A key to the key of Scripture: or An exposition with notes, vpon the Epistle to the Romanes; the three first chapters begun at Walsall in Staffordshire, continued at Pitmister in Somerset. By William Sclater Batchelar in Diuinitie, and minister of the Word of God at Pitmister in Somerset.

Verse 24. Wherefore also God gaue them vp to their hearts lustes, vnto vncleannesse, to defile their owne bodies betweene themselues.

NOw followeth the punishment of this sinne. Wherein we are to consider the punishment it selfe; which is corporall vncleannes, and fornication: second∣ly the maner of inflicting, gaue them vp: thirdly, the inflicter God.

Where first obserue, [Obser.] that sinnes sometimes haue the nature of punishments. See Exod. 9. 2 Thes. 2. 1 Reg. 22. Hos. 4.12. and this is confessed by all Diuines po∣pish, and orthodoxall: the scriptures also are pregnant for this purpose.

And it may serue to arme vs against that Argument that hath often troubled many: [Ʋse.] (viz.) against the pro∣uidence of God, and his care of the things of this life: drawne especially from the present prosperitie of wic∣ked and vngodly men; whom it pleaseth the Lord to feede fat with the things of this life. Now if wee would consider, and well weigh the matter, we should easily perceiue that they are not without their iudgement: for their very sinnes and their lying in them, is as great a iudgement as may be inflicted in this life: to liue in drunkennesse, whoredome, &c. what punishment can be greater, seeing it defaceth Gods image: secondly, hardeneth the heart: thirdly, prepareth for destru∣ction.

But see we the Authour of this punishment, and the manner of inflicting it. The Authour is God: God gaue them vp. See Exod. 10.17. 2 Thes. 2. Yet that wee erre not, consider we a little, how God inflicts it.

Ans. Not by infusing any new wickednes into them. See Iam. 1.13. but first, by denying, or withdrawing his grace, by which they might haue beene withholden from such sinnes: as Gen. 2••.6. which Diuines call spi∣rituall desertion. In which regard they make God in in this case, Causam remouentem prohibens. of these sins whereunto they rush, after their stay and hold-back is remoued: secondly, by tradition or deliuering them vp to the power of Sathan, and head-strong swinge of their own corruptions. See 1. Reg. 22.22. thirdly, which is accidentally onely, by giuing them meanes of re∣straint, which falling vpon a heart thus forsaken of God become vnto them occasions of greater violence in wickednes; as the Law. Rom 7.8. As impediments cast to hinder the current of a violent streame rather increase the violence thereof▪ then any way stop the passage: fourthly, after such abuse of these meanes of reclaiming, by denying vnto them those meanes of re∣straint. Read. Hos. 4.14.

Hence therefore it will easily follow, that there is some act of Gods will extended to the being of sinne it selfe, in respect of the euent. First, that God willeth that there be sinne, though not qua peccatum; yet as a meanes to manifest his mercie in pardoning▪ iustice in punishing; and as the iust and operatiue permission thereof in men is an act of God, as a iudge punishing some former transgression thereby. And why men should now be so abhorrent from this doctrine so long since taught in the Church of God I see not: yea, the very idle permission they talke of, implies as much: for what God permits, hee wils to permit, and so wils to be.

[Vse 2] But let this be our warning, to beware of all plagues, of this spiritual iudgement, of being giue•• vp to our lusts: surely, except God should presently send vs

downe to the place of our iniquitie, where is paine endlesse, caselesse, and remedilesse, a greater iudgement cannot befall vs.

And as we are fearfull of the iudgement: so especi∣ally take we heed of the causes thereof, they are, first, vnthankefulnes for graces receiued: secondly, ill vse of gifts bestowed: thirdly, not profiting by meanes vouchsafed. Confer Isay 1 5. Heb. 6.8. Ezech. 24.13.

Neither is it to be omitted, [Obser.] that the Lord ordi∣narily punisheth spirituall fornication with bodily vn∣cleannesse: Confer Hos. 4.12. as also we see at this day come to passe in the Church of Rome: wherein how such vncleannesse hath been practised, tolerated yea defended, as lesse euil then marriage copulation, which the Lord teacheth to be vndefiled, their bookes and practise sufficiently witnesse.

But last of all, [Obser.] consider here the nature of for∣nication, it is an vncleannesse which dishonoureth the bodie. The bodie of man, it is in it selfe and by Di∣uine dignation, a most honourable creature; but is spoiled of all honour, by this beastly sinne of whoredome. The honour of the bodie stands in foure things especially; first, the health of it. Col. 2.23. and indeed what sensible creature hath the world so full of comelinesse and maiestie as the bodie of man preserued in health? And how this sinne aboue others depriues it of this honour Salomon, testifyeth Prouerb. 5.9.10.11. and ordinarie experience tea∣cheth; there being no sinne that brings vvith it a more present blemishing of beautie, impayring of strength, rotting of the marrow. A second ho∣nour of the bodie is to be a sacrifice, holy and ac∣ceptable vnto GOD. Rom. 12.1.2. A third to be a member of Christ. 1 Cor. 6.15. A fourth to be a

Temple for the holy Ghost to dwell in. 1 Cor. 6.19. of all which high honours wee depriue our bodies, when wee giue them vp to this filthy vncleannes.

[Ʋse.] Let vs therefore be exhorted as the Apostle ex∣horts vs, of all sinnes to flye fornication: there is in this sinne something singular aboue others: whereas all other sinnes are without the bodie, he that com∣mitteth fornication sinnes against his owne bodie: that is, whereas all other euen outward sinnes, though the bodie be the instrument of them, yet is it not the obiect of them; in this a man sinnes against his owne bodie, spoiling it of that excellent honour whereto GOD both in nature and grace hath aduanced it. Consider if thou wilt, with what strange, and incu∣rable diseases GOD hath in all times plagued this sinne, pockes, dropsies, &c. and many others at the naming whereof many times wee tremble. And how many excellent personages both of men and wo∣men, renowmed for beautie, and comely feature of bodie, (a worthy blessing of GOD) hast thou seene vtterly disfigured, and so quite deformed? that there hath not beene left the least foote prints of what formerly appeared in them: flye fornication.

Notes

• 1 Cor. 6.18.