Question 71

Is it our Duty to keep our Bodies pure from all fleshly Lusts?

Yes. We must possess our Vessel in Sanctification and Honour, and not in the Lust of Concupiscence,^a

Are we to present our Bodies to God?

Yes. Present your Bodies unto God a living Sacrifice,^b

Are we to glorifie him with them?

Yes. Glorifie God with your Bodies,^c

Are we to use them for him?

Yes. For your Body is the Temple of the Holy Ghost, which is in you,^d

And to employ them in his Service?

Yes. Yield your Members as Instruments of Righteousness unto God,^e

May they then be us’d in the Service of our Lusts?

No. For if any Man defile the Temple of God, him shall God destroy,^f

Ought we to preserve our Chastity in Heart?

Yes. That we may be Holy both in Body and Spirit,^g

And must we keep out all unclean Thoughts and Desires?

Yes. We must flee youthful Lusts,^h

And is that the Way to prevent the Acts of Uncleanness?

Yes. For when Lust hath conceiv’d it bringeth forth Sin,ⁱ

Ought we to preserve our Chastity in Speech?

Yes. Let your Speech be always with Grace, season’d with Salt,^j

Is it the Character of good People to be modest?

Yes. I will turn to the People a pure Language,^k

Ought we to preserve our Chastity in Behaviour?

Yes. We must have a chaste Conversation coupled with Fear,^l

And in our Cloathing?

Yes. Women must adorn themselves in modest Apparel, with Shamefacedness and Sobriety,^m

Must we abstain from all Appearances of Uncleanness?

Yes. Hating even the Garment spotted with the Flesh,ⁿ

And from all Approaches to it?

Yes. Come not nigh the Door of her House,^o

Must we resolve against wanton Looks?

Yes. I made a Covenant with mine Eyes, why then should I think upon a Maid,^p

Must we always keep our Bodies in Soberness and Chastity?

Yes. We must cleanse our selves from all Filthiness both of Flesh and Spirit,^q

And must we crucifie all the Lusts of the Flesh?

Yes. They that are Christ’s have crucified the Flesh,^r

Must the Body be subdued?

Yes. I keep under my Body, and bring it into Subjection,^s

And must its sinful Desires be deny’d?

Yes. If thy Right Eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee,^t