Caution 3: Against Uncleanness

The next danger I shall give you warning of, is the sin of Vncleanness; with which, I fear, too many of the rude and looser sort of Sea-men defile themselves; and possibly, the temptations to this sin are advantaged, and strengthened upon them more than others, by their condition and employments. Let no Man be offended that I here give warning of this evil; I intend to asperse no Man's person, nor raise up jealousie against any: but would faithfully discharge my duty to all, and that in all things. It was the complaint of Salvian many hundred years ago, that he could not speak against the Vices of men, but one or other would thus object, There he meant me, he hit me; and so storm and fret. Alas (as he replies) it is not we that speak to you, but your own Conscience; we speak to the Order, but Conscience speaks to the Person. I shall use no other Apology in this case. That this Sin is a dreadful Gulph, a Quick-sand that has suck'd and destroyed thousands, is truly apparent, both from Scripture and Experience. Solomon tells us, Proverbs 22:14. That it is a deep ditch, into which such as are abhorred of the Lord shall fall. Oh the multitudes of dead that are there! And if so, I cannot in duty to God, or love to you, be silent, where the danger is so great. It is both needless, and besides my intention, here to insist largely upon the explication of the particulars in which uncleanness is distributed: the more ordinary and common sins of this kind are known by the names of Adultery and Fornication: the latter is, when single persons come together, out of the state of marriage; the former is, when at least one of the persons committing uncleanness is contracted in marriage. This now is the evil I shall warn you of. And that you mayst never fall into this pit, I shall endeavor to fence and hedge up your way to it, by these ensuing Arguments: And Oh that the light of every Argument may be powerfully reflected upon your Conscience! Many men are very wise in generals, but very vain [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], in the reasonings, or imaginations, as the Apostle calls them, Romans 1:22. (i. e.) in their practical inferences. They are good at speculation, but bunglers at application. But it is truth in the particulars, that, like an hot Iron, pierces; and Oh that you might find these to be such in your Soul! To that end, consider.

Arg. 1. The names and titles by which this sin is known in scripture, are very vile and base. The Spirit of God, doubtless, has put such odious names upon it, on purpose to deter and affright men from it. In general, it's called Lust; and so (as one notes) it bears the name of its mother. It is Vncleanness in the abstract, Nu[•]b. 5. 19. Filthiness it self; An abomination; Ezekiel 22:11. And they that commit are called abominable, Revel. 21. 8. Varro says, the word imports that which is not lawful to mention; or rather, abominable persons are such as are not fit for the society of men, such as should be [•]usht out of all mens company: They are rather to be reckoned to beasts than man. Indeed, the Scripture compares them to the filthiest of beasts. even to Dogs: When Ishbosheth charged this sin upon Abner, 2 Samuel 3:8. Am I a Dogs head, (says he) that you chargest me with a fault concerning this woman? And in Deuteronomy 23:18. The hire of a whore, and the price of a dog, are put together. The expression of this lust in words or gesture, is called neighing, Jeremiah 5:8. Even as fed horses do, that scatter their lust promiscuously. Or if the Scripture speaks of them as men, yet it allows them but the external shape of men, not the unde[•]standing of men. Among the Jews they were called Fools in Israel, 2 Samuel 13:13. and so Proverbs 6:32. Whoso commits adultery with a woman, lacketh understanding. And sinners, Luke 7. 37. And behold a woman that was a [[•]inner;] that is, an eminent notorious sinner: by which term, the Scripture deciphers an unclean person; as if among sinners there were none of such a prodigious stature in sin as they. And we find that when the spirit of God would set forth any sin by an odious name, he calls it Adultery; so Idolatry is called Adultery, Ezekiel 16:32. And indeed this spiritual and corporal Adultery, oftentimes are found in the same persons. They that give themselves up to the one▪ are by a righteous hand of God given up to the other, as it is too manifestly and frequently exemplified in the World. So earthly-mindedness has this name put upon it, o[•] purpose to affright men from it, Iam. 4. 4. Now certainly, God would never borrow the name of this sin to set out the evil of other sins, if it were not most vile and abominable. It's call'd the sin of the Gentiles, or heathen, 1 Thessalonians 4:5. And oh that we could say, it were only among them that know not God! Now then, are you able to look these Scriptures in the face, and not blush? Oh what a sin is this! Are you willing to be ranked with Fools, Dogs, Sinners, Heathens, and take your lot with them? God has planted that affection of shame in your nature, to be as a guard against such filthy lusts; it's a sin that has filthiness enough in it, to defile the tongue that mentions it, Ephesians 5:3.

Arg. 2. It is a sin that the God of Heaven has often prohibited, and severely condemned in the Word, which abundantly declares his abhorrence of it. You have prohibition upon prohibition, and threatning upon threatning in the Word against it. Exodus 20:14. You shalt not commit adultery. This was delivered upon Mount Sinai, with the greatest solemnity and terrour, by the mouth of God himself. Turn to, and ponder the following Scriptures, among many others, Proverbs 5:2, 3, 4. Acts 5. 29. Romans 1:24, 29. Romans 13:13. 1 Corinthians 6:13, 14, 15, 16, 18. 2 Corinthians 12:21. Galatians 5:29. Ephesians 5:3. Colossians 3:5. 1 Thes. [•]▪ 2, 3, 4, 5. Hebrews 12:16. Hebrews 13:4. All these, with many others, are the true sayings of God; By them you shalt be tryed in the last day. Now consider how terrible it will be▪ to have so many words of God, and such terrible ones too, as most of those are, to be brought in and pleaded against your Soul in that day: mountains and hills may depart, but these words shall not depart; He[•]ven and Earth shall pass away, but not one tittle of the Word shall pass away. Believe it, Sinner, as sure as the Heavens are over your head, and the Earth under your seet, they shall one day take hold of you, though we poor worms who plead them with you, die and perish, Zechariah 1:5, 6. The Lord tells us it shall not fall to the ground. Which is a borrowed speech from a Dart that is flung with a weak hand; it goes not home to the mark, but falls to the ground by the way. None of these words shall so fall to the ground.

Arg. 3. It is a sin that defiles and destroys the body, 1 Corinthians 6:18. He that commits adultery, sins against his own body. In most other sins the body is but the Instrument, here it is the Object against which the sin is committed; that body of your, which should be the Temple of the holy Ghost, is turned into a stye of filthiness; indeed, it not only defiles, but destroys it. Job calls it a fire that burns to destruction, Job 31. 12. or as the Septuagint reads it, a fire that burns in all the Members. It is a sin that God has plagued with strange and terrible diseases; that Morbus Gallicus, and sudor Anglicus, and that Plica Polonica whereof you may read in Bolton's four last things, page 30. and Sclater on Romans 1:30. These were judgments sent immediately by Gods own hand, to correct the new sins and enormities of the world; for they seem to put the best Physicians besides their Books. Oh how terrible is it to lie groaning under the sad effects of this sin? As Solomon tells us, Proverbs 5:11. And you mourn at the last, when your flesh and your body are consumed. To this sense some expound that terrible Text, Hebrews 13:4. Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled; but Whoremongers and Adulterers God will judge: (i. e.) with some remarkable judgment inflicted on them in this world: if it escape the punishment of men, it shall not escape the vengeance of God. Ah! with what comfort may a man lie down upon a sick bed, when the sickness can be looked upon as a Fatherly Visitation coming in Mercy? But you that shortenest your life, and bringest sickness on your self by such a sin, are the Devils Martyr; and to whom canst you turn in such a day for comfort?

Arg. 4. Consider what an indelible blot it is to your nature, which can never be wiped away: though you escape with your life, yet as one says, you shalt be burnt in the hand, indeed, branded in the forehead. What a foul scar is that upon the face of David himself, which abides to this day? He was upright in all things, save in the matter of Uriah. And how was he slighted by his own Children and servants after he had committed this sin? Compare 1 Samuel 2:30. with 2 Samuel 12:10, 11. A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away. This is to give your honor to another, Proverbs 5:9. The shame and reproach attending it, should be a preservative from it. Indeed the Devil tempts to it by hopes of secresie and concealment; but though many other sins lie hid, and possibly shall never come to light, until that day of manifestation of all hidden things, yet this is a sin that is most usually discovered. Under the Law, Cod appointed an extraordinary way for the discovery of it, Numb. 5. 13. And to this day the Providence of God does often very strangely bring it to light, though it be a deed of darkness. The Lord has many times brought such persons either by terrors of Conscience, Phrensie, or some other means, to be the publishers and proclaimers of their own shame. Indeed, observe this, says Reverend Mr. Hildersham on the Fourth of John, even those that are most cunning to conceal and hide it from the eyes of the world, yet through the just judgment of God, every one suspects and condemns them for it, this dashes in pieces, at one stroke, that Vessel in which the precious Oyntment of a good name is carried. A fool in Israel shall be your title; and even Children shall point at you.

Arg. 5. It scatters your substance, und roots up the foundation of your state. Job 31. 12. It roots up all the increase. Strangers shall be filled with your wealth, and your labors shall be in the house of a stranger. Proverbs 5:10. For by means of a whorish woman, a man is brought to a morsel of bread. Proverbs 6:26. It gives rags for its Livery (says one:) and though it be furthered by the fullness, yet it's followed with a morsel of bread. This is one of those temporal Judgments with which God punishes the unclean person in this life. The word Delilah, which is the name of an Harlot, is conceived to come from a root that signifies[•]to exhaust, drain, or draw dry. This sin will quickly exhaust the fullest estate; and oh what a dreadful thing will this be, when God shall require an account of your Stewardship in the great day! How righteous is it, that that man should be fuel to the wrath of God, whose health and wealth have been so much fuel to maintain the flame of Lust! Oh how lavish of their estates are sinners to satisfie their Lusts! If the Members of Christ be sick, or in Prison, they may there perish and starve, before they will relieve them; but to obtain their Lusts, Oh how expensive! Ask me never so much and I will give it, said S[•]echem, Genesis 34:12. Ask what you will, and it shall be given you, said Herod to the daughter of his Herodias. Well, you are liberal in spending treasures upon you lusts; and believe it, God will spend treasures of wrath to punish you for your Lusts. It had been a thousand times better for you, you had never had an estate, that you had begg'd your bread from door to door, than to have such a sad reckoning as you shalt shortly have for it.

Arg. 6. Oh stand off from this sin, because it is a pit out of which very few have been recovered that have fallen therein. Few are the footsteps of returners from this den. The longer a man lives in it, the less power he has to leave it. It is not only a damning, but an infatuating sin. The danger of falling this way must needs be great, and the fall very desperate, because few that fall into it do ever rise again. I shall lay two very terrible Scriptures before you to this purpose, either of them enough to drive you speedily to Christ, or to drive you out of your wits: the one is that, Ecclesiastes 7:26. And I find more bitter than death, the woman whose heart is snares and nets, and whose hands are bands: Whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her. The Argument which the spirit of God uses here to disswade from this Sin, is taken from the subject; they that fall into it, for the most part, are persons in whom God has no delight, and so in judgment are delivered up to it, and never recovered by Grace from it. The other is that in Proverbs 22:14. The mouth of a strange woman is a deep pit; he that is abhorred of the Lord shall fall therein. Oh terrible word! able to daunt the heart of the the securest sinner; your whores embrace you, indeed, but God abhors you; you have their love, oh but you are under Gods hatred! What say you to these two Scriptures? If you are not Athiests, methinks such a word from the mouth of God, should strike like a Dart through your Soul. And upon this account it is that they never are recovered, because God has no delight in them. If this be not enough, view one Scripture more, Proverbs 2:18, 19. For her house inclineth to Death, and her paths to the Dead: None that go to her reture again, neither take they hold of the paths of life. Reader, if you be a person addicted to this sin, go your ways, and think seriously what a case you are in. None return again (i. e.) a very few of many: the examples of such as have been recovered are very rare. Pliny tells us, the Mermaids are commonly seen in green Meadows, and have inchanting Voices; but there are always found heaps of dead mens bones lying by them. This may be but a fabulous Story: But I am sure it is true of the Harlot, whose Syren-Songs have allured thousands to their inevitable destruction. It's a captivating sin, that leads away the sinner in triumph; they cannot deliver their souls: Proverbs 7:22. He goes after her straightway, as an Ox goes to the slaughter, or as a [Fool] to the correction of the stocks. Mark; a Fool: it dementates and befools men, takes away their understanding: the Septuagint renders it, [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], As a dog to the Collar, or, like as we use to say, a dog in a string. I have read of one, that having by this sin wasted his body, was told by Physitians, that except he left it, he would quickly lose his Eyes; he answered, If it be so, then Vale lumen amicum, Farewel sweet light. And I remember Luther writes of a certain Nobleman in his Country, who was so besotted with the sin of Whoredome, that he was not ashamed to say, That if he might live here for ever, and be carried from one stews to another, he would never desire any other Heaven. The greatest Conquerors that have subdued Kingdoms, and scorned to be commanded by any, have been miserably enslaved and captivated by this Lust. O think sadly upon this argument; God often gives them up to Impenitency, and will not spend a rod upon them to reclaim them. See Hosea 4:14. Revel. 22. 11.

Arg. 7. And then in the 7th place, Those few that have been recovered by Repentance out of it, oh how bitter has God made it to their souls! I find it (says Solomon) more bitter than death, Ecclesiastes 7:26. Death is a very bitter thing; Oh what a struggling and reluctance is there in Nature against it? But this is more bitter. Poor David found it so, when he roared under those bloody lashes of Conscience for it, in Psalm 51. Ah! when the Lord shall open the poor Sinner's eyes, to see the horrid guilt he has hereby contracted upon his own poor soul, it will haunt him as a Ghost, day and night, and terrifie his soul with dreadful forms and representations. O dear-bought pleasure, if this were all it should cost. What is now become of the pleasure of sin? Oh! what gall and wormwood will you taste, when once the Lord shall bring you to a sight of it, the Hebrew word for Repentance [Nacham] and the Greek word [Metamelia] the one signifies an irking of the Soul, and the other signifies After grief. Indeed, it is called A renting of the heart, as if it were torn in pieces in a mans breast. Ask such a poor soul, what it thinks of such Courses now? Oh now it loaths, abhors it self for them. Ask him, if he dare sin in that kind again? You may as well ask me (will he answer) whether I will thrust my hand into the fire. Oh it breeds an indignation in him against himself. That word [[〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]] 2 Corinthians 7:11. signifies the rising of the stomach with very rage, and being sick with anger. Religious wrath is the fiercest wrath. Oh what a furnace is the breast of the poor penitent! what fumes, what heats do abound in it, while the sin is even before him, and the sense of guilt upon him? One night of carnal pleasure will keep you many days and nights upon the rack of horrour, if ever God give you repentance to life.

Arg. 8. And if you never repent, as indeed but [•]ew do that fall into this sin, then consider how God will follow you with eternal vengeance. You shalt have flaming Fire for burning Lust. This is a sin that has a scent of fire and brimstone with it, wherever you meet with it in Scripture. The Harlots guests are lodged in the depths of Hell, Proverbs 9:18. No more perfumed beds; they must now lie down in flames. Whoremongers shall have their part in the Lake that burns with fire and brimstone; which is the second death, Revelation 21:1. Such shall not inherit the Kingdom of God and Christ, 1 Corinthians 6:9. No Dog shall come into the new Ierusalem; there shall in no wise enter in any thing that defileth, or that works abomination. You have spent your strength upon sin, and now God sets himself a work to show the glory of his Power in punishing, Romans 9:22. The wrath of God is transacted upon them in Hell by his own immediate hand, H[•]b. 10. 30. Because no Creature is strong enough to convey all his wrath, and it must all be poured out upon them, therefore he himself will torment them for ever with his own immediate Power; now he will stir up all his wrath, and sinners shall know the price of their pleasures. The punishment of Sodom, is a little Map of Hell, as I may say. Oh how terrible a day was that upon those unclean wretches! but that fire was not of many days continuance; when it had consumed them, and their houses, it went out for want of matter: but here, the breath of the Lord like a stream of brimstone, kindles it. The pleasure was quickly gone, but the sting and torment abide for ever. Who knoweth the power of his anger? Even according to his fear, so is his wrath, Psalm 90:11. Oh consider, how will his Almighty Power rack and torment you! Think on this, when sin comes with a smiling face towards you in the temptation. Oh think! If the humane nature of Christ recoyled, when his cup of Wrath was given him to drink; if he were fore amazed at it, how shalt you a poor worm, bear and grapple with it for ever?

Arg. 9. Consider further, how closely soever you carriest your wickedness in this world, tho it should never be discovered here, yet there is a day coming when all will out, and that before Angels and men. God will rip up your secret sins, in the face of that great Congregation at the day of judgment: then that which was done in secret shall be proclaimed as upon the house-top, Luke 12. 3. Then God will judge the [secrets] of men, Romans 2:16. the hidden things of darkness will be brought into the open light. Sinner, there will be no sculking for you in the Grave, no declining this Bar; you refusedst indeed to come to the Throne of Grace, when God invited you, but there will be no refusing to appear before the Bar of Iustice, when Christ shall summon you. And as you canst not decline appearance, so neither canst you then palliate and hide your wickedness any longer: for then shall the Books be opened; the Book of God's Omniscience, and the Book of your own Conscience, wherein all your secret Villany is recorded; for though it ceased to speak to you, yet it ceased not to write and record your actions. If your shameful sins should be divulged now, it would make you tear off your hair in indignation; but then all will be discovered. Angels and men shall point at you, and say, Lo, this is the Man, this is he that carried it so smoothly in in the world. Mr. Thomas Fuller relates a story of Ottocar King of Bohemia, who refusing to do his homage to Rodolphus the first, Emperour, being at last sorely chastised with war, condescended to do him homage privately in a Tent: but the Tent was so contrived by the Emperours Servants, (says the Historian) that by drawing one cord it was all taken away, and so Ottocar presented on his knees, doing Homage to the Emperour, in the view of three Armies. O Sirs, you think to carry it closely, you wait for the Twilight: that none may see you; but alas! it will be to no end, this day will discover it; and then what confusion and everlasting shame will cover you! Will not this work then?

Arg. 10. Lastly, consider but one thing more, and I have done. By this sin you dost not only damn your own soul but, drawest another to hell with you. This sin is not as a single bullet that kills but one, but as a chain-shot, it kills many, two at least, unless God give repentance. And if he should give you repentance, yet the other party may never repent, and so perish for ever through your wickedness; and oh, what a sad consideration will that be to you, that such a poor soul is in Hell, or likely to go there by your means! You hast made fast a snare upon a Soul which now you canst not untie; you hast done that which may be matter of sorrow to you as long as you livest; but though you canst grieve for it, you canst not remedy it. In other sins it is not so; If you had stoll'n anothers Goods, restitution might be made to the injured party, but here can be none. If you had murthered another, your sin was your own, not his that was murthered by you; but this is a complicated sin, defiling both at once; and if neither repent, then oh what a sad greeting will these poor wretches have in hell[•]! h[•]w will they curse the day, that ever they saw each others face! Oh what an aggravation of their misery will this be! For look, as it will be matter of joy in Heaven, to behold such there as we have been instrumental to save; so must it needs be a stinging aggravation of the misery of the damned, to look upon those that have been the instruments and means of their damnation. Oh, methinks, if there be any tenderness at all in your Conscience, if this sin have not totally brawned and stupified you, these Arguments should pierce like a sword, through your Guilty Soul. Reader, I beseech you, by the mercies of God, if you hast defiled your Soul by this abominable sin, speedily to repent. Oh get the blood of sprinkling upon you; there is yet mercy for such a wretch as you are, if you will accept the terms of it. Such were some of you, but you are washed, 1 Corinthians 6:11. Publicans and Harlots may enter into the Kingdom of God, Matth. 21. 31. Though but few such are recovered, yet how know you but the hand of mercy may pull you, as a brand out of the fire, if now you will return and seek it with tears? Though it be a fire that consumeth to destruction, as Job calls it, Job 1. 12. yet it is not an unquenchable fire, the blood of Christ can quench it.

And for you whom God has kept hitherto, from the contagion of it, O bless the Lord, and use all Gods means for the prevention of it. The seeds of this sin are in your nature; no thank to you, but restraining grace, that you are not delivered up to it also. And that you mayest be kept out of this Pit, conscionably practice these few Directions.

Direct. 1. Beg of God a clean heart, renewed and sanctified by saving grace; all other endeavours do but palliate a cure: the root of this is deep in your nature, Oh get that mortified, Matth. 15. 9. Out of the heart proceed fornication, adulteries, 1 Peter 2:11, 12. Abstain from fleshly lust—having your Conversation honest. The lust must first be subdued, before the conversation can be honest.

Direct. 2. Walk in the fear of God all the day long, and in the sense of his Omniscient eye, that is ever upon you. This kept Joseph from this sin, Gen 39. 9. How can I do this wickedness, and sin agains[•] God? Consider, the darkness hideth not from him, but shines as the light. If you could find a place where the eye of God could not discover you, it were somewhat: You darest not to act this wickedness in the presence of a Child, and will you adventure to commit it before the face of God? See that Argument, Proverbs 5:20 And why will you my Son, be ravisht with a strange woman, and embrace the bosome of a stranger? For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings.

Direct. 3. Avoid lewd Company, and the Society of unclean persons; they are but panders for Lust. Evil communication corrupts good manners. The tongues of sinners do cast fire-balls into the hearts of each other, which the corruption within is easily kindled and enflamed by.

Direct. 4. Exercise your self in your Calling diligently. It will be an excellent means of preventing this sin. It is a good observation that one has; That Israel was safer in the Brick-kilns in Egypt, than in the Plains of Moab, 2 Samuel 11:2. And it came to pass in the even-tide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked on the roof of the Kings house; and this was the occasion of his fall. See 1 Timothy 5:11, 13.

Direct. 5. Put a restraint upon your appetite: feed not to excess. Fullness of bread and idleness were the sins of Sodom, that occasioned such an exuberancy of Lust. They are like fed horses every one neighing after his neighbors Wife.When I had fed the[•] to the full, then they committed Adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the Harlots houses, Jeremiah 5:7, 8. This is a sad requital of the bounty of God, in giving us the enjoyment of the Creatures, to make them fuel to lust, and instruments of sin.

Direct. 6. Make choice of a meet Yoke-fellow, and delight in her you have chosen; This is a lawful Remedy; See 1 Corinthians 7:9. God ordained it, Genesis 2:21. But herein appears the corruption of nature, that men delight too tread by-pathes, and forsake the way which God has appointed; as that Divine Poet Mr. Herbert says: If God had laid all common, certainly, Man would have been the closer: but since now God has impal'd us, on the contrary, Man breaks the fence, and every ground will plow. O what were Man, might he himself misplace! Sure, to be cross he would shift feet and face.

Stollen waters are sweeter to them, than those waters they might lawfully drink at their own fountain: but withal know, it is not the having, but the delighting in a lawful Wafe, as God requires you to do, that must be a [•]ence against this sin. So Solomon, Proverbs 5:19. Let her be as the loving Hinde, and pleasant Roe; Let her breasts satisfie you at all times, and be you ravisht always with her love.

Direct. 7. Take heed of running on in a course of sin, (especially Superstition and Idolatry) in which cases, and as a punishment of which evils, God often gives up men to these vile affections, Romans 1:25, 26. Who changed the truth of God into a lye [worshipped] and served the Creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever, Amen. [For this cause] God gave them up to vile affections, &c. They that defile their Souls by Idolatrous practices, God suffers as a just recompence their bodies also to be defiled with uncleanness, that so their ruine may be hastned. Let the admirers of Traditions beware of such a judicial Tradition as this is. Wo to him that is thus delivered by the hand of an angry God: No punishment in the world like this, when God punishes sin with sin. When he shall suffer those [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] those common notices of Conscience to be quench'd, and all restraints to be moved out of the way of sin, it will not be long ere that sinner come to his own place.