A Body of Practical Divinity

I have read of two Citizens in London, 1583. who defiling themselves with Adultery on the Lord's Day, were immediately struck dead with a Fire from Heaven. If all that were now guilty of this Sin should be punished in this manner, it would rain Fire again, as on Sodom.

Ninthly, Adultery, (without Repentance) damns the Soul. 1 Cor. 6.9. Neither Fornicators, nor Adulterers, nor Effeminate, shall enter into the Kingdom of God. The Fire of Lust brings to the Fire of Hell. Heb. 13.4. Whoremongers and Adulterers God will judge. Tho Men may neglect to judge them, yet God will judge them.—But, will not God judge all other Sinners? Yes. Why then doth the Apostle say, Whoremongers and Adulterers God will judge? The meaning is, (1.) He will judge them assuredly; they shall not escape the Hand of Justice. (2.) He will punish them severely, 2 Pet. 2.10. The Lord knoweth how to reserve the Unjust to the Day of Judgment to be punished, but chiefly them that walk in the Lust of Uncleanness. The Harlot's Breast keeps from Abraham's Bosom. Momentaneum est quod delectat Aeternum, q. d. Cruciat. Who would for a Cup of Pleasure drink a Sea of Wrath? Prov. 9.18. Her Guests are in the depths of Hell. A wise Traveller when he comes to his Inn, tho many pleasant Dishes are set before him, yet he forbears to taste, because of the Reckoning which will be brought in. We are here all Travellers to Jerusalem above; and tho many Baits of Temptation are set before us, yet we should forbear, and think of the reckoning which will be brought in at Death. With what Stomach could Dionysius eat his Dainties, when he imagined there was a naked Sword hung over his Head as he sat at Meat. While the Adulterer feeds on strange Flesh, the Sword of God's Justice hangs over his Head. Causinus speaks of a Tree that grows in Spain, that is of a sweet Smell, and pleasant to the Taste, but the Juice of it is poisonous. The Emblem of an Harlot; she is perfumed with Powders, and fair to look on, but poisonous and damnable to the Soul.