A Christian duty composed by B. Bernard Francis.

DISCOVRS XXXVI OF THE SIXTH AND NINTH COMMANDEMENTS (Book 36)

thou shalt not commit Adultery. Thou shalt not couet thy neighbours Wife. (Book 36)

Amongst all the irregular motions of a man, there is none more contrary to his nature, nor more abo∣minable to the Creatour, than the unhappy vice of carnality. It is contrary to mans nature: becaus it is beastly, terrestrial, and unworthy of a man; In anger, en∣vy, pride. ambition there is some kind of spirit; But luxury clouds the understanding: depresses the faculties of the soul: renders her unable to elevate her self above the objects of sense, and impaires all that is manly in us.

2. This vice is abominable to God, who repented to have made man, and sent a deluge to drowne the earth; who consu∣in'd by fire four of the most florishing cityes of the world: and slautered 24 thousand of his people at one time: and 60 thou∣sand at another, in punishment of this sin.

Though this vice be so contrary to a man, and so abomina∣ble to God: Yet fails it not to be most general; For tis the source of an abundance of sins; of an abundance in regard of the divers Species of it; of an abundance in respect of the indi∣viduums or particulars.

3. There is no kind of vice that hath so many Circumstances which chang the Species or kinds, as this. The other common∣ly have but three or four at most: this hath seven; which we must express in confession, if we have fallen into them, either in effect or will.

The first species or kind is simple Fornication: when you are not married, and do ill with a persone that is not bound, neither by Vow, nor marriage; And though this be the least crime a∣mongst the species of this vice: 'tis nevertheless a mortall sin; for S. Paul declares to us at least three times, that this sin ex∣cludes * 1.1 us out of the kingdom of Heaven.

5. The second is Stupration: when yon defloure or dishonour a Virgin; you ruine in her soul the grace of God, which is the greatest good she can have in this world: and in her body a pre∣cious treasure, the loss of which is the more deplorable, becaus it is irreparable.

6. The Third is Incest, when 'tis with any of your Relations, by blood, or by affinity, unto the fourth degree inclusively.

7. The fourth is Adultery: when you are married, or do ill with a persone that is bound in marriage: a sin, which vio∣lates divine, natural, and humane Lawes: a sin, which Pagans, ot Infidells themselves have punished with death or exquisite tor∣ments: some by fire, others by wild horses: some by the halter: others in pulling out their eyes: cutting off their noses: and in the law of Moses it was punished by stones: so great appears this disorder by the light of nature, and so enormous in the sight of God.

8. Nevertheless this sin is now incomparably more black and criminal than it was in the law of Moses, or in that of nature; For you break as much as lies in you the indissoluble bond of marriage: you violate a bond which represents the Vnion of IESUS CHRIST with his Church; 'Tis as if you sayd that JESUS ••ath divorsed the Church his Spouse: or that his Spouse hath quitted him▪ notwithstanding his promises to the contra∣ry.

More yet: the bodyes of Christians are worthy of honour, and ought to be treated with respect and reverence, not only becaus

they are the members of Christ, and Temples of the holy Ghost: but moreover, becaus they have been sanctifyd by Bap∣tisme: by the sacred Chrisme in Confirmation: by the most holy Body of JESUS in Communion: by being the matter of a Sa∣crament, which S. Paul calls Great: and by the nuptial bene∣diction when they married; And they soil them by adulteries, prostitute them as prophane things, to black, infamous, shamefull, and abominable actions; Wherefore the Emperours Constantine, Constantius, and Constance sons of the great Constantine, publi∣shed an Edict against adulterers, condemning them to the punish∣ment of paricides: which was to be butnt, or drown'd, becaus say they, such are, sacriligi nuptiarum, abusers and prophaners of marriage.

9. The fift Species of this Vice is Rape: when you force one: or you draw consent by deceits, lyes, promises, or perswasions so powerfull, that they are equivalent to constraint.

10. The six is Sacriledge: when you commit an impurity be∣ing a persone sacred by solemne or particular Vow, or by holy Orders: or when you permit such a persone to take carnal pleasure in you: 'tis in some manner to rob him, if it could be, of consecration: 'tis the highest pitch of malice in the matter of fornication, sayes S. Chrysostome. * 1.2

11. The seventh in fine is the sin against nature: which is so abominable, that we name it not, and which nevertheless is committed sometimes also amongst married persones. Remember that S. Briget did see in extasie many married people in hell, for having abused marriage. Remember what S. Austin sayes, that▪ you may be drunk with your own wine as well as with anothers * 1.3 Remember that in Genesis Onan was grievously punished by God, becaus he offended him in marriage, eo quod rem detestabilem fa∣ceret?

Confessours are very reserv'd, and ought to be so in this mat∣ter of carnality; Preachers and good Writers treat sparingly of such subjects: lest the very articulate sound or characters in this matter should offend chast eares: or cause wors effects in the hearts of others; if than you do not help your selves: if you

confess not these ordures, unless you be examin'd you may remain in them 'til death.

12. These are the seven heads of this Monster: seven heads by which we may sin by this Vice; But the Individuums or parti∣culars of it are infinite. There is no kind of vice wherein men commit so great a number of mortal sins, as in this vice of Luxury; a Drunkard is not drunk, but once, or twice a day: a Robber robbs not every day: a murtherer kills not very often: But he that gives himself over to impurity, commits dozens of mortal sins a day; it happens very often, that he takes delight interiourly, ten, twelve, or twenty times a day in impure ob∣jects: and the voluntary delectation is a sin: though he has no will to do it in effect.

13. Wherefore I would counsell him that is a slave to this Pas∣sion, to make to himself the same reply, which heretofore the Buffoon or Iester of Francis the first of France did make; The King having assembled his Counsell, to deliberate what way was best to go to Pavie: some sayd one way: others another: and others a third; the Buffoon, who heard all behind the tapestry, when they were gon, cryed-out: they have all consulted by which way the King shal go: but they have not consider'd by what way he shal return! And the event made appeare it had been an important counsell; for the King was there made prisoner. When temptation flatters the hearts of them: they consult not, but of the means to content it: and how they may find a fit occa∣sion to satisfy their passion; But they consider not, how they may get out of the inconveniences, which they bring upon themselves by it; they consider not, the certaine loss of spiri∣tual life, the danger of the temporall, and of their fame: and that by begetting illegitimate children, they deprive unjustly the legitimate, and oblige themselves to restitutions, which will be very hardly made. These things well consider'd, will be a bridle to their passion: and make them also fly those conversations, dis∣positions, affections, and occasions of falling into a snare so prejudicial, and into a labyrinth so inextricable, for we must fight in this war, as the Parthians flying: and therefore S. Paul bids

us not to struggle or graple with this vice, but to fly it fugite fornicationem.

14. Consider in the second place with Salomon, that you cannot have continence, unless God gives it you; demand it then of him with all your heart: use the meanes of mortification to obtain: make daily supplication to the Mother of Purity, that by her powerfull intercession, you may be drawn out of this deep myre.

15. Consider in fine, what the sacred Text does teach us of this vice, and of the contrary vertue: The holy Ghost will not * 1.4 dwell in a Body subject to sin. He that loves purity of heart shal have the King his friend.

Blessed are the pure and clean of heart, for they shal see God. Know you not, that your Bodys are the members of CHRIST? Taking therefore the members of CHRIST, shal I make them the members of a harlot? Know you not that your members are the Tem∣ple of the holy Ghost? God will destroy him who violates his Temple. * 1.5 If you live according to the flesh, you shal dye. But if hy the Spi∣rit, you mortify the workes of the flesh, you shal live. Having these pro∣mises let us cleanse our selves from all inquination of the flesh and Spirit, perfecting sanctification in the fear of God. Amen.

Notes

• * 1.1

  1. Cor. 6. Gal. 5. Ephes. 7. 5.
• * 1.2

  S. Chry. Hom. 76. in Matt.
• * 1.3

  S. Aug. ser. 14. de diver. Gen. 38. 10.
• * 1.4

  Prov. 22. 11. Matt. 5. 1. Cor. 6. 15. 13. Rom. .8
• * 1.5

  2. Cor. 7.