374 CHRISTIAN MORALITY, loose to those impure thoughts, -words, and actions, which hare an apparent tendencytoward thesins before- mentioned. Besides these,thereare othernames and instances of unclean abominations, which I wish could be utterly rooted out from human nature, by burying them in everlasting silence. If I were to fetch arguments from reason and the light of nature, I might might make it appear that these things are cri- minal and contrary to those rules of morality, whichwere written in the heart of man. And perhaps theywould have appeared in the same guilty colours to all men, if the light of nature were not obscured bycorrupt passions, and licentious appetite. The practice of these impure vices is inconsistent with the great ends for which God has formed our natures, has raised us above,the beasts that perish, and has inclined mankind to form themselves into societies for mutual benefit. The brutes, who have no na- ture superior to the animal are not governed by the same laws: But the God of nature, who has made us compound beings and (shall I say ?) bath joined an animal and an angel together to make up a man, expects that the angel shouldgovern the animal in all its natural propensities and confine it within the rules of religion and the social life. These vices are also contrary to the solemn ordinances of marriage which the blessed God instituted in "paradise in a state of innocency, and designed to continue through all generations. If these impurities of conversation were publicly permitted, all the tender and most engaging names of relation and kindred, such as father, sister, and brother, would be confounded, and almost abolished among mankind ; and what dismal consequences would hence ensue? In what helpless circumstances would chil- dren be then brought into this world ? And many of the ends of human society would becomefrustrate andvain. I confess indeed, that several of these vices were practised in the heathen world without any inward remorse of the mind, without private reproof or public shame. Someof these impuri- ties wereallowed bythe laws of their country ; some were indulg- ed at festivals, and sometimes they were mingled with their reli- gious ceremonies, and made part of the worship of their gods ; Idol gods ! Abominable religions ! Base and shameful wor- shippers ! For it is a shame, saith the apostle, even to speak of those things that are done in secret; those unfruitful works of darkness: Eph. v. 11, 12. Yet there have been several of the grave, the sober, and the wisest amongthe Gentiles, who being constrained by themere forceof reason, have spoke against these corrupt practises, and have adorned the virtue of chastity with manyhonourable encomiums. But how doubtful, soever this duty 'lath been reckoned
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=