The Holy Arbor, Chapter 5 · Section 1 · Commandment 7
The Seventh Commandment.
Thou ſhalt not commit Adultery.
IN this Commandment God forbiddeth all Vices repugnant to Chaſtity, and ſuch as are of near affinity unto them; likewiſe their cauſes, occaſions, effects, antecedents, conſequents: And on the contrary he commandeth all things tending to the preſervation of Chaſtity. We are here commanded to behave our ſelves rightly in the principal outward comfort that belongs to our Neighbor, which is his Wife: Thus under one kinde of Uncleanneſs, all kindes of it are forbidden; for being commanded to live in temperance, chaſtity and ſoberneſs, we are to keep our Bodies holy and pure, as Temples of the Holy Ghoſt: So that the Sin here forbidden, is not onelyonly the act of Adultery, but whatſoever is any way againſt chaſtity or ſoberneſs, either in deed, word or thought, directly or indirectly as a means of ſinning, Mat. 5.28. where to commit Adultery, ſignifieth as much as to do any thing what way ſoever, whereby the chaſtity of our ſelves or our Neighbors may be ſtained. Chaſtity is the purity of Soul and Body, as much as belongeth to generation; the Minde is chaſte when it is free, or at leaſt freed from fleſhly concupiſcence; the Body is chaſte when it putteth not into execution the concupiſcences of the fleſh, 1 Theſſ. 4.3, 4, 5. 1 Cor. 7.34. Marriage is the main help to keep our bodies chaſte: Now Marriage is a lawful and indiſſoluble conjunction of one man and one woman, juſtified by God, that we might know him to deteſt all impure luſt; That alſo we might therein chaſtely ſerve the Lord, and that eſpecially it might be a means whereby mankinde might be multiplied, and God gather thence afterwards unto himſelf a Church: Laſtly, that it might be a Society and fellowſhip of Labors, Cares and Prayers.
The Breach hereof is the foul ſin of Adultery, which beſide the fearful excluſion, without Repentance, from the Kingdom of Heaven, occaſions jealouſie, the frenzy of the Soul; which is a grief of minde ariſing from hence, That another is judged to enjoy that which we deſire to have wholly and properly as our own, and none beſides us to poſſeſs any part with us: Or, it is an affection proceeding from fear to have that communicated to another, which we challenge and covet to retain as peculiar and proper to our ſelves alone: Beſide this unhappy ſin of Adultery, that venomous ſin is the poyſon of Marriages, whereby the eſtimation of Parents, the reputation of Children, and the honor of whole Families ſtand in hazard to be forfeited; for as God is the Author of Marriage, ſo he is the Revenger of the breach thereof. But ſhame keeps ſome from thoſe unclean practices and groſſer acts of filthineſs, who yet inwardly boil in ſpeculative Wantonneſs and Adulteries of the heart. Ask thy Conſcience whether thou art one of them; if ſo, remember, That no Adulterer ſhall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, and repent: yea, the Fornicator, and every unclean perſon is alſo thence excluded, all Vices contrary to Chaſtity, or of any affinity with them, being here forbidden in forbidding Adultery; for by one Special, the reſt that are of near affinity with that are underſtood; and and where the Cauſe is forbidden, there alſo is the Effect, and ſo the contrary. Now the end and ſcope of this Commandment, is the Preſervation of Chaſtity and Wedlock.
In this Commandment are two parts; viz.
1. God forbiddeth Adultery, and therein not onelyonly the too familiar company of man with woman out of marriage, but alſo all kinde of filthineſs by which man may be defiled, all affections of concupiſcence, and whatſoever ſtirreth up unto luſt, and nouriſheth it.
2. He commandeth Chaſtity.
In this Commandment are prohibited,
1. The luſt of the heart, or the evil concupiſcence of the fleſh, Mat. 5.28. Col. 3.5.
2. Burning in the fleſh, which is an inward fervency of luſt, whereby the godly motions of the heart are hindred, over-whelmed, and as it were with contrary fire burnt up, 1 Cor. 7.9.
3. Strange pleaſures about generation prohibited in the Word of God; the which are many; viz.
1. With Beaſts, Lev. 18.23.
2. With the Devil, as Witches do by their confeſſion: for why may not a Spirit as well have ſociety with a Witch, as to eat meat?
3. With one and the ſame Sex, Lev. 18.22. This is a ſin which they commit whom God hath given over to a reprobate ſenſe, Rom. 1.26, 27. It was the ſin of Sodom, Gen. 19. where it was ſo common, that to this day it is termed Sodomy.
4. With ſuch as be within the degrees of Conſanguinity or Affinity, prohibited Lev. 18.6.
5. With unmarried perſons: This ſin is called Fornication, Deut. 22.28, 29. 1 Cor. 10.8.
6. With thoſe whereof one is married, or at leaſt betrothed: This is Adultery, Deut. 22.22, 3, 4.
7. With man and wife: They abuſe their liberty, if they know each other ſo long as the woman is in her flowers, Ezek. 22.10. Lev. 18.19. Ezek. 16.8. or uſing Marriage-bed intemperately, thereby committing Adultery even with his wife.
8. Nocturnal Pollutions, which ariſe of immoderate dyet, or unchaſte cogitations going before in the day, Deut. 23.10. Onans ſin, Gen. 38.8. was not much unlike theſe.
9. Effeminate wantonneſs, whereby occaſions are ſought to ſtir up luſt, Gal. 5.19.
4. To appoint ſome light or Sheet-puniſhment for Adultery, ſuch as that Romiſh Synagogue doth: For it is nothing elſe but to open a gap for other lewd perſons to run into the like impiety.
Occaſions of luſt prohibited in this Commandment, are theſe; viz.
1. Eyes full of Adultery, 2 Pet. 2.14.
2. Idleneſs: This occaſioned Davids ſin with Bathſheba, 2 Sam. 11.2.
3. Riotous and laſcivious Attire, 1 Tim. 2.9. Iſa. 3.16, unto 23.
4. Fulneſs of bread and meat, which provoke luſt, Ezek. 16.49. Luke 16.19. Rom. 13.13.
5. Corrupt, diſhoneſt, and unſeemly talk, 1 Cor. 13.33. Such are vain Love-Songs, Ballads, Interludes, and Amorous Books.
6. Laſcivious Repreſentations of Love-matters in Plays and Comedies, Eph. 5.3, 4.
7. Undecent and unſeemly Pictures, 1 Theſſ. 5.22. Abſtain from all appearance of evil.
8. Laſcivious Dancing of man and woman together, Mark 6.22.
9. Company with effeminate perſons, and unlawful Divorces.
All the ſorts of luſt repugnant to this Commandment, may be referred to theſe ſeveral kindes:
1. Thoſe that are contrary to Nature, and of the devil, recited Rom. 1. as confounding both kindes and Sexes, and unnatural abuſage of Sexes.
2. Thoſe which proceed from our corrupt Nature: As
1. Inceſt, that moſt abominable crime of unnatural luſt.
2. Double Adultery, when both perſons are married perſons.
3. Simple Adultery, when the one party is a married perſon.
4. Simple Fornication, when they are both unmarried.
3. Corrupt Inclinations, from which though good men are not wholly exempt, yet do they not ſo yield unto them, as to take delight in them, but they take all occaſions whereby they may withſtand them, and the grace of Reſiſtance is humbly deſired of them.
Adultery conſiſteth
1. In conſent and minde alone; As to luſt after things
1. Belonging to the body, as exceſs of Apparel, Meat or Drink, as may ſtir up to luſt and idleneſs.
2. In the minde it ſelf.
2. Beyond conſent, when action follows.
Adultery is either
1. Contrary to Nature; which is either
1. Confuſion of kindes, as filthineſs with Beaſts.
2. Confuſion
1. Of Sexes, as man with man, woman with woman.
2. Of Blood, which is Inceſt.
2. According to Nature; and is either
Fornication, when both perſons are ſingle, unmarried or unbetrothed.
Adultery, when one of them is married, or at leaſt betrothed.
Inceſt is in the degrees
1. Of Conſanguinity, which is
1. In a Right Line, as Son with Mother, and ſo upwards.
2. In a Collateral Line, as Brother with Siſter.
3. In an Overthwart Line, as Son with Aunt, and ſo upwards.
2. Of Affinity: There is the ſame prohibition of this as of Conſanguinity; ſo it may be called an indirect confuſion of Blood, as for a man to marry his Wifes Siſter.
The ſeveral kindes of Adultery; viz.
1. Of the Heart, Mat. 5.28. This never ſuffers a man to ſerve the Lord with a pure conſcience.
2. Of the Eyes, which are the windows of the heart, 2 Pet. 2.14. Iſa. 3.13.
3. Of the Ears, when we liſten unto unchaſte talk, and ſhew no diſlike to, nor hatred of it.
4. Of the Tongue, when we take delight in unchaſte ſpeeches and filthy Ribaldry, by which the hearts of others are corrupted, and our own manifeſted to be ſo before, Eph. 4.29. 1 Cor. 15.33.
5. Outward in Fact, and this is called Sin finiſhed: whereunto all the former are as ſteps or degrees, and in the end bring it forth as an end which they have conceived.
The hainouſneſs of this ſin of Adultery, may appear by theſe particulars; viz.
1. We ſin againſt God by withſtanding his Will in prophaning the holy Ordinance of Matrimony, by making the members of Chriſt the members of an Harlot, moſt ungraciouſly defiling thoſe bodies which ſhould be the Temples of the holy Ghoſt, converting them into Stews.
2. We ſin againſt our Neighbor, becauſe this ſin is not committed alone, but we draw others to it alſo.
3. We ſin againſt the Wife or Husband of the married party by a moſt ungodly particular wrong.
4. We ſin againſt the fruit of our own body, whom we brand with a Note of perpetual infamy, Gen. 21.10.
5. We ſin againſt our own Families, which are ruined by being defiled. Beggery waits on Luſt, Job 31.12.
6. We ſin againſt the Places, Societies and Kingdom where we live, becauſe we defile the Land, and cauſe it to vomit out the Inhabitants, Gen. 34.27.
7. We ſin againſt the Church of God, by hindring the propagation thereof, and cauſing it to be evil ſpoken of by others.
8. We ſin againſt our ſelves, becauſe we make our bodies the inſtruments of Sin and Satan, infecting them with loathſom diſeaſes here, and plunging them together with our Souls into Hell hereafter.
9. It is a ſin committed againſt each perſon of the Trinity; as
1. Againſt the Father, whoſe Covenant is broken, Prov. 2.17.
2. Againſt the Son, whoſe members are made the members of an Harlot.
3. Againſt the Holy Ghoſt, whoſe Temple is defiled and polluted, 1 Cor. 6.19.
10. The hainouſneſs of this ſin appears by the fruits thereof; viz.
1. The Alienation of conjugal Affection, which ought to be inviolable.
2. The Devaſtation of the goods and eſtate of the Family.
3. Provocations to unnatural wiſhes and practices of clandeſtine Murther.
4. If not a gauling terrifying conſcience, then a ſeared one, a hard heart, a reprobate ſenſe.
5. The procuring of many loathſom diſeaſes to the body.
6. The execution of the fearful Judgements of God denounced againſt it, if unrepented.
Adultery, though never ſo ſecretly committed, is ſurely puniſhed of God; and that for theſe Reaſons; viz.
1. Becauſe the wrath of God is kindled againſt all ſuch unclean perſons, Eph. 5.6.
2. Becauſe it appears to be a moſt grievous ſin, worſe then Theft, Prov. 6.31, 32.
3. Becauſe it defileth the Land, not onelyonly perſons and houſes, but whole cities and countreys, till all are become abominable, Lev. 19.29.
4. Becauſe of our calling, being Redeemed by God to ſerve him in purity and holineſs all our days, 1 Theſſ. 4.3, 4, 5, 7.
The Reaſons and Motives to avoid Fornication and luſt; viz.
1. Our Bodies are the Lords, and muſt be ſerviceable unto him; the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord, 1 Cor. 6.13.
2. We thereby make void the glorious work of our Redemption. The Lord for the body, 1 Cor. 6.13. but Fornication and Sanctification can never ſtand together.
3. Thoſe Bodies ſhall Riſe again, not to glory, but to ſhame, if we here defile them with beaſtly luſts, 1 Cor. 6.14.
4. The Members of Chriſt; that is, the bodies of the faithful may not be made the members of an Harlot, 1 Cor. 6.15. by profeſſion we ſeem to be the members of Chriſt, but by unchaſte luſt we pull our hearts from Chriſt, and knit them to an Harlot.
5. This ſin is againſt the body, whereas other ſins are without the body, 1 Cor. 6.18. but the Fornicator both uſeth and abuſeth his own body, and leaveth a proper blot and ſtain upon it, making it both the inſtrument, the ſubject and the object of ſin.
6. Conſider the ſtate and condition of mans heart, by effectual calling; it is the dwelling place and Temple of the Holy Ghoſt, but by unclean luſts we make it a cage of all unclean Spirits: Our body is the Temple of the Holy Ghoſt, and deſtruction is threatned to the defilers of this Temple, 1 Cor. 3.17. So that a Fornicator is alſo a Sacrilegious perſon.
7. We are wholly Gods, and not our own to do what we liſt, or to diſpoſe of our ſelves, 1 Cor. 6.19, 20.
8. We all deſire to ſee God, and to know his love in Chriſt, for our comfort in this life, and Salvation; but without holineſs and purity of heart we can never ſee God, Heb. 12.14.
9. If we ſuffer our hearts now to burn with fleſhly luſt, we make an entrance in them for the burning of Hell fire for ever; for theſe two alway go together, Burning luſt and Hell fire, unleſs Repentance come between.
General Preſervatives againſt this ſin; or the way to prevent Adultery; viz.
1. To conſider the near Union betwixt God and us; ſo great is his Love, as that he hath married us to himſelf, and made us his Spouſe: therefore is he moſt jealous over us, and in the very inſtant of impurity or uncleanneſs, caſts us off as the members of an Harlot.
2. To conſider that God is holy and pure, and the Devil an unclean Spirit, to whom he is joyned in fellowſhip that ſinneth by uncleanneſs.
3. To tye and binde our ſelves by Covenant and Vows from the occaſions which as ſparkles of fire do light upon the tinder of our corrupt Nature, Job 31.1.
4. Set a watch over thy heart, that luſtful thoughts proceed not thence, Prov 6.25.
5. Shut thine eyes, Job 31.1. that they wander not after the beauty or properneſs of any ones perſon, or on laſcivious Pictures, or on any other like allurements.
6. Stop thine ears, that they liſten not to any enticements of others, Prov. 7.21.
7. Lock faſt thy Tongue, that it utter no unchaſte and corrupt communication, Eph. 5.3, 4.
8. Seal up thy Lips, that they delight not in wanton kiſſes, Prov. 7.13.
9. Manacle thy Hands, that they uſe no wanton dalliance, Prov. 6.29.
10. Fetter thy Feet, that they carry thee not near the place where filthineſs may be committed, Prov. 7.25.
11. Have a care of thy company, that thou be not defiled with others wantonneſs and uncleanneſs, Eph. 5.7.
12. See to thy Dyet, that it be not inordinate and luxurious, Gen. 19.33.
13. Moderate thy Apparel, that it be not gariſh and laſcivious, Ezek. 23.6, 15, 40.
14. Miſ time not thy precious hours, that they be not vainly and idly ſpent, 2 Sam. 11.2.
Special Preſervatives for ſingle perſons againſt this ſin; viz.
1. To beat down the body and bring it into ſubjection, to abſtain from ſuch meats and drinks as inflate and provoke to fleſhlineſs, and in caſe of fleſhly motions to pray heartily againſt them.
2. To abſtain from the company of women, in private, or alone, or in the dark.
3. If notwithſtanding thoſe means thou canſt not contain, but art troubled with fleſhly motions, then fly to Gods Ordinance of Marriage, 1 Cor. 7.1. For the word is expreſs, that No Fornicator or unclean perſon ſhall enter into the kingdom of heaven, 1 Cor. 6.
Special Preſervatives for married perſons againſt this ſin:
1. To dwell together, the one not ſeparate from the other.
2. So to carry themſelves towards one another as thoſe whoſe bodies are not in their own power, but mutually in one anothers power, and to follow the Apoſtles Rule, 1 Cor. 7.3.
3. To contain at times of extraordinary devotion by mutual conſent.
4. When women love to be at home, governing the houſe, as the vertuous wife is deſcribed, Prov. 30.
5. When the man eſteemeth beſt of his own wife above all other women, covering her infirmities by love, and the wife doth likewiſe of her husband; for ſuch mutual fervent love is a ſingular preſervative from the ſtrange woman, Prov. 5.18.
For the government of the eyes to avoid Adultery, there be two ſpecial Rules; viz.
1. We muſt open and ſhut our eyes in obedience to God, Prov 4.24, 25.
2. We muſt look to Gods Glory, make our eyes not the weapons of any ſin, but the inſtruments of Gods Worſhip and Service: This we ſhall do, if we imploy them thus; viz.
1. In beholding Gods creatures in heaven and earth, and in them we may ſee Gods Glory, Wiſdom, Mercy, Power and Providence, and thence glorifie God.
2. In beholding Gods Judgments very wiſely and narrowly, that therein we may ſee his Juſtice & Wrath for ſin, and ſo be humbled and terrified from ſin.
3. In beholding of the Elements of Gods Sacraments, eſpecially the Bread and Wine in the Lords Supper, which be viſible words, wherein we may ſee our Savior Chriſt as it were crucified before our eyes.
4. In uſing them as inſtruments of Invocation, by lifting them up to heaven, to teſtifie the lifting up of our hearts to God: This uſe of the eyes Nature teacheth us; for whereas other creatures have but four Muſcles in their eyes, whereby their eyes are turned round about, Man hath a fifth Muſcle, whereby his eye is turned upward toward heaven.
The Vertues of this Commandment; viz.
1. Chaſtity, which is a vertue preſerving the minde and body from uncleanneſs, agreeing with the Will of God, and avoiding all luſts forbidden by God, all unlawful companies, and inordinate copulation, and all the deſires, occaſions, cauſes and effects, either in ſingle life or in wedlock. This is one of the chiefeſt vertues that makes & preſerves the Image of God.
2. Modeſty or ſhamefac'dneſs, which is a vertue abhorring all filthineſs, joyned with a grief, ſhame and ſadneſs, either for ſome former uncleanneſs, or for fear of falling into any hereafter; and having a purpoſe and deſire to fly not onelyonly uncleanneſs it ſelf, but alſo the occaſions, and tokens and ſigns of uncleanneſs. This vertue is required unto chaſtity, as a furtherance and cauſe, and alſo as an effect, conſequent and ſign thereof.
3. Temperance, which is a vertue obſerving the mean agreeable to Nature. Honeſty, Mediocrity and order of perſons, places and times, according to the Law of God and Rule of Nature, in things concerning the body, as in meat, drink, recreations and apparel. This vertue is required unto chaſtity, as a cauſe without which we cannot be chaſte.
There is a twofold Chaſtity; viz.
1. Of the ſingle life, which is with all carefulneſs, and faſting and prayer, to keep their mindes and affections and bodies in holineſs.
2. In Marriage, when the pure and holy uſe of wedlock is obſerved, Heb. 13.4.
Rules for the Preſervation of Chaſtity; viz.
1. The minde muſt be filled with godly meditations, and the Word of God muſt dwell plenteouſly in our hearts, that there may be no room for theſe wicked deſires to enter.
2. We muſt often give our ſelves to the ſpiritual exerciſes of Faith, Repentance and New Obedience, as publike and private Prayer, often meditating, hearing and reading Gods Word, and the like.
3. We muſt uſe Sobriety in Recreations, Company, Meat, Drink and Apparel, for ungodly luſts are kindled, fed and nouriſhed by too much pampering of the body.
4. We muſt alway be doing ſome good thing, either in our general calling of a Chriſtian, or in our particular calling; for Satan takes advantage by our idleneſs.
5. Men and women muſt not privately converſe together without warrant ſo to do, either from their general or particular Calling; for this is the main occaſion of Temptations: Remember what the Apoſtle ſaith, Evil converſings corrupt good maners, 1 Cor. 15.33.
6. Reject not Marriage, which was inſtituted by God for theſe Reaſons; viz.
1. The means of multiplying Mankinde.
2. The gathering of the Church.
3. The Image and Reſemblance between God and the Church.
4. That looſe and wandring luſts might be avoided.
5. That there might be a Society and Fellowſhip of Labors and Prayers.
That Marriage may be a lawful conjunction, and this ſin thereby avoided, theſe things are required:
1. That Matrimony be contracted by conſent of both parties.
2. That there be adjoyned alſo the conſent of ſuch others as are required.
3. That honeſt Conditions be obſerved.
4. That there be no Errors committed in the perſons.
5. That it be contracted between ſuch perſons as are not forbidden by the Law of God, as between whom the degrees of Conſanguinity may be no hindrance.
To preſerve purity and chaſtity in Wedlock, theſe Cautions are profitable; viz.
1. Contracts muſt be in the Lord, and with the faithful onelyonly, Mal. 2.11.
2. Both parties muſt ſeparate themſelves in the time of the womans diſeaſe, and at appointed Faſts, Ezek. 18.6. 1 Cor. 7.5.
3. Wedlock muſt be uſed rather to ſuppreſs then to ſatisfie the corrupt concupiſcence of the fleſh, and eſpecially to enlarge the Church of God.
4. It muſt be uſed with Prayer and Thankſgiving, 1 Tim. 4.3, 4.
He breaks this Commandment
1. That thinks an unchaſte thought tending to Adultery, or any ſin of that kinde.
2. That looks on a woman to luſt after her, Mat. 5.28. or that uſeth wantonneſs, 1 Cor. 6.9.
3. That commits Inceſt, Lev. 18.22. or Sodomy, 1 Cor. 6.9. or fornication or adultery
4. That uſeth Marriage-bed intemperately, or lieth with a menſtruous woman, Ezek. 18.6.
5. That is given to idleneſs, wears wanton Attire, 1 Tim. 2.9. or uſeth provocations to luſt, Gal. 5.9.
6. That uſeth light talk, and reading of Love-books, 1 Cor. 15.35. that frequents laſcivious places, Eph. 5.3. that delights in wanton Pictures, 1 Theſſ. 5.23. that uſeth the mixt Dancing of men and women, Mark 6.22. or keeps company with light and ſuſpected perſons, Prov. 7.22.
7. That makes Marriages of yong children; or neglects to diſpoſe his children in marriage in convenient time, 1 Cor. 7.36. or that puniſheth Adultery with ſmall puniſhments.
8. That marrieth more wives then one at once; That for the avoiding of Fornication, marrieth not, 1 Cor. 7.2. or that puts away his wife for other cauſes then for Fornication, Mat. 19.9.
9. That loves his Pleaſure more then God, 2 Tim. 3.4. and takes care to fulfil the luſts of the fleſh, Rom 13.14.
10. That maintains and frequents Stews, Deut. 23.17. That is given to Drunkenneſs and ſurfetting, Eph. 5.18. or to wine, ſleep and eaſe, Prov. 20.13.
You that do pamper up your fleſh, and make
The Creature ſerve but for your baſe Luſts ſake;
You that do feed your Hearts with thoughts that ſwell
With boiling Luſts that ſcorch and burn like Hell;
You that for Objects gaze, and in your Eyes
Offer your Hearts an Harlots Sacrifice;
You that from your ſulphureous Throats belch out
Diſcourſe that poiſons all the Air about,
You ſhall not enter Heaven; for you Adore
With Chriſt's members the Carcaſe of a Whore.