The epistle of the blessed apostle Saint Paule which he, in the time of his trouble and imprisonment, sent in writting from Rome to the Ephesians. Faithfully expounded, both for the benefite of the learned and vnlearned, by Nicholas Hemming ... Familiarlie translated out of Latine into English, by Abraham Fleming. Heerein are handled the high mysteries of our saluation, as maie appeare by the table of commonplaces necessarilie annexed by the same A.F. Perused and authorised.

Verse. 5.

5 For this ye knovve, that no vvhooremonger, neither vn∣cleane person, nor couetous person, vvhich is an idolater, hath anie inheritaunce in the kingdome of Christ, and of God.

For this you knowe, that no whooremonger, or vncleane, or couetous person, or which is an image worshipper, (or idolater) shall obtaine anie inheritaunce in the kingdome of Christ, and of God.

THe Apostle addeth vnto the wordes going before, a verie heauie threatening: or a reason drawne from the punishment which hangeth ouer the heades of (Whooremongers, vncleane and couetous persons:) to wit, that they are shut out from the inheritance of Christ and of God. And no meruell: for (wot you what) a iusti∣fieng faith can by no meanes stand or agrée with these plagues. Neuerthelesse, hope of pardon and forgiuenesse is not denied or withheld from the offender, by this threa∣tening: but the punishment due by desert to such fowle sinnes is onelie signified, that the filthinesse of sinne, bée∣ing once knowne, and the greatnesse of our guiltinesse therein vnderstoode by the punishments, we might fall to repentance, and defie all such filthinesse.

For the rule of the Prophet, concerning the repen∣tant, as it is alwaies, so is it now to be laid fast hold vp∣pon:* 1.1 Cùm recesserit, &c. When the wicked shall turne

from his sinne, and doe that which is lawfull and right, he shall surelie liue,* 1.2 and not die. Againe, Nolo mortem, &c. I desire not the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turne from his waie, and liue. But speciall héede must be taken, that we abuse not this rule to the disho∣nour of God, and our owne destruction. Let vs therfore beware, that we runne not with full raine into a lewde custome of sinning, least God giue vs ouer into a repro∣bate minde, and wée become carelesse of our wick∣ed déedes, minding nothing lesse than to bee sorrie for them.

For, if we set at naught the outcries of the holie Ghost, ringing in our eares by the preaching of the Gospell, & calling vs to repentance: it is to be feared, that we shall be quite cast awaie by Gods iust iudgement, and counted dead creatures, and damned soules, ordeined to eternall torments, before God. Which punishment doubtlesse is most worthie, that God therewith should take vengeance vpon the malapert vntowardnesse, sawcinesse, and pée∣uishnesse of men.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Ezech. 14. 15.
• * 1.2

  Ezech. 33. 11.