a Sin loathsome in it self and makes those who are guilty of it loathsome to God and to men too when it is discovered it is a sin that is ordinarily the punishment of other sins Prov. 23.27 A Whore is a deep ditch and a narrow pit the abhorred of the Lord shall fall therein It is a Sin that dreadfully hardens and besots those who are guilty of it Prov. 21.9 't is said of the Harlot nâ—ne that go in unto her return again neither take they hold of the path of life 2. That persons would more carefully avoid the inducements to this Sin which are too common Such are over cosâ—ly light garish Attire impudent and immodest carriages filthy communications idleness intemperance by which the body is inflamed and modesty banished the command that forbids the acts of Uncleanness forbids also the occasions and tendencies to it and unless there be a tenderness and watchfulness to avoid these there will be little hopes that gross pollutions will be avoided Thus commending the following Warnings to the Blessing of God and to the serious consideration of the Rising Generation I am Your Souls well-wisher W. Williams WARNINGS TO ALL Unclean Persons Rev XXI 8. But the fearful and unbelieving and the abominable and murderers and whoremongers and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire brimstone which is the second death SInners promise themselves a great deal of pleasure satisfaction and delight in the ways of Disobedience to the holy Commands of God but the destinations and appointments of God to them are far
guilty and in very great hazard and danger of being filled with the Wrath of God Rom. 1.32 Rom. 3.1 2 3 these â—o as it were Justifie those that have been guilty after God hath punished them and slight the Justice of God therefore you find God so sharply reproving these and declaring these more abominable in his sight Ezek. 16.47 53. Jer. 3.7 12. God is not wont to suffer such that harden their hearts against Examples of Wrath on others to escape his Wrath. Dan. 5.22 6. To them that live in Uncleanness whilst they make a high profession of Godliness they come and sit at the Table of the Lord and yet wallow in Uncleanness God that sees what they do in Secret sayes Shall not my Soul be Avenged of such as these Oh! in what great danger are Church Member Unclean persons If God will answer them according to their Abominations who set up their Idols in their hearts and put the stumbling block of their Iniquity beforâ— their face when they come to enquire of a Prophet Ezek. 14 4. What will the end of these â—e 〈◊〉 These have had impressions made by the Spiriâ— of God from the word on their Consciences and have been like the Earth that drinketh iâ— the Rain that cometh oft upon it and iâ— they do after all this continue to bring â—ortâ— briars and thorns may they not look upoâ— themselves nigh to cursing Heb. 6.8 7 To all those whom God hath suffered to escape long Unpunished in the pursuit of Unclean delights an awful symptome and grounâ— of fear that God intends to punish them Eternally Oh! many are glad at heart that they can sin unpunished and not be brought to shame and smart for it here truly such have awful ground to fear that God intends to Damn them Eternally The letting of Sinnerâ— go unpunished is threatned as one of the foresâ— Calamities inflicted in this world for the preparing of the Sinner for endless Torment Hosâ— 4.14 17. Let such read Rom. 9.22 23. And seâ— if they have any reason to account it any part of their happiness that they are suffered of God to escape long unpunished in such a way of sinning 8. To all those who cover their Uncleannesses with Lies to the doubling of their guiltiness These take a course to carry the guilt of their doings into another world with them Those that commit Adultery and walk in Lies will be as Sodom to God Jer. 23.14 Prov. 19.5 They are doubly an Abomination to God the Text doth once and again threaten those persons Here 's nothing but matter of awakening and terrour to all Unclean persons older or younger God saith that he will punish such as you are He will take you into his own hands Heb. 13.4 Oh! what reason have you to tremble and be afraid your Sin is Damning The damage it doth you is not only in this life and on your bodies but it destroyes your Souls and that Eternally Consider that Eternal Separation from God and every act of disobedience receiving a meet reward will make you perfectly miserable Here consider for your awakening 1. That the pleasures of sin will be dear bought You are now resolved to live a life of pleasure You are doubly guilty of folly as well as wickedness you make choice of pleasures that lye in common with bruits and refuse the joys of holiness and communion with God You chuse also those that you can enjoy but for a season they will be but as the crackling of thorns under a pot and they will cost you the loss of all happiness and the sustaining all misery You live a jolly jocund life now but what will you do in the end thereof Madness in your hearts whilst you live and after that you go to the dead 2. That God wont punish you for one sin only or but for a few but for all He will remember all your Iniquities and visit all your sins Eccles. 11.9 Amos 3.2 All your Uncleanness all your Sabbath Pollutions all your Sinful thoughts words and actions Oh! you will find it a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God under the guilt of Innumerable sins Can your hands and hearts indure under this Can you bear the wrath of God for numberless transgressions 3 God wont only bring you into misery but the Cup shall be full of wrath without any mixture of mercy that he will make you take and drink down Wrath wont fall heavily only on one member of the body but all not only on the body but Soul and Body too No friends to pitty you pray for you no comforts of this life to comfort you Rev. 14.10 Oh! how hard do afflictions sometimes come upon you now you say you can't live long under them if they are continued and yet you have many mercies mixt with your bitterest afflictions many comforts But then forsaken of all nothing but wrath not one single mercy 4. God will have no regard to any thing you can devise to alleviate your pain He will take no notice of any of the prayers you made or profession you made of Religion If you took lamps and went forth to meet the Bridgroom if you eat and drunk at his Table if in his Name you cast out Devils if you gave of your Estate to charitable uses if your Estate were laid out for the maintaining and upholding the Ordinances of God Worship and your natural or acquired parts and abilities were improved for the good of Gods Church your wisdom and your courage improved many years for the preservation and defence of Gods people it would not be Esteemed by God to prevent your Torment Matt. 7.21 22 23. and Matt. 25.12 God wont regard the Prayers of the most holy Ministers and Relations that prayed for you to ease you of your pains Jer. 15.1 Ezek. 14.14 God wont regard your earnest pleadings Matt. 25.11 12. Dives can't get one drop of water with all his pleadings Your descending from Godly Parents and that you were the Children of the Covenant won't procure any abatement of pain The rich man crying out in torment though he crys Father Abraham and is called Son yet hath no ease Luk. 16.25 5. God won't only rank your sins before your eyes but he will make them manifest to your contempt before the world God will reprove you and set your sins in order before your eyes when he comes to execute Vengeance as Matt. 25 41. Psal. 50.21 22. He will also make known to the world what manner of persons you were to your disgrace and reproach Psal. 52.6 7. Luk. 12.2 3. All your Secret sins wicked thoughts your Hypocrisy and Apostacy will all be proclaimed before all the world You would be ashamed to be seen in any company if the wickedness of your hearts and thoughts if the wickedness committed by you in Secret were known to all Oh! how do those that seemed to be without shame hang down their heads How shy are they of
Adultery Drunkards are often Unclean 4. Beware of giving way to other sins against the motions and strivings of Gods Spirit So did this poor Condemned Woman before she was left of God to this Sin of Murder for which She must Dye So did Herod and he imprisoned and murdered John the Baptist. Seven worse and more wicked Spirits often enter into such and so their last end is worse than their beginning Mat. 12.44 45. 5. Consider that all your ways are before God and the darkness hideth not from him Prov. 5.21 6. Beware of indulging your selves in secret sins you must endeavour to be cleansed from secret faults if you would not have presumptuous sins have dominion over you 2. To warn them that have fallen into these sins not to delay repentance to beware of doing any thing to the continuing of the guilt of these sins upon your Souls and Consciences Oh hasten escape for your lives fly for refuge to Christ. Look not back with a desire after them 1 You have been antecedently guilty of many other sins ripening you for these besides the guilt of these sins you have the guilt of many other 2. God will else tear you in pieces and none shall deliver you Psal. 50.22 3. All your former righteousness and religigiousness will be disowned if you live impenitent under these sins Ezek. 18.24 32 12 13. 1. Remember them against your selves so as to be heartily judging and condemning of your selves for them If you would not have God to loath you loath and abhor your selves for your Violations of his holy Law If you would not have God remember against you former iniquities you must remember them against your selves Your iniquities must be before you and you must be judging your selves before God for them So did Ezra Chap. 9.15 So did David Psal. 51.3 4. This we are counselled to 1 Cor. 11.31 Thus did repenting Ephraim Jer. 31.18 2 Follow and trace the footsteeps of these your sins till you find out your Original Sin your impure Nature Psa. 51.5 Unless men come to see and know the plague of their own hearts they will be partial and feigned in their repentance They that dont turn with their whole hearts will fall back again when a suitable Temptation and Occasion is offered and presented 3. Beware that you dont flatter your selves as though you had repented before you have repentance is not a saying before God with tears that you are sorry for your transgressions many turn but not to the most High 4. See that Christ as a Sanctifier and Justifier be sought after by you in respect of the guilt you lie under you had need improve Christ as a Justifier and as an Advocate Oh! then go to Christ as to him who only can Justify acquit and absolve you from the guilt of Sin 1 Joh. 2.1 2. Joh. 1.29 From the consideration of the Power and Dominion of Sin you have need of Christ as your only Sanctifier Your Prayers Reformations Tears won't Justifie you Christ must be a Satisfyer for you or Gods Justice can't be Satisfyed And you have no way to get power against corruption but by going to Christ as your Sanctification Your Vows Promises Resolutions Fastings won't mortifie and kill any one sin in you 't is Christ must subdue your Sin in you and for you 5. Improve present influences from the Spirit of God to draw you to Christ. Unless God by his Spirit draw you you will never come to the Son the Number of your Sins won't make you go to Christ the Greatness of your Sins won't make you go to Christ natural desires of happiness and escaping Wrath Hell won't bring you to Christ these may cause you to play the Hypocrite but they won't bring you to Christ times of common Calamity Judgment won't drive you to Christ thoughts and apprehensions of Deaths drawing near and just at hand ready to arrest you won't prevail with you to go to Christ. You that delay and put off your repentance when God is striving with you take heed you can't convert your selves when you will without Gods Spirit Look upon this poor object before your eyes and then consider whether any or all the forementioned things will make you fly to Christ. Improve the Spirit while it is at work on your Souls 6. Beware that you don't hearken to vain words and reasonings tending to the lessening of your guiltiness and your danger of Gods wrath and Judgment Eph. 5.6 Oh! know that for these things cometh the wrath of God upon the Children of disobedience And since the Apostle hath cautioned thus as to this sin I would particularly warn you to take heed that you don't by vain reasonings prevent your speedy repenting and turning to God And shall in a few particulars shew you the Vanity of such reasonings as have a tendency to extenuate and lessen your sin and danger that you may not hearken to them and deceive your own Souls 1. Some are ready to reason away apprehensions of Divine anger because 't is so long since they were guilty of them if they had committed these sins to day yesterday or but a few weeks ago they should be afraid and concerned to get them pardoned but it s so long since that they have almost forgotten them and if God had been much provoked he would not have born with them thus long 1. Consider God remembers them all as though committed but yesterday they are sealed up among his hid treasures God said Psal. 50. That he can set them in order before the sinners eyes God won't only punish for a few of your latter sins only but for all If they were committed when you were Young he hau 't forgot them for he sayes He will bring you into Judgment for all your Youthful sins Eccle. 11.9 They that have gone to God aright have gone for the pardon of former sins sins of Youth as well as latter transgressions 2. God punisheth some men a long time after they have committed their sins 'T is true because Sentence against an evil work is not speedily executed that the hearts of the Sons of men are set in them to do evil it s no argument that you shall escape punishment because God hath not yet punished you Though God did not destroy the people in the Wilderness presently but bore with their evil manners for forty years yet he wasted that Generation Hear what God sayes Exod. 32.32 God waited on and warned his people for twenty three years by his Prophet and yet after all he destroyed them in his anger Jer. 25.3 7. Jude verse 5. 2 Pet. 2.9 3. It may be you have been under a Judicial process ever since Sinners are sometimes stupid and don 't observe the Strokes of God upon them hear how unobservant they were that had been for so long a time under a course of Judgment Jer. 44.19 compared with 20â—â—â—24 The Judgments of God are sometimes more Spiritual and so