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I say, it would be an improper Search under the Limitations which I am otherwise bound by; the Enquiry would be very improving, critical and curious; and such a Thing may not be unprofitable in Surgery and Anatomy: But, at present, our Subject points another Way; and I am rather discoursing the Morality, as well as the Modesty of it, the rational, not physical Foundation of it, and searching into the Reason why we give our selves such Liberties which the Savages, and undirected Part of Mankind, do not take.
As to the weak Excuse, that the Mahometan and Pagan Nations have a Plurality of Women, so that they supply Nature's demands another Way, 'tis a most scandalous Confession, that the vitious Part of the Man is the only occasion of the Practice; and that this is done, not that it is supposed to be right, but because the Power of the Vice prevails, and the Appetite rules the Man, the Reason, and Nature is subjected to Desire, and the pure Flame is overborn by the impure eruption of Salt and Sulphur.
And where's the Christian all this while? Where are the necessary Mortifications of a holy Life? Where do such mortify the Deeds of the Body? Rom. viii. 13. How have they crucified the Flesh with its Affections and Lusts? Gal. v. 24.
Shall Christians, that pretend to walk by the pure Pattern of their Saviour and his Apostles, and by the perfect Rule of the Scripture, at the same time plead a necessity of Polluting themselves, and that in a filthy and loathsome manner; a manner which they cannot speak of without Blushes; shall these plead a supply of theDemands
