I Did not think Sir, that when we entertained our selves with the lit­tle modern Philosopher▪ you would after have demanded those things from me in ear­nest, which were then our divertisement; but since you have been so inclined, I o­bey [Page 2] you readily, both, as I should blush to re [...]use any satisfaction to a Person who has so grandly obliged me, and also as I have a repug­nance to abandon my decla­red Opinions: But I hope you consider, that you de­mand these things from a young man, who is unca­pable of doing right to so grand and so important a Subject; and one besides, who can furnish the dis­course with no experiencies of his own: but I know your ingenuity and can­dour are too great to expect a sufficiency from a man he has not about him; neither [Page 3] do I believe that you want any motives to assist you in your just resolutions: he that knows your love, also knows the object of it to be so glorious, and so accom­plisht, as hardly to be e­qualled within the compass of our Isle for excellent qua­lities; and I very much que­stion, whether the most hardy of our Gal [...]ants, did they every day converse with those beautiful endow­ments which she possesses, would not willingly despise the Gallantry of contemn­ing Marriage for such an en­joyment, and even be con­tented to be virtuous, ra­ther [Page 4] then not be happy; no one will condemn you for such a design, nor decree your reason to submit to the fantastical definitions of the Malmsbury Philoso­pher. But since you will be amorous, and serious too, as you have received the pleasures of the first from your Mistress, so you shall now receive the entertainments of the se­cond from your friend: but yet I must before hand tell you, that as in Pictures, so in so considerable draughts of humane interests and af­fairs, there must needs be wanting those graces and [Page 5] lovelinesses, that no de­scription nor account can reach; and we can only lay the colours, and a simetry of parts, whilst the sweet­ness, and the charm, are above the reach of pens. It will be necessary Sir (to keep your thoughts toge­ther) to pursue a method, and to decline the hunting mode of writing, now in use, of running remarques here and there, as the fan­cy of the Author leads him. Marriage is our Theam, and the justness, necessity, and advantages of it, the consi­derations to be enquir­ed into; and we cannot [Page 6] raise this superstructure up­on a better foundation then the Divine Declaration in Gen. 2. 18. where it is said, It is not good that the man should be alone: In which appears, that when the in­feriour Creatures had their beings for the use and ser­vice of man, then was he himself created as their Lord; and when he was made, and had received his Dominion, his glorious Creator judged something wanting very important for the happiness and pleasures of man, and that was a Help-meet for him; It is not good that man should be [Page 7] alone: He had then Hea­ven to converse with, Earth [...]o govern, Paradise to be his nome, and the plea­sures of an Innocence copi­ [...]d fairly from his Maker; and yet in the possession of all these things▪ he was a­lone.

First, He was alone in Paradise, that could not re­gale him equal to a virtuous [...]ove; Empire and command were not so Noble as the affairs of a practical virtue: Adam was entertained with the freshness of a youthful world, to whose beauty he paid not then the tribute of his sweat and labour; he en­joyed [Page 8] only a pleasant spring, but those delights were not equal to the society of a woman.

Secondly, He was alone in the possession of his Inno­cence; Adam was perfect, and so wanted not to be hap­py, but the degrees and consummations of it, which were design'd him in the af­fairs and interests of M [...]rri­age; and the Standard of happiness by which it was measured, was not then a life of quiet and repose, but a power and sufficiency of communicating virtue and excellent qualities; and I shall represent to you how [Page 9] much▪ Marriage furni [...]hed mankind with that ability, by which will appear the Evidence of the Divine As­sertion, it is not good that man should be alone: Some of which particulars, if they should not be comprehended in the direct intention of the words, they shall yet all be genuine to the nature of the thing.

First, It was good to perpetuate Generations, and the variety of Ages; from this has sprung all those that have fill'd the world; it laid the foundations of glorious and sacred Churches, of vast and puissant Empires, gave [Page 10] births to successful and flou­rishing Arts▪ by that has the Church been furnished with Martyrs, and men fa­mous for their Piety; it has s [...]ot up Stars to heaven, whose zeal and holiness did shine among the dark vices of the world, where they now sparkle in spheres of E­ternal light and love: To this we owe the original and excellency of Learning, which has taught wisdome and civility to barbarous Na­tions; he was once rock'd in the Cradle, whose Phi­losophy and Science after travell'd to the confines of [Page 11] night and day; an indul­gent Mother on her Lap first bound the tender head of a famous Conquerour, that after wore the Laurels of so many Victories. Whilst ambition, war, and distem­pers still emptied the world, Marriage supplied it with other inhabitants. When by the death of some excel­lent person the world has been deprived of great ad­vantages and blessings, some others have rose up, and equall'd, if not excell'd the v [...]rtue of their Fathers: When Countries have been widdowed, and drooped over the loss of an indul­gent [Page 12] Prince, they have had restored in a Successor the freshness of their wither'd joys. When Moses was dead, Joshua the son of Nun takes the Conduct of Israel, and leads them to the conquest and possession of the promised Land: When some holy man, who by his convincing conversa­tion, and his heavenly ad­monitions, propagated and encreased the Church, is taken to his triumph above, God is pleased to open ano­ther Flood and spring of light, which though it may be of a different emanation, yet it serves those holy ends [Page 13] the other did: Moses ex­cell'd for meekness, David for sincerity, Job for pati­ence, and Daniel for cou­rage and magnanimity; yet all these declared the same duty, honour, and obedience that we owe to God▪ Saint Paul was admirably learned, S. Peter affection­ately plain and earnest, A­pollo sweetly eloquent, and all assisted in the propaga­ting and confirming the same glorious Gospel. Elijah when he was mounted his Fiery Chariot, and through the Regions of the Sky tra­vell'd home to heaven, yet left his Spirit and his Man­tle [Page 14] with Elisha. When Is­rael lost their mighty Pa­rents, yet the favour of their God continued with them, and the blessings of Abra­hams Faith was enjoyed by after Generations; and so power has been furnished with Successors from Mar­riage. The Assyrian Empire was succeeded by the Per­sian, which being support­ed by a slender virtue, fell, and on its ruines rose the Grecian; which was after broke to pieces by the vio­lence of its Administrators: then rose the Roman, the best built and supported, and of the largest extent, spreading [Page 15] its wings over the face of the whole [...]arth; having maintained (the Votaries of sacred Religion excepted) the bravest and most gene­rous vertue, the most use­ful and pleasing arts that to the memory of man are known: But this Empire, so well maintained, and so strongly supported, by lit­tle and little de [...]li [...]ed, till at [...]ast it lay neglected and de­spised in the languishing arms of Austria. In after Ages se­veral Princes affecting that glorious Title spent much [...]lood and Treasure to gra­ [...]ifie those vain hopes, but with little successe. So has [Page 16] learning been successively maintained. Plato left some excellent knowledge, with many phantastical opinions: Aristotle endeavoured better demonstration, but yet with that, left some Lordly Pro­positions, and barren terms. Then the followers of Lear­ning [...]anged themselves into several Sects, troubling the World with idle quarrels, and disputes. The Philoso­phy of Greece, was capri­cious, and affected, but when it travelled to Rome, they made it more sociable, and of a more pleasing con­versation: one Age wro [...]e and disputed, another pra­ctised [Page 17] and convinc'd: From those times the adventures of Learning have been vari­ous, and not easily abridg­ed: Thus have several Ages had several rencounters, and variety of action, all of which have been furnished with Administrators, from the Marriage bed.

Secondly, It was good, as it was a model of the after Governments of the World: the dominion of a Parent in his Family, is a true repre­sentation of the government of a Vertuous Prince, who is the Father of his Country; men in this mirour might see the agreeableness of power, [Page 18] and Empire; and with better inclinations might become obedient to an universal Head, whilest they plainly could see the advantages of order and subjection in par­ticular Families, had there been no distinction in Socie­ties, in which, by the re­spect and obedience paid to some persons, the advanta­ges of Rule might have been p [...]rc [...]ived and approved, men would never have been will [...]ng to have parted with the most extravagant parts of their liberty, but all de­sires of Soveraignty had been opposed, as injustice and tyranny, but by Marriage, [Page 19] and the issue of the bed, men had within themselves a Lordship, and Dominion, and the quiet and advantages of that, evidently appear­ing, the intention of some excellent person, and his de­sires to protect Countries, and Provinces, and be their universal Head, and Parent, was not received with that scorn and aversion, as they would have been, had there not been those advantagious Presidents: And I know not how to be [...]ieve, that all the Dominions of the Earth were founded in absolute Tyranny, and that they had at first no design of the good [Page 20] of Nations, which was ac­cidental, and found necessa­ry, for the security and quiet of power, since it is impossi­ble, that any Country can injoy peace, riches, or profit without the Superiority of some or other.

Thirdly, It was good, as it brought in the grand foun­dation of the peace and qui­et of Kingdomes; for this (yet with no injury) fixes a man to a settlement, and a contented condition of living, who, if he should obey the force of no other Arguments, yet the just consideration of his Family, and Relations, would dispose him to peace, [Page 21] and subjection, many men are sometimes tempted to be the Instruments of fatal dis­orders to a Nation, whilest they have nothing to suffer, but themselves in the cala­mities of ill success; few are so brutish, as to have no re­gard to the welfare and con­dition of those they love; who would by treason, cut from his Children a brave estate, and leave them po­verty and the reproaches of his crime to inherit: and though some have broke through all these considera­tions, and neglected their dearest interests, yet that does not disprove the force [Page 22] they usually have upon our minds: 'tis providing for those that come after us▪ that makes us industrious, and sometimes peaceable, and vertuous too: What man would not be shook, and feel some remorse in his designes and projects of ruine, when he has a loving Wife leaning on his bosome, and innocent Children hang­ing about his knees; but he that lives alone, what design soever he drives at, he re­ceives none of these regrets, and remorses; but setting all things in himself, cries, Let the world stand and fall with me. And I am of the opi­nion, [Page 23] that the unmarried lives of the Romish Priests, has been the cause of great calamities, and disorders in Kingdomes; men who have too much leisure, and too little dependence on a com­mon interest, will freely play away their own share in any Kingdome, by its [...]uin and destruction, whilest there are so many cloysters in other places, to protect and receive them, their Guardians and Superiours throwing about these fatal Firebrands, and In [...]endiaries to inflame and trouble the World, who, if they had a Family, and an interest set­tled [Page 24] to mind, would take a great deal less pleasure in the disorders of Christendome. Marriage makes men look upon the peace and prosperi­ty of the World, with more concernment and pleasure than those, who care only for themselves, and their pre­sent satisfaction.

Fourthly▪ It was good, to have the honour▪ and de­light of a hopeful issue, no­thing was esteemed of old, a greater aggrandizement than many children, the issue of a lawfull bed, the promising youth of a child, returns a reputation to the Father, and many men had been forgot­ten [Page 25] in the Histories of Ages, had not they not been the Parents of Children, that were famous: Every Parent receives an honour by the vertues and celebrated quali­ties of their Children; 'tis an honour considerable enough, to have been the root that bore flowers, whose fairness and sweetness were pleasant to the whole world: Nor is the delight any thing inferiour; if the excellent endowments of a Stranger are pleasing to us (as they doubtless are to every inge­nious mind.) What must be the accomplishments of those, whom we have brought [Page 26] into the world our selves to be the Parents of those that may prove successeful instruments, for the instru­ction, and reformation of the Church, for the peace, and advantages of their Country, are blessings and contentments not to be equalled by little things: and the actions of many men, that have lived in the World would have none of the re­putation they have yet ac­quired, if it had not been for the consideration of their Family; next to the interests of Religion, nothing is so noble, so good and commen­dable, as to prosecute in [Page 27] wayes of justice and honour, the interests of their Family; in the pursuit of which has moreover been raised, all or most of those glorious Tri­umphs of vertue, courage, and industry, that the world has known; for who, onely for the flashes of a short Fame, would with the haz­zard of his own life, have al­tered the Government of Kingdomes, have added re­mote, as well as neighbour­ing provinces, to the tribu [...]e of his Throne? who would have exposed himself to the various accidents of the deep, and have sought un­known treasures in Coun­tries [Page 28] barbarous, unconquer'd, and remote, if he had not hoped to have left them as the patrimony of his Fami­ly: Thus on death beds, have great as well as serious men, left such excellent in­structions to their Children, of keeping up the honour, and greatness of their names, as if the interest they should take in it remained beyond the Grave: Agripina doted so much on the imperial dig­nity of her Son Nero, as to cry out, occidat, modo impe­ret. Let me die so he may reign.

Fifthly, It was good, to perpetuate the memory and [Page 29] dignity of vertue, it is true, it sometimes happens, that a Son is not onely unlike his Father; but so different, as to be a shame and reproach to his memory; but yet usually the great qualities of the Pa­rent lives in the Children, having the advantages of their example and instructi­ons, and at least if their ver­tue is much weaker and fainter, yet supported by the Fathers memory, it be­comes strangely useful, belo­ved, and respected in the world. The children of some men, that have been the Au­thors of great benefits, and good offices to Countries, [Page 30] and Nations, have served many great and happy occa­sions in the world, who yet have had no great, merit of their own to boast of▪ Nothing is so much idolized nor re­spected by the generality of people, as a mighty name, and a vertue possibly in it self much the greater, that is found in a person not famous, cannot do those things, which the bare reputations ef some persons is able to perform: In the civil wars of France, the Authority of a Prince of the Blood, would easily hush those commotions and produce that obedience to discipline, which all the [Page 31] courage, arts, and perswasi­ons of inferiour Captains could never do.

Sixth [...]y, It was good to inlarge the Sphere and esta­blish occasions of practical vertue. He that is married has more compass, and a larger field of action; he usually procures more bene­fits to the World, at least more substantial and better grounded. He that is alone lives to this Age, but he that is married (by the force of imbraceing causes) lives to that Age which stands next the worlds last calen­ture, and burning fit. Pom­pey did not onely fight him­self [Page 32] for the liberty of Rome, 'till he was it's greatest, and mighty Sacrifice, but left those gallant Sons, who bravely endeavoured to re­vive it, when saint and dy­ing. The practical vertues that belong to the affairs of this life, is they are more, so they are more considera­ble in the married state; Speculation, however plea­sing to some tempers, yet if it be not altogether divine, is a thing of little advantage, especially to the world, and that is the measure of every excellent quality, the advan­tage of the general World: Infinite thinking, that designs [Page 33] no other benefit, but the private satisfaction of him that is busied in it, is but an ingenious sort of idleness; and moreover, the mischief the world has received by those strange opinions inven­ted by men, who injoyed a perpetual vacation from af­fa [...]rs, remains too great a reproach of idle speculation: the thoughts of men are per­petually working, and wan­ting the entertainments of good, and useful objects pursue pleasant and agree­able idea's▪ that were never yet alter'd by action, and which are equally unprofita­ble to themselves and others, [Page 34] but he that has the interest [...] of a Family to mind, bound [...] with those happy limits the [...] extravagancies of his fancy [...] and the province he has to manage consists in mos [...] things of the best vertue, and most practical advantages▪ ihat are found in humane society; how many glorious actions, and instances of bra­very of mind have took their original from the calamities of a Parent, or the distresses of a Child; and without doubt the world had wanted the greatest part of its illu­strious Presidents of vertue, had not the affectiones & ten­dernesses of these relations, [Page 35] [...]een the motives & powerful [...]nducements to them. Many [...]ndeed (but unjustly) cry out of marriage, as a condition [...]f care and perplexities, and [...]elebrate single living, for [...]t's freedome and repose; but [...]irst let us ask them, who ever [...]ound in a mortal state that [...]anquility they have preten­ [...]ed to admire? who can [...]how us that condition of [...]fe under the Sun, that is [...]ven and undisturbed? if marriage has cares, it has no more than other conditions, [...]ut then let us tell them, that [...]t has advantages, blessings & [...]ocieties, that they have not [...]ttained; if they can shew [Page 36] us the life of some rude Phi­losopher, that in his retire­ments from the world boast­ed of quiet, and repose, we can shew him many exam­ples of glorious men, living not one [...]y contentedly, bu [...] admired, and beloved, in the ties of Matrimony; spreading their useful qualities over the universe, whilest the Stoick has permitted his vertue to droope and wither, in the shade of his own humour▪ besides difficult and hard ac­quests are the triumphs of vertue: The mind shines with no lustre at all, that has not heen brightned by difficult af­fairs; owing (as the body) [Page 37] [...]ts vigour and strength to [...]otion, and labour: more­over the triumph is the [...]weetest that is purchased with the most industry; [...]he ambitious lookes on [...]hose acquirements with [...]ontempt, that are easily got, [...]nd loves the highest steps, [...]ecause it is the hardest com­ [...]ng there: and such motives [...]ave we received from above [...]o procure advantages to the world, that nothing relishes [...]etter to the mind, nor is [...]eceived with greater esteem [...]nd applause, than difficult [...]ervices: so that to speak ill of marriage, out of a humour of repose and sluggis [...]ness is [...]o own the greatest repr [...] [Page 38] and scandal in the world.

Seventhly. It was good, to have a mind vigorous, and constant in the circles of Ma [...]riage. Vertue loses it's lustre and strength, when it is loosened by various enter­tainments. Marriage gives the thoughts a home, and an imployment that would else be traversing the ends of the Earth: neither shall we find any men of a more manly gallantry, and a nobleness all of a peice, as amongst those who have been happy in their marriages, and great lovers of the interests of it. Some men may have exceeded in politique arts, and the stra [...]agems of conquests, but [Page 39] [...] very much question, whi­ [...]her ever any age [...] (in the Heathen world) brought [...]orth any thing Superiour [...]o, or more beloved than the vertue of Pompey, and Bru­ [...]us; men not onely religi­ously prizing the married [...]tate, but such as were bles­sed with the society of those women, that for re­turns of love and gallantry were famous to all ages. We choose friendship, as a field for vertue ro reap ad­vantages in, and none but re­tired, and treacherous na­tures, will be without the pleasures of that, but with­out all question, that friend­ship is the noblest, bound in [Page 40] the surest ligaments, and penetrates more the re­cesses of the heart, that is commenced in marriage, than any took up on other scores: Some are pleased to cry down that Sex, as foolish, and unfit for the conversati­on of men; but they seem in that too much to overvalue themselves▪ and to set strange prizes on their own worth; what if there are not found women, whose heads are fill'd with the crabbed noti­ons of Philosophy; who have no great insight into insignificant, and unsocia­ble arts, the knowledge of these things could consti [...]ute nothing, but barren▪ and ri­diculous [Page 41] Friendships; that which is more generous, more pleasant, and useful, is as well to be found in that Sex as in our own.

Eigthly, It was good for the education of man­kind: This bred men at first to modesty, respect, and subjection; taught the mind the sense of shame, and the fear of vice: besides it laid an obligation on Parents to look after the education of their Children; for if there had not been such an Institu­tion, in which it was both our duty, and our reputati­on too, to look after our Children, the issue of ma­ny [Page 42] in the world had been neg­lected, and perished without a name, or any considera­ble acquirements: But now those men who have strange­ly overcome and worn ou [...] the impressions of what they owe to God, and their ow [...] affections, yet are so carefu [...] of their reputation, as to educate their children i [...] those ways by which the [...] may live with credit, an [...] be capable of serving th [...] Commonwealth; Had no [...] Marriage been instituted when the lustful youth ha [...] satisfied his appetite, 'ti [...] likely he would have aban­doned the wretched Mothe [...] [Page 43] with her Infant, to the ran­counters of various sor­rows; and the children of the Great, and the Noble, had been rock'd in Cotta­ges, and all their daies fol­lowed the Plough, but now there are sacred Channels cut, in which one stream of blood perpet [...]ally runs, from one Generation to an other.

Ninthly, It was good to prevent the inconvenienc [...]es and extravagancies of a ram­bling love. What disorders and distractions had there been in the world, if an im­petuous and lawless appe­tite had been subject to no conduct; the fancy placing [Page 44] it self on any object plea­sing and agreeable to it, had presently transported the owner to all manner of vio­lent actions for the obtain­ing of it; Cities had been consumed to ashes, houses left desolate, or fill'd with groans, only for the ravish­ment of a beauteous prey; the affairs of the State had been neglected, or readily wounded, for the acquire­ments of an idle love; for such is the violence of that passion, and such its extra­vagancies, when it is taught no moderation by Religion and excellent Laws; the power of Conquest had [Page 45] been a sufficient title to the objects we had covered, and we had no felt no remorse, to have taken them from be­tween the arms where they had spent many years in en­dearments of love: no Na­tion could have flourished, nor have been successful in its affairs, if a wanton flame had thus consumed the man­ly temper and vigour of the youth; or if their pas­sions had not transported them to such violent acti­ons, yet the gentlest con­cernments of those flames had made them uncapable of serving the Common­wealth, and the interests of [Page 46] Humane Society; and what with running to publick houses of lust, the contri­ving secret Cabals, and pri­vate assignations, had took up all that time with which th [...]y should have served their Generations: Whilst they had followed these designs, ill humor, restlesness of the thoughts, and inconsiderate actions, had been the neces­sary companions to them; therefore there was great wisdom in that Law amongst the Jews, that none should live unmarried after such an Age. All wise and prudent Nations knew they should have little order, and less [Page 47] industry, where the affairs of an idle passion possessed the hearts and heads of their Subjects. Marriage more in­clines the mind to serious, and necessary business, then the wandring lusts of Stews and Concubines; and even in those Countries, where Polygamy, and many Loves have been allowed, the se­rious, and the wise, are grown weary of their liber­ [...]y, as producing those di­stractions as unfit the mind for other things: besides, there are the prejudices the body receives in those fatal distempers, that bring rot­tenness, [...]pain, and infamy. [Page 48] which are left to Posterity; and its not to be doubted, but that the next Age will curse their Fathers, for lea­ving them poverty and rot­tenness for their Patrimo­nies.

Tenthly, It was good to have the society, of a Sex that should once be the pas­sage of the Son of God in­to the World; and that was of a Virgin too, though not deflowr'd, yet betroth'd: that man as he had once reproached that Sex, as the first yeilder to that temptation, which ruined mankind, so they might receive a benefit, [Page 49] and an advantage by it, that might make them for­get the memory of former injuries: Did She present us with the fruit, the eating of which lost Para­dise, and an innocence more sweet and agreable? from Her Womb rose the morning of eternal re­demption, spreading its light and blessings over the World: Man has no rea­son to nourish antient re­sentments, that has her for the companion of his vertuous Love, whose aboades the vailed Divi­nity did not dispute.

I know nothing can be [Page 50] objected to all this, but that of St. Paul he that lives unmarried does best, to which it is easily an­swered: that that, as some other things in the Scrip­ture, were chiefly calcu­lated for that Age, as a time of great persecution, and calamity to the Chri­stian Faith; then were the powers of the World ar­med against the Doctrine of Christ, and the profes­sors of it, were forced to remove from one City, and Country to another, and to live with great dif­ficulty, and those especi­ally who were the Mini­sters, [Page 51] travelled to Regions distant and far remote, to plant the Christian Do­ctrine; and it was more convenient for them that were continually in jour­nies, in perils, on the Land and Sea, to have small and little Families. But many things may not be so proper for some times, that are both convenient, and necessary for others: and it was but just, that some of the outward ad­vantages, as well as the lives themselves, of some Persons, should be yeild­ed up, to the important considerations, of propo­gating [Page 50] [...] [Page 51] [...] [Page 52] & confirming the Gos­pel: so our Saviour speaking of the severity of those ca­lamities, that should make their visits to the last ages of the world; pronoun­ces a [...]ae lactantibus, & parturientibus, per illos dies; when nevertheless, those were not only the neces­sary, but most excellent af­fairs of humane life. If upon all these considerations, Sir marriage appears so con­venient and necessary for the World, they must have slender pleas who ad­mire unsociable and solita­tary tempers; no man was to be taken up with the [Page 53] contemplation of his own excellencies, like that fan­tastick Youth, who made love to, and dyed for him­himself, the only way to take a right view of our own good qualities, is to see them in other mirrours, to have them drawn by those advantages and bene­fits we communicate to others: he that gathers all his great endowments in­to his own breast, and keeps them there, like Roses that grow in desarts, he dies uncommended, and uninjoyed. But less Sir have they to say for them­selves, who contemn and [Page 54] reproach marriage; scru­pling not all, to despise so sac [...]ed, an institution▪ and yet into such an age we are fallen, where it is recko­ned not only innocent enough, but a peculiar peice of gallantry, and good breeding, to divert our selves with holy wed­lock, thinking that ridicu­lous, that was confirmed in Innocence and Paradice, certainly they make strang­ly bold with God, and Religion: they have strook our of the Calenders of all respect, men grave and serious, thinking nothing so comicall, as that man [Page 55] that obeys the power of vertue; but we will not wonder at it▪ whil'st we see them throwing all Reli­gion, and all the prudence of their Fathers out of the World. They have found out a new wit, and a new discretion of their own, and will be obliged to none of their Ancestors, and those who first taught them to speak sence, they will not n [...]w allow to speak sence themselves. The World might yet al­low them their Province, but they will not be con­tented with it, nothing will serve their ambition, [Page 59] but to rule the universal monarchy of wit; all the Re­gions of several arts, must pay a tribute to their pow­er. But we ought first to understand their sufficien­cy, before we permit them so proud▪ an usurpation! their chief strength is Dram­mat [...]q [...]e Wit, to which are added their Courtship, their dresses, and their oaths: and yet this is the learning and the wit, that must cry down [...] sacred Reli­gion, and these the pro­digious parts that must basfle the experience of so many generations? with­out doubt, never any age [Page 57] was so much abused by such unknowing Preten­ders. But this is part of a di­gression Sir, since our discourse ought only to lead us to examine their sentiments of marriage, and the justice of them: which we shall now do. It is not sure because they live chastly and severely them­selves, without the socie­ty of a woman? nothing less! their aversion, for the Pales and fences of mar­riage, is because they love their ranges, and a viti­ous chase: they despise the society of a vertuous wife, that they may gad [Page 58] abroad to seek Love, spen­ding their wealth, their strength, and their time, in the imbraces of a Stron­ger, their heads and their hearts, are perpetually full of new designes, of de­bauching innocent Virgins, of dishonouring the mar­riage bed of their friend, and of ridding themselves of an injoyment of which they are tired: neither is it their earnestness of ser­ving their Country, that makes them neglect mar­riage; no all their time is spent in their dresses, their Courtship, and their plea­sures; it can be nothing [Page 59] but their violent inclinati­ons to vice, which are assisted from below, that makes them do this in­justice to sacred things: and it is strange to consi­der, that those who have no better characters should yet win any thing upon the tempers of men: they are those who as they pro­digally spend the estates of antient and noble Families, so they will in all proba­bility, leave the next ge­neration nothing but sor­rowes, distempers, and french consumptions, nei­ther are they content with injoying a wilde liberty, [Page 60] and to bring into con­tempt those things that have so long worn the chara­cters of honour and re­spect, but they indeavour to remove all reverence to Religion out of the wor [...]d; not only owning, but tri­umphing in Atheism; ha­ving in contempt the per­sons of those that would instruct them, such a Sect of Philosophers the Chri­stian world could not show; and we may think, that it had not been trou­bled with them now, had they not been the forerun­ners either of its dissoluti­on, or some Times of dread­full [Page 61] events: the glorious Creator of the world, when he permits to be owned, and practised, principles so fatal and pernicious to all Religi­on, all Lawes, Interests, and societies in the world, forewarnes us of mighty revolutions: and I am apt to believe, that they have reached the highest steps, that the baseness and the degeneracy of man can go; it is impossible any age should be more wicked, or triumph more in their vi­ces, and their crimes. But there are others be­sides these Dons that do injuries to marriage, espe­cially those.

[Page 62] First who spake of it with little respect; thereby begetting strange fears, and prejudices in the mindes of the Youth, if there are those whose inclinations are for a single life, and they live in that with chastity, and discretion, no one ought to accuse them for such a manner of life, but why should they mock at all practices that are contrary to their own? such [...]leight discourses I know will weigh very little with wise and prudent persons, but unexperienced Youth, is apt to be affected with things confidently delive­red, [Page 63] though there be some times little sence in them; if they have a mind to exercise their wit, let them chuse a subject more agreeable to the interests and the complexion of mankind; and let them think it to be a little rude to reproach the practice of their Fathers, and the greatest part of the world, which they do in speaking against marriage. Never any age had more trifling gallantries than this has, and▪ yet none was ever more in love with them; great capacities were of o [...]d, serious, modest, and [Page 64] unaffected; but now▪ he that ownes a little wit, makes such a noise with it, as to disturb the quiet and the serious affaires of the world. But there are those, who have done greater injuries to marriage and they are,

Secondly those who dis­honour it by their own practises. If we should here examine all those se­veral things, that prove a discredit to that condition we should undertake a task too long and difficult, since there are so many little affairs, which (like the small heads of Rivers) by [Page 65] the covered adventures of a long course, open them­selves at last in great floods of discontents, and inju­ries: there are causes of in­justice in marriage, that pretend a priviledge from disputes; but this we may say with freedom enough, that the indiscretions alone of many in this condition have been the causes of considerable miscarriages, and that not in the first choice, but after manage­ment; and as it sometimes happens in greatest Em­pires, that an injury done to an inconsiderable person, (as lately in Muscovy,) [Page 66] has, through unknown wayes, produced effects, as have shook the puis­sance of those Empires themselves. So little peices of imprudence, have been the first causes of great dis­contents in marriage▪ and we may plainly see, that as in all the concernments of the whole world, if there had been, but half that dis­cretion, and prudence in the management of them, as there has been of other pretences, the world had known much more repose, satisfaction, and prosperi­ty, than it now can shew; so if those in the state of [Page 67] marriage, had trusted more to such safe indowments, than to their little gallan­tries, and pretended suffi­ciencies, we had seen few­er instances of ill-betrothed pairs. Many presume upon their own good qualities, or trust too much to their being lov'd, even whilest they withdraw the causes of that affection. Others love to railly with imagi­ned injuries, not taking right measures of the tem­pers they so accost. Some expect, that the comforts and blessings of marriage, should cost them no indu­stry [Page 68] and prudent manage­ment. Others give causes of real wrongs, by fool­ishly hunting for imagined: and much of the scandal, that lies upon that Sex, is originally owing to the fol­ly of Husbands: without doubt, the smallest disgusts, and weaknesses in families should be concealed from the whole world, and there­fore the first prudence, distinguished mankind into particular dwellings, that none might be witnesses of such things, which are of­ten encreased, and r [...]vell'd into greater quarrels, when [Page 69] they are known and reveal­ed. There art others, who assist themselves to the ru­ine of that vertue, they ought to maintain; the mind is not a thing hard and impenetrable, but sub­ject to the impressions of what stands next it; and many by their own folly, unperceiveably create those inclinations, in that relati­on, which may in time prove fatal to their repose; and it happens often pri­vately, as in publick con­verses, where that vertue, which was strong, & perfect, in places of serious, and mo­dest [Page 70] living, has insensibly declined (and unperceived by the owner) where a­mours intrigues, and vi­ces are publiquely owned; and that conversation, which is the Mode, those inclinations do they em­brace, who have an inte­rest in it. This does not deny, but that many per­sons of great vertue, may live amongst those who are vitious: but we speak on­ly, of what is general. O­thers are too careless of their love affairs; and I scruple not at all to affirm, that though jealousie is a [Page 71] very ill thing, yet a pru­dent conduct and care, is absolutely necessary for the preservation of vertue: I understand not those, who call neglects of this nature, a good disposition and much love, since those are much greater, that endea­vour to remove temptations from the valued object, then to expect unseason­ably a victorious vertue in the middest of assaults. Sir, I have pointed at but very few of those things, that prove the first grounds of discontents in marriage, and so by consequence of the [Page 72] reproaches are flung upon that condition. There are besides a thousand more; some that might be named, and others that are better concealed. But there is one thing that proves the greatest ground of after discontents, and that is imprudent choi­ces: either unsuitable to our humours, education, condi­tion, or affairs; this indeed is a very great prejudice to marriage, but ought not to be reckoned, as a discre­dit to that condition; since, though our Creator has gi­ven us useful, happy, and agreeable institutions, yet [Page 73] our own follies, and want of braines, is a reproach to our selves alone: if we by indiscretion, covetousness, or other vain inclinations, will throw our selves into strange unions, we ought to beare the scandal of in­considerate fopps; and not expect that the prudence, or lovely order of things, should be broken, to repair our weaknesses; marriage is free from the miscarria­ges, that follow the actions of these men. Besides the most excellent enjoyments of humane life, are the most nice, and critical; and [Page 74] where the advantages are extraordinary, an ill ma­nagement must needs make the prejudices the same: and the greatest justice these men can do the world, and the greatest prudence, and nobleness they are ca­pable of shewing, is by an invincible discretion, and pa­tience, to do right to that condition, their first follies had wronged. We have now inquired of discretion; next we may celebrate Re­ligion, as a foundation of vertuous unions. This should have been the first, but the other has a larger sway; [Page 75] yet if this had the power it ought, all would be happy loves; but the de­generacy of Man has thrust it out of these, as wel as other affairs: yet without this, it is possible, that Time (if no other accidents should happen may bring decayes upon the strongest passions; and neglects may take [...] the S [...]ate of Love; but this adds a perpetual greeneness, and freshness to Love; this is used to carry those tendernesses, and endearments to fifty, and threescore, that were knowne at twenty; and it [Page 76] is the greatest, and most sure conservor of Love. There are Sir, two things, that may pretend an interest in this discourse. Divorce, and Poligamy▪ to the first, we may say in short, that it is (one case excepted) forbidden by unanswerable Scriptures: and the best prudence of Mankind: for, it would be the inlet to the greatest disorders, dis­ingenuities, and extravi­gancies that the World could know. And for Po­ligamy, tis enough to dis­credit it, that the first insti­tution of the married life, [Page 77] and that in the possession of all the advantages and pleasures, that innnocence, and Paradice could bestow, was but of two; which proves the divine intention and the original benefits, and happinesses of that state, to consist in one Love: besides the practises of the new Testament: and the inconveniences of the contrary, in Countries where it is allowed, where nothing but an insatiable, (not quenched but infla­med by variety) and fu­riously sottish lust, reignes in the generality; and [Page 78] amongst the wise, there are either the perplexities of unreconcileable dome­stique quarrels; or else that liberty laid down, for the pleasures of repose, and contentment. And now Sir, after we have been so long serious, tis agreeable to our Youth, to divert our selves, with opening the gay and pleasant scenes of Love, and describe a little the felicities of that passion: it would be but just, something to loosen a minde bound up to grave and serious considerations, by celebrating a love, that [Page 79] has so large a Dominion in the Earth; but I consi­der Sir, that this is the province of greater men, and our Masters the Gal­lants, will not allow us this freedome; as they alone pretend to make Love, with glory, and success; so they alone will record their adventures: besides we cannot furnish the harangue with ends of French, without which paint Love cannot look beautifully; we submit to them, and as we cannot ma [...]e Love, so we cannot relate it so modishly as [Page 80] they. Unhappy Albion whose beggarly, and scanty language, is not able to contain, nor render plea­sing the mighty concepti­ons of thy Youth, but they must borrow dresses from their neighbours, for their victorious passions: yet the capricio of thy Fortune is something strange, whil'st it is scan­dalous to beg an Almes at a Romans door, (to whose Gallantry thou yet hast owed so much) but a high reputation to cringe and bow, to a leight Monsi [...]ur, unty thy faul­tring [Page 81] tongue, and let no greatness, Gallantry, nor felicity of thy own, be too big or too hap­py for thy expressions. But this is something pe­dantical, and against the humour, in short, Sir, I have furnished you with the serious consi­derations of Marriage: the amorous you must take from the Age, or rather from your own Love, in which, as you will be better fur­nished, than from our Gallants, so it will be an entertainement, and [Page 82] an account, more per­fect, and agreeable, than this of