then, to cut fhort all difputes on this fubject, and ftop at once the mouths of fuch cavillers, who are furnished with objections by their lufts, and find it Ephef. v. easier to argue than obey; he adds, Let no man deceive you with vain words, for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

6.

In the fin of adultery indeed, there are many great aggravations of guilt. The wrong is not only grievous, but irreparable.

It is an ungenerous thing, and the fign of a merciless, and therefore mean difpofition, for the gratification of a wanton appetite, to rob an innocent man, perhaps a neighbour, perhaps a friend, of the comfort and happiness of all his life.

It is an affront and infult; to be computed according to the estimation of the fufferer. Such dishonour is death to

him: and may be fo to you; at least if the perfon, whom you thus injure, have no greater government of his paffions, than what he may learn from your example: For jealoufy is the rage of a man; therefore Prov. vi. he will not spare in the day of vengeance.

There is also perjury in adultery; it is the breach and violation both of a contract, and a vow: it is an offence directly against God, as well as man; and at the fame time, and in a high degree, both immoral, and impious.

But the greatnefs of one vice is no vindication of another. The practice, and I had almost faid, trade, which is carried on by the diffolute, of seducing, betraying, and configning to infamy and wretchedness, the young, the innocent, and unwary, has guilt enough of it's own, without entering into comparisons to render it truly diabolical.

34.

Every Species of impurity hath it's peculiar features of malignity; all fufficiently odious, and deteftable. Let them difpute among themselves the fhameful preeminence: turn we our eyes away from all fuch objects; and let us befeech Almighty God, to pour into our James iii. hearts the wisdom that is from above, which is first pure, then peaceable: that we may each of us know how to poffefs this veffel of Theff. the body in fanctification and honour; not in the luft of concupifcence, as thofe that know not God; that we may be the temple of the Holy Ghost, that He may delight to dwell in us; and that we may never incur the punishment denounced in that

17.

iv. 4, 5.

I Cor. iii awful threatening, If any man defile the temple of God, him fhall God deftroy.

17.

SER

SERMON XVIII.

EIGHTH COMMANDMENT. PART I.

EXOD. xx. 15.

THOU SHALT NOT STEAL.

BUT,

viii.12,13.

what! is thy fervant a dog? faid 2 Kings Hazael to the weeping Prophet, who was recounting to him the inftances of his future cruelty: I know the evil that thou wilt do unto the children of Ifrael; their young men wilt thou flay with the fword, and wilt dash their children, and rip up their women with child: And he faid, But, what! is thy fervant a dog, that he should do this?

When

When we are to addrefs ourselves to a congregation of Chriftians, and especially to perfons of fome rank or character, of a birth or education above the level of the vulgar; and we produce with all folemnity for the fubject of our counfels, fuch a paffage of Scripture as this, Thou fhalt not fteal; a spark of displeasure may poffibly be awakened in a perfon disposed to take offence, Am 1 a dog, that I should do this? Are we fallen so very low in the eftimation of the preacher? are we thought not only fo depraved and wicked, but fo mean and base, as to stand in need of exhortations to honefty, and a discourse against theft? Room there is enough for our amendment; but we are clear at least of this contemptible sin, and in no danger, we should prefume, of offending againft the eighth command

ment.

The commandments are conceived mostly in concife terms; but the mean

ing