¡Chap.5 Qxejiton.r, andCafei of Confcience about Adultery. J Prov. 5.I ç, I 7> 20, 2I. this is made the reafon of the Precept : The wayes of menare before the eyes ofthe Lard, though no othereye teeth ir. Remeinber,rhe Lorwatcheth finners of thiskinde tof deftroy both their fouls and bodies, Pro. 5. 22. He defiroys his own foul : He (hall be Phut out of the heavenly Hi rrsfalem, Rev. 22. 15. and by Gods Law the Adulterer and Adut- tereffe shoulddie, becaufe he would not have the land defiled : nor the uilry perfon ¡live to bean eye-fore to the innocent. Its worfe then theft, Prov. 6. 30. I. Confider further the odioufnefl^e of this fin. 1. It dire&ly corrupts the fountain of honetl, civil, and godly life, which is the inviolable prefervationof GodsOrdinance of Marriage. 2. Its infamous for the Church to be accounted an Afl'embly of har- lots, 3. It brings confufion in the Common -wealth tohave a baflardly brood inhe- riting. 4. Its an injury to families to bring in unlawful and ufurpingheires. s. All other fins arewithout the body : this is again(} the body, t Corinth. 6. 18. 6. Whereas all other fins may be committed byone party, this winds in two into the fin : So that if one party repent, the othermay nor, which will be a great burden to the Penitent while(} he lives. 7. Itsan high finaga inft the price of Chriftsblood, wherewith their bodies were bought to be members of Chrift, that by this finare made membersof an harlot. 8. The curieof Godfollows this fin : I. In the foul of the finner, Hebr. 13. 4. whoremongersandAdulterers Godwill judge. 2.In his body, Prov.g. t i. He (hall mourn, having confirmedhis fle(h and his body. 3. In hisName Pray. ç. 9. which precious thing is irrecoverably loft. 4. In his eflate, It brings him to amorfel of bread. Pro. 6. 26. Its afire that confumes all his fubflance, Job 31. 12. As we fee in the Prodigal. ç. Inhis baiiard-brood : we never reade of any that came togood betides fephthah. Quefl. By what means may wepreferveourchaflity? Anfw. Get a pure heart, becaufe out of it iffue Adulteries, (star. I 5. 19 Let thy foul become apureSpoufe of Chrifl, love him, and cleave tohim, this is a good beginning. Preferve in thy foul the feare ofGod, Ecci. 7.26. He that is rood before God (hall be preferved, Prov.2.io,16. Confider Gods Prefence, who fees thee. Get an hearty love to thy wife, Troy. 5.19,20. Avoid occafions of wantonneife ; As t.ldleneffe : one of Sodoms fins : (land- ing waters purrifie. 2 Intemperance and delicacie in meat and drink : the more thefuel, thegreater the flame ; efpecially avoid wine and flrong drink, for they are mockers. Avoid intemperance in fleepand apparel : Let thy diet be lober, and fleep moderate. 3. Avoid the company and fight of perfons, that may be- come foams : as Tofeph avoided his Myllrefles prefence : Death oft entersby the windowsof the eyes : Beware of amarous books, piElures, fpeeches, &c. 5. We all good means appointedby God for this purpofe ; As firfl, refill luliful thoughts at firfìs, and exercife thy mind in holy thoughts.. Secondly, confider thy calling of a Chriflian, and remember that therebythou art called to holineffe. 3. That the pleafureoffinis short, but the gnawingofa guilty confcicnce durable. 4. Apply the fword of the Spirit, the Wordof God againfi it, which is a sharp two-edged fword, &c. 5. Fly toGod byprayer ; make thy cafeknown to him, and crave his aflìflance. Sec Dr. Tailor on Titus p.386. D a CHAP. 19 IX. J. II. III. Iv.
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