The Cry of Sodom Enquired Into

p. 1The CRY of SODOM Enquired into.

And the Lord said, Because the cry of Sodom and G◊morrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; I will go down now; and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me: and if not, I will know.

BEhold the solemn Inquisition which the Lord made concerning the abominable filthiness of the Sodomites, which cried unto Heaven for vengeance. In the description whereof observe,

1. The fearfull Aggravation of their wickedness. The cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and their sin is very grievous. Sodom and Gomorrah were ancient Cities in the Land of Canaan, situate in the Vale of Siddim, bordering upon the Tribe of Judah. There were two other Cities, which perished with them, viz. Admah and Zeboim, Deut: 29. 23. but Sodom and Gomorrah are onely named in my Text, because as they were the most notable and famous for estate and greatness, so they were the most notorious and infamous for sin and lewdness. Ezek. 16. 46. Sodom and her daughters. The sins of Sodom were many and great, but that which was the most grievous of all, was their abominable filthiness in all manner of Vncle◊nness. Ezek. 16. 49, 50. Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, Pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of Idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy, and they were haughty, and committed abomination before me. This their wickedness cried unto Heaven for vengeance. A figurative expression, holding forth the heinousness and notoriousness of their sin and wickedness. It made a clamorous noise in the ears of the Lord, so that he could not rest nor be quiet in Heaven by reason of the horrid cry of their horrible lewdness, which sounded continually in his ears.

2. The Assertion and Vindication of Divine Justice and Equity in the p. 2Judicial process against them. I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me: and if not, I will know. These words are spoken after the manner of men, but are to be understood after the manner of God. Local descension is not compatible to the Omnipresent, nor external information to the Omniscient. The Lord is every-where present, and is not capable of any local motion; nevertheless he is said to go down, in respect of the visible form and manner, wherein he revealed himself at this time, appearing in the shape and likeness of a man. The Lord seeth the most secret wickedness, and knoweth our thoughts afar off, and needeth not to make any search or enquiry: nevertheless, that he might clear up the Equity of his tremendous dispensation toward Sodom, and set an Example unto Civil Judges, to take exact cognizance of the Cause, and after accurate Examination to proceed to Sentence and Judgement; He condeseendeth after the manner of men, to make Proof and Triall of the truth and weight of that horrid Cry, which came up to Heaven against the filthy Sodomites. I will see whether they have done altogether, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 an fecerint consummationem, whether they have made a full end, whether they have finished their sin, and filled up the measure of their iniquity; and if they have, I will proceed to execute V◊ngeance upon them. Thus Abraham understood the Lords expression, as appeareth by his Intercession, Wilt thou also destroy, &c. ver. 23.

p. 2Doct. Abominable Filthiness and Uncleanness is a Crying Sin, and grievous Wickedness in the account of God; for which he maketh diligent Inquisition, and executeth dreadfull Vengeance.

The Sodomites were extremely wicked, prodigiously unclean, monstrously profuse in all manner of lechery, obscenity and lasciviousness. Gen. 13. 13. The men of Sodom were wicked, and sinners bef◊re the Lord exceedingly: Wherefore the Lord visited them with the Sword, and brought them into servitude and bondage to their Enemies, to whom they continued in subjection twelve years, Gen. 14. 1—4. During this time, righteous Lot coming and dwelling amongst them, bare witness against their unclean and impious conversation, 2 Pet. 2. 7, 8▪ but these shameless Miscreants, in stead of being bettered either by Afflict◊on or Admonition, grew far worse, and added Perfidiousness and Rebellion to the rest of their wickedness; wherefore the Lord whetted the Sword p. 3against them the second time, overthrew their Armies, sent the people into Captivity, and their goods became a prey to their Enemies, Gen. 14. 10, 11. Nevertheless, through the wonderful patience of God, they were rescued by the hand of Abraham for Lots sake, and the Lord spared them yet fifteen years longer. But in stead of being gained or reclaimed thereby, they increased and multiplied their wickedness, and filled up the measure of their sin, growing so impudent and outragious in their Villany and Lewdness, that the Cry thereof went up to Heaven, and the Lord himself came down in the likeness and similitude of a man, accompanied with two of his holy Angels, to make search and diligent Inquisition concerning their clamorous and crying Wickedness; and upon Triall, found it to be most prodigious. Witness their Beastly incivility and rage against those Heavenly Guests, the two holy Angels, which lodged in the house of righteous Lot, Gen. 19. 4, 5. wherefore the Lord destroyed them with Fire and Brimstone from Heaven, ver. 24, 25. and turned the whole Country into a standing, stinking Lake.

p. 3Now that no man may plead ignorance, nor be able to say another day, that the Ministry did not acquaint them with the nature and heinousness of this Transgression, let us with holy modesty, in the fear of God, enquire,

Quest. 1. What is that Abominable Vncleanness, which crieth in the ears of the Lord of Hosts, and hastneth divine Vengeance?

Answ. It is expressed by and comprehended under those two terms, Fornication, and going after strange flesh, Jude ver. 7. Fornication being taken in a large sense, comprehends not onely Whoredome and Selfpollution, but also Adultery, Matt, 5. 32. and Incest, 1 Cor. 5. 1, Going after strange flesh, comprehends Sodomy and Bestiality. These are the severall sorts of Abominable Uncleanness, which cry for Vengeance.