§. 39. Of the Aggravations of Adultery above Fornication.
- 1. ADultery is expresly mentioned in the seventh Commandment, which is this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Exod. 20. 14. It is counted an aggravation of a sin, to be by name expressed in any of the ten Commandments. For therein it is made an head of many other sins.
- 1. Adultery makes the nearest and firmest bond wherewith two persons are joy∣ned together dissoluble. That bond is marriage, whereby two distinct persons are made one flesh, Gen. 2. 24. It is by Gods Ordinance an inviolable bond, and ought not to be dissolved, but by diremption, which is, by severing man and wife by death, Com. 7. 2. But that adultery makes this bond of marriage dissoluble, is evi∣dent by this restriction of Christ, saving for the cause of fornication, Mat. 5. 32. mean∣ing adultery.
- 3. Adultery nullifies a special Covenant of God; This phrase, The wife of thy Co∣venant, Mal. 2. 14. intendeth a Covenant made before God, whereof God is the Author, Gen. 2. 18. and a witnesse, Mal. 2, 14. and in that respect called the Cove∣nant of God, Prov. 2. 17.
- 4. Adultery makes an incurable wound. For jealousie is the rage of a man: there∣fore he will not spare in the day of vengeance: he will not regard any ransom, &c. Prov. 6. 34, 35. It is not so in the case of fornication, for a recompence is set down in that case, Deut. 22. 29.
- 5. By adultery the affections of married persons are so alienated, as they are brought many times to wish and practise one anothers death.
- 6. By adultery a spurious brood may be put in the room of legitimate children, and false heirs enjoy that inheritance which belongeth to true children, which we have shewed in the former Section to be against Law and Right, Genes. 21. 10. Iud. 11. 2.
- 7. By adultery the Goods of the family cannot be but much wasted: the adulte∣rous husband spending that wherewith he should provide for his family on his har∣lot: and the adulterous wife purloining what she can from her husband. Herein they shew themselves worse then Infidels, 1 Tim. 5. 8.
- 8. Adultery is by Gods Law judged to be a capital crime, Deut. 22. 22. But forni∣cation not so, Deut. 22. 29.
- 9. The very Heathen by the light of nature did judge this sinne to be worthy of death. For Nebuchadnezzar rosted in the fire two men for committing adultery with their neighbours wives, Jer. 29. 22, 23.
- 10. Adultery is made worse then theft, Pro. 6. 30. yet theft amongst us is accoun∣ted worthy of death.
Obj. Lust is a violent passion, and a man is more put on to adultery, then he can be to thef•…•…▪
Ans. There may be a greater instigation to steal, namely, to satisfie a mans hun∣ger, Pro. 6. 30. then to commit adultery. Though lust be violent, yet married per∣sons have a ready remedy to allay it; which is a seasonable use of the lawful marri∣age duty.