Lectures upon the four first chapters of the prophecy of Hosea Wherein the text…Lectures vpon the foure first chapters of the prophecie of Hosea Wherein the text…

Thirdly, out of the metaphors and borrowed speeches here used, we may observe, that the sin of uncleanness, is ¹not only committed in fact, but that also there is a fornication of the face, and an adultery of the breasts, when as harlots with glancing and wanton looks, by painting of their faces, and laying out of their breasts, do not only by these signs testify the adultery and uncleanness of their hearts, but also with these baits of lust, endeavour to allure others to commit filthiness, and to inflame their hearts with the fire of unlawful concupiscence. Whereby may appear, how common this sin of adultery and uncleanness is in our times, wherein the signs and means thereof do so abound; seeing not only those who are harlots by profession, but even such as would be reputed pure virgins and chaste wives, show these outward signs of their inward filthiness, and use these baits to catch the foolish in the nets of uncleanness, by painting their faces & setting forth themselves with adulterate beauty, and by laying out their breasts after a whorish manner to be seen and touched: for is it likely, that those who lay them out to the show, would have them only seen? Neither hath this corruption of manners entered into the court alone, where wantonness and immodesty challenge unto themselves a place by the right of prescription and long custom; but it is crept also into the City and Country, amongst those that should be modest virgins and grave matrons, and ⟨p. 166⟩examples of sobriety unto others. Even here natural beauty is hid with a painted visor, and naked breasts are laid out to the view; if at least they may be called naked which are commonly covered with false colours, or uncovered when as they are masked in a net.

Thirdly, out of the metaphors and borrowed speeches here vsed, we may obserue, that the sinne of vncleannesse, is ¹not onely committed in fact, but that also there is a fornication of the face, and an adultery of the breasts, when as harlots with glancing and wanton lookes, by painting of their faces, and laying out of their breasts, doe not onely by these signes testifie the adultery and vncleannesse of their hearts, but also with these baits of lust, indeuour to allure others to commit filthinesse, and to inflame their hearts with the fire of vnlawfull concupiscence. Whereby may appeare, how common this sinne of adultery and vncleannesse is in our times, wherein the signes and meanes thereof do so abound; seeing not onely those who are harlots by profession, but euen such as would be reputed pure virgins and chaste wiues, shew these outward signes of their inward filthinesse, and vse these baits to catch the foolish in the nets of vncleannes, by painting their faces & setting forth thēselues with adulterate beauty, and by laying out their breasts after a whorish manner to be seene and touched: for is it likely, that those who lay thē out to ye shew, would haue them only seen? Neither hath this corruption of manners entred into the court alone, where wantonnesse and immodesty challenge vnto themselues a place by the right of prescription and long custome; but it is crept also into the City and Country, amongst those that should be modest virgins and graue matrons, and