The seventh SECTION. Chastitie.
THis is the shortest way we have to the preser∣vation * 1.1 of Chastity, an incomparable virtue, and the richest jewel of our sex. It ought to be as natural to us, as flight to birds, swimming to fishes, beauty in flowers, and rays in the sun. You need not ask, what may become of a maid or wife, who is prodigal of a good, which should be as firm∣ly united to her body, as her hearts: She is capable of all sorts of crimes, and were there question to open all the gates of hell, incontinency alone would put the keys into her hands. There is no beast in the world that is not better than a prostitute, who by the disho∣nour of her bed hath charged her soul with sins, her body with intemperance, her renown with reproach∣es, and her memory with execration. We ought so to instruct our daughters in the virtue of purity, that they may not know the least shadow of sins which are committed in the world. I approve not those lit∣tle Dynaes, who will see and smell out so many cu∣stomes of Countries, and entertainments; for they too soon learn that, which they too late will forget, and take so much fire in at the ears and eyes, that water enough will not be found to extinguish it. I do not wish a maid, though very young, should be delighted in the company of children which are not of her own sex. I likewise fear those of her sex, who are too curious, their company is sometimes so much the more dangerous than that of men, as we least take heed of a domestick enemy. That Chastity is ever the most stable, which knoweth not so much as what voluptuousness may pretend unto. I will think crows might become nightingales, when any one should * 1.2 make me believe, that a creature of our sex, which is delighted to hear or utter scoffs, & speeches of dou∣ble sense, which cover ordure under golden words, ei∣ther is chast, or can any long time continue as she is.
Let us guard the eyes, mouth, and ears of those young maidens, as Temples dedicated to Honour, and let us do nothing in their presence, which they can∣not imitate without sin: let us teach them not to addict themselves, either to pleasures of the mouth, or sleight desires, to take and freely possess any petty favours. A creature which much coveteth to have that which her condition cannot afford, hath many enemies in her heart, which will deliver her body o∣ver to dishonour, and her soul to confusion. Let us cut off as much as we may so many wanton songs, idle books, infamous pictures, gossipings, dancings, and banquets: never is a beast taken but with some bait, nor chastity lost, but that such attractives serve as fore-runners.
There are not so many lost spirits to be found a∣mong women well bred, who in sin pretended no∣thing but sin: but the love of divers Ladies proceed∣eth rather from vanities of the mind, than weakness of the body. They desire to be in some esteem and ad∣miration of those, who can neither esteem nor admire them, but in the pretensions of their own interests: they take delight to be commended for their beau∣ties, which never any man so profusely applaudeth, as not to hope to be paid for his praises. They are subject to much credulity, whether it be through some easi∣ness of nature too weak, or by overmuch presumption and self-love, in such sort, that they quickly esteem themselves fair, and worthy to be beloved by those who feign affection, not seeing that fishes are taken with nets, and women with the credulity of their light belief. They undertake designs to make servants, who are not of the order of Arch-angels, to serve them as Raphael did Tobie, not pretending power o∣ver their hearts and honours. They are infinitly de∣lighted to see a man prostrate at their feet, especially when he hath some qualities, which put him into the estimation of the world. It is a glory among the quaintest to have gained slaves, who love their chains, and who will no longer live nor die but for them. This is the cause they counterfeit themselves to be little Idols, and take many sacrifices of smoak; and although they at that time have not any intention to offend God, notwithstanding they suffer themselves to dissolve among so many offers of services, comple∣ment, and protestations; and in the end feel it is a ve∣ry hard matter to defend ones self from an enemy, who onely assaulteth us with gold and incense. Drops of rain are composed of nothing but water, and do by their continual fall penetrate stones: so, much sweetness of words, submissions, and observances re∣doubled one upon another, are able to make a rock rent in sunder: how can they but transport a woman, who issuing from a bone, faileth not to retain all the softness of flesh.
Love sometimes hath wings to fall upon its prey with a full souce, and sometimes it goeth along with a crooked pace. That which it cannot obtain by a prompt heat, it expecteth from a constant importuni∣ty. From thence ensue private conversation, and disor∣ders, which make tales in cities, stage-plaies, & bloudy tragedies, which being begun behind a curtain, are many times ended at the gallows. I do not find a bet∣ter remedy to stop the beginnings of lust, than to be∣hold the end thereof. A Lady who solicited in mat∣ter of dishonour, in the first baits shall draw the cur∣tain, and behold a huge gulf of scandals, injuries, ra∣ges, and despairs, will as willingly descend into Hell alive, as consent to this bruitish passion. She will seaso∣nably proceed to remedies, and unfold her heart in the secret of Confession, will discover the deceipt of it, and by this means avoid an infinity of disasters. Thrice, yea four-fold happy is she, who will take these words as an Oracle, and enchace them in her heart to remember them eternally.