A learned and very useful commentary on the whole epistle to the Hebrews wherein every word and particle in the original is explained ... : being the substance of thirty years Wednesdayes lectures at Black-fryers, London / by that holy and learned divine Wiliam Gouge ... : before which is prefixed a narrative of his life and death : whereunto is added two alphabeticall tables ...

§. 42. Of the unlawfulnesse of Brothel houses or Stews.

THat which hath been said of the hainousness of Fornication and Adultery, and of Gods judging the same, affords a demonstration of the unlawfulness of role∣rating Stews or Brothel-houses in a Christian state. Gods wrath must needs be much incensed thereby, and he provoked to rise up in judgement against that State. By them many are entised both to fornication and adultery, which otherwise might not fall into those actual sins. Not only single persons, but also such as are or have been married, may by them be enduced to commit those unclean sins. Yea a father and a son, or two brothers may ignorantly be thereby brought to commit u•…•…cleannesse with one and the same woman, and so fall into the abominable sin of Incest. That which in the Law is spoken against a Sodomite, Deut. 23. 17. is taken to be meant of such as keep brothel-houses, in which respect they are expresly forbidden.

Some in defence of them alledge a necessity in regard of the violence of lust.

Ans.

• 1. We may not do evil that good may come thereof, Rom. 3. 8.
• 2. There be other means for suppressing the violence of lust, as moderate diet, fasting, watching, diligence in a mans calling, fervent prayer, &c.

Toleration of Stews remaineth as a strong evidence of the impurity of the Church of Rome. As their Idolatry makes them guilty of spiritual Adultery, so this of corpo∣ral. It declares their practice to be unclean, as their doctrine is un•…•…ound.