BEhold the solemn Inquisition which the Lord made concerning the abominable filthiness of the Sodomites, which cried unto Heaven for vengeance. In the description whereof observe,

1. The fearfull Aggravation of their wickedness. The cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and their sin is very grievous. Sodom and Gomorrah were ancient Cities in the Land of Canaan, situate in the Vale of Siddim, bordering upon the Tribe of Judah. There were two other Cities, which perished with them, viz. Admah and Zeboim, Deut. 29.23. but Sodom and Gomorrah are onely named in my Text, because as they were the most notable and famous for estate and greatness, so they were the most notorious and infamous for sin and lewdness. Ezek. 16.46. Sodom and her daughters. The sins of Sodom were many and great, but that which was the most grievous of all▪ was their abominable filthiness in all manner of Vncleanness. Ezek. 16.49, 50. Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, Pride, fulness of bread▪ and abundance of Idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy, and they were haughty, and committed abomi­nation before me. This their wickedness cried unto Heaven for vengeance. A figurative expression, holding forth the heinousness and notorious­ness of their sin and wickedness. It made a clamorous noise in the ears of the Lord, so that he could not rest nor be quiet in Heaven by reason of the horrid cry of their horrible lewdness, which sounded continu­ally in his ears.

2. The Assertion and Vindication of Divine Justice and Equity in the [Page 2] Judicial process against them. I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me: and if not, I will know. These words are spoken after the manner of men, but are to be understood after the manner of God. Local de­scension is not compatible to the Omnipresent, nor external informa­tion to the Omniscient. The Lord is every-where present, and is not capable of any local motion; nevertheless he is said to go down, in re­spect of the visible form and manner, wherein he revealed himself at this time, appearing in the shape and likeness of a man. The Lord seeth the most secret wickedness, and knoweth our thoughts afar off, and needeth not to make any search or enquiry: nevertheless, that he might clear up the Equity of his tremendous dispensation toward So­dom, and set an Example unto Civil Judges, to take exact cognizance of the Cause, and after accurate Examination to proceed to Sentence and Judgement; He condescendeth after the manner of men, to make Proof and Triall of the truth and weight of that horrid Cry, which came up to Heaven against the filthy Sodomites. I will see whether they have done altogether, [...] an fecerint consummationem, whether they have made a full end, whether they have finished their sin, and filled up the measure of their iniquity; and if they have, I will proceed to execute Vengeance upon them. Thus Abraham understood the Lords ex­pression, as appeareth by his Intercession, Wilt thou also destroy, &c. ver. 23.

Doct. Abominable Filthiness and Uncleanness is a Crying Sin, and grievous Wickedness in the account of God; for which he maketh diligent Inquisition, and executeth dreadfull Ven­geance.

The Sodomites were extremely wicked, prodigiously unclean, mon­strously profuse in all manner of lechery, obscenity and lasciviousness. Gen. 13.13. The men of Sodom were wicked, and sinners before the Lord exceedingly: Wherefore the Lord visited them with the Sword, and brought them into servitude and bondage to their Enemies, to whom they continued in subjection twelve years, Gen. 14.1—4. During this time, righteous Lot coming and dwelling amongst them, bare witness against their unclean and impious conversation, 2 Pet. 2.7, 8. but these shameless Miscreants, in stead of being bettered either by Affliction or Admonition, grew far worse, and added Perfidiousness and Rebellion to the rest of their wickedness; wherefore the Lord whetted the Sword [Page 3] against them the second time, overthrew their Armies, sent the people into Captivity, and their goods became a prey to their Enemies, Gen. 14.10, 11. Nevertheless, through the wonderful patience of God, they were rescued by the hand of Abraham for Lots sake, and the Lord spared them yet fifteen years longer. But in stead of being gained or reclaimed thereby, they increased and multiplied their wickedness, and filled up the measure of their sin, growing so impudent and outragious in their Villany and Lewdness, that the Cry thereof went up to Heaven, and the Lord himself came down in the likeness and similitude of a man, accompanied with two of his holy Angels, to make search and diligent Inquisition concerning their clamorous and crying Wickedness; and up­on Triall, found it to be most prodigious. Witness their Beastly in­civility and rage against those Heavenly Guests, the two holy Angels, which lodged in the house of righteous Lot, Gen. 19.4, 5. wherefore the Lord destroyed them with Fire and Brimstone from Heaven, ver. 24, 25. and turned the whole Country into a standing, stinking Lake.

Now that no man may plead ignorance, nor be able to say another day, that the Ministry did not acquaint them with the nature and hei­nousness of this Transgression, let us with holy modesty, in the fear of God, enquire,

Quest. 1. What is that Abominable Vncleanness, which crieth in the ears of the Lord of Hosts, and hastneth divine Vengeance?

Answ. It is expressed by and comprehended under those two terms, Fornication, and going after strange flesh, Jude ver. 7. Fornication be­ing taken in a large sense, comprehends not onely Whoredome and Self-pollution, but also Adultery, Matt, 5.32. and Incest, 1 Cor. 5.1. Going after strange flesh, comprehends Sodomy and Bestiality. These are the severall sorts of Abominable Uncleanness, which cry for Ven­geance.

1. Self pollution, when a man practiseth uncleanness, and commits filthiness with his own body alone. This was the sin of Onan the se­cond Son of Judah, who out of envy and malignity against his Brother deceased, lest he should raise up seed to him, abhorred the lawful use of the Marriage-bed, and most impurely defiled himself. Which fact of his, was so detestable in the sight of God, that he slew him by his im­mediate hand, and suffered not such a Villain to live upon the face of the earth, Gen. 38.9, 10. Seducers are called filthy dreamers that defile the flesh, Jude ver. 8. Some learned Interpreters understand it pro­perly of their defiling their bodies by nocturnal Pollutions. This is a [Page 4] hatefull and an odious sin, and usually the fruit and punishment of im­pure thoughts and fancies in the day-time. It seemeth that these Im­postors were so addicted to lasciviousness, (as our English Annotators observe) that they did not onely practise it being awake, but also dream­ed of it, and defiled themselves in their sleep. Yea, the truth [...] their Spiritual dreams (which I think are properly intended)▪ viz. their Er­roneous and Heretical Opinions, were unclean speculations, turning [...] grace of God into lasciviousness, [...] in luxury and Uncleanness, and issued in all manner of carnal pollu­tions.

2. Whoredome, the vitiating of a single woman. Deut. 23.17. There shall be no Who [...]e of the daughters of Israel. Lev. 19. [...]9. Do not prosti­tute thy daughter, to c [...]se her to be [...] and the land become full of wickedness. [...]. 5.5▪ [...] Whoremonger, nor unclean person — hath any inheritance in the kingdome of Christ, and of God.

3. [...] the violating of the Marriage bed. This is a heinous crime, yea, it is an iniquity to be punished by [...] consumeth to destruction, [...] shall surely be put to death, Lev. [...]0, [...]0. Whoremongers and Adulterers God will judge, Heb 13.4.

4. Incest, Uncleanness committed by parties that are near of [...], between whom there is Consanguinity or Affinity, within the degrees prohibited by the Law of God. Lev. 18.6. [...] of you shall approach to any that is near of [...] Lord. This was the sin of Reuben, for which [...] his Dignity, and deprived of his [...] Amnon, and Absalom, and Herod the Tetrarch ▪ [...] by this kinde of wickedness. The Corinthians [...] by the Apostle to deliver [...] Cor. 5.4, 5

5. Sodomy, filthiness committed between [...] when Males with Males, and Females with [...]. If a man lieth with mankinde, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death, [...] shall be upon them, Lev. 20.13. This sin raged amongst the [...], and to their perpetual Infamy, it is called Sodomy. Against this wicked­ness, no indignation is sufficient. The [...] such to death Theodosius and A [...]codius adjudged such to be [...] the Ro­mans, it was lawful for a man to kill him that [...] assault upon him.

[Page 5]6. Bestiality, or Buggery, when any prostitute themselves to [...] Beast. This is an accursed thing, Deut. 27.21. Cursed be he that luth with any manner of Beast: and all the people shall say, Amen. This is monstrous and horrible Confusion: it turneth a man into a bruit Beast. He that joyneth himself to a Beast, is one flesh with a Beast. Levit. 18.23. Neither shalt thou lie with any Beast, to defile thy self therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a Beast to lie down thereto: it is confu­sion. This horrid wickedness pollutes the very Beast, and makes it more unclean and beastly then it was, and unworthy to live amongst Beasts, and therefore the Lord to shew his detestation of such Villany, hath appointed the Beast it self to be slain. Lev. 20.15, 16. If a man lie with a Beast, he shall surely be put to death, and ye shall slay the Beast. And if a woman approach to any Beast, and lie down thereto, thou shalt kill the woman and the Beast: they shall surely be put to death, their blood shall be upon them.

All these Abominations reigned amongst the ancient Inhabitants of Canaan, and caused their Land to vomit them out, Lev. 18.24, 25. but the men of Sodom and Gomorrah were the most notorious therein: for they were all of them, both young and old addicted to such lewdness, and went through all sorts of uncleanness, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, and attained to a prodigious height, and hellish perfection therein; and therefore are set forth for an Example, suffering the Vengeance of eternal fire, Jude ver, 7.

Quest. 2. Why is Carnall Vncleanness said to be a Crying sin, and grievous wickedness, for which God maketh diligent Inquisition, and exe­cuteth dreadful Vengeance.

Reas. 1. Because the sin of Uncleanness is a bold and presumptuous Violation of the holy Law and blessed Commandment of God. 1 Thess. 4.3, 4.5. This is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: that every one of you should know how to pos­sess his vessel in sanctification and honour: not in the lust of Concu­piscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God. Lev. 18.24, 26, 30. Defile not you your selves in any of these things. Ye shall keep my statutes and my judgements, and shall not commit any of these Abominations ▪ &c. Lewd and filthy persons thwart and cross the Sacred and Soveraign Will of God, preferring their base lusts, and the satisfaction thereof, before Gods Royal Commandment, and obedience thereunto.

Reas. 2. Because the sin of Uncleanness is a most polluting and [...] sin. It is most opposite to Holiness, and is properly called [Page 6] Vncleanness, 1 Thess. 4.7. It pollutes a mans person, Mat. 15.19, 20. Out of the heart proceed Evil thoughts▪ Murthers, Adulteries, Fornica­tions, &c. these are the things which defile a man. It pollutes the Body, and turns the Temple of the holy Ghost into an Hog-stie, and a Dogs Kennel. 1 Cor. 6..18, 19. He that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What, know ye not that your body is the Temple of the holy Ghost? 1 Cor. 3.17. If any man defile the Temple of God, him shall God destroy. Such as wallow in the lusts of Uncleanness are Dogs and Swine: 2 Pet. 2.22. The Dog is turned to his own vomit again, and the Sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. When Abner was charged with defiling Rizpah, he answereth, Am I a Dogs head? 2 Sam. 3.8. The hire of a Whore and the price of a Dog are put to­gether, Deut. 23.18. They are near of kin, even let them go to­gether. It pollutes the Noble Faculties of the Soul, the Minde and the Conscience, Tit. 1.15. It blindes the Minde, darkens the Under­standing, extinguisheth the Light of Nature, and of Common Grace, and makes a man a fool; as Tamar said to Amnon, 2 Sam. 13.13. Thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. Solomon tells us that a young Wan­ton is a simple man, and void of understanding, and goeth after the strange woman; as an Ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the Stocks, Prov. 7.7, 22. This sin besets and infatuates the Heart, estrangeth it from God, and breeds an hatred and loathing of Piety and Honesty. Whoredome, and wine, and new wine, take away the heart, Hos. 4.11. The impure Gentiles, who gave themselves over to lasciviousness▪ were alienated from the life of God, Ephes. 4.17, 18, 19. Seducers, which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women, laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, are men of cor­rupt mindes, reprobate concerning the faith, 2 Tim. 3.6, 8. This sin makes men haughty and scornfull, so that they mock at Counsels and Warnings, and are enraged against wholsome Admonitions. The men of Sodom said to Lot, Stand back. This one fellow came in to so­journ, and he will needs be a Judge. Now will we deal worse with thee, then with them, Gen. 19.9. Lot admonished his Sons in Law to get out of that place, because the Lord would destroy it; but he seemed to them, as one that mocked, ver. 14. This sin pollutes a mans speech, and makes his Communication rotten and unsavoury, Eph. 4.29. It pollutes a mans Course and Conversation, and makes it filthy and loathsome, 2 Pet. 2.7. It pollutes a mans Name, and makes it stink, Prov. 6.33. A wound and dishonour shall he get, and his reproach shall [Page 7] not be wiped away. 2 Sam. 13.13. And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? The unclean person is Burnt in the Hand, and Branded on the Forehead. Repentance it self cannot so throughly heal this Wound, but some Scar will remain in this world: as is evident in the History of Samson, David, and Solomon. This sin pollutes the Company, with whom such converse: They are spots and blemishes in Christian Societies, 2 Pet. 2.13. Yea, it pollutes and defiles the Land where it is committed, and causeth it to spue out its Inhabi­tants. The E [...]th groaneth under the burthen of such horrible Enormities, and would willingly empty and cast up its gorge: yea, the Lord visiteth the Land with Sword, Famine and Pestilence for such Abominations, Lev. 18.25 27.

Reas. 3. Because the sin of Uncleanness is most dishonourable and reproachful to the Name of God. Rom. 2.22, 23, 24. Thou that sayest a man should not commit Adultery, dost thou commit Adultery? Thou that makest thy boast of the Law, through breaking the Law disho­nourest thou God? For the Name of God is blasphemed amongst the Gentiles, through you. What greater disgrace or infamy can be cast upon the Grace of God, then to turn it into lasciviousness? What a reproach is this, that the Sons of God are become flesh, carnal, sensual, debauched; that the Members of Christ are made the Members of an Harlot; yea the members of a Beast: that the Tem­ple of the holy Ghost is become a Stews, and Brothel-house, yea a Cage of unclean Birds, yea a very Hog-sty! What horrid Pro­faneness, what hellish Sacriledge is this!

Reas. 4. Because the sin of Uncleanness is most offensive and dis­pleasing to the holy Spirit of God. Gen. 6.3. The Lord said, My Spirit shall not alwayes strive with man, because he also is flesh: and ver. 6. It repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. Corrupt Communication grieves the holy Spirit of God, Ephes. 4.29, 30. They that are sensual, are desti­tute of the Spirit, Jude ver. 19. The stinking Lake of Sodom is not so unsavoury and loathsome to the Traveller that passeth by, as the lewd and filthy person is to the most holy God: Such are the ab­horred of the Lord, Prov. 22.14.

Reas. 5. Because the sin of Uncleanness provokes God to indigna­tion, and augments his fierce wrath against vile sinners. Jer. 5.9. Shall I not visit for these things? saith the Lord: and shall not my soul be avenged on such a Nation as this? Ephes. 5.6. Because of [Page 8] these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Where do the Guests of the strange woman lodge? In such a Ta­vern or Ordinary? nay, they lodge in the depths of Hell, Prov. 9.18. Fornicators, Adulterers, unclean and effeminate persons, and Abusers of themselves [...]th mankinde, have no inheritance in the Kingdome of God, but are shut out among the Dogs, and cast into the Lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death, 1 Cor. 6.9, 10. Gal. 5.19, 21. Eph. 5.5. Rev. 21.8, 27. & 22.15.

VSE I. Of Instruction. This may serve to Vindicate the holy Name of God, and clear in Throne, in his dreadful Severity toward this vile and wicked Youth, in making him a Pattern and Monument of his fierce Wrath and Indignation. It may be some among us stand astonished and amazed at this fearfull and tremendous hand of God, in making such a Youth, a Childe of Religious Parents, and that in his tender years, such a Dreadful Example of Divine Ven­geance. I pray consider,

1. The heinous and atrocious nature of his Sin and Transgression. It is a Crying sin; it makes a clamorous noise in the ears of the holy God: it will not suffer God to rest in Heaven. It doth not onely trouble our Israel, but it troubles and disquiets the God of Israel. This his sin is exceeding grievous in the sight of God: it is an Abo­mination; it is Confusion. It defiles the Land; the Earth groans under the burthen of such Wickedness. You pity his Youth and tender years, but I pray pity the holy Law of God, which is shame­fully violated; pity the glorious Name of God, which is horribly profaned; pity the Land, which is fearfully polluted and defiled.

2. Consider the Equity of Gods severe Dispensation towards this vile Youth. The Lord hath proceeded slowly and leisurely, and hath endured this wicked Youth with much long-suffering, untill his sin grew to this prodigious height, and cried for Vengeance. For, (as he himself confesseth) he lived in Disobedience to his Parents; in Lying, Stealing, Sabbath-breaking, and was wont to flee away from Catechism. He would not hearken to the Voice of God, and therefore he gave him up to his own hearts lust. He was extremely addicted to Sloth and Idleness; which is a great breeder and che­risher of Uncleanness. The standing Pool gathers filth, and har­bours Toads and filthy Vermine. Lust is usually warm and stirring [Page 9] in idle bosomes. He gave himself to Self-pollution, and other So­domitical wickedness. He often attempted Buggery with several Beasts, before God left him to commit it: at last God gave him over to it, and he continued in the frequent practise thereof for several Moneths. Being at length, by the good hand of God, brought under the Yoke of Government and Service, (which might have bridled and restrained him from such wickedness) he violently brake away from his Master, and with an high hand boldly and impudent­ly, like a childe of Belial, shook off that Yoke of God, casting re­proach and disgrace upon his Master. Having now obtained a li­centious liberty, he grew so impudent in his wickedness, as to com­mit this horrid Villany in the sight of the Sun, and in the open field, even at Noon-day; proclaiming his sin like Sodom. Though he be a Youth in respect of years, yet he is grown old in wickedness, and ripe for Vengeance. The Church cannot be cleansed, untill this wicked person be put away from among us. Ishmael stood in the same relation to the Church of God, was younger in years, yet be­ing convict of a heinous Transgression, though far inferiour to this before us, was cast out, and that according to the Commandment of God, Gen. 21.9.10, 11, 12. If we will not pronounce such a Villain Accursed, we must be content to bear the Curse our selves. The Land cannot be cleansed, untill it hath spued out this Unclean Beast. The execution of Justice upon such a notorious Malefactor, is the onely way to turn away the wrath of God from us, and to consecrate our selves to the Lord, and obtain his Blessing upon us. Numb. 25 4. — Hang them up before the Lord against the Sun▪ that the fierce anger of the Lord may be turned away from Israel. Exod. 32.29. Consecrate your selves to day to the Lord, even every man upon his Son, and upon his Brother, that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day.

VSE II. Of Exhortation unto us all, To sanctifie the Name of God in this tremendous Dispensation, in making such an one amongst us a Sign and an Example of Vengeance. When Nadab and Abihu were burnt with fire, for offering strange fire before the Lord, Mo­ses said unto Aaron. This is that which the Lord spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh to me, and before all the people I will be glorified, Lev. 10.3. This is the right interpretation and true improvement of such signal and judicial Strokes, viz. To san­ctifie the Name of God according to his Word, and give him the [Page 10] honour and glory due unto his Name. Psal 9.16. The Lord is known by the judgement which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion, Selah. This is a deep Meditation. Let us look upon this sad and woful Example with diligent Observation; let it sink down into our hearts, ponder and weigh it in the Causes, Circumstances and Aggravations thereof. Let our thoughts dwell upon this lasting Monument of Divine Wrath. Content we not our selves with transient thoughts, in contemplating such a permanent Sign and Example of Vengeance, lest God lose of that Honour and Glory which he expects from us, and we fail of that Spiritual fruit which we might and ought to reap thereby.

Quest. How should we sanctifie the Name of God in this tremendous Dispensation?

Ans. I. In general. Fear and Tremble before this holy Lord God. Isa. 8.13. Sanctifie the Lord of Hosts himself, and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. The fearful Judgements of God executed upon the wicked, ought to strike a holy fear and dread of God into the hearts of the Hearers and Spectators thereof. Rev. 15.4. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorifie thy Name? For thou onely art holy: for all Nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judge­ments are made manifest. This is that which the Lord expects and looks for. When the Enticer to Idolatry is stoned to death, the Lord saith, All Israel shall hear and fear, and shall do no more any such wickedness, as this is, amongst you, Deut. 13.11. When the pre­sumptuous Contemner of the Sentence of the Supreme Council is put to death, the Lord saith, All the people shall hear and fear, and do no more presumptuously, Deut. 17.13. When the False Witness is punished according to his demerit, the Lord saith, Those which re­main shall hear and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you, Deut. 19.20. When the Stubborn and Rebellious Son is stoned to death, the Lord saith, All Israel shall hear and fear, Deut. 21.21. When God cut off the Nations, made their Towers desolate, laid their streets waste, and destroyed their Cities, the Lord said to Judah, Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction, Zeph. 3.6, 7. It hath been the ancient manner, and commendable practise of the people of God, to tremble at the execution of Gods Judgements upon the wicked. When Pharaoh and all his host were drowned in the Red Sea, Israel saw that great work which the Lord did upon the Egyptians; and the people feared the Lord, and believed [Page 11] the Lord, and his servant Moses, Exod. 14.31. Ananias and Sap­phira, being convict of horrible Hypocrisie and Dissimulation, of sacrilegious Fraud, and prodigious Lying, and presumptuous tempt­ing of God, yea and of mutual Agreement and Conspiracy therein, were smitten by Gods immediate hand, and fell down dead at the Apostles feet, and great fear came upon all the Church, and upon as many as heard these things, Acts 5.11. Davids observation of the grievous mischief that ensued upon the vile and vicious courses of the wicked, how the Lord trod them down as the mire of the street, and put them away like dross, and cast them out to the dunghill, it made not onely his Soul, but also his flesh, even his whole man to tremble before God, and to be horribly afraid of the like sins, lest he or his should incur the like Wrath and Vengeance: Psal. 119.120. My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy Judgements. And indeed there are many and weighty Reasons, why the execution of Judgements upon the wicked, should make such awfull impres­sions upon the hearts of the Spectators. For,

1. There are sins with the Spectators, as well as with the Suf­ferers, which deserve the like Judgements, 2 Chron. 28.10. — Are there not with you, even with you, sins against the Lord your God? If we ransack our own hearts, and search and try our wayes, we shall finde such sins with us, as may justly provoke Divine Wrath and Vengeance. Our cursed Natures are propense and inclined to all manner of sins. Every imagination of the thoughts of the heart of man is onely evil continually, Gen. 6.5. The heart is the Seed-plot of Murther, Adultery, Fornication, Lasciviousness, and of all manner of iniquity, Mat. 15.19, 20. The gross and flagitious practises of the worst of men, are but Comments upon our Nature. Who can say, I have made my heart clean? The holiest man hath as vile and filthy a Nature, as the Sodomites, or the men of Gibeah. Yea, there are many actual sins and transgressions with us, which if God should enter into judgement with us, would bring heavy wrath upon us. In many things we all offend. There is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good and sinneth not.

2. The holy and just God hateth sin where-ever he seeth it, and is impartial in the execution of Justice. 1 Pet. 1.17. If ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons, judgeth according to every mans work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear. The Judgements that light upon some▪ are testimonies of the jealousie of God, and [Page 12] his severity against all sin. The Lord hates sin now, as much as ever he did formerly. Whoredome, Adultery, Self-pollution and Sodomy, are as odious and abominable in his sight now, as ever they were heretofore.

3. Gods End in inflicting remarkable Judgements upon some, is for Caution and Warning to all others. The Sodomites suffering the vengeance of eternal fire▪ are set forth for an Example, not of Imitation, but of Caution and Admonition, Jude ver. 7. 2 Pet. 2.6. Lots wife looking back, became a Pillar of Salt, to season after-generations, Luke 17.32. Korah and his Company became a Sign, to warn all succeeding Ages to beware of Faction and Sedition, Numb. 26.10. The destructive Calamities that befell the Israelites in the Wilderness, happened for Ensample, and are written for our Admonition, 1 Cor. 10.6, 11. Christs Severity against Jezabel and her Paramours, is an Instruction to all the Churches, Rev. 2.22, 23. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit Adultery with her into great Tribulation, except they repent of their deeds: and I will kill her Children with death; and all the Churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you, according to your works.

4. Fearful Judgements do likewise abide all other impenitent sin­ners, as well as those that are made Examples. Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish, Luke 13.3, 5. The particle [ likewise] is to be understood of the certainty, not of the similitude of punishment. Perdition is the certain portion of every impenitent sinner. With­out Repentance there is no escaping the Wrath of the Almighty.

5. The fear and dread of the Majesty of God, upon the sight of the Mischief that follows upon any sinful and wicked course, will make men wise and wary. Smite a scorner, and the simple will be­ware, Prov. 19.25. When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise, Prov. 21.11. The fear of God will curb and restrain men from the like sins. All Israel shall hear and fear, and shall do no more any such wickedness, as this is, among you, Deut. 13.11. A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil, Prov. 14.16. The fear of God will reduce and recover such as are fallen into the like Snares and Temptations. Jude ver. 23. Others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Bold and presumptuous sinners cannot be saved, except they be made afraid of the Wrath and Vengeance of God. If lewd and filthy persons [Page 13] be not scared and frighted out of their vile Haunts and lascivious Courses, by the Terrour of Wrath and Judgement, there is no hope of their Salvation.

All these Considerations are a sufficient Conviction of our duty in reference to this sad and woful Spectacle before us. Hath the Lord singled out one of our Congregation, Apprehended and Arraigned him for his Abominable Lewdness, cast him out of his Visible King­dome, delivered him into the hand of Satan, made him an Ana­thema; yea, and cut him off by the hand of Justice, and swept him away as dung and filth from the face of the earth? Let no man in­sult over him, nor yet flatter himself in his sins, but let us all learn to fear and tremble before the Lord, who walketh in the midst of the golden Candlesticks, having his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet like fine brass, and will have all the Churches to know, that he searcheth the reins and hearts, and rendreth unto every man according to his works. We have often heard the voice of the Word, and have neglected and despised it, now hearken to the Voice of the Rod, and of him that hath appointed it. Such Judgements as these have a voice, a loud voice, a clamorous voice, a dreadful voice, calling to all Israel, to Hear and fear, and do no more so wickedly. The denun­ciations of Wrath against vicious and unclean persons, have for a long time sounded daily in our ears, and have not been believed no [...] regarded by many: behold now the Execution of Vengeance upon this lewd and wicked Youth, whom God hath Hanged up before the Sun, and made a Sign and an Example, an Instruction and Astonish­ment to all New-England; which is as a Divine Seal annexed to all the former Comminations.

Is there any root of bitterness among us, that beareth gall and wormwood, who hath not onely heard the words of the Curse pronounced, but hath also seen the Curse executed in this dreadful manner, and yet is not afraid to go on impenitently in the same sins, even in Idleness, in Stubbornness, in Lying, in Stealing, in Profaning the Lords-day, and in all manner of Car­nal Uncleanness; but blesseth himself in his heart, and saith, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, and adde drunkenness to thirst? I shall have peace, though I live in Self-pollution, in Fornication, in Sodomy and Bestiality? Know, that your sin is inexcusable, and your destruction inevitable, The Lord will not spare you, but the anger of the Lord, and his jealousie shall [Page 14] smoke against you, and all the Curses that are written in this book, shall lie upon you, and the Lord shall blot out your name from under heaven, Deut. 29.18, 19, 20. God shall wound the head of his enemies; and the hairy scalp of such an one, as goeth on still in his trespasses, Psa. 68.21. When the sight or report of Gods Judgements executed upon the wicked, doth not awe the heart, nor deter from the like ungodly practises, it is a great aggravation of sin, and provocation of wrath. Jer. 3 8. And I saw, when for all the causes whereby back-sliding Israel committed Adultery, I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce, yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also. For any to go on in the sin of Uncleanness, after such a solemn Warning as this, it is to sin presumptuously; it is to sin in contempt of the Holiness of God, in contempt of the Jealousie of God, in contempt of the fierce Wrath and Indignation of the Almighty. He that will rush into the Gulf, and cast himself into the Whirlpool, where he hath seen his neighbour drowned be­fore his eyes, he is a wilful Self-murtherer.

Go to now, ye wanton and lascivious persons, go on in your Frolicks and mad Pranks, take your swinge in your lusts and vicious courses; He that is unclean, let him be unclean still; he that is filthy, let him be filthy still: He that is addicted to Self-pollution, let him continue therein still; he that is a Fornicator, let him be a Fornica­tor still; he that is a Sodomite, let him be a Sodomite still; he that is a Beast, let him be a Beast still. Make haste, and fill up your mea­sure: run through all sorts of vile lusts; work all uncleanness with greediness. Justifie this poor Condemned Wretch in all his Villany: Be a Comfort to your lewd Predecessors, who are long since gone down to the lowest Hell, and lie in the nether parts of the bottom­less Pit. There are your Voluptuous Fathers, the renowned Epi­cures that lived before the Flood: There is your Libidinous Mother Jezabel, with all her Paramours: There are your Filthy Sisters, Sodom and her Daughters: There are your wicked Brethren. Onan, the unclean Son of Judah; H [...]ph [...] and Phinehas, the Belial-sons of Eli; Amnon and Absalom, the Incestuous Sons of David: There are your Venereous Kinsmen, the Nicolaitans, the Gnosticks, the Menandrians, and innumerable others. Hasten you after your le­cherous Kindred into the stin [...]ng Lake: sit down with your Bre­thren and Sisters in the depths of Hell. As you have partaken with them in their sordid Pleasures, partake with them also in their [Page 15] Plagues and Torments. Let thy lustful Body be everlasting Fuell for the unquenchable fire: Let thy lascivious Soul be eternal Food for the never-dying Worm. Let Indignation and Wrath, Tribula­tion and Anguish be thy portion world without end. Hell from be­neath is moved to meet thee, and is ready to entertain thee. All your fellow-guests wait and long for your Company: Your judge­ment of a long time lingreth not, and your damnation slumbereth not. Shall it be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of Judgement, then for those that embrace not the Gospel? How ter­rible and dreadful then shall be the Condemnation of such, who notwithstanding their Profession of the Gospel, justifie Sodom in all her Abominations?

II. In particular. Let me commend unto you these few Dire­ctions.

1. Let the awfull Apprehension of the Wrath of God, which hath lighted upon this Youth, be a Bridle to curb and restrain the rest of our Youth, and all others, from indulging themselves in any kinde of Carnal Uncleanness. God is mercifully willing to prevent the ruine of our lewd and vicious Youth, therefore hath he set be­fore them this awfull Example for their Admonition and Caution. He hath cut off this rotten and putrid Member, that he might pre­vent the spreading of the Infection. In this tremendous Providence the Lord saith to all wanton and lascivious persons, as Abner said to Asahel, Turn aside, lest I smite thee to the ground. If after this solemn Warning, any shall refuse to turn aside from the eager pur­suit of their vile Lusts, they are worthy to be smitten, not onely to the ground, but even to the bottom of Hell. Wherefore in the fear of God, hearken to the Exhortation of the Apostle, 1 Pet. 2.11. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the Soul. With youthful Lusts fight like the Parthians, flying. 2 Tim. 2.22. Flee youthful Lusts. This is an honourable Retreat, and a War-like Stratagem. Flee Fornication, 1 Cor. 6.18. Is it s [...]fe standing near to a deep and nar­row Pit? A Whore is a deep ditch▪ and a strange woman is a narrow pit, Prov. 23.27, 28. He that is abhorred of the Lord falls into it, Prov. 22.14. He that committeth Adultery with a woman, lacketh un­derstanding: He that doeth it, destroyeth his own Soul, Prov. 6 32. Abhor Self pollution: the holy God detests and abhors it. The thing which Onan did, was evil in the sight of the Lord, and there­fore [Page 16] he slew him, Gen. 38.10. Can any man be so blinde and igno­rant as to question whether it be a sin, to practise Uncleanness with his own Body alone, wherein he maketh himself both Bawd, and Whore, and Whoremaster! Know assuredly, that it is an impious, loathsome and detestable evil in Gods account, very offensive and provoking to the eyes of his glory. This is that sin which accord­ing to the opinion of many learned men, is properly called [...], Vncleanness; I am sure it is at least comprehended under it, Col. 3.5. and it brings the wrath of God upon them that practise it, ver. 6. who are thought to be those whom the Apostle calls [...], soft, or effeminate, and they have no inheritance in the Kingdome of God, 1 Cor. 6.9. Detest and abominate the sin of Sodomy. The Law of God is made for the Condemnation of such as abuse themselves with man-kinde, 1 Tim. 1.9, 10. 'Tis a fearful Judgement of God to be given up to this kinde of wickedness, Rom. 1.24 — 28. 'Tis a Capital Crime, for which the parties guilty ought to be put to death, Lev. 20.13. and except they repent, shall certainly be excluded from the Kingdome of God, 1 Cor. 6▪9. Tremble at the thoughts of that horrid and prodigious sin, of mingling thy self with a Beast; which is abominable Confusion in the sight of God, Exod. 22.19. Lev. 18.23. & 20.15, 16.

Take heed and beware of those fond Conceits and Imaginations, whereby many are deceived, and led into the sin of Uncleanness. 'Tis not without cause that the Apostle in his discourses of this subject, so often inserts that Caution, Be not deceived, 1 Cor. 6.9. & 15.33. Eph. 5.6. All sin is deceitful, but especially the sin of Vncleanness. It promiseth Pleasure, Secrecy, Impunity, and future Repentance: but all these flattering promises are meer deceits, lies and false­hoods.

Be not deceived with the bait of Carnal pleasure and delight. How canst thou take pleasure in that, which is so displeasing and offensive to thy Maker and Saviour? Gen. 39.9. How can I do this great wic­kedness, and sin against God? Shall that be delightful and pleasure­able to thee, which is hateful and loathsome to the heart of God? This pleasure is short, it lasteth but for a season, but it will be bit­terness in the end. Prov. 5.3, 4, 5. The lips of a strange woman drop as an honey-comb, and her mouth is smoother then oyl: but her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword: Her feet go down to death, her steps take hold on hell. Chap. 9.17, 18. Stoln waters are [Page 17] sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant; but he knoweth not that the dead are there, and that her guests are in the depths of hell. Job 20.12, 13, 14. Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, though he hide it un­der his tongue, though he spare it, and forsake it not, but keep it still within his mouth; yet his meat in his bowels is turned, it is the gall of Asps within him. Yea, the more pleasure thou takest in sin, the more torment and sorrow shalt thou have hereafter, Rev. 18.7.

Be not deceived with the hope of Secrecy. How canst thou say, No eye seeth me, there is no witness? Doth not he see thy wayes, and count all thy steps! Job 31.4. His eyes are upon the wayes of man, and he seeth all his goings, Job [...]4.21. The wayes of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings, Prov. 5.21. The more secret thy wickedness is, the more God looks upon it with abhor­rence. 2 Kings 17.9. The children of Israel did secretly those things that were not right against the Lord their God. Those sins which men commit in secret, make light of, forget, and cast behinde their backs, those the eye of God is alwayes upon, they stand before his face, he cannot look off from them, they stand in the light of his counte­nance. Psal. 90.8. Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance. Is there no witness? The Lord himself will be a witness, yea a swift witness against thee, Mal. 2.14. & 3.5.

Be not deceived with the hope of Impunity. Is not destruction to the wicked, and strange punishment to the workers of iniquity? Job 31.3. This ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, hath any inhe­ritance in the Kingdome of Christ and of God, Ephes. 5.5. The Lord knoweth how to plague you; he watcheth a fit season to be avenged on you: The longer he defers, the greater wrath shall be poured out at last, 2 Pet. 2.9, 10. The Lord knoweth how to reserve the unjust unto the day of Judgement to be punished, but chiefly them that walk after the flesh, in the lust of uncleanness.

Be not deceived with the hope of future Repentance. No sin har­dens the heart more then the sin of Vncleanness. It stupifies and in­fatuates, and makes reprobate to every good work, Hos. 4.11. Tit. 1.16. Impudent and impenitent sinners are said to have a Whores forehead, Jer. 3.3. They are not ashamed, neither can they blush, Jer. 6.15. There are very few unclean persons that ever savingly re­pent and turn to God: Prov. 2.19. None that go unto her, return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.

[Page 18]If we would be preserved from the sin of Vncleanness, we must take heed and beware of the inlets, occasions, incentives and provo­cations thereunto.

1. Beware of Pride: This was one of the sins of Sodom, and it is a principal root of the sin of Vncleanness. For Pride makes men despise the Commandment of God, and presumptuously parley with temptations, and expose themselves to snares. 2 Sam. 12.9. Wherefore hast thou despised the Commandment of the Lord, to do evil in his sight? Pride makes men haughty, scornful, so as to cast off In­structions, Counsels, Admonitions, which might restrain them from such wickedness. Gen. 19.9. Stand back, &c. Pride makes men de­spise the Ordinance of Marriage, the remedy which God hath pro­vided for the quenching of such boyling and burning lusts. Pride breeds Jars and Breaches between married persons, so as to take no complacency or delight in each other; hence they thirst after stollen waters. Pride is the object of Gods special hatred and ab­horrency: Prov. 16.5. Every one that is proud in heart, is an abomi­nation to the Lord. Pride provokes the Lord to withdraw his grace and Spirit, and plunge them into this filthy puddle. God resisteth the proud, Jam 4.6. He that is abhorred of the Lord, shall fall into this deep pit ▪ Prov. 22.14.

2. Beware of Fulness of Bread, i. e. Gluttony and Drunkenness. This [...] another of the sins of Sodom, and it is the very fodder and fuell of the sin of Vncleanness. Jer. 5.7, 8. When I had fed them to the full, then they committed Adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots houses. They were as fed horses in the morning: every one neighed after his neighbours wife. 2 Pet. 2.13, 14. Sporting themselves with their own deceivings, while they feast with you; having eyes full of Adultery, and that cannot cease from sin. The unclean Spirit findes no rest in dry places, in sober and temperate livers, but loves to wallow in the mire of Riot and Intemperance. The sen­sual and voluptuous Epicure is a fit Sty for the unclean Spirit to lodge in. Christ hath given us solemn warning to take heed of Excess: Luke 21.34. Take heed to your selves, lest any time your hearts be over-charged with surfetting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 'Tis a lamentable thing to see Christians Belly-gods, Phil. 3.18, 19.

3. Beware of Sloth and Idleness. This was another of Sodoms sins, and it is the Nurse and Fosterer of vile lusts. Stow bellies are [Page 19] usually evil beasts, Tit. 1.12. When men are sluggish and slothful in the work which God calls them unto, the Devil will set them a­bout his drudgery. The standing waters putrifie, and grow cor­rupt and noisome. The untilled ground is soon overgrown with stinking Weeds. The beginning of Davids fall, was his sloth: He gave himself to carnal ease and rest, rolling himself upon his bed, when he should have been in the Field, fighting the Battels of the Lord; thereupon Satan assaulted him, and tempted him to unclean­ness, 2 Sam. 11.1, 2, 3. Of Idleness cometh no good. Laziness breeds Lewdness. No business, debauchery. By doing nothing, men learn to do evil. While the Oyster opens its shell to the Sun, the Crab thrusteth in its Claws, and devoureth the Oyster. Idle and slothful persons are easily made a prey by Satan. Otia si tollas, &c. If you would escape the darts of Lust, avoid Idleness and Sloth.

4. Beware of Disobedience to Parents and Masters in Families, and of casting off the Yoke of Government, which would check and restrain the Enormities of Youth. The younger Son, who would have his portion, and live at his own hand, grew riotous, debauch­ed, devoured his substance with Harlots, Luke 15.12, 30. The Sons of Eli were Sons of Belial, they cast off the yoke of govern­ment, and soon became Gluttons and Adulterers.

5. Beware of evil Company, the society of vicious and lascivious persons. A little Leaven leaveneth the whole lump. A Companion of fools shall be destroyed, Prov. 13.20. He that is a Companion of riotous men, shameth his father, Prov. 28.7. Wise-hearted Joseph fleeth his Mistresses company; he would not so much as be with her alone in the room. 'Tis dangerous bringing our Corruptions and Temptations to an interview. Dinah out of curiosity goes abroad into the City, to see the daughters of the Land, to observe their Persons, Habits, Fashions and Behaviour, but she is more curiously viewed, and is taken and defloured, Gen. 34.1, 2. Israels tatling, and talking, and feasting with a company of lewd women, brought more mischief upon them, then all the Host of Moab and M [...]dian, yea, then all the Enchantments of Balaam could do, Numb. 25.1, 2, 3. & 31.16. One root of bitterness may defile many. The strange woman increaseth transgressors among men, Prov. 23.28.

6. Beware of Irreligion and Profaneness. Israel would not hear­ken to Gods voice, nor be content with the Lord alone for their [Page 20] Portion; therefore he gave them over to their own hearts lusts: Psal. 81.11, 12. The Gentiles liked not to retain God in knowledge, but grew vain in their imaginations, representing the true God by Images of Men and Beasts; wherefore God gave them over to vile affections, and to a minde void of judgement, so that they ran mad into Sodomi­ticall wickedness, Rom. 1.18, 21, 24, 28. If men grieve away the holy Spirit of God, it is just with God to let loose the unclean Spirit, and give him a Commission to haunt them. A profane person may easily become a Fornicator, Heb. 12.16. He that despiseth the holy Ordinances and Spiritual Priviledges, preferring the satisfaction of his sensual Appetite, above Gospel-mercies, may easily fall into the sin of Uncleanness. The children of disobedience, who cannot be perswaded to embrace the Gospel, and yield up themselves in pro­fessed subjection to Christ, they are usually addicted to vile lusts, Col. 3.5, 6. Eph. 5.5, 6.

Secondly, Let the fear and dread of God move and provoke such as are guilty of the sin of Vncleanness, timously to Repent, and turn to God, lest they also perish. Luke 13.3, 5. Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. If God hath not spared this lewd Youth, but made him an Example, how shall he spare thee, who art an old practitioner in Sodomitical wickedness? Do not linger nor defer thy Repentance, but hasten out of Sodom, and flee to the Moun­tains, lest thou be consumed in this iniquity. Call to minde all thy former lewdness, thine unclean Speculations, vile affections, un­chaste desires, filthy jestings, dishonest and vicious practises, and lament and bewail them with bitterness and anguish of Soul. Solo­mon having applied his heart wisely to finde out his own wickedness, madness and folly, crieth out, I finde more bitter then death, the wo­man, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands, Eccles. 7.26. Is the heart of the holy God broken with thy whorish heart, and shall not thy whorish heart be broken? The onely Sacrifice which God requires of thee, is a broken and contrite heart: none other will he accept at thine hand, Psal. 51.17. Imitable is the Ex­ample of that woman, in Luke 7. who had been infamous for Un­cleanness, and became famous for Repentance. She stood at Jesus feet behinde him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and an­ointed them with the Ointment, ver. 38. She findes more bitterness in her lascivious Courses, then ever she found sweetness. Her [Page 21] eyes had been formerly full of Adultery, now are they filled with the salt Tears of Repentance. Her hair she was wont to plait, and adorn her self therewith to please her Paramours, but now she makes it a Towel to wipe the feet of Christ. Her lips which she formerly used to unclean and whorish kisses, she now applies to Christs feet. Her choice and precious Ointment, such as formerly she anointed her self and her bed withall for her Lovers, she pours out upon the feet of the Lord Jesus. Lament and bewail the filthi­ness of thy Heart and Nature, which is the Spring and Fountain, whence all the streams of Vncleanness flow. Psal. 51.5. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity: and in sin did my mother conceive me. Cry unto the Lord to purge and cleanse thee from the guilt and filth of thy sin. Psal. 51.7. Purge me with hysop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter then the snow. Your sin cries for Ven­geance, do not you neglect to cry for Mercy. Wash in the Foun­tain of Grace opened in the Gospel: Zech. 13.1. In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness. 1 Cor. 6.11. Such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justi­fied in the Name of our Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Joh. 1.9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Labour through the grace and help of Christ, to mortifie thy lusts and crucifie the flesh: Coloss. 3.5. Mortifie your members which are upon the earth, Fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence. Rom. 8.13. If ye through the Spirit do mortifie the deeds of the body, ye shall live. Take the Sword of the Spirit, and thrust it into the bowels of thy lusts, and let out their heart blood. Deal with them as Samuel dealt with Agag, Hew them in pieces before the Lord. Hearken to the Counsel of the Lord Jesus, Matth. 5.29, 30. If thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. If the eye or hand be infected, inflamed and gangrened, the whole Body is in danger: The gangrened part must be cut off, or the whole Body will perish. He that hath a lascivious eye, hath a Spiritual Gan­grene in his eye; he that hath an unchaste ear or hand, hath a Spi­ritual [Page 22] Gangrene in his ear or hand: either cut off the gangrened part, or Soul and Body shall be cast into hell fire, where the worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. Indulgence to thy Lusts is cruelty to thy Soul: Thy life shall go for their life. What a mad­ness is this, for the satisfaction of a vile lust, to expose thy self to everlasting Torments? Oh! you purchase your pleasures at a dear rate! you must suffer the vengeance of eternal fire. What, art thou a compleat Sensualist? Thou withholdest thy heart from no carnal joy, or fleshly delight. Thou hast two eyes, and two hands, and two feet; thou canst not endure to maim and mangle the body of sin, and render thy self absurd and ridiculous to the world: Ve­rily, thou hadst better go a Creeple to Heaven, then being a perfect Epicure to be cast into Hell, into the fire that never shall be quench­ed, Mark 9.43 — 48. If once thou hast escaped out of Sodom, tremble to think of returning thither again. Joh. 8.11. Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee, go and sin no more. Nay, look not back, lest thou become a Pillar of Salt. Remember Lots wife. A man that hath been sick of a dangerous Disease, and is hopefully re­covered, if he relapse through carelesness, his condition is far more dangerous then at the first. 2 Pet. 2.20. If after they have escaped the pollutions of the world, through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again intangled therein and overcome, the latter end is worse with them then the beginning. When the unclean Spirit is gone out of a man, he is restless untill he returneth again: he delighteth not so much to dwell any where, as in his old habitation; he is resolved to assail and recover his former possession: He is not afraid of the length of the siege, or the strength of opposition. 'Tis no small encouragement unto him, that he findeth his house empty, [...], vacant, idle, unoccupied, swept and garnished, secure, living at ease, given to pleasure, fit and prepared to enter­tain such a guest: now he assaults with greater force and fierceness then at his first entrance, and his latter possession is far more dange­rous and irrecoverable then his first, Mat. 12.43, 44, 45.

Thirdly, Let the fear of God excite and quicken in all our hearts the love of Holiness, and due care to preserve and maintain the pu­rity of our persons. 2 Cor. 7.1. Let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. The purity of our persons is an excellent and honourable thing, and that which God commands and requires, 1 Thess. 4.3, 4, 5, 7. [Page 23] yea it disposeth and fitteth a man for the Presence, Worship and Ser­vice of God, Matth. 5.8. 2 Tim. 2.21. First, cleanse the Foun­tain; Wash thy heart from wickedness, Jer. 4.14. Purifie your heart ▪ Jam. 4.8. Then, watch the motions of the heart, in its thoughts and affections, Prov. 4.23. Job 31.1. Look well to the doors and gates of the Senses: Keep thine Eye from gazing upon such objects as may be alluring and ensnaring, Matth. 5.28. Stop thine Ears at filthy Jests, amorous Songs, corrupt communication. Abhor all lascivious Touches, unchaste Embracings. Restrain thine Appetite from excess in Meat and Drink, Prov. 23.1, 2, 3, 31, 32, 33. Feed not, feast not without Fear, Jude ver. 12. Devote and consecrate thy self to the Lord. Prov. 23.26. My son, give me thy heart, and let thine eyes behold my wayes. Hearken to the Word of God, and me­ditate thereon with delight continually: Prov. 2.10, 11, 16. When wisdome entreth into thy heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul, discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: to deliver thee from the strange woman. Prov. 6.23, 24. The Commandment is a lamp, and the Law is light, and Reproofs of instruction are the way of life, to keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman. Be frequent and fervent in Prayer: Psal. 51.10. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right Spirit within me. 1 Thess. 5.23. The very God of peace san­ctifie you wholly; and I pray God your whole Spirit, and Soul, and Body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let thy Speech be gracious and savoury, Eph. 4.29. Col. 4.6. Thy Behaviour modest and grave, Tit. 2.2, 3, 4, 5, 6. 1 Tim. 2.9. Thy Conversation ordered aright, according to the direction of the Word of God, Psal. 119.9. Study how to please God, and be good and do good in his sight, and he will preserve thee from the snares and nets which the heart of the strange woman hath made, and her hands spread to catch and entangle poor sinners. Eccles. 7.26. Whose pleaseth God, shall escape from her.

Fourthly, In the fear of God let us carefully Watch over our Children, Servants, and all that are under our Care and Charge, lest they be stained and defiled. Wherefore did the Lord acquaint Abraham with his Counsel and purpose concerning the destruction of the filthy Sodomites? because he knew that Abraham would charge his Children and Family to beware of the like wickedness [Page 24] and Command them to live soberly, righteously and piously, Genes. 18.17, 19. Holy Job was afraid lest his Sons in the midst of their mirth and good Chear, had sinned against God, and therefore sent and called them, and sanctified them, and offered Sacrifices for them. Thus did Job continually, Job 1.5. Great care and circumspection is here to be used, for the prevention and timous eradication of any root of bitterness that may trouble and defile us: Heb. 12.15, 16. Looking diligently, lest any man fail of the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness springing up, trouble you, and many be de­filed: lest there be any Fornicator, or profane person.

What Means are to be used?

1. Diligent Instruction. Prov. 22.6. Train up a Childe in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Sow the Principles of Piety in tender years, 2 Tim. 3.15.

2. Solemn Charges and Commands. Solomons father taught him, and said unto him, Let thy heart retain my words: Keep my Com­mandments and live, get wisdome, get understanding, forget it not, &c. Prov. 4.3, 4, 5 His Mother also taught him Chastity and Tempe­rance, and with holy Precepts fore-armed him against the vicious inclination of his Nature, Prov. 31.1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Yea, King David gave him (as his Successor in the Throne) a solemn Charge in the audience of all Israel, 1 Chron. 28.9.

3. Serious Reproofs of Instruction: Prov. 6.23, 24. Save them with fear. Fright and startle them out of their lewd Courses: Pluck them as brands out of the fire, Jude ver. 23.

4. Seasonable Correction for their folly and lewdness. Prov. 22.15. Foolishness is bound in the heart of a Childe: but the Rod of Cor­rection shall drive it far from him. Eli's lenity and indulgence to his wicked Sons, brought inevitable ruine upon his house.

5. Faith and Prayer. Is thy Son haunted by an unclean Spirit? follow the Example of the father of the Lunatick; Bring thy Son to Christ, affectionately spread his afflicted and distressed condition before him: He is able to cast out Satan, though he rage never so much, Luke 9.38, 39, 42. Is thy Daughter haunted by an un­clean Spirit? Follow the Example of the Syrophaenician woman; Fall down at the feet of Christ, beseech him to cast forth the De­vil out of thy Daughter, Mark 7.25, 26. Be not offended nor discouraged by reason of any difficulty, objection or temptation [Page 25] which the Lord exerciseth you withall, but through the grace of Christ wrestle through all by Faith and Prayer, you shall certainly obtain your request, and that with advantage. There is a diffe­rence of evil Spirits, some are more wicked then others, Mat. 12.45. but the worst kindes may be cast out by Fasting and Prayer, Matth. 17.21. Faith is the Instrument, under God, that expels Satan out of his old possession. Fervent Prayer quickens Faith▪ and Religious Fasting is a special help and futherance to fervent Prayer.

To conclude. Be pleased to account of this Doctrine, as of the Angels Message to Lot, to arise and depart out of Sodom, lest he should be consumed in the iniquity thereof; and look at these Instructions and Exhortations, as the An­gels laying hold upon his hand, while he lingred, and upon the hand of his Wife and two Daughters, the Lord being merciful to him, and bringing him forth out of that cursed City. 'Tis an Angelical Service to pluck poor sinners out of the Snare of Lasciviousness.