A discourse of auxiliary beauty. Or artificiall hansomenesse. In point of conscience between two ladies.

But (good Madame) although you may safely contend with my weaknesse of un∣derstanding, and want of memory, which are prone to betray the strength of a good cause; Yet I beseech you beware, how you dash against that great rock, which I confesse gives me such terror, as I dare not touch it, any more than the people or beasts might Mount Sinai: I mean the uniforme judgement and concurrent Testimony of very many lear∣ned and godly men; both the holy Fathers

of old, and the most reformed Ministers of later times, who (as I am informed) almost with one voice, absolutely cry down and even damne to hell all painting or colouring the face in order to advance the beauty of it, as a sin, not small and disputable, but of the first magnitude: Which dreadfull censure my self have read (not without some hor∣ror) as in others of our English Divines, so especially in Mr. Downams Christian warfare, the first book and 14^th Chapter; where from the Fathers sense he calls painting of the face,

The Devils invention, absolute∣ly a sin, not only in the abuse but the very use; In the nature of the thing, and not onely in the intention of the doer; That it is utterly wicked and abominable, against the law of God; The light of nature: Against self-shame and conviction; A reproach of God, a perverting of his works in nature; A cheat of others, a lure and bait to sin, a fruit of pride and vanity, poysonous to the body, and pernicious to the soul; That it is the proper practise of harlots and lewd women; That it is inconsistent with a Christian profession, and a good conscience.

He brings Tertullian arguing against it, as the Devils counterfeiting and mocking of God, by seeking to mend his works, as if God needed his enemies help to compleat

his creatures; So he cites S. Cyprian, telling the vailed virgins, that the devil by these arts doth but distort and poyson what God hath made handsome and wholesome; He might have added many more (as I find other where) in our English Authors, who pro∣duce the authority of S. Ambrose, S. Austin, S. Chrysostome, and S. Jerome, against all additionall beauties.

Thus I perceive English Divines (for the most part) are as Boanerges, sons of Thunder against these Complexionary Arts; Nor do I find any (almost) that are Barnabasses, or sons of comfort, as to the use of it, in any kind, at any time, or by any person, that pretends to piety; Which makes me wonder, how your LaP hath the courage, and confidence, to encounter such an host of Worthies, men of renown; or whence you are furnished with such Armes both offensive and defensive in this contest, beyond what I have heard or read from any one, in defence of Auxiliary beauty; which must not seem to me any beauty, since to so many pure eyes it appears deformity; so that a painted Lady is to be looked upon rather, as some Specter or Empusa, than as an handsome woman.

Notes

• 9. Object. The Fa∣thers and modern Divines much a∣gainst all painting the face.
• Downams Christian Warfare c. 14.