Chap: 31. An Expofttion upon the Book of Jo B. Vert, 1z. 419 is one of the moat dangeroufly deadly fins. Solomon fpeakes of mile Adulterers cafe as defperate (Pro. z. 19.) 2(áne that goe ammo her returne againe, neither take they holdof the paths of life. Not that every one who commits that fin is irrecoverably dam. ned; The free and powcrfull graceof God bath given both re- pentanceand pardon to the worft of [inners. But when the Spi- rit ofGod faith, 2one that goe unto her returne, we are to un- derftand it,firft of fuch as are accuftomedto that filthines, which is implyed in that wordgoe, noting a continued a&,ora confiant courfe ofit. Secondly, when 'tis fayd, none returne, it teacheth us, that very few ofthem, or (as we fay) few or none of them returne. Thirdly, it fhewes howestreame' difficult it is for loch to returne ; where there is much delight, muchof the willin any fin, Ohow unwilling are men to leave it, and come offfrom it I Adultery is a bewitching fin,an enthralling f n,and God inwrath gives adulterers up many times into the hands oftheir tufts fo that theyprevaile over them for ever. Lafily, that which makes the recoveryof fuch fo difficult, is that they feldome perceive their own danger, and are apt to flatter themfelves that God will not be fofevere as to calf them tohet , or Phut them outof hea- ven for it. When the Adulterer is put into that blackCatalogue, of which it is Paid noneof them (hall enterinto the kingdomeof heaven,the Apoftle prernifeth a caution againft this felfe.flattery and deceit(i Cor.6.9.) Be not deceived,neitherfornicators,nor ido- latera,nor ddulterers,nor o ffeminate,norr abufers ofthemfelves with mankind, &e. (hall inherit the kingdomeofGod. As ifhe had fayd, I know manywill think this over.hard and berth, and feed them- felves with vaine hopes of fpeeding better then fo ; But, faith he, Be not deceived. And as there he would not have than deceave themfelves with vaine hopes, fo he cautions the fame fort of fin- ners, to take heed ofbeing deceivedwith the vaine words of o- ther men, who poffibly might fpeake peace to them in this fin ; For (faith he, Eph. 5.6. let others fay what they will) becaufe of thefe things the wrathof gad comteth upon the children ofdifobe dience. Againe, yob having fayd, Adultery is an heinous crime, and that the Judges ought to take notice ofit and punifh it , he pre- fently adds, is id afire, &c. Hence obferve, Secondly. Hhh2 The
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