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Now I come in the last place to touch a word or two of Adultery, and then to draw towards a conclusion.
Adultery, it hath its place in the heart among the rest of those filthinesses, I mentioned before Mark 7. 21, 22. of which sin I observe two things.
First, That almost, in every place where the Apostle layeth down a cata∣logue of wickednesses, he layeth down A∣dultery, Fornication, and Uncleanness in the front; as that in Mark 7. 21. Rom. 1. 29. 1 Cor. 6. 9. Gal. 5. 19. Ephes. 5. 3 1 Thes. 4. 3, 4, 5. Heb. 12. 16. Jam. 2. 11. 1 Pet. 2. 11. 2 Pet. 2. 10.
From this I gather, that the Sin of Un∣cleanness is a very predominant and ma∣ster Sin, easie to overtake the sinner, as being one of the first that is ready to of∣fer it self at all occasions, to break the Law of God.
Secondly, I observe, that this sin is committed unawares to many, even so soon as a man hath but looked upon a woman. I say unto you, saith Christ, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust, or de∣sire after her, he hath already committed Adultery with her in his heart, Mat. 5. 28.
This sin of uncleanness, I say, is a ve∣ry taking sin, it is natural above all sins to mankind; and as it is most natural, so it wanteth not tempting occasions, having objects for to look on in every corner:
wherefore there is need of a double and trible watchfulness in the soul against it. It is better here to make a covenant with our eyes, like Job, (Job 31. 1.) than to let them wander to God's dishonour, and our own discomfort.
There are these three things which discover a man or woman too much in∣clining to the uncleanness of their own heart.
The first is a wanton eye, or an eye that doth secretly effect it self with such objects as are tickling of the heart with the thoughts of immodesty and unclean∣ness. Isaiah calls this a wanton eye; and Peter, an eye full of adultery, that cannot cease from sin, 2 Pet. 2. 14. Isa. 3. 16. This is that also which Christ calleth, an evil eye; and John, the lust of the flesh, and of the eyes, and doth defile those who are not very watchful over their own hearts, Mark 7. 22. 1 John 2. 16.
This wanton eye, is that which the most holy Saints should take heed of, because it is apt to seize upon them also. When Paul bids Timothy beseech the younger
women to walk as becomes the Gospel, ••e bids him do it with all Purity: as who should say, take heed that while thou in∣structest them to holiness, thou thy self be not corrupted with the lust of thy eye, 1 Tim. 5. 1, 2.
Oh! how many souls in the day of God, will curse the day that ever they gave way to a wanton eye!
2. The second thing that discovereth one much inclining to the lusts of un∣cleanness, it is wanton and immodest talk; such as that brazen-faced Whore, in the seventh of the Proverbs, had; or such as they in Peter, who allured, through the lust if the flesh, through much wantonness, those who were clean escaped from them, who live in error, 2 Pet. 2. 18. Out of the abun∣••ance of the heart the mouth speaketh: wherefore if we be Saints, let us take heed, as of our eye, so of our tongue, and let not the lust of uncleanness, or of a∣dultery, be once named among us, na∣med among us as becometh Saints, Ephes. 5. 3. Mark: let it not be once named. This implies, that the lusts
of uncleanness are devilishly taking; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 will both take the heart with eyes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 tongue; Let it not be once named amo•••• you, &c.
Thirdly, Another thing that bespea•••• a man or a woman inclining to wanton∣ness & uncleanness, it is an adornin•• themselves in light and wanton Appar•••• The attire of an Harlot is too frequentl•• in our day, the attire of Professors; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vile thing, and argueth much wanton∣ness and vileness of affections. If those that give way to a wanton eye, wanton words, and immodest apparel, be no•• Whores, &c. in their hearts, I know n•••• what to say. Doth a wanton eye argue shamfacedness? doth wanton talk argue chastity? and doth immodest apparel with stretched-out necks, naked breasts a made speech, and mincing gates, &c. argue mortification of lusts?
If any say that these things may ar∣gue pride aswell as carnal lusts. We•••• but why are they proud? is it not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 trick up the body? And why do they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pride trick up the body, if it be no••
〈◊〉〈◊〉 provoke both themselves and others 〈◊〉〈◊〉 lusts: God knoweth their hearts with∣out their outsides; and we know their hearts by their outsides.
My Friends, I am hear treating of Good Works, and perswading you to fly those things that are henderances to them: wherefore bear with my plain∣ness when I speak against Sin; I would strike it through with every word, because else it will strike us through with many sorrows, 1 Tim. 6. 9, 10.
I do not treat of Good Works, as if the doing of them would save us (for we are justified by his Grace according to the hope of Eternal Life) yet our sins and evil works will lay us obnoxious to the Judgements both of God and man. He that walketh not uprightly, according to the truth of the Gospel, is like to have his peace assaulted often, both by the De∣vil, the Law, Death and Hell; yea, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 like to have God hide his face from him also, for the iniquity of his covetous∣ness, Isa. 57. 17.
How can he that carrieth himself base∣ly
in the sight of men, think he yet we•••• behaveth himself in the sight of God and if so dim a light as is in man, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 justly count thee as a transgressor, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 shall thy sins be hid from Him, whose ey•••• lids try the Children of men? Psal. 11. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
'Tis true, Faith without works justi∣fies us before God: yet that Faith th•• is alone, will be found to leave us sinne•• in the sight both of God and man, Rom•• 28. & 4. 5. Jam. 2. 18. And though th•• addest nothing to that which saveth th•• by what thou canst do, yet thy righteous∣ness may profit the Son of man, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 also saith the Text; but if thou shalt 〈◊〉〈◊〉 so careless as to say, what care I for bei•••• righteous to profit others; I tell thee that the love of God is not in thee, J•••• 35. 18. 1 Joh 3. 17. 1 Cor. 13. 1, 2, 3.
Walk therefore in Gods wayes, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them, for this is your wisdom and y•••• understanding in the sight of the N••••∣ons, which shal hear of all these statut•• and say, This great Nation is a wise 〈◊〉〈◊〉 understanding People, Deut. 4. 6.