Exposition of the Shorter Catechism, Question 70 - 72
Of the seventh Commandment.
Quest. 70. WHich is the seventh Commandment?
A. The seventh Commandment is, [Thou shalt not commit Adultery]▪
Quest. 71. What is required in the seventh Commandment?
A. The seventh Commandment requireth the preservation of our own and our Neighbours chastity in heart, speech, and behaviour.
Quest. 72. What is forbidden in the seventh Commandment?
A. The seventh Commandment forbiddeth all unchast thoughts, words and actions.
Q. 1. What is the first Duty required in this Commandment?
A. The first Duty required in this Commandment is▪ the preservation of our own Chastity in heart, lip, and life; 1 Thess. 4.3.4. For 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. And Eph. 4.29. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, &c.
Q. 2. Why must we preserve our own Chastity?
A. Because our Bodies are, or ought to be the Temples of the Holy Ghost; 1 Cor. 6.15, 19. Know ye not that your bodies are the membe…s of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. What know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? And it is the express charge of God that they be kept pure and clean, 1 Thess. 4.3, 4. For 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.
Q. 3. What is the second Reason?
A. The second Reason is, because of the evil of it to our selves: As (1.) It injures the Body, 1 Cor. 6.18. —He that committeth fornication, sinneth against his own body. (2.) It levels us with the Heathen, Eph. 4.17, 19. This I say therefore, and testifie in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, —Who being past feeling, have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. (3.) Dishonours our Names; Prov. 6.32, 33. But whoso committeth adultery with a woman, —a wound and dishonour shall he get, &c. (4.) Scatters our Estates, Prov. 5.10. Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth, and thy labours be in the house of strangers. (5.) Destroyeth the Soul; Prov. 6.32. —He that doth it, destroyeth his own soul.
Q. 4. What Age is most incident to this Sin?
A. The Youthful Age is most apt to be drawn into this Sin; Prov. 7.7. And behold among the simple ones▪ I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding. And 2 Tim. 2.22. Flu also youthful lusts, &c.
Q. 5. How far doth this Command extend it self?
A. It extends it self to the Heart, Mind and Fancy, as well as to the Body and external Actions, Matth. 5.28. But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman, to lu…t after her, hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
Q. 6. What are the usual inducements to this Sin?
A. The usual inducements to this Sin are, (1.) Idleness and fulness of the Creatures, Ez…k. 16.49, 50. Behold, this was the iniquity of thy si…er Sodom; Pride, fuln…ss of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her, and in her daughters, &c. (2.) Wanton Gestures, Isa. 3.16. More…ver, the Lord saith, because the daughters of Zion are ha…ghty, and walk with s…retched …orth necks, and wanton e…es, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet. (3.) Filthy Communication, Eph. 5.4. Neither filthin…ss, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient, &c.
Q. 7. What's the first Remedy against this sin?
A. The first Remedy and the most effectual is, to get the Spirit of God within us, to sanctifie and rule us, Gal. 5.16. — Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lusts of the flesh.
Q. 8. What is the second Remedy?
A. The keeping of a strict wa…ch over the Heart, Prov. 4.23. Keep thy heart with all diligence, &c. And over the external Senses. Iob 31.1. I made a covenant with mine eyes: why then should I think upon a maid?
Q. 9. What…s the third Remedy against it?
A. Deep and serious consideration of the danger of this Sin, and what God threatens against Adulterers, Hebr. 13.4. —Who…emongers and adulterers God will judge. 1 Cor. 6.9, 10. —Be not deceived, n…i…her fornic…tors, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminat… —shall inherit the kingdom of God. And how he describes them, Prov. 22.14. The mouth of strange women is a deep pit; …e that is abhorred of the Lord shall fact therein.
Q. 16. What's the fourth Remedy against it?
A. Prayer, Psal. 119.37. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity, &c. And to evidence our sincerity in Prayer, we must study to shun all occasions of this Sin, Psal. 18.23. I was also upright before him: and I kept my self from mine iniquity.
Q. 11. What's the first Inference hence?
A. What cause those have to bless God, that have been kept from this Sin; though the best ought to be humbled for their heart pollutions.
Q. 12. What's the second Inference from hence?
A. Let it warn Parents to do what in them lyes to prevent the ruin of their Children by this Sin, (1.) By filling their heads and hands with lawful business. (2.) By serious Admonitions and Prayers for them. (3.) By keeping them from vain and tempting Company. (4.) By disposing them seasonably in suitable Marriage.
Q. 13. What's the third Inference from hence?
A. Let those that are defiled with this Sin, repent seriously of it, as David did, Psal. 51.8. Make me to hear joy and gladness, that the bones which tho… hast broken may rejoyce. And apply the Blood of Christ by Faith; for in so doing, it may be pardoned, 1 Cor. 6.11. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Iesus Christ, and by the spirit of our God.