A Complete Body of Divinity, Sermons · 196 (Question 72)
SERMON CXCVI.
QUESTION LXXII.
WHAT is forbidden in the Seventh Commandment?
ANSWER.
THE Seventh Commandment forbidden all Unchaſt Thoughts, Words and Actions.
WE have taken a Account, under the former, of the Duties to be done under this Command. We are now to view thoſe things which are to be avoided by the Precept. And there having been ſo much ſaid to the former, the leſs may here ſuffice.
WE formely obſerved, That the Word uſed in this Command, which are read Adultery, …ctly ſignifys the Act of Uncleanneſs between …, one whereof at leaſt is in a Married …. In which ſenſe alſo the Latins uſed the … Adultery. But it is by a Syn…cdoche put ſhall ſorts of Uncleanneſs whatſoever, or every thing that is repugnant to Chaſtity, as Murder … (in the foregoing Precept) for every thing which is againſt Humanity. And it is a general Rule formerly obſerved, that the Command which forbids the Sin, forbids alſo the Means which tend of their own Nature to the drawing of Perſons into it. Our Anſwer therefore, tho' brief, is very full and comprehenſive: and opens a large Field for the diſcovery of mani…ld Abomi ations. I ſhall here briefly gather in the Sum of theſe, which may be Collected … what was before more largely inſiſted on, under the Duties of Chaſtity.
I. ALL Lend & Unch…ſt Behaviour of Perſons Singly & ſeparately which they offer to their Own bodies; which contradicts the Order of Nature, and the End of Creation. Such as that for the which we read that God Slew Onan, Gen. 38.10. And contrary to the Rule of Remedy appointed by God, 1 Cor. 7.9. But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
II. ALL Unlawful and Prohibited Mixtures. And theſe may be ranked under two Heads.
[1.] SUCH as are Unnatural, and muſt therefore needs be condemned by the Light of Nature, and with reſpect to the thing it ſelf. And theſe are of two ſorts, viz. Sodomy, the Vileneſs whereof the Apoſtle ſets forth in Words as Modeſt as the thing can bear, Rom. 1.26, 27. Which contradicts the End of God's Creating Mankind in diſtinct Sexes. And Beaſtiality, which God fore-ſaw to be in the Corruption of Man's Nature, and therefore provided a ſevere Law againſt it, Exod. 22.19. But the very mention of theſe things ſtrikes Horrour into the Minds of all Modeſt & Chaſt Perſons; and therefore though I durſt not but Name them, I ſhall paſs them over with the Apoſtle's awfull Remark in, Eph. 5.11, 12. And have no ſelio…ſhip with the unfruitful works of darkneſs, but rather reprove them. For it is a ſhame even to ſpeak of thoſe things which are done of them in ſecret.
[2.] SUCH as are (in ſome ſenſe) more Natural: For tho' the Light of Nature doth alſo Prohibit them, yet they do come within the Compaſs of the Species and Sexes; and ſo ſinful Men are not ſo eaſily frightned with the Horrour of them; and to this Head belong ſeveral things, viz.
1. ADULTERT. Which we obſerved is when one of the Parties at leaſt is under a Sacred Bond of Marriage; tho' the Crime is aggravated when both are ſo: And tho' the Moſaical Pedagogy alleviated the Crime on the Man's ſide, becauſe of the hardneſs of their Hearts; yet from the Beginning it was not ſo: And whatſoever Reaſons may plead it worſe on the Woman's ſide, (which yet I ſee not thro,) I am ſure the Sin is equal in regard of this Command, it b…ing equally Adultery, or a defiling of the Marriage-Bed, and an equal abuſe offered to the Correlate: And God peculiarly Chargeth it, Mal. 2.14. … ye ſay, Wherefore? Becauſe the Lord hath been witneſs between thee, and the wife of the youth, againſt whom thou haſt deal… treacherouſly: yet is ſhe thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.
2. POLYGAMT. This alſo is contrary to the Nature of the Marriage-Covenant; and is not only Unlawful by a Poſitive Law, but by the Law of right …erſon: And to this alſo may Concubinacy be referred; for though there was a difference between a Wife and a Concubine, in point of Privilege and Servitude, yet they were reputed as the Man's Property: but this alſo is a Violation of the Duty of Chaſtity.
3. INCEST. When Perſons Marry together, or have Carnal Knowledge one of another, who are t…o near of Kin. What theſe Degrees are, whether of Conſanguinity or Affinity we before took an Account: And to Marry to ſuch is a high Crime in the fight of God; and ought to be ſo in the account of Man: And to Approach to theſe, tho' not to Marry with them is an Iniquity of a deeper Dye than meet Fornication, in that there is a double Violation of Modesty in it; becauſe in the other there was a Liberty for a lawful Marriage, whereas in this, it is utterly unlawful.
4. FORNICATION. Which is Committed between Perſons who are Single, and without the prohibited Limits of Kindred: This alſo is a Sin prohibited in the Word of God; and Chriſtians are warned againſt it, 1 Cor. 6.10, 18 and elſewhere. This was a Sin which the Gentiles had loſt the ſenſe of, and reckoned it among Adiaphorous things, and uſed it without all Shame or Remorſe: But the Word of God condemns it; and it is a Sign of a very great Apoſtacy when a Profeſſing People reckon it a thing of no Reproach, and Perſons chuſe rather to Live in it, than to bring themſelves under the honourable Tie of Marriage, counting it a Yoke intollerable: And we have the Apoſtle's Reflection upon it, Heb. 13.4. Marriage is honourable in all, and the b…d undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
AND here the great Sin of ſuch Governments which allow or tollerate common Stews, calls for a Cenſure: And whatſoever Excuſes are pretended for it, it is certain that it procures a Publick Guilt for ſuch Places, and calls for National Judgments.
III. ALL Unchast Thoughts. There is a ſpeculative Uncleanneſs, which, though it breaks not out into Action, is yet obvious to God's All-ſeeing Eye, who knows our Thoughts afar off, and leave a Guilt behind them. There is a Contemplative Impurity, when Perſons Nouriſh in them Thoughts of Uncleanneſs, with Delight and Pleaſure: This Job cleans himſelf of, Job 31.1. I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then ſhould I think upon a maid? Look, H…br…w, Conſider or think of; ſo that he hath ſpecial regard to the Eyes of his Mind: A indeed, ſuch Thoughts attended with inwa… Motions, are the firſt ſtirrings of Original … and conſequently Sinful; and the Convicti… of them ſhould keep us Humble, tho' we ſhould have Grace to Reſiſt them: And hitherto … long the Reading of obſcene Books or Pamp… lets and the looking upon ſuch Pictures as … accommodated to draw our Thoughts, and … our Minds going that way; for the Eye … the Heart, and nouriſheth Speculation.
IV. ALL Luſtful Deſires, and longings e… tertained for the Fruition of unlawful Pleaſure. This alſo belongs to the Conception of Sin, … hath a natural tendency to the Accompliſ… ment of it; as we are told, Jam. 1.15. Wh… luſt hath conceived it bringeth forth ſin. A… this is uſually the Product o… Unchaſt Thought theſe if nouriſhed, will Influence the Affection and ſtir up the Deſire o… after Fruitionis: And … certain, that Deſire cometh under the Reg… lation and Cenſure of the Holy Law of God. And for this we have our Saviour's defi… Concluſion in the preſent Caſe, Matth. 5.2… I ſay unto you, That wheſoever looketh on a … man to luſt after her, hath committed ada… with her already in his heart. Not that th… forbids the lawful Deſire of enjoying ſuch a Perſon in an Honeſt way, having our Affection regularly ſet upon the Object; for we formerly obſerved, that this is a thing requiſite i… order to a Chaſt Marriage: But when theſe D… ſires are to gratify a raging Luſt, without regard to Honeſty or Modeſty then are they U… ful. We are therefore Commanded to Morti… and ſuch inordinate Aff…ctions, Col. 3.5.
V ALL Obſ…ence Words. There is a … ful Tongue, and ſuch is an Index of the … for we are told, Matth. 12.34. Out of the … dance of the heart the mouth ſpeaketh. The… are ſome whoſe Tongues are ſ…i…on Fire of … and in nothing doth it more diſcover it ſel… than in the Lacivious Language, which … Defile their Mouths withal: They enterta… the Company they frequent, with a Language that makes Modeſt Ears to tingle, and … every Chaſt Perſon to the Bluſh. And hither belong the telling wanton Stories and ſingi… of lacivious Songs, and amorous Ballads: A… as by theſe they foment Luſt in themſelves and add Fuel to the Fire that is within, ſo th… tend to Corrupt the Minds of others, by fering them the proper Incentives of it: He… the Apoſtle Cautions againſt this, as a Provo… tive to Luſt, Eph. 5.4, 5. And this belongs the Filiby Communication againſt which are Warned, Col. 3.8. But now you alſo — all filiby communication out of your mouth.
VI. ALL manner of Temptations offere… others, to allure them to Conſent to us in the of Uncleanneſs. And this comprehends … it both Words and Geſtures which are Imma… Doubtleſs there is a Civil Converſation betw… Perſons of Both Sexes, which is allowable, a Teſtimony of Social Friendſhip, and is reprehenſible; for God made Mankind for … as well as Religious Society: And there … innocent Pleaſantneſs in it allowable. But there is alſo a Lewd Converſation that too many allow themſelves in, which is a notorious Breach of this Command: There are thoſe alluring and enticing Words, which are offered on purpoſe to draw the Mind, and win the Conſent of the Perſon, to Acts of Uncleanneſs. Such were thoſe we read of the ſtrange Woman, of whom it is ſaid, Prov. 7.21. With her much … ſpeech ſhe cauſed him to yield, with the flattering of her lips ſhe forced him. There are thoſe amorous Looks, which faci…e, or like the Baſilick's Eye, caſt Poiſon and become Infectious. Hence we read of ſome, 2 Pet. 2.14. Ha…ing eyes full of adultery, and that cannot …eaſe from ſin; beguiling, unſtable ſouls. And there are the Immodeſt and In…nt Carriages, which too many indulge themſelves in; and thoſe Offers which are unbecoming: All which are Whoredom in God's Account; and tho' the Perſons ſhould proceed no further, yet this Sin will for theſe things be Charged upon them one Day, by God and their own Conſciences, as proper Tranſgreſſions againſt the Ru…es of Chaſtity.
VII. ALL Exceſs or Intemperance in Meats and Drinks. This indeed is but an Occaſion or Incentive, and may in divers Reſpects be applied to divers Precepts: As they are the Occaſions of imparing the Health, and ſhort…ing of the Life, ſo they refer to the Sixth; and as they are the Prodigal Waſting of Men's Eſtates, and tend to bring them to Poverty, ſo they belong to the Eighth: But as Men do hereby make Proviſion for the Fleſh, and nouriſh their Incontinency, ſo they do belong to …; and therefore all Divines do on this Head refer them hither: And the Spirit of God in the Prophet ſeems to put them together, Hoſ. 4.11. Whoredom, and wine, and new …, take away the heart. And on this Account we have that Caution, Rom. 13. ult. And make not proviſion for the fleſh to … the … thereof. And we have ſuch a Remark as that of the Prophet, Jer. 5.8. They were as … …rſes in the morning: every one neighed after his neighbour's wife. And they that pamper their Bodies, do thereby nouriſh their Luſts, which the ought to Mortify: And in particular by Drunkenneſs, or Exceſs in ſtrong Drink, Men enflame themſelves, and loſe the Government of their Reaſon, and thereby are fearfully expoſed, as Lot was.
VIII. ALL Undecent & Immodest Attire. Apparel was at firſt allowed to Man for Modeſty, to hide his Shame which he had procured by his Apoſtacy; and then to ſhield him from the Inconvenience of the Seaſon, to the Injuries whereof he was alſo expoſed, which would not have been, had he not ſinned. It was alſo given him for a diſtinction of Sexes, to prevent Filthineſs; and to diſtinguiſh the Orders of Men, who were to be known by their Garb: They were alſo allowed for Or…ment, tho' they ought ſtill to carry with them the Memorial of their Shame. But then there is an Abuſe of Apparel; and that is when it is improved to nouriſh Pride and Luxury; and the latter of theſe is under our Conſideration. We are aſſured by the Wiſe Man, (Prov. 7.10.) that there is ſuch an Attire, for he was an eye witneſs of it: And that this was to be only judged of by the Heart and Deſign of the Wearer, as ſome pretend, is fond and fooliſh; and Solomon as Wiſe as he was, could not ſo judged; but he judged of the Heart by the Attire: Now meer…y the Matter of which it was made▪ could not be the Rule of judging, (tho' if the Coſt out-bids the Eſtate of the Perſons, it ſhews their Pride and Vanity;) but it was the Mode, either the Faſhion, or manner of putting it on; and that is, when it is ſuch as contradicts the main Ends of Apparel, or ſo expoſeth the Body as to be a Lure to entice Perſons to Uncleanneſs. And when Perſons Dre…s themſelves Antickly, ſo as to allure Spectators, it is doubtleſs a Breach of this Precept. And to this Head belong thoſe Paintings which ſome uſe to Adulterate their Faces, which are an Index of an Adulterous Heart.
IX. IDLENESS. This indeed hath a ſpecial reſpect to the Eighth Command, (as may be afterwards conſidered,) inaſmuch as it is a neglect of the proper Courſe which God hath appointed Men to wait upon Him for their Support and Suppl…; the Promiſe being made to Diligence: But it alſo contributes not a little to the nouriſhing & inciting of the Luſts of the Fleſh. It is uſually in Conjunction with the former; and therefore we find that the prodigious Leudneſs of Sodom was fomented by theſe, according to that in Ezek 16.49. Behold, this was the inquity of thy ſiſter Sodom, Pride, fulneſs of bread, and abundance of idleneſs was in her, and in her daughters. Man is an Active Being, and cannot ly ſtill, but will be Employed in ſomething: If therefore he be not buſied in ſome Lawful and Honest Employment, he will take to ſomething which is Vile and Diſhoneſt; and there is nothing to which he is more naturally addicted, than the Sins which militate againſt this Command. And this the very Heathen had a Reſentment of, and therefore gave it as a Moral Precept for the Remedying of the Exorbitancy of this Luſt, Otia ſ…tellus, &c. And indeed Idleneſs hath been by Wiſe Men accounted to be the Devil's Pillow, on which if he can gain Men to ly down, he hath them his own, to do what he pleaſeth with them.
X. FREQUENTING of Lewd Company, We have the Wiſe Man's Obſervation, Prov. 13.2…. He that walketh with wiſe men ſhall be wiſe: but a companion of ſo…ls ſhall be deſtroyed. And doubtleſs Familiarity w…th Perſons will aſſimulate us to their Manners. It is therefore a Warning given by the Spirit of God in reſpect of every ſort of Sin, that we avoid Friendſhip with ſuch as are addicted to it ſelf we Learn, &c and particularly with regard to this Sin, Prov. 5.8. Remove thy way f…r from her, & come not nigh the door of her houſe. And it was that which was the undoing of the ſimple Young Man, Chap. 7.7, &c. We moſt not touch Pitch, except we have a mind to be Defiled; we ſhould not Walk upon Coals if we would not be Burnt. And here, not only the ſeeking of ſecret Opportunities of Dalliance with Light Perſons is condemned; but alſo the frequenting of ſuch Companies and Exerciſes where Laciviouſneſs is taught, militates againſt this Command. For which Reaſon Divines do refer the frequenting of Balls and Stage-Plays, to the Sins againſt this Command, becauſe they are too frequently Abuſed to repreſent Laciviouſneſs with too bare a Face. As to the Lawfulneſs of theſe, under which the Patrons of them do ſhroud themſelves, I ſhall not here Diſpute; but will only ſay, that ſuppoſing the things Ind…fferent in themſelves, yet there is not leſs, but more Danger of them, becauſe thought to be ſo; in Lacitis perimus omnes: Chriſtians are moſt of all Expoſed by ſuch things. It is therefore a good Caution given, Gal. 5.13. —Uſe not Liberty for an occaſion to the Fleſh— And that ſuch things have been and are ſo Abuſed is Notorious; and ſuch an Abuſe is Caution ſufficient to Sober Perſons to avoid the things themſelves. If the Brazen Serpent once comes to be Idolized, it is high time to turn it into a Pehuſhtan: And when ſuch things become ſcandalous to the People of God, all that ſeek His Glory ought to avoid them, leſt they provoke God to ſay as, Hoſ. 4.15. Though thou Iſrael play the harlot, yet let not Judah offend.
XI. THERE are alſo divers things wherein this Command may be broken with reſpect to Marriages. We obſerved, that theſe have a peculiar reſpect to this Precept; one great End of the appointing them, being for the Preſervation of Chaſtity. And I ſhall here point at ſome of the Principal:
1. THE Prohibition of ſome Orders of Men from Marrying. We know that in the Papacy, there is a total forbidding of all in Religious Orders; and making Fornication, yea Adultery a leſs Sin in ſuch, than to Marry: This is one of the Iniquities of the laſt Times, and one Note of their Apoſtacy, 1 Tim 4.3. Forbidding to Marry. Now this is directly contrary to the Light of Nature, and the expreſs Warrant of the Word of God; and the Apoſtle hath at once Confuted it, Heb. 13.4. Marriage is honourable in All.— And how wofully this hath filled the World with Whoredoms, Sodomy, and Murders, he is a ſtranger to Hiſtory who knows not: And what ſcandal have riſen therefrom to the Chriſtian Religion, is awful to tell.
2 DISPENSATIONS granted by Authority to Unlawful Marriages. What are ſuch, we may gather from what before were obſerved to be Lawful. True, the Papacy have made ſuch Degrees and Relations Unlawful, which the Word of God hath not: Nor is it a Sin againſt this Command to Tranſgreſs them, which were only made to bring Griſt to the Pope's Mill. But for any to diſpenſe with that which God hath forbidden, is to encourage and uphold Inceſtuous Marriages, which is a great Sin againſt Chastity.
3. POLITICK Preventions of Perſons from Marrying in due Seaſon. And this may be the Fault either of Parents, or the Perſons themſelves; and it often becomes a great ſnare, and expoſeth them to Temptations. Sometimes out of Covetouſneſs, to prevent the neceſſity of ſparing a Portion: Sometimes Poverty, left they ſhould not be able to Support themſelves: Sometimes Diſguſt at the Perſons offering. No doubt Prudence may be uſed by Advice and Counſel in theſe things; but Care is to be had, not to expoſe them to Sin, which is not to be choſen before outward Inconveniencies; and the Rule is plump, 1 Cor. 7.9. If they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to …orry than to burn.
4. RASH Vows of leading a Single Life. To which Head we may refer the Monaſtical Vows of the Papists. That it is ſometimes a Duty to Bind our ſelves to God by Vows, to the performance of Duties, and avoiding of Sins; and that it is ſometimes lawful and prudent to make Vows about things in themſelves Lawful, and which we have in our Power, is not to be denied; but to do ſo in things which are not in our Power, is a Tempting of God, and expoſing our ſelves to Temptation, & to be juſtly leſt of God to Violate them; and thus it is in the Caſe before us. Hence our Saviour to replied upon His Diſciples, Matth. 19 9, 10. But how well ſuch do Perform, or how profligately they Break them, the World is well acquainted: And all the Merit they can rationally hope for by ſuch Vows, is to gain themſelves the greater Condemnation.
5. ALL Contentions between Married Perſons, which alienate their Conjugal Love from each other: Whether it be by living in continual Brawls, or if it amounts to a Separation. This alſo gives Satan great Advantage to offer inſinuations to this Intemperance; and their own Corrupt Lusts in them, to ſix upon Unlawful Objects, and uſe Means to gratify the…, in the Fruition of them. And how doth doleful Experience make it to appear, that ſuch as cannot Live at Home with Quiet and Content, do ſeek their Satisfaction Abroad.
THESE, and whatſoever things of like Nature, are Sins againſt the Seventh Command; and therefore ought with greateſt heedfulneſs to be avoided by ſuch who would preſerve their Chaſtity, and keep both their Souls and Bodies pure from Uncleanneſs.
GIVE me leave then, to offer ſomething more, by way of Motive, to urge the neceſſity of Heedfulneſs and great Endeavour to Suppreſs and Mortify this Sin in us; and the exerciſe of holy Fear, leſt you ſhould run your ſelves into the ſnares of it.
Conſider then,
1. THE Proclivity of fallen Men to it. There is nothing wherein the Luſts of the Fleſh are more apt to vent themſelves. And if we conſult the Annals of the Scriptures, we ſhall find that evermore in the Apoſtacy of God's profeſſing People, this Sin hath made one Article in the Indictment of them: And ſurely where Concupiſcence is moſt …, it concerns us to keep the ſtr…cteſt guard upon it, it we would not be trapand by it.
2. THE …o great Prevalency and Commonneſs of the Sin. This added to the other, makes it the more dangerous: When Sins are decried by Men, and are a Reproach to them who ad…ct themſelves to the perpetration of them, it uſually puts a Check on Men, and gives them Reſtraint; but when they become faſhioneble, and frequent, and little witneſs born againſt it, it makes Luſt daring, and it will … faced: It many ways expoſeth perſons, and they had need look well to themſelves, if they would not be drawn into a Comp…ance with it; and without good Reſolution they will be overcome.
3. IF you nouriſh this Luſt in your hearts, it will eaſily get the Victory over you. The Heart is the Womb in which Sin is conceived, and if it obtain a Conception there, it will want nothing but an Opportunity to bring it forth into Act: You have an Account of the Deſcent of it, Jam. 1.15. When luſt hath conceived, it bringeth forth ſin: and ſin when it is finiſhed, bringeth forth death. You muſt kill Concupiſcence, if you would prevent actual Enormities; for the moſt flagitious Crimes that were ever perpetrated, had their riſe from a Thought darted in and nouriſhed, and not ſtifled and rejected: You may think to ſtop at ſpeculative Wantonneſs, but you will deceive your ſelves.
4. IT is a Sin in it ſelf truly Abominable. It is therefore called Abomination, Lev. 18.26. It is called Filthineſs it ſelf, Eph. 5.4. And let Men make never ſo … a matter of it, yet in it ſelf, it is a ſ…a…eful thing: It is therefore the Caution the Wiſe Man gives to his Son on this Account, Prov. 6.33. A wound and diſhonour ſhall he get, and his reproach ſhall not be wi…ed away. God will loath us for it, and good Men will deſpiſe us; and it wil leave a Note of Infamy upon us, which will ſtick, and hardly in this Life be obliterated.
5. IT is a Sin of a most miſchievous tendency. It makes a very grievous diſturban… in Humane Society: creates great Confuſions in Families, it produceth Brawls and Contentions, Jealouſies and Rage; occaſions Murders: and ſometimes brings Ruin on the Places where it grows prevalent: It procures awful Judgments from God; and it grievouſly hurts the Souls of them that are given up to it, as well as brings Poverty and Miſery upon the outward Man. It is a Sin with which God puniſheth other Sins; and it is therefore a fearful Judgment to be left up to it; it fights againſt the Soul, 1 Pet. 2.11. Fleſhly Luſts which war againſt the Soul. And it awfully hazards Men's Eternal Ruin; for we are told, Prov. 5.22, 23. His own iniquities ſhall take the wicked himſelf, and he ſhall be holden with the cords of his ſins. He ſhall die without inſtruction, and in the greatneſs of his folly he ſhall go aſtray.
LET us then bring this Luſt to the Croſs of CHRIST, and Mortify it every Day; and Pray hard to God, that we may be delivered from the Guilt and Dominion of this Sin.
[FEBRUARY 6. 1704.]