Lectures Upon John 4, Part 5 · Lecture 17
Lecture the seuenteenth, Iune 20. 1609.
THe third errour of minde, whereby Sathan deceiues men, and drawes them to this sinne, and hardens them in it, is the hope of impunity. For (saith he) admit thou doe slip, and hauehave the ill fortune to be discouered, what shalt thou be the worse for it?
1. With men thou shalt not fare much the worse for this. The ciuill Magistrate 1.will not meddle with thee. All the punishment is (if thou bee a poore body) but to stand a while in the Church, and say thou art sorry for it: and if thou be rich, thou mayest auoid that too: but what is that?
And secondly, as for thy credit, thou shalt not lose much: vnlesse it be with a sort of Precisians, whom eueryevery man despiseth. But for the most, thou seest 2.they will like neuer the worse of any for this, not of a seruant, nor of a neighbour. Nay, thou mayst see, that men that make most open profession of this sin, are esteemed and desired by many, as the best companions: and professors also will be as ready to shew any kindnesse to such as are noted for this, as to any other.
And thirdly, as for the Lord, thou canst see no cause to thinke that he likes much the worse of a man for this. If he did, neither thy selfe, nor many 3.others that thou knowest could prosper as they doe.
This (as both experience, and the Scripture teach vsus) preuailes marueilously with most men, Eccl. 8. 11. Because sentence against an euill worke is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the children of men, is fully set in them to doe euill. See also the force that is in this to harden men in all kind of sin, Mal. 3. 15. We call the proud happy (say the prophane of that age) yea they that worke wickednesse are set vp, yea they that tempt the Lord are euen deliuered. Certainely, if the law had as well prouided for, and the sword of the Magistrate were as ready to be drawne out for the punishment of this sin, as of theft, we should hauehave as few whoremongers as theeues. Or if in the want of the law in this case, all such as are esteemed honest, and free from this sin themselues, would but hate it in others, and discountenance it as they might; doubtlesse they might restraine many from it.
But first the law hath not appointed any punishment for it, that is any way proportionable to the hainousnesse of the sin: And secondly, the ciuill Magistrate almost eueryevery where is vnwilling to vse that authority that the law hath giuen him for the punishment of this sin; but counts it as a disparagement vntounto him to meddle with it at all: And thirdly, the punishment of carting and whipping, which was wont to be inflicted (especially in Market townes) is growne out of vse: And fourthly, some Magistrates and priuate persons, doe make so light account of this sin, that it is not to be wondred at, that this sin is growne so common as it is.
For the conuincing of this error, and preseruing men from it, two things are to be considered.Answ.
First, that though the Magistrate doe not, yet it is his duty to punish this sinne, as farre as law giues liberty, and his great sinne that he doth not: And though priuate Christians doe not, yet it is their duty to shew detestation to this sinne.
Secondly, though men faile in their duty, yet is there no cause any should commit this sin vponupon hope of impunity, for though men doe not, yet will God certainely punish this sin.
For first, as for the Magistrate, we know that by his calling he is Custos vtriusque tabulae, and charged with the law of God to see it kept by those that are vnderunder his authority. He is the Minister of God to take vengeance on him that doth euill, Rom. 13. 4. The authority he hath, and the preheminence God hath giuen him aboue other men, is giuen him to that end. And the Magistrate is bound by Gods law to punish this sinne as well as any other, Iob 31. 11. This is a wickednesse, and an iniquity to bee punished, by the Iudges.
And both of the Magistrate, and of eueryevery priuate Christian this is required (as he desireth that Gods mercy should be vponupon him and his posterity) that he abhorre this sinne, and doe that that in him lieth, to bring it vntounto shame and punishment, Amos 5. 15. Hate the euill, and louelove the good, and establish iudgement in the gate; it may be that the Lord God of hosts will be mercifull to the remnant of Iacob.
I know it is esteemed by many a signe of a good nature, and disposition to be kind to all persons how lewd soeuer they be. But marke what the Holy Ghost in the Scripture speakes of this kindnesse. 1. He makes it a signe that a man hath no feare of God in him when he cannot abhorre sin, Psal. 36. 1, 4. 2. He saith that that man makes no conscience of sin himselfe, that is ready to speake in fauour of a lewd man, Pro. 28. 4. They that forsake the law praise the wicked, and are apt to speake for them, and to take their part: but they that keepe the law, set themselues against them. 3. He makes it a greater signe of an vngracious heart for a man to fauour sin in others, then to commit sin himselfe, Rom. 1. 31. Which men (though they know the law of God, how that they that commit such things are worthy of death yet) not onelyonly doe the same, but also fauour them that doe them.
And whereas on the other side it is counted pride, and malice, and cruelty, for a man to seeke the disgrace, or punishment of any lewd person, the Holy Ghost saith, there is no true louelove in any, but in such onelyonly.
1. There is no true louelove to God in any, that cannot vnfeinedly hate sinne, whereby he is dishonoured, Psal. 97. 10. Yee that louelove the Lord, hate the thing that is euill.
2. There is no true louelove to our selues, to our families, and the place wee liue in, vnlesse we hate such sinnes as will bring Gods curse vponupon vsus. Till Achan was punished, Gods curse was vponupon the whole host of Israel, Iosh. 7. 12. Neither will I bee with you any more, except ye destroy the excommunicate from among you. And see what a blessing, Phineas brought both vponupon his owne house, and vponupon all Israell, by the zealous hatred hee shewed against this sinne, in the punishing of Zimry and Cozby, Numbers 25. 11, 12.
3. There is no true louelove in any to their neighbours and country, but in such onelyonly. For the shame and punishment, that one man is brought vntounto, is a meanes to restraine many from committing this sinne, and so to preserue them from the curse of God that is due vntounto it. That is the reason, the Lord giueth for the seuerity that he enioyned the Magistrate to vse, Deut. 13. 11. That all Israeli may heare, and feare, and doe no more any such wickednesse as this among you.
4. There is no true louelove to the sinner himselfe in any but in such onelyonly. For the disgrace and punishment that he is brought vntounto, is the likeliest and best meanes to bring him to true repentance, Psal. 83. 16. Fill their faces with shame, that they may seeke thy name O Lord, 2. Thess. 3. 14. If any man obey not our sayings, hauehave no company with him that he may bee ashamed, verse 15. yet count him not as an enemy.
Secondly, It is no aduantage to the vncleane person that men faile in their duty, and doe not shew that detestation to his sin that they ought to doe. For all kind of sinners may assuredly looke for plagues from God euen in this life, though Magistrates should winke at them. Behold (saith Salomon, Pro. 11. 31.) the righteous shall bee recompenced on the earth, much more the wicked and the sinner. And Eccl. 8. 12, 13. Though a sinner doe euill an hundred times, and his daies bee prolonged; Yet surely, I know, that it shall bee well with them that feare God, which feare before him. But it shall not bee well with the wicked, neither shall bee prolong his daies, which are as a shadow; because hee feareth not before God, Nah. 1. 2, 3. God is iealous, and the Lord reuengeth; the Lord reuengeth, and is furious, the Lord will take vengeance on his aduersaries, and hee reserueth wrath for his enemies. The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: The Lord hath his way in the Whirle-wind, and in the storme, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. But of all sinners, none hauehave more cause to looke for fearefull iudgements from God, then they that liue in this sinne. For God hates this sinne, and will certainely punish, and plague it: though men doe not. Yea, there is no one sinne, (specially against the second Table) which he hath set more euident marks of his indignation vponupon, and witnessed it, by executing his iudgements vponupon men for it, then this. Is not destruction to the wicked (saith Iob, speaking of this sin, Iob 31. 3.) and a strange punishment to the workers of iniquity, Heb. 13. 4. Whoremongers, and Adulterers, God will iudge. For this very sinne, therefell of Israel in one day, three and twenty thousand, 1. Cor. 10. 8. And the Apostle tells vsus that all iudgements, that befall a Nation, a Country, or Towne, are to be imputed chiefly to this sinne, Ephes. 5. 6. Let no man deceiue you with vaine words, for because of these things commeth the wrath of God vponupon the children of disobedience. But I will shew you more particularly how God is wont to punish this sinne: And I am deceiued, if any one sinne hath so many punishments, so particularly threatned in the word against it, as this hath.
1. God plagues men in their bodies for this sinne. Not onelyonly as Salomon speaketh, because Pro. 5. 11. It consumeth the flesh, and the body, but he hath inuented a plague proper, and peculiar to this sinne: euen that infectious, and loathsome disease, which at the first was called the disease of Naples, and after, the French disease, but now may aswell be called the English disease. For of very many in all places, that may now be said, which Zophar speaketh to Iob 20. 11. His bones are full of the sinne of his youth, and it shall lie downe with him in the dust. Other diseases may well be called the fruits of sinne: but is there any sinne that hath a disease that is so naturall a fruit of it, and that beares his name in the forehead thereof, so as this doth?
2. God plagueth men in their goods for this sinne, Pro. 6. 26. Because of the whorish woman, a man is brought to a morsell of bread, Iob 24. 18. Their portion shall bee cursed vponupon the earth. Many a man is brought to beggery by it. Yea, this sinne is able to destroy Kings, as Salomons mother taught him, Pro. 31. 3.
3. God plagueth men in their good name, and reputation for this sinne, Pro. 6. 33. He shall finde dishonour, and his reproach shall neuer be put away. Let him hauehave neuer so much wealth, and power, he shall hauehave no true credit, nor estimation with men, no not with his owne seruants, or children, or such as are most bound vntounto him. God told Dauid, that when he committed this sin, he despised him, 2. Sam. 12. 10. And those that despise God, shall be sure to be despised, 1. Sam. 2. 30.
4. God plagueth men in their posteritie for this sinne, Iob 31. 12. This is a fire, that shall deuoure to destruction, and roote out all mine increase, Iob 21. 19. God will lay vp the sorrow of the father, for his children. Many a goodly family hath beene ouerthrowne by this sin. Yea, for this sinne God denies a posterity to many. It is not only the curse whereby God threatneth the man that commits incestuous vncleannesse that hee shall die childlesse, Leuit. 20. 20, 21. but of all adulterers and fornicators, also the Lord saith, Hos. 4. 10. they shall commit whoredome and shall not increase. Iudah though in all likelyhood he were but thirty yeares old when he lay with Tamar, Gen. 38. and had two sonnes by her yet doe we neuer reade that he had any childe after: sure it is that from them two onelyonly, and Selah whom he had before, the families of Iudah are reckoned, Gen. 46. 12. Num. 26. 19. 22. 1. Chron. 2. 3, 4.
5. God plagueth the family, and towne, where such men dwell, for this sinne, Gen 29. 18. God shut vp eueryevery wombe of the house of Abimilech because of Sarah, when there was but a purpose in him to commit adultery with Sarah, though he intended it vnwittingly altogether. The family and towne is polluted and made guilty of sinne, Ier. 2. 2. Thou hast polluted the Land with thy whoredomes, Num. 25. 1. The people began to commit whoredome with the daughters of Moab; and verse 3. The wrath of the Lord was kindled against Israel; and verse 4. Hee sent a plague, that consumed twenty foure thousand.
6. Because many an vncleane person will be ready to say: none of all these plagues, I thanke God hauehave hitherto, nor doe now touch me: I say vntounto such men.
1. The longer Gods plagues are deferred, the heauier they will be …hen they come: the longer he is fetching his blow, the deeper will he cut when he smites, Rom. 9. 22. The cause why God suffers with long patience the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, is, that he might shew his wrath, and make his power knowne vponupon them the more.
2. Thou mayst bee plagued of God with a plague that is of all others most grieuous, and neuer feele it: thou maist be plagued in thy soule, and conscience, Pro. 6. 32. Hee that doth it destroyeth his owne soule. When God would punish Pharaoh, so as hee might make his power seene vponupon him, Rom. 9. 17. Hee punished him with hardnesse of heart, Exod. 9. 12. which was a greater plague then all the rest of the plagues of Egypt. So this is spoken of as of the most fearefull punishment, Rom. 1. 28. When God giues a man vp to a Reprobate minde.
3. If thou wert altogether spared in this life, and neither punished in thy body, nor in thy soule, yet is there another place prepared for thee, where thou shalt be sure to be punished; with farre more fearefull punishments then any can be felt here. Thou shalt neuer be able (continuing in thy sin) to escape the damnation of hell, which is in a speciall sort threatned against this sin, whoremongers shall be sure to hauehave their part in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second death, Apoc. 21. 8. That makes Salomon say, they are as neere to hell, as they that hauehave one foot there already, Pro. 5. 5. Her feet goe downe to death, her steps take hold on hell. And Pro. 9. 18. Her guests are in the depth of hell.
And as the Lords forbearing wicked men in this life, and causing them to prosper, is a certaine argument he hath determined to reserue their full punishment for hell, it is an euidence token of a righteous iudgement to come (saith the Apostle, …. Thess. 1. …. 6) when wicked men are spared here. So is it said that of all sinners the Lord hath chiefly reserued the vncleane persons to be punished there, 2. Pet. 1. 9. 10.
And by how much the more they hauehave beene spared here, by how much the more patience, and bounty the Lord hath shewed them here: by so much the more grieuous, and fearefull shall their torment be there, Luke 16. 25. Sonne, remember (saith Abraham to Diues) That thou in thy life time receiuedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus euill thing, but now hee is comforted, and thou art tormented. And Rom. 2. 4, 5. Despisest th…n the riches of his goodnesse, and forbearance, and long suffering, not knowing that the goodnesse of God leadeth thee to repentance. But after thy hardnesse and impenitent heart, treasurest vp vntounto thy selfe wrath against the day of wrath, and reuelation of the righteous iudgement of God.
So that if thou wert wise, thou wouldst thinke it no aduantage to thee, that thou hast so well escaped all the plagues which God hath threatned against thy sinne in this life; but desire rather that the Lord would punish thee here (where he alwaies vseth in wrath to remember mercy) and not reserue thy whole punishment for the life to come, where there shall bee iudgement without mercy: his punishments there shall hauehave no mixture of mercy in them.