Stile of contempt,
as if keeping of Measures was unbecoming our nature; and it was a
shame to have the _Bed undefiled_. They mix with _Marriage_ all the
disagreeable things they can find to turn the _single_ against it, and
make those that are in weary and sick of so flouted a _State_: To
increase their uneasiness under which Holy and Prudent Restraint,
wandring Images are dressed up with all possible skill to affect them,
and their heads are filled with the ways, of bringing these strange
Desires to pass.

If this be the Case in the Main, as it plainly appears from the
_Account_ above mention'd, and might further be shewn by a very great
addition of proof; then whether all this can be found at any one time,
or whether some Days may not possibly be pretty clear of it all but
what is brought thither, is not very material, more than to determin,
what particular _Plays_ should always be chosen by those that will go
to Any. For the fitness of allowing this Custom, or giving it any
Encouragement, will not depend upon it's not being faulty alike in
every Part; but 'tis enough to condemn it, if what has been said is
the general Scope, tho' I doubt a Tryal wou'd shew that All offend in
one thing or other.

Matters, then, being so, you will readily grant that they who go to be
pleased, with any of those things which are hardly fit to be named;
are wickedly bent, and live to the _Scandal_ of that _Religion_ they
still make some shew to profess: Tho' not enough to give any hopes of
their being reclaim'd, until we can find them perswaded indeed, that
there is such a thing as _Sin_ in the World, which will certainly have
its _Wages_ at last.

But for those who are satisfied of this, and wou'd be loath to savour
so much as the _Appearance of Evil_, they must be beg'd to consider,
what _Vows_ they are under, and _whereof they are made_, and How much
Weaker still many _Others_ may be, and What _Mankind_ must come to in
time if this _Humour_ prevails, and How much the _next Life_ must be
at this rate more wretched than this!

Who that reflected what it was to _Renounce_ the _World_, the _Flesh_,
and the _Devil_, wou'd play with the sharpest Weapons of these, and
offer themselves to such apparent _Danger_ in _Sport_? there's not one
of these _Enemies_ but know how to take the utmost advantage, and will
be sure to hit all the Blots that they give, they cannot without
receiving some hurt, be so much as a Minate off from their _Guard_;