The Seventh Commandment.
Thou shalt not commit Adultery.
THE Lord having spoken of such sins as do more respect mans being simply in the former Command, he cometh now to direct in those things that concern a man in his life, in the ordering of his conversation; and as it will be found one way or other, that by our passion, hatred, and anger, in one degree or other, the former Command isi broken often, so this sin (that in the very name of it is abomi∣nable) is not so unfrequent, even amongst Christians, as might in all reason be sup∣posed and expected.
The vile sin of inordinate Concupiscence and Lust entred into Mankind exceed∣ing early after Adam's fall, and in nothing the bitter fruit of Original sin, and that pravity of our nature sooner kyeths, and did kyth, then in it: Hence is it that Adams and Evahs nakedness, and their being ashamed, is spoken of in Scripture, which implyeth a sinfulness and inordinateness in them, which formerly they were not tainted with; as also a shame or plague following upon it: and this corrupt nature being still in man, it is hard to speak of, or to hear these things holily; and therefore there is a necessity both of holiness and wisdom here, lest we break this Command, even when speaking of it, and hearing it spoke of; yet the breach of it being a sin so rife, and the Spirit in Scripture thinking it needful to speak of it, yea, it being put in a particular and distinct Command by it self, and our most holy and blessed Lord Jesus having himself commented on it, Matth. 5. there is a necessity of saying somewhat of it, but so as to contain within the bounds of Scripture ex∣pressions: O! be therefore afraid of sinning in hearing; remember and consider that the Lord seeth, and in a special manner abhorreth such vile Imaginations as shall be irritated and excited even from his holy command enjoyning the contrary, which is indeed both an evidence and a part of the sinfulness of sin, as the Apostle speaketh, Rom. 7.
To take therefore a view of it, let us consider the scope of the Command, which we conceive is in a special manner, and obviously holden forth in these few places of Scripture, commending holiness in respect of a mans person, and condemning uncleanness in all its branches. 1 Thess. 4. v. 3, 4 5. 7. 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, not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles, which knew not God—for God hath not called us unto un∣cleanness, but unto holiness, Ephes. 5. 3. 4. 5. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named amongst you, as becometh Saints: Neither filthi∣ness, not foolish talking, nor jeasting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks▪