A Body of Practical Divinity

Use I. It condemns the Church of Rome, who allow the Sin of Fornication and Adultery. They suffer not their Priests to marry, but they may have their Courtesans. The worst kind of Uncleanness, Incest with the nearest of Kin, is dispensed with for Money. It was once said of Rome, —Urbs est jam tota Lupanar,—"Rome was become a Common Stews. And no wonder, when the Pope could, for a Sum of Money, give them a License and Patent to commit Uncleanness; and if the Patent were not enough, he would give them a Pardon. Many of the Papists judge Fornication Venial. God condemns the very Lusting, Mat. 5.28. If God condemns the Thought, how dare they allow the Fact of Fornication? You see what a Cage of Unclean Birds the Church of Rome is. They call themselves the Holy Catholic Church. But how can they be Holy, who are so steeped and parboiled in Fornication, Incest, Sodomy, and all manner of Uncleanness.

Vse I. It condemns the Church of Rome, who allow the Sin of Fornication and Adultery. They suffer not their Priests to marry, but they may have their Curtizans. The worst kind of Uncleanness, Incest with the nearest of Kin, is dispens'd with for Money. It was once said of Rome, —Vrbs est jam tota Lupanar,—"Rome was become a Common Stews. And no wonder, when the Pope could, for a Sum of Money, give them a License and Patent to commit Uncleanness; and if the Patent were not enough, he would give them a Pardon. Many of the Papists judge Fornication Venial. God condemns the very Lusting, Mat. 5.28. If God condemns the Thought, how dare they allow the Fact of Fornication? You see what a Cage of Unclean Birds the Church of Rome is. They call themselves the Holy Catholick Church. But how can they be Holy, who are so steep'd and parboil'd in Fornication, Incest, Sodomy, and all manner of Uncleanness.

Use II. It is matter of Lamentation to see this Commandment so slighted and violated among us. Adultery is the reigning Sin of the Times. Hos. 7.4