Theol. True indeed: for you, and ⟨p. 62⟩such as you are will believe nothing against your lusts and fleshly delights: and that is the cause why you are deaf on this care. I will therefore add a word or two more (out of the Oracles of God) to that which hath been spoken.1 The wise King saith, He that committeth adultery with women, destroyeth his own soul: and so is accessory to his own death; which is no small matter. For we use to say, if a man hang himself, drown himself, or any manner of way make away himself, that he was cursed of God, that Gods hand was heavy against him, that the Devil ought him a shame, and now he hath paid it him. And all the country rings of such a strange accident, when, and where it falleth out: and the Crowner of the country doth sit upon it. How much more may all the world wonder at this; that a man should destroy his own soul, and wittingly and willingly cast away himself for ever? Now the holy Ghost saith, The adulterer doth such an act, giveth such a venture, and willingly murdereth himself. Oh therefore woe unto him that ever he was borne! for sure it is, that the great Crowner of heaven, that crowns whom he will crown, shall one day sit upon it, and give judgement. Moreover, as the adulterer ⟨p. 63⟩sinneth against his soul, so also he sinneth against his body, after a special manner,2 as witnesseth the Apostle. Also he sinneth against his goods and outward estate, as the holy man Job testifieth, saying,3 Adultery is a fire that devoureth to destruction, and it will root out all our increase. Furthermore, he sinneth against his name,4 For the Adulterer shall find a wound, and dishonour: and his reproach shall never be put away.
Item, he sinneth against his wife, who is his companion, 5and the wife of his covenant: And God saith in the same place: Let none trespass against the wife of his youth: keep your selves in your spirit, and transgress not. Last of all, he sinneth against his children and posterity, as the Lord said to David, Because thou hast despised me, 6and done this, therefore the sword shall never depart from thy house. Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house. Now therefore, to conclude this point, we may see how many deadly wounds men make themselves by committing of adultery. They wound themselves in their souls: they wound themselves in their bodies:
Theol. True indeed: for you, and ⟨p. 62⟩such as you are will beleeve nothing against your lusts and fleshly delights: and that is the cause why you are deafe on this care. I will therefore adde a word or two more (out of the Oracles of God) to that which hath beene spoken.1 The wise King saith, Hee that committeth adultery with women, destroyeth his owne soule: and so is access•ry to his owne death; which is no small matter. For we use to say, if a man hang himselfe, drowne himselfe, or any manner of way make away himselfe, that he was cursed of God, that Gods hand was heavie against him, that the Divell ought him a shame, and now he hath paid it him. And all the countrey rings of such a strange accident, when, and where it falleth out: and the Crowner of the countrey doth sit upon it. How much more may all the world wonder at this; that a man should destroy his owne soule, and wittingly and willingly cast away himselfe for ever? Now the holy Ghost saith, The adulterer doth such an act, giveth such a venture, and willingly murthereth himselfe. Oh therefore woe unto him that ever hee was borne! for sure it is, that the great Crowner of heaven, that crowns whom hee will crowne, shall one day sit upon it, and give judgement. Moreover, as the adulterer ⟨p. 63⟩sinneth against his soule, so also hee sinneth against his bodie, after a speciall manner,2 as witnesseth the Apostle. Also hee sinneth against his goods and outward estate, as the holy man Job testifieth, saying,3 Adulterie is a fire that devoureth to destruction, and it will root out all our increase. Furthermore, hee sinneth against his name,4 For the Adulterer shall finde a wound, and dishonour: and his reproach shall never be put away.
Item, hee sinneth against his wife, who is his companion, 5and the wife of his covenant: And God saith in the same place: Let none trespasse against the wife of his youth: keep your selves in your spirit, and transgresse not. Last of all, hee sinneth against his children and posterity, as the Lord said to David, Because thou hast despised mee, 6
- 1Pro. 6.31. […]Pro. 6.31. 〈…〉
- 21 Cor 6.13.
- 3Job 5•.12.
- 4Prov. 6.33.
- 5M••• 14, & 15.
- 62 S••. 12 1•
