Bestiality or Buggery when any prostitute themselves to a Beast This is an accursed thing Deut. 27. 21. Cursed be he that lieth with any manner of Beast and all the people shall say Amen This is monstrous and horrible Confusion it turneth a man into a bruit Beast He that joyneth himself to a Beast is one flesh with a Beast Liviâ— 18. 23. Neither shalt thou lie with any Beast to defile thy self therewith neither shall any woman stand before a Beast to lie down thereto it is confusion This horrid wickedness pollutes the very Beast and makes it more unclean and beastly then it was and unworthy to live amongst Beasts and therefore the Lord to shew his detestation of such Villany hath appointed the Beast it self to be slain Lev. 20. 15 16. If a man liâ— with a Beast he shall surely be put to death and ye shall slay the Beast And if a woman approach to any Beast and lie down thereto thou shalt kill the woman and the Beast they shall surely be put to death their blood shall be upon them All these Abominations reigned amongst the ancient Inhabitants of Canaan and caused their Land to vomit them out Lev. 18. 24 25. but the men of Sodom and Gomorrah were the most notorious therein for they were all of them both young and old addicted to such lewdness and went through all sorts of uncleanness giving themselves over to fornication and going after strange flesh and attained to a prodigious height and hellish perfection therein and therefore are set forth for an Example suffering the Vengeance of eternal fire Jude ver 7. Quest 2. Why is Carnall Vncleanness said to be a Crying sin and griâ—vous wickedness for which God maketh diligent Inquisition and executeth dreadful Vengeance Reas 1. Because the sin of Uncleanness is a bold and presumptuous Violation of the holy Law and blessed Commandment of God 1 Thess 4. 3 4 5. This is the will of God even your sanctification that ye should abstain from fornication that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour not in the lust of Concupiscence even as the Gentiles which know not God Lev. 18. 24 26 30. Dâ—file not you your selves in any of these things Ye shall keep my statutes and my judgements and shall not commit any of these Abominations c. Lewd and filthy persons thwart and cross the Sacred and Soveraign Will of God preferring their base lusts and the satisfaction thereof before Gods Royal Commandment and obedience thereunto Reas 2. Because the sin of Uncleanness is a most polluting and defiling sin It is most opposite to Holiness and is properly called Vncleanness 1 Thess 4. 7. It pollutes a mans person Mat. 15. 19 20. Out of the heart proceed Evil thoughts Murthers Adulteries Fornications c. these are the things which defile a man It pollutes the Body and turns the Temple of the holy Ghost into an Hog-stie and a Dogs Kennel 1 Cor. 6 18 19. He that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body What know ye not that your body is the Temple of the holy Ghost 1 Cor. 3. 17. If any man defile the Temple of God him shall God destroy Such as wallow in the lusts of Uncleanness are Dogs and Swine 2 Pet. 2. 22. The Dog is turned to his own vomit again and the Sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire When Abner was charged with defiling Rizpah he answereth Am I a Dogs head 2 Sam. 3. 8. The hire of a Where and the price of a Dog are put together Deut. 23. 18. They are near of kin even let them go together It pollutes the Noble Faculties of the Soul the Minde and the Conscience Tit. 1. 15. It blindes the Minde darkens the Understanding extinguisheth the Light of Nature and of Common Grace and makes a man a fool as Tamar said to Amnon 2 Sam. 13. 13. Thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel Solomon tells us that a young Wanton is a simple man and void of understanding and goeth after the strange woman as an Ox goeth to the slaughter or as a fool to the correction of the Stocks Prov. 7. 7 22. This sin besots and infatuates the Heart estrangeth it from God and breeds an hatred and loathing of Piety and Honesty Whoredome and wine and new wine take away the heart Hos 4. 11. The impure Gentiles who gave themselves over to lastiviousness were alitnated from the life of God Ephes 4. 17 18 19. Seducers which creep into houses and lead captive silly women laden with sins led away with divers lusts are men of corrupt mindes reprobate concerning the faith 2 Tim. 3. 6 8. This sin makes men haughty and scornfull so that they mock at Counsels and Warnings and are enraged against wholsome Admonitions The men of Sodâ—m said to Lot Stand back This one fellow came in to soâ—ourn and he will needs be a Judge Now will we deal worse with thee then with them Gen. 19. 9. Lot admonished his Sons in Law to get out of that place because the Lord would destroy it but he seemed to them as one that mocked ver 14. This sin pollutes a mans speech and makes his Communication rotten and unsavoury Eph. 4. 29. It pollutes a mans Course and Conversation and makes it filthy and loathsome 2 Pâ—t 2. 7. It pollutes a mans Name and makes it stink Prov. 6. 33. A wound and dishonour shall he get and his reproach shall not be wiped away 2 Sam. 13. 13. And I whither shall I cause my shame to go The unclean person is Burnt in the Hand and Branded on the Forehead Repentance it self cannot so throughly heal this Wound but some Scar will remain in this world as is evident in the History of Samson David and Solomon This sin pollutes the Company with whom such converse They are spots and blemishes in Christian Societies 2 Pâ—t 2. 13. Yea it pollutes and defiles the Land where it is committed and causeth it to spue out its Inhabitants The Earth groaneth under the burthen of such horrible Enormities and would willingly empty and cast up its gorge yea the Lord visiteth the Land with Sword Famine and Pestilence for such Abominations Lev. 18. 25. 27. Reas 3. Because the sin of Uncleanness is most dishonourable and reproachful to the Name of God Rom. 2. 22 23 24. Thou that sâ—â—est a man should not commit Adultery dost thou commit Adultery Thou that makest thy boast of the Law through breaking the Law dishonourest thou God For the Name of God is blasphemed amongst the Gentiles through you What greater disgrace or infamy can be cast upon the Grace of God then to turn it into laseiviousness What a reproach is this that the Sons of God are become flesh carnal sensual debauched that the Members of Christ are made the Members of an Harlot yea the members of a Beast that the Temple of the holy Ghost is become a Stews and Brothel-house yea a Cage of unclean Birds yea a very Hog-sty What horrid Profaneness what hellish Sacriledge is this Reas 4. Because the sin of Uncleanness is most offâ—nsive and displeasing to the holy Spirit of
God Gen. 6 3. The Lord said My Spirit shall not alwayes strive with man because he also is flesh and ver 6. It repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth and it grieved him at his heart Corrupt Communication grieves the holy Spirit of God Ephes 4. 29 30. They that are sensual are destitute of the Spirit Jude ver 19. The stinking Lake of Sodom is not so unsavoury and loathsome to the Traveller that passeth by as the lewd and filthy person is to the most holy God Such are the abhorred of the Lord Prov. 22. 14. Reas 5. Because the sin of Uncleanness provokes God to indignation and augments his fierce wrath against vile sinners Jer. 5. 9. Shall I not visit for these things saith the Lord and shall not my soul be avenged on such a Nation as this Ephes 5. 6. Because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience Where do the Guests of the strange woman lodge In such a Tavern or Ordinary nay they lodge in the depths of Hell Prov. 9. 18. Fornicators Adulterers unclean and effâ—minate persons and Abusers of themselves with mankinde have no inheritance in the Kingdome of God but are shut out among the Dogs and cast into the Lake which burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second death 1 Cor. 69 10. Gal. 5. 19 21. Eph. 5. 5. Rev. 21. 8 27. 22. 15. VSE I. Of Instruction This may serve to Vindicaâ—e the holy Name of God and clear in Throne in his dreadful Severity toward this vile and wicked Youth in making him a Pattern and Monument of his fierce Wrath and Indignation It may be some among us stand astonished and amazed at this fearfull and tremendous hand of God in making such a Youth a Childe of Religious Parents and that in his tender years such a Dreadful Example of Divine Vengeance I pray consider 1. The heinous and atrocious nature of his Sin and Transgression It is a Crying sin it makes a â—lamorous noise in the ears of the holy God it will not suffer God to rest in Heaven It doth not onely trouble our Israâ—l but it troubles and disquiets the God of Israel This his sin is exceeding grievous in the sight of God it is an Abomination it is Confusion It defiles the Land the Earth groans under the burthen of such Wickedness You pity his Youth and tender years but I pray pity the holy Law of God which is shamefully violated pity the glorious Name of God which is horribly profaned pity the Land which is fearfully polluted and defiled 2. Consider the Equity of Gods severe Dispensation towards this vile Youth The Lord hath proceeded slowly and leisurely and hath endured this wicked Youth with much long-suffering untill his sin grew to this prodigious height and cried for Vengeance For as he himself confesseth he lived in Disobedience to his Parents in Lying Stealing Sabbath-breaking and was wont to flee away from Catechism He would not hearken to the Voice of God and therefore he gave him up to his own hearts lust He was extremely addicted to Sloth and Idleness which is a great breeder and cherisher of Uâ—cleanness The standing Pool gathers filth and harbours Toads and filthy Vermine Lust is usually warm and stirring in idle bosomes He gave himself to Self-pollution and oâ—her Sodomitical wickedness He often attempted Buggery with several Beasts before God-left him to commit it at last God gave him over to it and he continued in the frequent practise thereof for several Moneths Being at length by the good hand of God brought under the Yoke of Government and Servâ—ce which might have bridled and restrained him from such wickednesâ— he violently brake away from his Master and with an high hand boldly and impudently like a childe of Belial shook off that Yoke of God casting reproach and disgrace upon his Master Having now obtained a licentious liberty he grew so impudent in his wickedness as to commit this horrid Villany in the sight of the Sun and in the open field even at Noon-day proclaiming his sin like Sodom Though he be a Youth in respect of years yet he is grown old in wickedness and ripe for Vengeance The Church cannot be cleansed untill this wicked person be put away from among us Ishmael stood in the same relation to the Church of God was younger in years yet being convict of a heinous Transgression though far inferiour to this before us was cast out and that according to the Commandment of God Gen. 21. 9 10 11 12. If we will not pronounce such a Villain Accursed we must be content to bear the Curse our selves The Land cannot be cleansed untill it hath spued out this Uâ—clean Beast The execution of Justice upon such a notorious Malefactor is the onely way to turn away the wrath of God from us and to consecrate our selves to the Lord and obtain his Blessing upon us Numb 25. 4. Hang them up before the Lord against the Sun that the fierce anger of the Lord may be turned away from Israel Exod. 32. 29. Consecrate your selves to day to the Lord even every man upon his Son and upon his Brother that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day VSE II. Of Exhortation unto us all To sanctifie the Name of God in this tremendous Dispensation in making such an one amongst us a Sign and an Example of Vengeance When Nadab and Abibu were burnt with fire for offering strange fire before the Lord Mâ—ses said unto Aaron This is that which the Lord spake saying I will be sanctified in them that come nigh to me and before all the people I will be glorified Lev. 10. 3. This is the right interpretation and true improvement of such signal and judicial Strokes viz. To sanctifie the Name of God according to his Word and give him the honour and glory due unto his Name Psal 9. 16. The Lord is known by the judgement which he executeth the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands Higgaion Selah This is a deep Meditation Let us look upon this sad and woful Example with diligent Observation let it sink down into our hearts ponder and weigh it in the Causes Circumstances and Aggravations thereof Let our thoughts dwell upon this lasting Monument of Divine Wrath. Content we not our selves with transient thoughts in contemplating such a permanent Sign and Example of Vengeance left God lose of that Honour and Glory which he expects from us and we fail of that Spiritual fruit which we might and ought to reap thereby Quest How should we sanctifie the Name of God in this tremendous Dispensation Ans I. In general Fear and Tremble before this holy Lord God Isa 8. 13. Sanctifie the Lord
29. Col. 4. 6. Thy Behaviour modest and grave Tit. 2. 2 3 4 5 6. 1 Tim. 2. 9. Thy Conversation ordered aright according to the direction of the Word of God Psal 119. 9. Study how to please God and be good and do good in his sight and he will preserve thee from the snares and nets which the heart of the strange woman hath made and her hands spread to catch and entangle poor sinners Eccles 7. 26. Whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her Fourthly In the fear of God let us carefully Watch over our Children Servants and all that are under our Care and Charge lest they be stained and defiled Wherefore did the Lord acquaint Abraham with his Counsel and purpose concerning the destruction of the filthy Soâ—omites because he knew that Abraham would charge his Children and Family to beware of the like wickedness and Command them to live soberly righteously and piously Genes 18. 17 19. Holy Job was afraid lest his Sons in the midst of their miâ—th and good Chear had sinned against God and therefore sent and called them and sanct fied them and offered Sacrifices for them Thus did Job continually Job 1. 5. Great care and circumspection is here to be used for the prevention and timous eradication of any roâ—t of bitterness that may trouble and defile us Hâ—b 12. 15 16. Looking diligently lâ—st any man fail of the grace of God lâ—st any root of bitterness springing up trouble you and many be defiâ—ed lest there be any Fornicator or profane person What Means are to be used 1. Diligent Instruction Prov. 22. 6. Train up a Childe in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it Sow the Principles of Piety in tender years 2 Tim. 3. 15. 2. Solemn Charges and Commands Solomons father taught him and said unto him Let thy heart retain my words Keep my Commandments and live get wisdome get understanding forget it not c. Prov. 4. 3 4 5 His Mother also taught him Chastity and Temperance and with holy Precepts fore-armed him against the vicious inclination of his Nature Prov. 31. 1 2 3 4 5. Yea King David gave him as his Successor in the Throne a solemn Charge in the audience of all Israel 1 Chron. 28. 9. 3. Serious Reproofs of Instruction Prov. 6. 23 24. Save them with fear Fright and startle them out of their lewd Courses Pluck them as brands out of the fire Jude ver 23. 4. Seasonable Correction for their folly and lewdness Prov. 22. 15. Foolishness is bound in the heart of a Childe but the Rod of Correction shall drive it far from him Eli's lenity and indulgence to his wicked Sons brought inevitable ruine upon his house 5. Faith and Prayer Is thy Son haunted by an unclean Spirit follow the Example of the father of the Lunatick Bring thy Son to Christ affectionately spread his afflicted and distressed condition before him He is able to cast out Satan though he rage never so much Lukâ— 9. 38 39 42. Is thy Daughter haunted by an unclean Spirit Follow the Example of the Syrophaenician woman Fall down at the feet of Christ beseech him to cast forth the Devil out of thy Daughter Mark 7. 25 26. Be not offended nor discouraged by reason of any dâ—fficulâ—y objection or temptation which the Lord exerciseth you withall but through the gâ—ace of Christ wrestle through all by Faith and Prayer you shall câ—râ—ainly obâ—ain your request and that with advantage There is a dâ—fference of evil Spirits some are more wicked then others Maâ— 12. 45. but the worst kindes may be cast out by â—asting and Prayer Matth. 17. 21. Faith is the Instrument under God that expâ—ls Satan out of his old possession Fervent Prayer quickens â—aâ—th and Religious Fasting is a special help and futherance to servent Prayer To conclude Be pleased to account of this Doctrine as of the Angels Message to Lot to arise and depart out of Sodom lest he should be consumed in the iniquity thereof and look at these Instructions and Exhortations as the Angels laying hold upon his hand while he lingred and upon the hand of his Wife and two Daughters the Lord being merciful to him and bringing him forth out of that cursed City 'T is an Angelical Service to pluck poor sinners out of the Snare of Lasciviousness FINIS 1 Coâ— 5. 1.