the
wiser sort of Catholicks do of Pictures; let their beautiful features serve
to raise our Devotion to God, and make us admire his curious workmanship.
And since Women are of late grown so proud and licentious as to expose and
prostitute themselves to the eyes of men in unseemly and immodest gestures,
and they onely shew themselves true _Britains_ in this, that, like the
ancient _Britains_, they delight to paint {18} their bodies, and (like the
Rain-bow) display their transient and fading colours; let us, when we see
such as these, call to mind these Considerations to allay those
inordinacies which may otherwise arise in our thoughts from the
contemplation of so vicious objects. Let us consider, That they are but
vain Dames, to bestow such curious cost on so woful and sordid a piece of
dirt, which (it may be) would otherwise resemble the clay _Prometheus_ us'd
before it was inform'd and animated; That 'tis their folly to guild a clay
Wall, and enamel a _Bubble_, when they can give no other then a _Womans_
Reason for it. Let us consider, That Women have no beauty but what we are
pleased to give them; and that if we call them fair, 'tis but in the way of
Poetry or Complement: And that these dim _Cynthia's_ would be very obscure,
if they borrowed not that light they have from the Sun of mens favour. Or
suppose we are so candid and ingenuous as to grant them beautiful, yet we
may see by experience, that their Beauty is like a sweet and much coveted
Banquet, which is no sooner tasted but its delicious Luxury is {19}
swallowed up by Oblivion. Let us think with our selves, That there's no
conformation of lineaments, no composition of features, no symmetry of
parts so exactly combin'd and compacted in one person, but a critical eye
may discover some imperfection: fairest _Cynthia_ is not without her spots,
nor beautiful _Venus_ without her moles.

2. If you would be cured of the Fever of Lust, into which the _Strange
Woman_ will endeavour to cast you, use a moderate, slender and ascetick
Diet. Be content with that with which Nature her self wil be contented, and
then [19]a little will suffice you; and if you do this, [20]you will act
according to the Rules of Discretion and Prudence. Use Fasting and severe
Abstinence, which are the proper Abscissions of the instruments and
temptations of lust. And to this is reducible a restraint from all morose
delectation, and looser banquetting: You must not desire to be fed at
_Vitellius_