e, ends in the Serpents tail; and
discovered, not onely the _Virgins-face_ of this unsatiable _Harpye_, but
her cruel talons also shrowded under her wings. That you may therefore
(as[2] _Amnon_ {2} did upon _Tamar_) bolt the door upon this _strange
woman_, and no longer endure the _whoredoms_ of this painted _Jezebel_;
I'le endeavour to characterize her to you, and by the infallible clue of
Truth conduct you through all her intricate and winding Labyrinths. Be
pleased therefore, for the explication of the word [_Strange_] to take
notice, that this Epithite was by the _Graecians_ attributed to their
common Prostitutes, which they called [Greek: xenas], _strangers_: And
hence, I conceive, it was that the Comoedian called [3]_Glycerium_ who was
thought to live by the unlawful submission of her body, _Peregrinam_, a
stranger, a strange woman. But I have onely hitherto told you her name; I
shall now therefore proceed further to describe her to you by her sordid
actions, which will ascertain you of those miseries which are her constant
waiting-women or attendants. That I may therefore speedily prosecute my
design, She is one whom not _Argus_'s hundred eyes, nor _brazen_ walls, nor
the most vigilant Guards can secure from her lascivious incontinency: the
bars and [4]hedges which Nature has made for her {3} tongues confinement
are not sufficient to restrain it within the limits of a modest discourse;
and should we lock up her impure lips with a command of silence, yet could
we never limit the infiniteness of her lascivious thoughts, with which she
would as freely commit fornication, as if she were at liberty, and in the
enjoyment of the greatest voluptuary; and we may say of her what _Scipio_
in another case said of himself, [5]_She is never less alone than when
alone_. She tricks her self up with such variety of gauderies as if she
were to expose her body to bring the Devil to her lure, and _tempt the
Tempter himself_ to love her; and were that opinion of _Tertullian_ true,
That the _Devils_ and _fallen Angels_ had carnal commerce with the
_Daughters of Men_, and they should desire one to satisfie their lustful
appetite, I'de recommend the strange woman in the Text unto them; who (like
_Circe_) is an amiable Sorceress, and when she hath _once_ charmed her
_Gallant_ with youthful blood sparkling in his veins, and beauty dancing in
his face, into the endless Circle of her lust, hee'l find a difficult
[6]recovery. {4} [7]Physitians