A plaine exposition vpon the whole thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth chapters of the Epistle of Saint Paul to the Romanes Wherein the text is diligently and methodically resolued, the sense giuen, and many doctrines thence gathered, are by liuely vses applied for the benefit of Gods children. Performed with much varietie, and conuenient breuitie, by Elnathan Parr Bachelor in Diuinity, and preacher of Gods word. To which is prefixed an alphabeticall table, containing the chiefe points and doctrines handled in the booke.

VERSE 13. — Not in chambering and wantonnesse. —

THese are the second paire of vices, contrary to tempe∣rance and honest walking.

Chambering, the Greeke word signifies a bed, or bed∣chamber; and some haue interpreted it superfluous sleepe, which followes gluttony and drunkennesse; and then wan∣tonnesse followes such sleepe. Good Dauid at Euening-tide rose from his bed: this was not well to rise from his bed at Euening; and what wantonnes followed the story declares.

The Syrian Translator reades Non in dormitorio immundo, not in a filthy sleeping place; if it should bee taken for a place, I would thinke the stewes to be forbidden.

Here these are doubtlesse meant, and also all preparation and prouision made for intising and nourishing our lusts, as the Harlot is described in the Prouerbs, to haue Deckt her

bed, and perfumed her Chamber, &c.

But principally fornication and whoredome it selfe, by a me∣tonymie, calling it by a modest terme: so is the word vsed, Heb. 13.4. Martage is honourable, and the Bed vndesiled; and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is translated to conceiue. Rom. 9.10.

Wontonnesse: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, signifies, a monsirous profusion, and powring out and spending ones selfe without measure, in, and vnto all lasciuiousnesse: The word is thought to be com∣pounded of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; Selge, they say was a city betweene Galatia, and Cappadocia, the inhabitants whereof were most modest and temperate, and then 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, is priuatine, as noting one in whom there is no modesty at all; others affirme that peo∣ple to haue beene most dissolute and lewd, and then 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 to bee 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, intensiue, dilating, and increasing the sense. Pliny makes mention of the oyle of Selge, Selgilicum, which is good for the sinewes, thought to be found out and vsed by that people, to confirme and strengthen them, hauing spent themselues, in mutuall and abominable filthinesse.

By these two words, are not forbidden, either a bed, or a bed-chamber, or the lawfull vse of them; nor mariage, nor the sporting of Isaack and Rebecah, nor friendly salutations; but all vncleannesse, and vnlawfull copulation, either accor∣ding or contrary to kinde, with all immodest and filthy be∣hauiour.

All fedity, [Doctr.] obscenous and filthy behauiour is contrary to that honest walking which is inioyned Christians. Gal. 5.19. Ephe. 5.3. Col. 3.5. 1 Thess. 4.3.4. 1 Peter 4.3.

The Holy Spirit cals vncleane actions by the name of Chambering, to teach vs to abhor euen vncomly words: [Vse 1] Many lewd persons account it no mirth if their tongues must bee bound to the law of grace, and may not runne riot in all filthy and broad language.

Sermo caracter mentis: out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh: An vncleane mouth, comes from an vncleane heart, and ends in vncleane actions.

Here maried couples are to bee admonished, [Ʋse 2] to possesse their vessels in sanctification and honour, and to keepe the mariage bed vndefiled.

Their bed-chamber must not be a shop of intemperance, but of modesty; not a place of lust, but as a temple consecrated to chastity, and shamefastnesse; as accustomed to prayer, holy conferences, and meditations; as to pleasure.

The bed and bed chamber are so to be vsed, that we may not be ashamed there to call vpon God: In no place take liber∣ty of immodest and vncomely behauiour, for God seeth in secret; in no time, not in the darkenesse of the night, Deorum immortalium etiam noctes sunt, said the Poet. The Nights are the Lords, as well as the Dayes.

Note the order of these: [Vse 3] After rioting, and drunkennesse, follow Chambering and wantonnesse: As they are here ioyned together, so a Prophet said, Wine and whoredome take away the hart: where drunkennes goes before, there whoredome soone followes after.

Tertullian saith thus, Liberto et Ʋeneri conuenit; Duo ista Daemonia conspirata et coniurata inter se sunt, ebrietatis et libidi∣nis. Bacchus and Venus, agree and goe together: These are two foule fiends which conspire and are coniu••ed together for the destruction of Mankind: Hierome affirmeth that he will neuer beleeue that a drunkard is chast.

Exod. 32.6. The people sat downe to eate and drinke and rose vp to play, that is, to all manner of filthy practices vsuall a∣mongst Idolaters; as they did, Numb. 25.

Hee which is a riotous feeder and giuen to drunkennesse and saith he will liue chastly, is like vnto him who saith hee will set stubble on fire, and quench it when he list: As fire in stubble cannot be quenched easily, so nor vncleane lusts in riotous persons and drunkards.

Abhor fornication, [Vse 4] whoredome, and all filthinesse.

Though the world will not take knowledge of the hai∣nousnesse of the sinne of vncleannesse; yet it is a transcendent sinne: witnesse the old world, the filthy brood whereof were washed away with a flood.

Sodome also, and the twenty three thouland in Numb. 25. and 1 Cor. 10.8.

It breeds such foule diseases, the naming of which could not but be offensiue to mens stomacks and eares.

It shuts out of the kingdome of heauen, 1. Cor. 6.9.10. Hebr. 13.4. Gal. 5.19.21. Reu. 21.8.27. and 22.15.

Helpes against vncleannesse are diuers, especially these following.

1 Remember such Scriptures as speake against it, and among the rest this in hand, by which Saint Augustine was helped, and obtained an end of his vncleane lusts: For, as himselfe reports, with many teares begging power and an end of his incontinencie, hee heard a voice from the next house, as of some boy or girle singing, and often repeating these words, Tolle lege, Tolle lege, whereupon hee presently fetched codicem Apostoli, S. Pauls Epistles, and the first place he lighted on, was this, Not in chambering and wantonnesse; and by the power of this word his bands were released.

2 Consider thy Resurrection: Thy body must rise againe; wilt thou haue a filthy polluted body to appeare before the Iudge?

3 Hate Idlenesse, and walke diligently in thy calling: O∣tiasi tollas, &c. Take Idlenesse away, and Cupids bow will soone decay.

— Qui sinem quaeris amoris Cedit amor Rebus; Res age, tutus cris

4 Fast and pray: Fast, for sine Corere & Baccho friget Ve∣nus: and pray, for Chastitie and continencie are Gods gifts: These sinnes are of those kinds, which goe not out but by prayer and fasting.

If thou beest guiltie, vse these helpes, and repent betimes, lest thou be eternally damned: If Saint Paul liued in these dayes, and beheld the goatish behauiour, and horrible vn∣cleannesse committed, not onely with impunitie, but with boasting, how would hee thunder the iudgements of God, both against the guiltie, and against Magistrates, which cause not such things to be seuerely punished. Surely God will be auenged of both.

Notes

• Aquinas;
• Pro. 7.16, 17.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉etiam dicitur 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Fellator.
• Hesiodus.
• Hos. 4.11.
• Tertul. lib. de spectac. tit. de Theatro.
• Hieron. in Titū.
• Aug. Confesi. l. 8. cap. vl.