Reflexions on marriage, and the poetick discipline a letter / by the author of The remarques on the town. Author of The remarques on the town. 1673 Approx. 133 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 111 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2007-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A58352 Wing R697 ESTC R3302 11951521 ocm 11951521 51447 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A58352) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 51447) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 821:7) Reflexions on marriage, and the poetick discipline a letter / by the author of The remarques on the town. Author of The remarques on the town. [22], 198, [1] p. Printed for Allen Bancks ..., London : 1673. Reproduction of original in Bodleian Library. Errata: p. [1] at end. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Marriage -- Early works to 1800. 2006-03 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2006-03 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2006-04 Judith Siefring Sampled and proofread 2006-04 Judith Siefring Text and markup reviewed and edited 2006-09 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion AN ADVERTISEMENT . REprinted the last Michaelmas Term , The Works of Francis Osborn Esq Divine , Moral , Historical and Political , in 4 several Tracts , Viz. 1. Advice to a Son , In two parts . 2. Political Reflexions on the Government of the Turks , &c. 3. Memoirs on Q. Elizabeth and K. James . 4. A Miscellany of Essayes , Paradoxes , Problematical Discourses , Letters , Characters &c. The seventh Edition in Octavo , price bound six shillings . REFLEXIONS ON Marriage , AND THE Poetick Discipline . A Letter , By the AUTHOR of the Remarques on the TOWN . LONDON , Printed for Allen Bancks , at the Sign of St. Peter , at the West end of St. Pauls , 1673. To the READER . IT has not only been the Fashion , but esteemed a Justice in every Age , to assist those Theams that have been run down by a Popular practice and contempt : Marriage appear'd so to the Author of the following Paper ; which suffers too much in the loss of its Veneration and Esteem ; had any more Dexterous , found that Generosity about them , as to have performed an act of so much Justice , they had prevented this attempt of the Author , who writes not out of affectation nor a busy humour . But it seemes the wits are revolted , and have taken imployment under a Tyrannick , and prosperous vice : whilst those who are best able to appear for so excellent a Subject , have deserted it , the assistances of meaner Persons , though they may want the applauses of Success , yet they lose not the Character of Kindness . And when others are strangly imployed in heaping Reproaches upon Marriage , and in ascribing disadvantages to it , whilst they affront it with their new Witt , and their modish Vices , nothing can appear more Just , then to vindicate it , by Recapitulateing those benefits that it has produced in the world : it is a witness great enough of its misfortunes , that it needs to be Harangued ; since its practicall Esteem and Veneration , had 'till now preserved it from the want of Elogies : but when it is reduc'd to that condition it is high time to erect it Monuments , whilst the world is so fast forgetting its Reputation and its Grandeur . But whilst the Author has attempted this , he must say in his own Justification , that he has only interessed himself in the Subject , without reflecting upon any that have procured it injuries : and indeed every Writer , should proclaim like the Roman , Pacem cum Hominibus , Bellum cum vitiis . 'T is far from his humour to show a disrespect of that nature to any Person , and as far from his beleif , that the way to reclaim others , were to expose them by severe Reflexions . they will do him an injustice who think so of him ; and equally traduce him , who should take his taxing the Crimes of some , for a Censure on the whole Community : he only designes to show the vanity and the fault of those who becoming enamoured on a fatall humour , must yet make their addresses to it in so strange a manner , as to impose it on the beleif and practices of others ; and in ascribing the concurrence of the whole Town to the efforts of a private Humour . We are well assured , that those vices have found impregnable more Persons then they can pretend to have Conquer'd . Though at the same time , since all Vice is progressive , and especially when it is pusht on , by so strange a confidence and affectation , it is but necessary to fix some Accusations on that Practice , whose noise and daring temper , may in time , make more considerable devastations in the possessions of that Vertue , which yet is left secure and uncorrupted . And the Author designes this Declaration not only as an excuse for the following Paper , but also as a Justification of what he has formerly written , in which he finds himself censured as taxing the whole Town with those blemishes , which he only affixed to the affected and imposing humour ; though he can esteem that reproach as no other then an Evasion and an Artifice in the faulty , since those whose innocence is assured , never concern themselves in any Reflexions which belong not to them . — Thus far I had written , when I received an Answer to my Remarques ; but it was neither with Trouble nor Surprize ; since I very well know , that it is impossible for the most modest Adversary to defend himself from the present briskness of the Town wit : which spares neither a Friend nor an Enemy : the trade of Poetry and Raillery [ must ] go on , or else all the Town wit [ must ] be starv'd . I received no disorder in the least from any thing in his Book ; only his Preface put me into a little heat , in which I [ must ] tell him , that amongst all the bad Company he beleives I have kept , I yet never met with any thing so disingenuous and ill-bred as his odious Epistle : and I can assure him , that I have given the World greater proofs then himself of contrary Impressions : but the anger is over , and I am his most Humble Servant ; and though he beleives me to be a Pedant , a Tutor , a Secretary , and Squire Clodpate . I will yet imagine him to be a great Wit , a Gentleman , and if he pleases a Person of Quality : for I alwayes find it more easy , as well as more civil , to give Elogies , rather then reviling : as for his design , it was brave , and not at all Dangerous ; for what could he do less , when he was perpetually egg'd on by a fair Lady who was resolved not to admit of his Courtships , except he appear'd prodigiously Ingenious , as he is otherwise sweetly accomplisht : she appearing of a Capricio , like that Princess , who would have refused for her Gallant , the handsomest man in Europe , if he had not been also at the same time , the greatest wit of the Conclave . I congratulate you Madam , in the choice you have made , of a Servant ; he has acquitted himself well of your Lady-ships Commands ; and I hope , when you have any others , you will not bestow them else where : but yet if at any time , you should request him to write your Life , let me beseech you , to forbid him to put an Epistle before it , for he has the worst faculty that way , of any Gentleman I know All that I shall say to his Book ; is , that it is throughout one great mistake ; and that first , in taking those Reflexions to be intended for all the Town , which were only directed to a very few Persons . And then to affirm that the words of Age , Nation , Town , Societies , &c. were General , since it is so plainly to be seen , by the Censure , and the Character , that none but a foole would have treated them in that manner : an Age , a Nation , a Town , in which are so much Learning , Bravery , and Vertue ; and particularly , those Societies that are by all the world honoured and revered , for those endowments the Gentleman has mentioned in them . All that I prosecuted was a vain and enterprizing humour , which having ( upon occasions apparent ) found amongst some of the Wits ; I after followed where it had took refuge in graver Communities , the former received the research , like those who are justly esteemed the greatest Wits of our Nation : but amongst the latter , it met with the Haloo , and the 〈◊〉 for the Country : this it is to have any thing to do with those Gentlemen , for my part I disclaim them , and shall hereafter be as unwilling to Note their Imperfections , as I have ever been to admire their sort of Vertue . Another great mistake is , that I designed Sir , T. L. for a Hero : what was intended in him , was only to show that a Gentleman who had arrived at all the perfections of a good Education , might live more prudently on his Estate in the Countrey , then to spend it in the Town , only on women , Playes , Garniture , and Fricacies : and this Gentleman knowes ( who must be a man of the Law by his frequent Quotations . ) That his Majesties Father of Glorious Memory , Commanded by Proclamation , all Country Gentlemen to reside on their Estates , and not to come to the Town , to Hero-fie in eating of Ragoo's , and Fricacies : and in short , next to those whose affairs lye in it , it is properly a place for younger Brothers , who may raise their Fortunes , by Armes , Letters , or Conversations . I think I have in these few lines , answered all that the Gentleman has Objected . There is only a great deal of Divertisment , Reviling , hard Words if not Pedantry too , behind : for which I shall say in the Gentlemans behalf , that as for the former , he endeavour'd to imitate the present mode of Writing , and he does excellently well for a beginner , and he may easily be excused if he has reach'd but few of those perfections required in that criticall Stile : and as for the latter , having to do with a Pedant , and a Tutor , he could not but forget that Civility and Respect , which without doubt , is ( otherwise ) naturall to him : and he thought it needless , to use any of the Lawes ( which he found not in his study ) of Writeing-Mascarade ; since he thought himself not at all obliged to show any respect to one in a Vizzard . But I resolve , for my own part , to be more carefull , and wish heartily his friendship and reconcilement ; and if the Gentleman , who has succeeded so well in Letters , should also make his applycations to Armes , if Sir , T. L. and his Tutor , meet him in the spring , on board his Majesties Fleet. I know that Person , will endeavour a friendship betwixt this worthy Gentleman , and his Mothers Secretary : but I would not willingly defer it so long ; but rather perfect now so Important an affair . Come Sir , you are out of humour ; I wish we might injoy you a little in our Country ; where you should have good entertainment , though you might not meet Astraea there , ( whose allusion you so unkindly mistook ) my Lady will treat you with extraordinary Magnificence , and her Secretary shall serve you with great officiousness : you shall Drink , Hunt , Hawke , Course , nay you shall stay on Sunday , and hear our Parson , who is an honest Gentleman , though possible he cannot Preach so Divinly as Maximin . I have now done with the Gentleman . I have only a word to say to the Town , and particularly the vindictive Ladyes ; as for any thing in the Remarques , I do affirm on the reputation ( with my Answerers good leave I would say it ) of a Gentleman , that I never intended it in the least , to impair the reputation of excellent Persons ; or the Conversations of the Town : and I hope no other will be guilty of so unkind a mistake , as to think I meant Age , Nation , and Town , any otherwise , then as they are frequently applyed to particular humours : Nay I will say further to prevent any other Essayes ; that the Remarques was in a manner Printed against my desire , ( though I will not accuse a Gentleman who had eat , and drank , and slept in an Inns of Court. ) And besides , that there are some things in it which were not my own . I know there is no Person of Justice and good Nature , but will be satisfied with this Apology : and as for others , I am wholly careless of their Censure . To Antonia . NOthing is more just then the Dedicating this following Paper to you : neither could any consideration oblige me to forbear it : and even whilst it seeks a shade , it yet desires so illustrious a patronage . What ever censure it receives in the world , will soon be forgot in the kindness you will shew it ; and the favour of so excellent a Person , will sufficiently reinforce it against all the assaults of custome and prejudice . And in the privacies where we now are , I may assume the liberty to say , we are the votaries of the neglected Theme ; and acknowledge the Divinity of that Altar which the Irreligion of the Age has abandoned : all our regret is the difficulty we have found in making that sacrifice , which is now esteemed the degenerate Devotion of the World. Though Vertue has lost its Traine , yet it receives the most obsequious respect from us ; and it has not been our hearts but our conditions , that have refused its conduct in the track of Ages . We are not yet become Atheists to a Hymen , nor deserters of a fidelity which is loaden with reproaches : Neither do we recount these things in a shade , because we blush to avow them in the Sun beams . No Antonia , we have deposited those resolutions in faithful assurances , which we would at any time be willing to lay out for so fair a purchase : in which also we have preserved our Vertue , like snow , that 's in cold houses saved from the Estive seasons of a rageing vice : the age has no propitious sentiments from us , nor do we valew the reproach of being singular in our vertue , the ancient Idea's , though the world may pretend they are faded , are yet more charming to us , then the gayness of their present Images : All their Paint and imbellishments cannot enamour us on these ; nor has the dirt they have flung upon the former , prevented us from admiring an unequall'd beauty in them . We have given them the Ascendant of our soules ; and they have fashion'd there that fidelity and justice , which will be for ever the ornament of our breasts : neither do those qualities appear less fair and agreeable to us , whilst their habilements are out of mode . Now the popular fury and practise has proscribed a vertuous love , it receives a protection in our hearts ; and we can boast , that it shall never be refin'd but with our lives : we are sorry to give it no larger a Territory ; and we would gladly lead it farther into the affairs of our lives : we are not stopped in th●se designes by the Platonick precaution , nor a fear to try our Idaeas by action : we have took other measures of a just and happy life : and prefer the example of generous Ages , before the fictions of Romance : t is not because we love their beautifull wanderings , that we are kept in a perplexing Labyrinth , and know not how to come at what we love ; Since it is not our humours , but our affairs , conceale the Clue . In the mean time , our inclinations and our wishes will appear a justice to that design ; and a respect to the memory of our Fathers : Nay , we rather see our selves deprived of some of the felicities , then cut off from the generuos interests of that State : we have erected votive Altars to Hymen ; and pay the more disinterested part of the Devotion : our Piety has nothing in it of Mercenary , whilst the mind is the only Devote . We have surpassed the Poetick Chymaera 's , by a truth that has out done their Fables ; and yet that passion which has equal'd their flights , shall ever keep it self above those loathsome places where they rest their Geninius : it is not grown giddy by the height ; nor will its flight ever become the Paecipice of its ruine . No Antonia , we have alwayes maintained the limits of Fidelity , and Iustice ; nor can we ever allow our love that fatal Sovereignty , as to be above the Laws of our Vertue . We have seen too much of their misfortune , who assist a Tyrannick Passion ; whilst they unhappily help it to acquire , a Felicity and Grandeur , to which it mounts on the ruines of their Repose and Honour : in our united hearts our Love has room enough to reign ; and the management of those just affairs will allow it no leisure for Ambition . I have entertained you Antonia , in a manner unusual : but it cannot appear unhandsome to the Age , since it is but to imitate their divertisments in Mascarade . And to the rest , it will only show a covetousness like to theirs , who hoarded under ground their Treasures ; esteeming that to be yet their VVealth , which they did not dare to own . And we have moreover , exceeded their felicity ; who have on wounded Trees , or Marble , saught an immortality for their Love : since we have now committed ours to more perpetual abiding Letters ; and though we have set it in a shade , and a Character unknown , yet we will expect that propitious time , that shall both reveal , and interpret it . REFLEXIONS ON Marriage , &c. I Did not think ▪ that when we entertain'd our selves with the little Modern Philosopher , you would after have demanded those things from me in earnest , which were then our divertisment : but since you have been so inclined , I obey you readily , both , as I should blush to refuse any satisfaction to a Person who has so grandly obliged me ; and also , as I have a repugnance to quit my declared opinions . But , I hope you consider , that you desire these things from a young man , who is uncapable of doing right to so great , and so important a Subject ; and one , who besides , can furnish the discourse with no experiences of his own ; and moreover , the distresses of that Theam , require the assistances of the most dext'rous and generous Pen , whilst it lyes bleeding in the armes of a barbarous Age ; who perfectly forgetting the respect it has received from all Generations ; and the brave assistances it gives to humane nature ; together with the particular obligations it has laid on themselves , are upon the point of finnishing its being in the world , without the least ceremony or shew of regret . Such a Prospect , requires the assistances of the noblest Pen , which can do no less then purchase to the owner the immortal fame of a Hero ; since Marriage is not now assaulted from the Ambushes of Cloysters ; nor from a lustful Fryer ; But by the fairest pretenders to generosity and nobleness , whose Protection have in all Ages been sought by those distressed Interests , which have fled from the fury of Pedants . Whilst I thus represent to you the importance of this Action , I shew you my inability to do it . But , since it is for the satisfaction of a Friend , I think your Ingenuity and candour are too great , to expect a sufficiency from a man he has not about him . Neither , can I believe , that you want any Motives to assist you in your just resolutions ; that condition appearing too lovely in it self , to want the imbellishments of Eloquence : besides the glories of the object you caress , whose perfections and accomplishments are so great , as hardly to be equalled within the compass of our Isle . And were there not as much of pride as inclination in the present humours , we might very well question whether the most hardy of our Gallants , did they every day converss with those beautiful endowments which She possesses would not willingly despise the glory of contemning Marriage for such an injoyment , and even be contented to be vertuous , rather then not be happy : this we have reason to believe would be their resolution , were they not strictly tyed up to the high Rules of their Ambition and Glory ; starving their judgements , whilst they feed their pride and affectation . Your design wants none of the following Arguments to justify it , nor to keep your reason from submitting to the fantastical definitions of the self-conceited Malmsbury Philosopher . And I must reminde you of one thing more ; which is , that as in Pictures , so in such considerable draughts of humane Interests and Affairs , there must still be wanting those graces and that lovelyness , which no Description nor Account can reach ; it being impossible for the glorious life to be rivalled by the sweetest Paint ; and we can only lay the colours , and a simetry of parts , whilst the beauty and the charm are above the reach of Pens . It will yet be necessary , 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 Subjects to be inquired into . It is now the opinion of those which will pretend to understand most , That the world has been fool'd in nothing more , then in an idle and a tame submitting to the fetters of Marriage , that some one , unknown to them , did most injuriously inslave so many Generations with this dull institution ; which did upon that account , lose the freedome and the vigour of generous actions , and miscarried in those Essayes , that would have shewed a greater bravery and glory of Minde . All Ages being left such imperfect draughts of Haeroick vertue , because the Genius was captived that drew them , which if it had known a just liberty , former Generations would have been as perfect as the present is like to appear . They think that if such a company of Hero's , had been born into these parts of the world , who had been free of this Clog , Europe had never sat so long slumbring with its Arms a cross , whilst the Turk plundered it of its beautifull Provinces ; but that its Moones had been Eclipsed by those , who with the quickness of Caesar , had ranged the numerous Regions of the East ; carrying their victories so farr upon the Traverse till they had found no day light to conquor by : but the World has wanted these Heroick flights , whilst it has been the impediments of Wedlock , that made it sit so long ingloriously still ▪ and to paint the Scenes of its adventures with so much imperfection and dulness . But when we shall find that the world has received not greater benefits by the Idolaters of Liberty , then from the votaryes of Wedlock ; and when it will appear that nothing is more just to mankind then that condition , we shall be able to return so criminable a Charge . Those Ages defind more prudently , and with greater moderation , who made not bravery of minde a Knight errant humour , submitting to all the risques of Fancy and Appetite ; the world has suffer'd by nothing more then in this useless noise , nor could there have been an act of greater prudence , then to put the shackles on this mad and wild Liberty , which would more then any other thing , have disordered humane Affairs . True nobleness and glory , is regular and managed ; and not like that Goddess born on the brain : an infinite number of benefits and publique kindnesses , sate long in Counsell how to define it ; nor have they passed its Character without many correctings and emendations ; they have drawn together different perfections ; and then tryed them all ( like Emmas Purgation ) by the vigour of humane affaires , our Ancestours conferred not their favours so readily , nor did they admit those into the family of Hero's , who were considerable only , for a peculiar wildness and frenzy of minde : the present managers of Genius's , may try their off-spring by their Poetick fire , but they ought not to do that injustice to their Fathers , as to affirm they adored no other light . They have introduced Chymaeras then , and have exploded excellent Realities , who have dislodged braveries of Minde from the circles of Marriage ; and with them they have rob'd the world of great advantages ; of which I shall give you a prospect in this following Paper . To oblige mankind , by an obligation sacred , and unalter'd , to the affairs and interests of one Love , was an act of that prudence and wisdome against which none can justly dispute : They could with no equity , have raised a Title to more ; since the Law of nature proclaims that [ Loving of one should be for one enough ] and that Sex must have been left in a condition wholly base and mercenary , to have took the pay of every Amour ; they would have set up a Tyranny in Love , which must have been the most cruel and insupportable of all others , because exercised on the best interests of Life . Marriage puts the world into Discipline , and a happy government ; incloseing the common injoyment , that none might lay claim to the portion of an other : had beauty , and the possession of that Sex , been left a prey to the Conquerour , and subject to be borne away by the most forceible courtships , mankind must have ever dwelt jealous of each other , proclaiming an enmity against all the World ; and have judged their power alone , a sufficient defence : but by the fore of matrimoniall Laws , and the allotments made us from above , we live in quiet and security with each other , who must else have stood perpetually on our guard , and secured what we had loved from the wandering Lusts of others , the world must have been perpetually involved in Quarrels ; since Love is more restless , and more impatient then Ambition : and whilst a charming object had many claimers , she must at last have yeilded to the Conquerour ; and not have gratified the passion of the most deserving , but the most happy , being without the exercise of that Empire which Halcion Lawes had gave her , that must have been wholly lost amidst the animosities of Rivals . Or if mankind had been wearyed into a more Friendly way of living , and yeilded that to indifference , which they pretend would have been the effect of Saciety : yet still the world must have lost its Glory to preserve its Peace : and like those despised Regions , who are therefore quiet because they bannish all things that would invite a Conquest . The use of excellent things must have been laid aside , and the World must have practised the wisdome of a prudent Consort , who disbands her beauties to cure the jealousies of a Husband . And as the great Cato urged the preserving of Carthage , to keep up the vigour of the Roman vertue which would languish when it had nothing to emulate ; so such an indifference , must have yeilded up all things of a generous concernment . Most actions of bravery and glory , receive a motive and originall from without ; and as we have seen , that all Ages have applyed themselves to those things that procured the esteem and the reward , Vertue presently fading , when it wants the Sun-shine of applause and emulation , and the showers of recompence : so no consideration of particular concernments in Love , and the studdy of appearing gratefull and accepted , had brought a greater dulness on the world , then a present reflexion can readily discover , neither shall we affirm a thing at all unjust , to say , that the world owes not inconsiderable benefits to a vertuous Love ; and that , not so much as it has brought upon its bosome so many Hero's , but also , as it made vigorous and strong the beginning of that vertue , which had possible sat down wearied with small acquirements , had it not been supported by a generous passion : a truth that has found more excellent experiments , then what are met with in foolish Romances . And whilst thus the excesses , and the indifference had done the world equal prejudices , what could be more propitious to it , then the moderation and the middle way of Marriage ? it removes on one hand what is violent , furious and Rapacious , and overcomes on the other a degenerate indifference and sloath : and as it is not our inclinations but their irregularity that makes our Crime , so every thing is happy in its moderation : thus the assistances of fire to the occasions of life are very happy and necessary , it is only dreadfull when it growes unruly ; we saile with pleasure on that Ocean , and trace its yeilding bosome with remotest wealth , from which yet we fear an inundation . So Love preserved in happy bounds by the institutions of Marriage ; its excellencies and advantages remain to the world , its childish and troublesome qualities are cut off by Lawes : ●its made tame and gentle , which would else have devoured the fairest concernments of the Universe : should the world be without the society of this govern'd Passion , it might want a heate to vigourate , and render serviceable all its parts , which must else have submitted to dull languishments , nothing then appeares more just then Marriage , since the love it cuts off and regulates , the world could not have borne ; and the love it manages it cannot spare , without parting with the foundation of its best Affairs : neither have any appeared dissatisfied with this conduct , but only the Bravo's , and Furioso's of Ages , who think that the satisfying of an ungovern'd appetite , is more important , then the being kind and oblieging to common nature ; whilst only such politiques as their own , can make it be thought expedient to destroy the good of the whole , for the unreasonable satisfaction of some in particular . The highest wisdome took the prospect of all the Species , and established what was the benefit and the good of all ; and not what might please the humour of some individuals , who starting up in particular Generations , and making a noise amongst those with whom they lived , could yet with no Justice , reproach the prudence that governed their Fathers ; with which they are displeased , through the capriciousness of their own folly , and not the defect of the precept ; which like Beds and Couches , are not to be accused , because they are uneasie to the Sick and distempered . We have found how prejudiciall the small experiment they have made of their new way , has been to the world ; they have practised on it but a little while , but yet , like bold Empericks , they have so altered and spoyl'd its constitution , that a long course of better experiments will hardly recover it ; they have boasted of their Skill and Dexterity , but those inconveniencies that they pretended suddenly to remove , they have opened into an impetuous torrent of peccant Humours ; and had not former times who submitted to the interests of Marriage , done more then they for the prosperity and good of the world , it had possible known scantier Allowances of health and tranquility : had the Genius of the Universs been fashioned by them , we might hardly have seen produced all those monuments of Vertue , Glory and Nobleness , which now are extant in those who are like to do nothing but satisfy their humour and appetite , and quarrel with those things they cannot minde : and the world ought to look upon them as no other , but such who in Countries lying low , let in the Sea upon them , to drown all the possessions of greatest Value ; thinking such an extravagancy sufficiently recompenced , by having thereby an opportunity , to row the small Pinaces of their fancyes , trimmed with the Flag and Saile of their Poetry , over the buryed magnificencies and honours of their Fathers . Marriage laid the foundation , and first principle of civil Society ; it was a Yoake for which the neck of innocence was not too soft and delicate ; and a condition governed by unerring vertue , had yet need of these allotments , as to the advantages and improvements of Society . And that which Marriage appropriated , was the first proclaiming of Mine and Thine ; the Earth was common ▪ and the injoyments of it had an undistinguished right , whilst the concernments of the Bed were sacred and seperate : and even in those natures , the most ruined and decayed , there are yet the remaines of this old inclination , which shew themselves in jealousies , and a desire to possess alone the fancyed objects ; and in all things else we can allow a sharer , but in the interests of our Love : conquest , repine , and violence divided the portions of the Earth , but nature seperated Marriage ; against which it is the highest crime to complain of so just an institution , and of such equal allowances . That condition through the Ages it has travelled ▪ has often met with those rudenesses and unkindnesses , as have made it suffer , and lost its respect , but if mankind would reassume that obsequiousness and observance which it ought to receive , we should find it again restored to all its former renown and veneration : that Institution , like Power , owes its glory to the respect is paid it , whilst every thing that is neglected , is by that scorn rendered cheap and contemptible ; and any disesteem which Marriage lyes under , is not from the inconveniencies that are found in it , but only arises from the incivility of those times that forbear to respect it : if some Persons would studdy to do it Justice , we should find it again with the same votaryes about it , and not like dethron'd Monarchs , without its state and unattended . Some not generous as they ought , have put affronts upon Marriage , and a desire of their reputations , have produced in others the fellowship of their crime ; scrupling not at all to share in their Vices , so they might but participate of their glory : these are the Factions bandying against Marriage , who loseth the memory of their Fathers , that minded nobler things , can think of nothing better then the most disingenuous and dishonourable divertisments . But I believe , I have said enough to vindicate the justness of Marriage ; and there is that in every mans mind that will assist the endeavour . As the principle which continues nature , is of all things the most excellent and generous , so that which makes the continuance happy and advantagious , must not be contemptible : the seeds of being in other Creatures are as powerfull , as Lyons and Tygers , who leave their young to inherit their quitted beings , and the Desarts where they govern'd : The Stag communicates to his Off-spring , his swiftness , and a long life , but the Rational beings , are not only continued in their kind , but in their use and glory by the disciplin of Marriage : and it has not only perpetuated Generations , and the variety of Ages , but conveyed along with succession the pleasures and the interests of it ; it has not only laid the foundations of vast and puissant Empires , of lesser Signories and States ; but rendered them usefull , civil , and excellent , it has given births to succesfull and flourishing Arts ; and not only fixed their constellations , but also pointed the circles where they shed their Influence , it has managed the high-Mettle , and feirceness of Witt , and made that easy to be governed , which might else have proved too unruly for them that used it . To this we owe the original and excellency of Learning , which has taught wisdom and civility to barbarous Nations ; whose wilder influence , like that of Comet , had pointed nothing but ruine and disorders to the world , had it not rose in the circles of Marriage . He was once rocked in the Cradle , whose Philosophy and Science , after travell'd to the confines of night and day ; who riseing in the sphear of Marriage , shed a quiet influence , over all that Land and Water knew . An indulgent Mother in her lap , first bound the tender head of a famous Conquerour , who after wore the Laurels of so ▪ many victoryes , conveying with her milk and her caresses , a sweetness that charmed the fury of his blood . Whilst Ambition , Warr , and Distempers still emptyed the world , Marriage supplyed it with other inhabitants , who took up , through the track of the same Education , the affairs and interests of their Fathers . VVhen by the death of some excellent Person , mankind have been deprived of great advantages and blessings , some others have rose up , and equal'd if not excell'd the vertue of their Fathers . When Countries have been widdowed and drooped over the loss of anindulgent Prince , they have had restored in a successour , the freshness of their wither'd joyes : and the designes of a vast Empire , left in an imperfect draught , has been finnished by the succeeding hand with all the beauties and imbellishments of Power . An increasing Nation , living too straight in narrow Regions , have under the conduct of some Hero , sought more commodious places , whoe 's generous designes have been so farr perfected by his successours , as to become one of the fairest Empires of the world : and it has been found , that mingling Nations , whose Lines have been perplexed with other communions , have never done any thing whereby to be renown'd : those places that have suffered incursions , where they have not bravely distinguished and united their own blood , have presently lost the sence and name of glory ; which sacred title of blood , has been the great motive to the most Heroick atcheivements ; how did the world behold and admire an invincible obstinacy in the resolutions of the Capuan , because he could not betray the glory of a Roman : the respect and dignity of blood , is preserved no where but in the Channels of Marriage ; and the Child only reveres the vertue of a just Parent . The sence of glory , not bounded in those sacred Spheares , had wandered till it had spent its influence , and fallen shot upon the Earth . Marriage holds the Idaea neerer , and inbellisht with that sence which makes it sacred ; Emulation sees it a far off , and viewes it only with indifference , to which the inclination is but fortuitous and uncertain ; but we carry it in our bosome , when we have received it from our Fathers . He that looks upon the four great Empires of the World , will find that they flourished then with greatest bravery , when they were most vertuous , and that their greatuess declined with their Morals : the Assyrian Empire was succeeded by the Persian ; which by its strange Luxuries and Effeminacies , became so easy , a Prey to the armes of Alexander , and by effeminate Ages , are no where meant the Uxorious , for they were ever manly and gallant , but those that gave themselves up to the dishonours of that Sex , when the Persian Empire was destroyed , he that put out its light , was too careless of preserving his own ; whose successes and a bold spirit , being all that was remarkable in him , found not in his Riot and his Wantonness , the leisure to think of continuing what he had acquired ; by which meanes that Power , being left without an Heir , but what was suspitious , and not respected by himself , the violence of its after Administrators , soon laid it low ; who shareing of their Masters temper , as they did of his Successes , were only the pursuers of a mad glory ; few of them leaving a name in Power , who had yet the possibility to have done so much to acquire it . After this rose the Roman , the best built , and supported , and of the largest extent : spreading the wings of its dreadfull Eagles over the face of the whole Earth , being the noblest and most exact draught of Power , that the memory of Man has known : its vertue was the most usefull and generous ; its Arts the most pleasing and excellent , and its Spirit the most persevering and great , that any times have shown , that were barely Vertuous , with its religious Respect amongst other things , to Marriage , and by the gravity of its Morals , it stood in a long succession , at once the terror and the delight of the world : all Nations , either courting its friendship , or trembling at its Armes , but when it was governed by such Princes as Nero , and Caligula , it yeilded to those Vices from which it could never recover it self ; but by little and little declined , till that greatness on which the world had waited , and which it had served , laid it self down ingloriously in the languishing armes of Austria ; where it remains , with none of its mighty Qualities about it ; and though in the times of Silla , and Caesar , it suffered much by Ambition , yet it had then still a remedy to equal the disease ; and whilst its peace was boldly assaulted by one Hero , it was as bravely defended by another : by which is easily raised a confutation of their vain opinion , who maintain softness and effeminacy to be the great security of a Nations Peace , since nothing can more discourage the attempts of the most skilfull vertue , against the p●ace of Kingdomes , then the Reflexions which it makes upon the vigour of those 〈◊〉 qualities . So Alexander despaired of Persia , whilst the Rhodian liv'd , neither has any Nation assisted an Heroick perfection to its own loss , since though some of it may be imployed ungratefully against it , yet it alwaies at the same time receives the effects of the others acknowledgement . If we should quit this great Ocean , we have traced , and take a view of all the lesser Currents of dominion , that have run through every Age , we shall find that Marriage was the Fountain from whence flowed that Vertue , which was assisting and propitious to them . But we will leave that stream , and open a prospect into the affairs of Learning , which as it has rose in times serious and modest , so it did only receive respect and incouragement from those ages : Philosophers governed Republiques in Greece , but they lost not only their raputation , but their blood in the effeminate dayes of Nero. Sciences never took birth but in grave and prudent times , whilst the scurrilous and wanton wit , was ever esteemed in idle Ages . In those dayes , Poetry and the looseness of the Theater , the debauches , and the excrements of Wit , were only valued and admired ; and they received Elogies and Laurels , who invented new wayes of Debauchment , or that could express themselves with the greatest smartness on Letchery and Extravagance : VVit and Beauty , have ever shared one Fare in the world ; when they are happily espoused to noble and illustrious Subjects ; or else given up to prostitution and dishonour ; neither have the lustfull Ages of the world dealt more barbarously with that blushing Sex , then with this virgin quality : and in how many productions transmitted from several times , shall we see the most excellent and vigorous fancyes , prostituted to the most base and detested Subjects , which infelicity they received from those times in which they lived , and they might have been more happy , had they conversed with nobler Theams . Thus the reputation of Learning , and excellent Arts have fell and declined for want of Estimation ; whilst all applyed themselves to those things that procured the fame and applause , nothing is since the corruption of nature so pernicious and extravagant as VVit ; neither has any thing done the world greater mischief then that quality : it has put Nations into flames , fil'd with wounds the bosome of the Church ; whether it has presided in Camps , managed designes in Courts ; or hatched errous in low-rooft - Cloysters : in all which places , the world has felt the smart of its cruelty : it has somtimes ruin'd by boysterous and bloody actions ; at others by softness and flatteries : it has wound it self into all Interests and Affairs ; and when it is not permitted to insult , to brave it , and to manage important concernments ; it conceales it self , by a peculiar subtilty and bashfulness , from whence unsuspected it ruines and devours : but this quality , thus pernicious and unruly , becomes much more sober and usefull in the temperaments of Marriage . And that which they call the dulling of the fancy , and the checking of the happy vigour , is but a casheiring of that madness , which all Ages have been bound to curse . VVhen the world was busied in matrimoniall Concernments , Learning opened it self in all the flourishes of a happy Knowledge ; spreading to Heaven its Branches , and through Earth its Roots : the easy and effeminate VVit , was put out of countenance by the gravity of that appearance , and submitted willingly to more excellent affairs , to gain esteem and reputation . Some men might have the fame of greater Learning , but the Oracle pronounced Socrates the wisest Man of Greece . And to come neerer our to times , where shall we find in any ages , so much sottishness and a dark ignorance , as in those , that first a●lowed the solitary lives of Preists , in which they gave a Proofe not of their continence , but their vices . Those dareing men , who with their inhumane Decrees , controled the influences of Nature ; and could at their pleasure stem the Rapid Humidity : which dull Subjects of their bold experiments , they deposited in Cloysters , those Stoves ( too many of them ) of wretched Lusts ; which by the practices of beastly Crimes , appeared no other then the Jaques of the world . In those Ages the Sun of Learning suddenly clapt in , and that duller day oppeared little better then a night of knowing nothing ; whilst the world seemed led by idle Phantasmes and foolish Illusions ; preferring dreames full of unprofitable Aenigma's , before the sentiments of waking ages . Those who were not serious were mad and unruly , those whose interests it was to appear solemn , were dull and blockish ; as if with the opinion , they had lost the learning of their Ancestours ; and justly were those times infatuated , that gave so great a wound to the noblest affairs of Nature : neither could so bold an injunction have dared to appear in times less dark and sooty . So that Learning seems only to have loved the society of Uxorious and modest ages , and to have received increase and favour from them . Marriage was moreover a modell of the after governments of the VVorld : the dominion of a Parent in his Family , is a true representation of the government of a just Prince , who is the father of his Country : men in this mirrour might have seen the agreeableness of Power and Empire ; and with better inclinations might become obedient to an universall head , whilst they plainly could perceive 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 be approved , men would never have been willing to have parted with the most extravagant parts of their Liberty , but all desires of Soveraignty would have been opposed as Injustice and Tyranny ; but by Marriage , and the issue of the Bed , men had within themselves a Lordship and Dominion , and the advantages of that evidently appearing , the intention of some excellent Person , and his desires to protect Countries and Provinces , and to be their universal Head and Parent , was not received with that aversion , as they must have been , had they wanted those advantagious Presidents : and I know not how to believe , that all the Dominions of the Earth were founded in absolute Tyranny : and that they had at first no design of the good of Nations , which was accidentall , and found necessary for the security and quiet of Power ; since it is impossible for any Country to injoy Peace , Riches , or Profit , without the superiority of some or other . Marriage drew the Idaea of Power , and imbellished it with those advantages that made it more pleasant to mankind , then had it been the rough draught of command , laid only in black and bloody Colours : with what abhorrance had they took the prospect of Dominion , if they had only seen it design'd by ambition , with all the furies of Death and Battles ; with a sullen and imperious look , having nothing about it propitious and affable , but ravenous and injurious : but in the frame of Wedlock , it appears friendly and obligeing , reconcileing the thoughts of subjection , whilst it flourishes in all the sweetness of security and profit . It represents to us , that the thoughtfulness and the cares of Rule , are not in themselves so excellent as the repose and pleasures of obedience , and he which injoyes his benefits secured to him , has rather what he should acknowledge with gratitude , then emulate in the industry and cares of his Governour ; who though he weares more splendid Titles , yet his watchings and his thoughtfulness , cover with paleness the tempting beauties of the other ; none would desire to rule , that see the Luxuries of Power cut off by Lawes , and presidid over by the wakeing designs for the common good : and like the Children of a Family , they willingly allow the Parent his command , whilst they receive a maintenance and protection . In shor● , it affords to mankind a convincing Proofe , that command and subjection are dispositions that may dwell together with great friendlyness and advantage ; and that the world could not tell how to be without their mingling Interests ; except not only all respect and decorum was thrown out of it , but also , every thing of profit and repose , and the thirst of all command took place . Neither has Marriage been less propitious to Kingdomes in particular , then to the whole world in General . Whilst it brought in the grant foundation of their peace and quiet . 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 and subjection : many men are sometimes tempted to be the instruments of fatall disorders to a Nation ; whilst they have nothing to suffer but themselves in the calamities of ill success : few are so brutish , as to have no regard to the wellfare of those they love ; who would by Treason cut from his Children a brave Estate , and leave them nothing but Poverty and the reproaches of his Crime to inherit : and we find that those who have ye● been misled to these actions , did dye with no thoughts more tender about them , then what were took from the calamities of their Children ; and though some have broke through all these considerations and have neglected their dearest interests , yet that dos not disprove the force they usually have upon our minds : 't is providing for those that come after us , which makes us industrious , and somtimes peaceable and vertuous too ; what man would not be shook , and feel some remorse in his defignes and projects of Ruine , that 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 , cryes , let the world stand and fall with me , and we have good reason to believe , that the unmarried lives of the Romish Priests , have been the causes of great calamities and disorders in Kingdomes , who are entertain'd in all Cabals of that nature , like the Jewes in the Turkish Councels , for the peculiar aversion which they bear to the tranquility of Nations . Men who have too much leisure , and too little dependance on a common interest , will freely play away their own share in any Kingdome , by its ruine , whilst there are so many Cloysters in other places to protect and receive them : which appear the black Treasuries of fatal Events their Guardians and Superiors flinging about those kindled fire-Brands , to inflame the world , who if they had a Family , and an interest settled to mind , would with less facility be disposed to act the Papall designs ; and 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 delight ▪ then those do who care only for themselves and their present satisfaction : Nay , there is a peculiar wandering humour , and a disposition of unrest in the single life ; and whilst the thoughts have no certain aime to which to direct them , they are ever feeting and unconstant : and the wo●ld from shaded Cloysters , has seen emitted the most unquiet and restless Principles , whilst men dwelling in a perpetuall tranquility themselves , knew not how else to imploy their leisure , cursed from above , as lazy and unworthy , but by intangling and perplexing the affairs of the Earth : from these disguized men , have Empires felt Convulsions and dolefull Changes , which like fire disguized in Snow , insensible destroyed their peace ; whilst the veneration of their dissembled Sanctity protected them from the suspition of such devouring Principles . Marriage made men intent on the business of a Family , and endeavour to themselves that tranquility and repose which a just Government affords them ; because they may by those advantages injoy the contentments and the interests of their families . But the single life , is usually inclined to innovations and shiftings of Power ; because that variety whilst it pleases , it also injures none of those concernments bound up in a single Person : they may defend themselves from the wound aimed at a solitary breast , who could not so well protect the bosome of many ; which under the conduct of a just care , and affection , would partake of an equal tenderness . Whilst War desplayes its bloody Enfignes to trembling Regions , whilst it covers with the Menaces of many deaths the bosome of a Nation , what tragique Scenes are presented to the tender and affectionate , who whilst they are immortal in their own resolutions , yet dye often for their relations in cruel apprehensions ; and dread the roling Torrent , as bringing so unusual & so unkind a fate , in the losing of more lives then one ; whilst they indure a death , must be survived by sence . And for the other advantages of Power , which are union of mindes the Uxorious man opposes errours with the greatest force , & extravagancies ( those blandishing and soft destroyers of Nations ) with a passionate industry , because though he may himself withstand the assault , yet he fears their prevalency on those he loves ; those cruel opinions , that have set Nations on flames , and those Cyrcean vices that have charmed and devoured , have been by none so resolutely opposed , as by him who protects a Family from all their assaults . It afforded moreover to mankind , the honour and delight of a hopefull Issue : nothing was esteemed of old , more an honour then 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 in the Histories of Ages , had they not been the Parents of Children , who were famous ; every Parent receives an honour from the Vertues , and the celebrated qualities of his off-spring ; t is a reputation to have been the roote that bare those Flowers , whose fairness and sweetness were pleasant to the whole World : and if one Age like an unkind spring has but weakly assisted the births of a Family , possible the next , has recompenced the defect by a double propitiousness ; causing that Race to be renown'd in the following Generations , that was not valued in the former , whilst all those Honours and Applauses , are not bestowed without a just Reflexion on the Parent that bare them : neither is the delight any thing inferior , 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 them , whom we have brought into the world our selves ? to be the Parents of those that may prove succesfull instruments for the good of Mankind , 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 Families : next to those interests which we owe above , nothing is so noble , so good , and so commendable , as to prosecute in wayes of Justice and Honour , the interests of our Family : in the pursuit of which has also been raised , all or most of the glorious Triumphs of vertue , Courage and Industry that the world has known ; at least they have on that account received a more excellent and valued name then any other Interests could have given them ; and who only for the flashes of a short fame , would with the hazzard of his own life , have alter'd the government of Kingdomes , have added remote as well as neighbouring Provinces to the tribute of his Throne ; who would have exposed himself to the various accidents of the Deep , and have sought unknown Treasures in Countries barbarous unconquered and untraversed , if he had not hoped to have left them as the Patrimony of his Family ? and thus on Death-beds , have great , as well as serious men , left such excellent instructions to their Children of keeping up the honour and reputation of their Names , as if the interest they should take in it remain'd beyond the Grave : Agrippina doted so much on the Imperial dignity of her Son Nero , as to cry out , Occidat modo imperet : let Me Dye so He may Reign . Neither have those who by rashness and ambition , fell into calamity , received more mournful apprehensions , then what they took from a reflexion on their Families . And nothing is more remarkable , then that Tragedy , which the wretched Gamester acted on himself ; to which he was transported by the torment of such Reflexions . Who sees not with an agreeable pleasure , his name spread and flourish in a vertuous off-spring , errected there by living Monuments to serve the immortality of Ages , whilst others have vainly contrived it , in actions of their valour ; or in magnificent Graves : the first slumbering in the imbellishments of History , where it is only admired ; the other is somtimes resorted to by the curious Wanderer , who observes the workmanship without appearing concern'd for the shaded Ashes : the noble Greek , who wanting Issue , was forced to adopt his Victories , to perpetuate his Name , knew well enough , that they were a barren and distressed off-spring , and which must be forced to live on the benevolence of Pedants , and the charity of Ages : whilst a Son might have maintained through succession , that glory in the Sun-shine of generous actions , which was forced to retire to a shade . Neither do they urge any thing important , who object the miscarriage of some mens Issue , since that is a precaution not at all allowed in the concernments of the world : and never to attempt for fear of a miscarriage , is a distrust only prevalent with the ignoble : if at any time the glory of a Race may be under a cloud for one Generation , it may yet in the next shine out with a charming lustre and brightness . That Parent is just and wise , who leaves the Principle , and Providence to fashion the increase ; and he takes the conduct from a better hand , who is unreasonably fearful of the Events to come : neither would any truly studious of the interests of Nature , and the advantages of an off-spring , impede both , by such vain fears . Who neglects the rich Voyages of the Indias , because some have suffered Ship-wrackes ? neither do any decline to reap Laurels in the Field , because they grow with Cypress . To be guided by the present just and pleasing inclination , and to leave the success to the conduct above us , is the only management can give contentment & pleasure to mortal men . Children are the most excellent way of pertuateing our memory , and to afford us the delight of seeing our selves preserved from a sudden forgetfull , and we may well submit to the satisfaction of such thoughts , without troubling our selves with future miscarriages . Marriage does also perpetuate the memory and dignity of vertue . It is true it somtimes happens that a Son is not only 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 live in the Children , having the advantages of their examples and instructions ; and at least , if their vertue is much the weaker , yet supported by the Fathers memory , it becomes strangely usefull beloved and respected in the world : the Children of some Men , who have been the Authors of great benefits and good offices to Kingdomes , have served many happy occasions in the world , who yet have had no great Merit of their own to boast off : nothing is so much idolized , nor respected by the generality of People as a mighty Name ; and a vertue possible in it self much the greater , found in a Person not famous , cannot yet do those things which the bare reputation of some others is able to perform : In the Civil Wars of France , the authority of a Prince of the Blood , could easily hush those commotions , & produce that obedience to Discipline , which all the courage , arts and perswasions of inferior Captains could never do . He that erects triumphs of Glory and Honour , does not only inshrine himself where he is adored , but sets his Posterity in a sacred place : and with his only Name , appeases the mutinyes of Armies , presides in Courts , and keeps the affairs of the world in order . How had the world suffered , if a Person , who by many generous actions became the darling of Mankind , neglecting to transmit a Copy , from so beloved & glorious an Original , had set at once , in his Being , & his Race . In antient Wars , Infants have been carryed to incourage Battles , thereby , with their unactive blood strangly animateing the veins of others . And it has moreover , been found to work much upon the disposition of humane nature , a kind of gallant affection , for the memory of some glorious Person , left to the guidance of a tender hand : such Efforts served the Race of the African , and the Gothick Hero : procuring to the world this , believe and benefit together , that he which leaves his vertue an Orphan , may have erected for it , the Hospitals of stately Tombs , and the Panegyricks of History ; but he that would have it lasting and usefull , as well as admired must leave it to his Issue , where in the active Torrent of generous performances , it may accumulate , the same glory and esteem it found in the dayes of an Ancestour , to be only admired is a barren advantage , to be useful and to be beloved , is what the truly noble rather covet : which is found in the vertues and good offices of our Race . Marriage did also inlarge the Sphear , and establish occasions of practical Vertue . He that is marryed has more campass , 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 marryed ( by the force of imbraces causes ) lives to those Generations which stand next , the worlds last Calenture and burning fit . Pompey did not only fight himself for the Liberty of Rome , 'till he was its greatest and mighty Sacrifice , but left also those gallant Sons , who bravely endeavoured to revive it when faint and dying . The practical vertues that belong to this life , as they are more , so they are more considerable in the marryed State ; Speculation how ever 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 benefit of the generall world : infinite thinking , that designes no other advantage 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 affairs , remain 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 Idaeas , that were never yet alter'd by action ; and which are equally unprofitable to themselves and others . But he that has the interests of a Family , to mind , and more substantial concernments then a name , which like the Camelion , lives on Air , bounds with those happy limits the extravagancies of his fancy . And the things he has to manage , consist in most particulars of the best vertue , & the most practicall advantages that 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 ; & without doubt , the world had wanted the greatest part of its illustrious Presidents of vertue , had not the affections and tendernesses of these Relations , been the Motives and powerfull Inducements to them : many indeed , ( but unjustly ) cry out of Marriage , as a condition of care and perplexities , and celebrate single living , for its freedom and repose : but first , let us ask them , who ever found in a mortal State , that tranquility they have pretended to admire : perplexities and troubles have as well invaded the shades of the most quiet Recesses as the affairs and activities of Families : and who can shew us that condition of life under the Sun , that is even and undisturbed ? If Marriage has caresit has no more then other conditions ; Nay possibly they are more supportable in the gravity and charm of those concernments , then where they assault mad and wild humour , weary of every thing . But then let us tell them , moreover , that it has advantages , blessings , and societies that they have not attained : if they can shew us the life of some rude Philosopher , who in his retirements from the World , boasted of quiet and repose , ( though that has appeared not Gallantry , but Sullenness in him ) we can shew them many examples of glorious men , living not only contentedly , but admired and beloved in the tyes of Matrimony , spreading their useful qualities over the Universe ; whilst the Stoick has permitted his vertue to droop and wither , in the shade of his own humour : besides difficult and hard acquirements are the triumphs of vertue , that mind shines with no Lustreat all , which has not been brightned with difficult affairs , owing ( as the Body ) its vigour and strength to motion and labour . Moreover , the triumph is the sweetest that is purchased with the most industry ; the ambitious looks on those acquirments with contempt which are easily got , and loves the highest steps , because it is the hardest coming there . And such Motives have we received from above , to procure advantages to the world , that nothing relishes better to the mind ; nor is received with greater esteem and applause , then difficult Services : the Romans ever loaded those with Triumphs , at their return home , and erected them Statues , who had served the Common-wealth in the greatest dangers and toyles : so that to speak ill of Marriage , only out of a humour of repose and sluggishness , is to own the greatest reproach and scandall in the world . When they passed by the house of that great Senator , who retired from the gallant affairs of the Republique , and spent his time in a dreaming idleness , they use to say , here Vatia lyes buryed ▪ whom have all Ages allowed for Heros ? whom have they Deified and serv'd with Altars ? not the lazy and the speculative , not the boysterous and injurious , but those who applyed themselves to court humane Race with kindnesses and benefits : and they have met with the most lavish Elogies and Praises , who were the most lavish of their Blood and Abilities to oblige the world . Now he that acts with the multiplicity of Instruments , is capable of effecting more , then he that contrives one end ; how great soever the sufficiency of one man may be , yet he shines but with a solitary Vertue , without the erradiations of an off-spring : Neither has the Coate of Nobleness been perfectly blazon'd , but with our Issue . An excellent person may do much for the world with his own sufficiency , but he doubly obliges it , who in a Seminary of Heroes , is continually propitious to it ; & then as for the particular Exercises of virtue in that condition , we shall find them no where to have such powerful Motives : For whom was reserved the Conquest of Latium , and the foundations of an Empire , which Phoenix like , rose richer from the Ashes of Ilium , but for that Aeneas , who with so exemplary a Piety , bore his Father through the Flames ; by which he became more Renown'd , then Hector that defended , and Achilles that assented Troy. Rome once owed its being and its safety , to the authority and perswasions of a Mother , and that Hero received from his duty a temperament of mind , hard to be found in successes , and at the head of Armies : Neither could the present Conquest and Revenge , have so much served the glory of Coriolanus , as that famous Act of his duty ; nothing is so noble as the pity which presides on the power to ruine , and Rome had doubtless wanted its effects , had it not been inspired by a revered Eloquence . The Barbarian though no death unwelcome , but accompanied with the assassination of his Brother , and he could support without regret the company of his own fate , who would willingly have fled from that of his Relation . If the Poets have not framed artificially the Scene of the generous Corinthian , she owed all those charming Actions they have celebrated , to the Idea's of her duty ; neither was her Rival defective in the beauty and life of those performances , but only by the want of the ascendant : And there are infinite other Instances in the occurrencies of Ages that acknowledge particular Obligations to the Matrimonial Relations . It did moreover assist Mankind with a mind vigorous , and constant in its Circles . Virtue loses its lustre and strength , when it is obliged to wander in 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 , nor a nobleness all of a piece , as amongst those who have been happy in this Relation , and great Lovers of the Interests of it : Some men may have exceeded in politick Arts , and in the Stratagems of Conquest ; but I very much question , whether ever any Age ( in the Heathen world ) brought forth any thing more excellent or more beloved , then the virtue of Pompey , and Brutus ; men not only Religiously prizing the Married state , but such as were blessed with the Society of those women , that for the returns of love and kindness were famous in every Generation . We choose Friendship , as a Field for virtue to reap advantages , in , and none but retired and trecherous Natures will be without the blessings of that ; but beyond all question , that Friendship is the noblest , bound in the surest Ligaments , and penetrates more the recesses of the Heart , that is commenced in Marriage , then 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 sound women , whose heads are filled with the crabbed notions of Philosophy , who have no great insight into insignificant and unsociable Arts , the knowledge of these things could constitute nothing but barren and ridiculous friendships ; that which is more generous , more pleasant and useful , is as well to be found in that Sex , as in our own ; who that is wise , expects in this Relation , a jumping of Knowledge and Capacities , or an agreement with all our Chimera's and Punctilio's , is she unfit for that society , who cannot chop Logick with the Scholer ? that cannot please the Historian with giving him an account of the Original of Empires where the Sun rises , no● the affairs of Kingdoms , where the Sun goes down , or that cannot name him the Fields where have been fought famousest Battels , nor tell those Conquerors , that there swept into their Lap , the mighty stakes of the worlds Monarchy ; or that though she can love as well as Portia and Cornelia ; yet they cannot recount him the particular Gallantries of those Roman Ladies , they must surely make a very fantastick Standard , who measure the fitness of that Relation by such an odd agree ableness : Humane Race is to be supported and rendred happy by a substantial virtue , and not by little Punctilios and affectations ; It has been such Whimseys that have lost the excellent affairs of the world , and men placing their contentments in such idle likenesses , have neglected , to pursue what were the most , useful concernements of humane Life . Nature has set out the measure by which that Sex is found fit for our Society , which consists of something more important then the pleasing of our vain humours : the Interests of the world were at first common , and men intended the good of the whole ; but the envy , the capriciousness and sullenness of after-times , made infinite inclosures , and men laid out all that stock on the little portions of their sa●y , which should have been imployed in the publick Banke of the Universe : And whilst they have pretended to refine humane Society ; They have made its profitable Affairs evaporate into nothing ; neither have they left any thing of those grave and prudent Interests ; but some wild and thin Idea's , which they have in sport , hunted through the barren Regions of Philosophy , and along the fairy Traverses of Poetry . Marriage has also appeared excellent for the education of Mankind , which was the next thing important to his being ; without that , as his Affairs now stand , he had come into the world an Extravagant , abhorring Laws , and the Regularities of Society , and his Reason rising at an Age after his mind had been rude and barbarous for want of discipline , it would not easily have been able to subdue the wildness of his youth : Nay , all its performances , had been but ill and imperfect Draughts , whilst it wanted compleated Images and Idea's to draw by , its natural propensities would have designed something , but the world cou'd never have known what to have called it ; but Marriage has been in all Ages the Repository of discipline , and excellent Idea's : in its School , they are not only taught but revered ; heat is learned modesty , respect and subjection , affectation and stubbornness are betimes cashiered , the fleeting and inconstant fancy directed to an aim , and kept steddy by a peculiar authority ; Marriage is the Garden where the Flowers of Youth are preserved in their freshness and vigour , whereas the open discipline of the world is like the rudeness of a desart , where they grow wild , and neglected , the sense of shame , and the fear of vice are preserved under this management , and influenced from this lower Sphear , whilst the general defection had made them difficult to be seen above ; but besides , this condition has laid an Obligation on the Parent , to look after the Education of his Children ; and if there had not been such an instition , in which , it was both our duty and our reputation too to look after our Issue , the Children of many had been neglected , and perished without a name , or any considerable acquirements ; but now , those persons who have strangely overcome , and worn out the impression of what they owe to God , and their own affections are yet so careful of their reputation , and the esteem of their Race , as to Educate their Children in those ways by which they may be capable of serving the Common-wealth , and live with credit ; had not Marriage been instituted , when the lustful youth had satisfied his appetite , 't is likely he would have abandoned the wretched Mother with her Infant , to the incoumers of various sorrows , and the Children of the great and the Noble , had been Rocked in Cottages , and all their dayes followed the Plough ; but now there are sacred Channels cut , in which one stream of peculiar and distinguished Blood , perpetually runs from one Generation to another ; and we find , that even the most extravagant and voluptuous , are yet careful of that current ; using all the industry imaginable to make it noble and imbelished ; thinking it not enough to continue their greatness , but their virtues also ; They endeavour to fashion and to sweeten youth , that it may be grateful and accomplished , when it comes to be opened in the Affairs of the world , to this purpose are the severity of Chastisements , the variety of Instructions , and the representing of differing Examples ; not only those that have rendred virtue fair and agreeable ; but such also that shew a loathsomness , a degeneracy and abhorrency in vice , by such variety of Wayes , fashioning them into the habit of excellent qualities ; which performances have set so many accomplished Persons into the world , who if they had met with Parents less careful , they might have missed that esteem and veneration which Ages have paid them : It is true , that the force of a Genius sometimes supplies the defect of a Parent ; but where they both assist , are the most excellent pieces of humane perfection ; and though Nature often does much , yet we many times find , that those persons are to seek in the turnes of Humane Affairs , and in the artful Traverses of Glory , who have not been very well furnished with great variety of Images : and from hence has rose the defect that spoil'd the whole frame of an Heroick virtue , design'd by some persons . In some Men we have observed a strange assiduity in the quest of glorious Atchievments , whilst yet a diligent Reminder , will see more of affection and earnestness , then a handsome dexterity in that pursuit . There is a sleight in all Humane Affairs ; which though Nature may sometimes happen on it , yet can never hit it with so much certainty and success as Art ; and hence it is , that a great draught of an Heroick virtue is fain to be taken from so many , because no one person appears furnisht with all those various Colours . Some men have excelled for the number and Art of their Conquests ; but the world has seen them subdued by a power from the Rostra . Achilles's Shield was after won by a virtue , different from that in which its owner excelled : the crafty Italian , with his single Conduct , wound about the bravery and vigour of the French Affairs , which perfection in any endowment , has arose from a happy Education , meeting with a good Genius , and where it willingly declines an accomplishment , it yet submits to the force of the discipline . So that to Marriage the world ows the Education of Mankind , and by consequence their fitness and usefulness to Humane Affairs , which is a great advantage , because the security of having our Issue well educated , is thereby established , and that care taken for the coming Generation , which our fathers had of ours ; which is so important a reflection in the Series of succession . Marriage did moreover prevent the inconveniencies and extravagancies of a rambling Love ; for what disorder and distraction had there been in the world , if an impetuous and lawless appetite had been subject to no Conduct ; but that the fancy placing it self upon any Object , had presently transported the owner to all manner of violent actions ; To serve its mad desires ; Cities had been consumed to Ashes , Houses left desolate , or filled with groans , only for the ravishment of a beautious 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 been a sufficient Title to the Objects we had coveted , and we had 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 Humane Society , and what with running to publick Houses of Lust , the contriving secret Cabals , and private assignations , the Animosities and Jealousies of Rivalship , the prodigality of amorous addresses , had took up all that time , and bafled all those advantages with which they should have serv'd their Generations : Whilst they had followed these designs , ill humour , 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 Governments knew they should have little Order and less 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 Poligamy and many Loves have been allowed , the serious and the wise are grown weary of their liberty , as producing those distractions , which unfit the mind for other things ; Neither would the disorders of that passion have only been injurious to the present times , but have extreamly wronged posterity ; which we may perceive by the Extravagants of this Age , who live in a strang neglect of those that come after them : They care not what becomes of the next Generation ▪ so they may Riot and live voluptuously in this ; they have received by succession a travelling Interest ; which they are to transmit downward , it being to journey through all the Ages of the world , but by their Extravagancies and excesses by their new wit , and their modish vices , they forget its affairs , they affront its gravity , they stop its progress , and it is like to be known by after years with less esteem and veneration ; and this is that Age which is like to be branded amongst all the Lustres of succession , as the most disingenuous that ever was , who have answered the Remonstrances of the worlds important Interests with Rialdry , and a lasciviou Song ; they have affronted them by the most unworthy practices , & gave them to understand , that the divertisements of Drolls and Buffoons were more valued by them , then the gravity and prudence of their Fathers : and these sottish incounters appear the consequences of the neglect of Marriage , by which the bosom of civil Affairs has received those wounds , which the dexterity and skill of coming Ages will not easily Cure : that neglect and lightness , that preposterousness and inadvertency in our concernments , as have brought upon the world so much disorder and inconveniece : No man makes it his business to be serious in any thing , but to railly with diversion and mockery , even his poverty and want , which are all deplorable effects , of that injustice that the present times have done to Marriage . In fine , that condition has applied the minds of men to that industry and care , which as they have contributed to the peace and the repose of the universe ; so they have produced those excellent things , that became pleasant and dear to humane Race ; the productions that have been besides it , were rather for splendour then use , and a gay show , without the company of real profit : The world has been diverted with pleasant Idea's , with a fair arrangment of amiable things ; but the performances of this condition , have exhibited what was useful and necessary . The wanton humour , and the airy fancy may be pleased by the solitary Hero's , but the uxorious have intended the good of mankind ; and if we diligently survey the Interest of the world , we shall find them fitted for the Society of the married life , and that they must receive a stop and a prejudice by the introducing of other concernments ; the constitution of them must be changed , and a new habit introduced , before the world can look well under the practice of different opinions : How happily it has succeeded with these Experiments , what it has come to under the Discipline of such a practice , will sufficiently appear , by looking backward ; the Powers it has established ; the mingling Interest it has confirmed ; the mutual stock of benefits it has setled ; and the great tranquility of all things ; sufficiently prove , that nothing could have been more propitious to the world then that condition : Neither does it serve less effectually our particular Affairs ; if we look beyond the contentments of a present and a fading appetite to those which arise from a long succession , stretched with esteem and reputation : to live when we are dead and gone , in a happy issue , is much better , then only for some Moments to be renowned , to set in the Circle of Marriage , agreeable Objects always to entertain our affection and our thoughts , is much happier , then by the little Artifices of time , to be ever subject to delusions ; who does not , that pretends to reason , take more pleasure in managing the Interests of a Family , and a lasting name , then in humouring a short lived inclination : and such Affairs have happily assisted the virtue of many persons , who thus diverted an injurious leasure ; and as the Poet ascribed , the effeminacy of the Greek to his idleness ; so the want of a just Interest to manage , has brought in most of those inconveniences that are found in the world ; and that pleasantness and gayness , which is childishly called good humour , so much idolized in the single life , what is it but a trifling and strange impertinence ! a thing without all conduct and prudence , and after the follies of youth are over , even insupportable to those who have the most admired it : All excesses in nature usually produce the other extreams ; so the most aspiring Monarchs have often turned Fryers , shrouding the glories and lustres of Regal Majesty in the Sables of a Cloyster , and men excessively voluptuous , grow strangly neglectful and solitary when they are old : What judgment can we pass on this , any otherwise then that they lavishly spend the prudent stock of Nature , which becoming bankrupt by excessive practices , they are after forced to yield to those humours , which speak the wants and poverties of Nature . Marriage is suited to the just temperament of things ; whilst the other practices consist in those excesses that exhaust and debelitate nature ; which like ground too much used , grows languid and unfruitful , the mediocrity is that which was designed in the Affairs of the universe : And he who takes them out of that Channel , makes them overflow all things of prudence and advantage , neither will they be any longer useful and excellent when they grow irregular : It is enough , that by the allotments and discipline transmitted to us , we may live with solace and advantage ; but if we neglect those Rules , we can expect nothing but disorder and confusion . Marriage has hitherto defended the Interests and the repose of the world from an extravagancy that in all Ages has endeavoured to assault them : And whilst Mankind grow weary of so brave and successful a defence : It is well if they find out another equal to it , though it is very much to be feared , that those little Arts on which they rely , will soon let them see the errour of that fancy , when they must call to their assistance a greater force , then what their Poets , or their new Philosophers can bring them , and the sad effects of this gayness , and those Chymera's , will easily be resigned for the other useful and practical seriousness , then their modish humours , their refined and elevated fancies , their careless and unaffected fashioning of things , together with their couragious and profound searches into Nature , will appear the sleights of those Empericks that have undone the world , and if we shall not be capable of so much repentance as to curse our selves , our posterity will do it for us , for sending them into the world , rather fit for Hospitals , or for Bedlam , then the Affairs of a just and happy life : To whom the good nature of their fathers , for being so easily abused , will appear a horrid crime to their Issue , whilst they take to themselves what they called a wild pleasure , but left to these a serious smart , and they must apply themselves to that Marriage , that was injured and affronted by their Fathers , which can only free them from the Tyranny of those practices , to whom they had given the Dominion , whose novelty and great liberty so far prevailed upon them , as to forget their Obligations , and their own Affairs , and without any remorse to see Sacrificed the being of many Families , and the prosperity and contentment of others , whose wasts and ruines declare by whom they have been plundered ▪ Neither will that fantastick Discipline , under which they foolishly endeavour to put their extravagant practices , bring any security and benefit to the world , which besides its standing on an unjust foundation , can reach to nothing but a security from Bravos . Marriage knows all the Traverses and Turns of Humane Affairs , and stands on a foundation of Natures laying : Neither will that be transmitted down for right , that has been wrong and injustice in every Age : But we may imagine , they endeavour not to bring their designs to perfection , least they should too near resemble the abhorred Wedlock : they can hardly invent any thing wild enough , and debauched enough for their own practices , their appetites call upon them for new extravagancies ; and those who furnish them with variety , are at a loss to contrive fast enough to please them . Whilst we have thus Sir , drawn the Portrait of Marriage , and reckon'd up its advanages , if we reflect upon it , we shall find the injustice that some men have done it : As for those who admire unsociable and solitary tempers , they can have but slender Pleas to an excellent mind : Nature design'd no man to that vanity , as to be taken up with the contemplation of his own endowments , like the fantastick youth , who made love to , and died for himself : The only way to take a right view of our own good qualities , is to see them in less flattering Mirrours , and 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 ▪ all virtue is diffusive , and loves occasions to exercise its vivacy and vigour ; and what we carry about us , sufficiently declares that we were not designed to be happy alone , whilst both the solace of the mind , and an endeared life , consist in an union with something different ; the brightest Colours owe their vivacy to the shade , and Nature has set Virtue like Diamonds in Jet , within the Circle of difficult services : And I cannot remember , that ever the Cloyster , that great Receptacle of the drowsy life , did ever oblige the world by many excellent performances ; we know very well what poisoned Arrows have been shot from those Coverts , that have pained and enraged the bosom of many Ages ; but they are yet to give a proof their kindness to Humane Nature , and their present carelesness and vices , have put us beyound all hope of expecting it . But yet , it is another sort of speculation , which we are to accuse in these reflections . Some there are , who with great folly and injustice , make Marriage the subject of their reproaches ; we do not accuse any for embracing the single life , whose Virtue is strong enough to bear them through all the hazards of youth and inclination , but yet , those who do this , ought to let it be with less pride and affectation : But that is the strange rudeness of the present sentiments , to mock at all practices that are different from their own ; and though such light discourses will weigh very little with wise and prudent Persons , yet unexperienced youth is apt to be affected with things confidently delivered , though there be sometimes little sence in them , but this is not only the matter of conversation , but the admired Theam of some writings , and being a subject capable of keenness , and something of novelty , men endeavour to raise the reputation of wit on that foundation : But I wish they would consider with how much disingenuity and unworthiness they do it : Never did any Age so thirst after the same of being Wits , yet no Age has acquired so ingloriously that Title ; It is not sure impossible for men of such great abilities as they give themselves out to be , to please and instruct the world at once , and not to build the Triumphs of their Eloquence , on the ruines of their Morals ? How little reason has Mankind to admire them , who furnish it with wit at so dear a rate : They may tell us , that affected Pedants , capable of no generosity , have for a silly fame wounded the bosome of sacred and civil things , but we are astonished to see those who pretend to be Gentlemen of great breeding and nobleness to exceed their crime , and how unhappy ought they to esteem themselves , that the first proof which they give of their injustice to humane Affairs , and their ingratitude to their Fathers , should be on the most important , and most excellent concernments of the universe : They have introduced infinite Punctilio's of respect , and observance , they pretend to correct the bluntness , and in obsequiousness of past Ages ; but they wound the substance , whilst they adore the shadow , and we expect from them to shew that respect , which is so powerful a part of their Genius , to the most important concernments which have been so revered in the world , and so beneficial to Humane Race ▪ If they must exercise that doated on wit of theirs , let them choose a subject more agreeable to the Interest and 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 : But never any Age had more trifling Gallantries , and yet none was evermore in love with them ; great capacities use to be serious , modest and unaffected ; but now he that owns a little wit , makes such a noise with it , as to disturb the quiet and the serious Affairs of the world ; If they would have us admire their great abilities , let them give us a more excellent proof of them ; let them again rescue those Interests which they have betrayed , or else pretend to merit nothing , but the reproaches and curses of the world . But that which is yet a more important injury to Marriage , is a certain humour and opinion taken up by some people , that it is a piece of Gallantry and good Breeding , to divert our selves with sacred Wedlock , as an extraordinory proof that we have overcome the Flegm of a degenerate complexion ; if we spend all our life in frolick Amours . There is another accusation , that belongs to these reflections ; and that is , of those who are of this Condition , whose affection to it ought to be commended ; but their follies and indiscretions ought to be accused : It is not always found , that a good intention can free it self from the blemishes of an ill conduct , and the follies of many Persons , have rendred some things ridiculous , that would have supported their gravity in a better management in this enquiry , the subject is extream nice and critical , and so ought to be made with great wariness and circumspection ; besides , to pry into the miscarrages of others in so close an union is a little imprudent ; but yet our ordinary conversation and notice will furnish us with this belief , that many commit those follies in Wedlock , that become matter of divertisement to some Persons , and and an extream scandal to others . One great cause to be ascribed of this , is , that men live narrowly , and to their particular inclinations , and humours , forgeting that they are to support a common concernment ; and we may very well believe , that men may find as much ease , and a great deal more generous contentment , if they tyed up their inclinations to a severe discretion , then in permitting them to wanton in all the liberties of their little freedoms ; How few live with a careful respect to their reputation , and fewer consider the importance of a publick aim ; which neglects giving birth to perpetual follies and affectations , amongst other things that they prejudice , Marriage suffers in the opinion of the indifferent or prepossessed ; Any thing that is uneasie in Wedlock should be concealed , and supported with a gravity , that might cover it from the spectators ; No man should gad abroad with his complaints , which as they render his condition nothing the more easie , so they either importune , or divert those to whom they are communicated ; it is tiresome to the serious man to be entertained with the follies of another ; and it is Comical to the Frollick ; So that we receive no advantage by such sallies of great weakness and indiscretion , and yet , though the satisfaction be so momentary , as only the easing of a present fulness , yet the revelation of such Matters spread in conversation , and remains long enough as a blemish on that Condition ; this open temper , has in some made an injurious progress ; reproaching with the worst treachery the intimacies of Marriage ; the first Espousals proclaimed that two were one , thereby to unite all their concernments : The gallant Portia , tried her secrisy on her wounded Arm , to make an experiment of her Sexes sufficiency ; which whilst she bravely rescued from the reproches it had suffer'd , she retorted the blushing scandal upon ours : Friendship is of all other blessings the greatest solace to humane Life , and it is not only intimate , but sacred in the Circle of Marriage : To communicate our troubles , is to lessen them ; and the Philosopher advised us , not to eat the Heart , which he meant of secret and concealed griefs : The great distrust of some men has appeared in hiding under ground their wealth , and this Age has in part reason to have the same care of their thoughts , which those had of their Treasure : Mankind were at first distinguished into particular dwellings , that they should have separated Interests ; and injoy their contentments in an undiscovered shade ; we call it good humour to use all manner of freedom in our conversation ; but how seldome is it found , that others will well interpret , what we well design , It were easie Sir , to lead this Current further , but it would be no discretion to do it , and many times we decline a safe Conduct , because we fantastically love our own management . 'T is moreover certain , they best see their errours , who discover them by their own light , And that not only , because we find our selves in some disorder to have them revealed ; but also , from a certain pride that puts us upon justifying all we do ; and besides , all the dexterity of another , can never fit the Perspective to our own sight : But yet , there are somethings so remarkable , that there is no need of these Glasses to discover them , and there are some crimes committed against that Relation , which none will attempt to extenuate , that respect would be very injurious , that should forbear the censure of the great scandals that are flung upon Marriage : The incontinence of the Espoused , is that Crime whose Bowels are filled with many others : Neither can we readily say , the influence it has had in the world ; since it is evident that the sacredness of this Institution , has kept the Power above us with respect upon our minds : Other things have ( though unjustly ) been accused of Art , but the great Antiquity of Marriage declares its divine original : And it has received the same respect in diversities of Nations , and Religions , its Honour is so tender , that the least blot reproaches it ; and besides , incourages the hardyness of after attempts , which take them for a President , who were the first Invaders of this seperated state ; by whose attempts not only that condition , which appeared the principal foundation of the most excellent advantages , became shaken and infirme , but a way was opened to that liberty , which after made its incursions into all revered concernments . The sacredness of an Oath , and Protestations uttered where Heaven and Earth were the Witnesses , became the trifles of Custom and design ; which being made so by a wandering appetite , that crime became the incouragement to a freedom in other things : What assaulted the first innocence we very well know ; and we have reason to believe , that this Crime was one of the first that attempted the concernments of the world ! And it is like to be that , which will give one of the last wounds it must feel before its ruine ; this impiety awaiting it with a strange desire , that it might owe the fate of its noblest affairs to its inhumanity alone , and no reproaches are keen enough for those , who have made these attempts , either from the solitary life , or within the sociable : The latter is the more prodigious instance of treachery and baseness , because he strikes at the Heart and the Vitals ; he breaks that faith on which Marriage is built , and destroys that fidelity which is so much of its Essence , he leaves it none of its reputation , but layes it under the reproaches of Artifices and a Juggle , he withholds others from applying themselves to it , whilst his practices perswade them , that it cures no appetites , nor practises any sincerity : He unworthily suffers them to think , that it is the Trap of youth , and a Gin in which Policy has caught our forward Inclinations : He Incourages in them a fancy , that it is better to practice those Liberties before we vow , and assure then to loose an Innocence in our restraint : He that draws the Adulterer with these Colours , will soon find his amazement at so horrid a spectacle ; and justly believe that nothing is known so odious in Affrica , is this Monster of Society ; since he that devours the sincerity and the candour of any thing , shows a worse cruelty then the sucking of its Blood , and the generous at any time , loose their reputation with more regret then their lives : He has made Marriage to survive its Honour , and to remain a scandalized Institution : He has put the affront on the first founder ; and mocked at the Limits of Nature ; he has endeavoured to perswade the world by his experience , that Marriage is uncapable of its designs , and that the Ranges of lust were to no purpose inclosed , whilst the appetite is as ungoverned even in that Condition , which was designed to cure it , as in a common injoyment . We will only say further to these Persons , that they stand in the first Rank of Criminals , and that it had been better they had never come into the world , then only to have lived to have done so much mischief in it ; and that they must one day be called from their Graves , to be confronted with the injured Affairs of the universe , and not expect ever to sleep without the Spectres of those wounded Interests . And now Sir , after we have been serious so long , it is agreeable to our youth , to divert our selves a little , with the pleasant and the beautiful Scenes of Love , it would be but just something to loosen a mind bound up to grave and serious considerations , by celebrating that Passion , which is as well the Vigour as the Imbelishment of Marriage ; But we are to remember , that the Theory which has been exhibited to Ages of this Inclination , is very much different from that Practick that has assisted the Affairs of the world ; and we must go another course then what we have already took , if we will follow the Current , where the Poetick fancy has led it : for those are the men who have pretended all along to extoll and refine it : Though the Discipline under which it was put by the Ancients , was very unlike to the modern Regulations . They made it seek the society of Shepherds , and confined it to the Woods and the Mountains , it spent its time in weaving Corollas , and was busied in fashioning the address that merited the Garland : It appeared bashful and unsociable , shunning the guilt of ambition , with the noise and Artifices of Cities : It could divert it self with telling the murmurs of a Fountain , with reposing under the Mirtle , or in weaving about the Pine with aamorous Characters : It only signalized it self in the victories of May : and preserved no greater marks of its State , then the Tabor , and the Oat-pipe : It valued it self upon its sincerity , and knew no other bravery then to accompany in Death the valued Object : It affected a mind as free from Artifice , as that beauty to which it vowed , and opened its Soul , as well as spent its Caresses in the Sun-beams , but this affected life , was yet judged too inglorious and solitary for it , by the briskness of after Poets , who believed that it should value less its innocence then its glory ; which made them lead it to those places where it might signalize it self in braver exploits , their Predecessors had fashioned it too rude and simple , and had armed it with a Power that could purchase it no Renown , whilst it was busied in a sorry Chase , on the Lawnes and the Mountains . They therefore took it from so trifling a Discipline , they led it to Courts , and gave it the command of Armies : They disrobed it of the Habiliments of a Shepherd , and changed the Oat-pipe for a Trumpet ; they made it feel its vigour , and experiment the force of its Nature : A distrust of its strength had made it live ingloriously , and they taught it what great things it was able to do ; They made it not only to despise the Sheep-hook , but to make a trifle of Crowns : but it was necessary that it should accommodate it self to a disposition suitable to its enterprizes , which made them exchange its sincerity and plainness , for dissimulation and hollow Caresses : Neither did it ill manage these endowments , if we may credit their Records . It brought in the faithless Greek the fire that burnt Ilium to Ashes ; and destroyed what was then the fairest Dominion of the Earth : but yet it was not altogether intent upon one design ; whilst it stopped the Glory and Victories of Achilles , and sent him invisible Chains , from a captiv'd ▪ Town . It triumphed over Regal Author●●y , Duty , and the care of a Patrimony in the violent Scylla Eliza left not only her Tyre , but a glorious life imperfect , whilst she became a Sacrifice to the Love of spruce Aeneas . It has gone through the Blood of the Innocent to reach a Throne , where it might appear in Royal imbelishments to its Object . It has managed Intelligence in Glances , and communicated Plots by the Character of Looks : It has been a spie in Armies , and fashioned the Intrigues of Court. These their Poetick fury reckoned brave , but they have not at the same time withheld it from odd performances : They have made it leap Precipices , swallow Daggers , made Brothers burne for Sisters , and invaded the Fathers right of Love by the ardour of the Son. The inhumane Greek Bedded his Sestian Maid , in the cold Sheets of Water , and left them to consummate in the Hellespont , those loves he had so painfully extolled , The fantastick Roman , made Narcissus burne for the shadow of himself , with so feirce a Flame , as could only be quenched in that Fountain where he viewed his Image . It has turned the Issue of Kings to Pilgrims , and transported the Daughter of a Caesar , to despise a brighter Immortality , whilst she affected the shade of a Corinna . Nay , under these managers , Love has sought an Empire beyond the confines of Nature , and carried the remains of Rational beings , to Vegitables , and inanimate : It has turned Mortals to Fountains , to Trees , to Eccho's , and to Wall-flowers , preserving only in the note , the murmur , or the fragrant Character , the remembrances of a former state , the wantonness of the Poetick fancy , have in these instances appeared very extravagant ; though they design'd in all , to shew the invincible Power of Love , whilst changing Natures could not change Desire : Neither could all the cruelties of a Metamorphosis disoblige a faithful Passion ; Eccho though grief has worn her to a shadow , preserves yet strength enough to answer to an amorous Call , the Heliotrope yet linkes the presence of the cruel Sun , and appears Melancholly , when he forsakes its Company . But yet , after all these cruelties and strange Experiments , the Poetick fancy could not otherwise attone for so much barbarousness , but by obliging Love to shave , and retire to the Cloyster : The reflection on so much Blood as it had spilt , could not but naturally produce in it so great a Melancholly ; But yet here , whilst it pretended to be a Devote , it proved a Monster ; and could not forget the exercise of its former Tyranny ; It is true , it grew more Circumspect , but not less guilty ; it ruined equally though in a different way : It formerly invaded the life and the felicity , aud now the Innocence and the Honour : It was more open and plain in the former attempts , but now it affected privacy and Arts : The world had felt enough of its force and it therefore applied it self to Stratagems , and dissimulation , so long a War as it had he 'd with humanity , had taught them to reinforce and fortifie themselves , and therefore undermined what it could not assault ; It took the habit of a Recluse , and it made many of their orders appear but Fratricelles ; It shewed to the world a mortified look , and an Innocent Habit ; But its Altars burnt with as brisk a Flame , and were thronged with lascivious Votaries ; it grew weary of open cruelties , but strangely enamoured of those private sleights : Here with a show of great humility it devoured the portions of an excellent Virtue , and consumed the Innocence of the world , with Fire disguized in Snow-balls : It whispered Intrigues through the Monastick Grate , and made assignations at the foot of an Altar : it coma'd amorous sentences with Beads ; and vigourated a lascivious Song with the Airs of an Anthem : It bore it self disguized into the Pallaces of Magnificos , and practised dishonour , whilst it proclaimed a Shrist : It resorted to the Chair of confession only to ease an amorous bosome , and demanded from the Father , not absolution but assistance : It kept Leigers in Republicks of Virgins , and held Intelligence with fidelity and Honour : It was adored whereever it came , and prevented jealousie by the reputation of sanctity . But though the successes of Love were great in this shade ; yet it participated so much of a natural inconstancy , as to grow weary of so easie a prosperity , and left its recesses for more publick incounters : Its Elogies here blunted the Poetick fancy , whose flights whilst they were happy were yet regular and confined ; they resolved to make it a mad Cap , that it might better serve the Rhiming reach , that has been so much the Idol of present Ages , here it acknowledged a Divinity , and shewed a respect to Piety and Altars : But they better affected its old Ethnick prophaneness ; they liked it only when it was too vigorous for Earth , and too extravagant for Heaven : They gave it a power above Immortality , and fashioned it a quality that should Paramount the Universe . And no sooner had they thus took it from the Cell , but they furnished it out a Knight Errant , and made it traverse Desarts , they inured it to hardship , and often forced it to take up its Lodgings at the foot of an Oak , or the Banck of a Rivulct , whilst it was fed , Cameleon like , on the Air of sighs and reproaches , it exercised its courage in hunting of Ravishers , in rescuing distressed Damsels ; in obtaining the freedome of captiv'd Knights , and in putting an end to inchantments ; whilst sometimes again it affected the killing of Dragons , the incountering of horrid Visions ; and in appointing assignations in the dark apartments and Residence of Spirits . But succeeding Poets declined these Melancholy fancies ; whilst they took Love from that Discipline , and applied it to the Affairs of Grandeur and Society : They adopted it into the Family of Atoms , and made it the Captain of those Numerous Legions : They gave it an extravagant and unlimited Commission , and made it equal with that appetite which they believe to be the Genius of the Universe ; and the Trace they have led it , has been agreeable to their Idea's , they have brought it on Theatres , to inspire those Bravo's whom they call their Hero's : They have thought fit that it should signalize it self only in prodigies of valour , and miracles of Councel : It has bestowed a sufficiency on a single Person to rout Armies , to look Kings out of their Thrones , and to make Conquests more facile then Ruine , and more easie then Traverses : It has bafled all the Stratagems of an Adversary , and wound about at pleasure the fidelity and courage of numerous Armies ; all which are found but mean Exploits in the Records of their Dryades . But yet it does not always keep constant to the point of this elevation ; neither does it ever affect to be so Heroick ; it is often pleased to divcrt it self with meaner Actionfs : And to fashion the fooleries of Comedy : It can make Experiments on the Groome , and is not averse from an Intrigue with the Landress ; It is pleased with the small incounters , and the fallacies of Mascarade , and delights in being Cajol'd , and in committing Errours : Its Principles speake it an Epicure , and declare its abhorrance to be bound up to the high Rules of its Glory , whilst it finds the sweetest Pleasures in the most extravagant Liberties ; though it can sometimes despise Crowns , and toss them from one head to another , yet it is not always pleased with so hardy an exercise : It can with as much pleasure , manage the designs of the Chamber-maid , and receive Propositions from the brawny Clown , that greatness is uneasie to it , which stands above the divertisments of ordinary men , and it now less affects Glory then good Humour . But though this passion appears active and vigorous , yet it seems but the effects of its Age ; whilst it pleases it self in odd and fruitless performances : It studdies infinite researches , and the Punctilio's of a Genius weak and defective , it grows hard to humour , and is pleased with niceties and Criticisms , before things brave and substantial : The Poetick Lawgivers have formed it a State , and designed its observance ; but it is weary of that troublesome greatness , and they are forced to indulge it in little Frolicks , and childish divertisements . It has reach'd its Climaterical Year , and forgets its Grandeur so fast , that all the lofty nonsence of its ablest Ministers , cannot preserve it from a sottish Lethargy , they have carried it to the Magnificent Pallaces of Command , they have shewed it the state it should preserve , and remonstrated it with an Eloquence , more charming and refined then their Fathers ever knew ; But it see 's not the force of these splendid Harangues ; and its glorious managers must lament their misfortune , that they were born in an Age , when Love was so unable to comply with those precepts , which they are so capable of giving ; So Rich and Magnificent a sence in the dayes of its Youth , had found it an aboad in Stars , ( from which some of its Directors pretend it to have come ) and it had used no more these mortal divertisements : But unhappy Poets , they practice in a time , when its Nature is unfit to comply with the Excellencies of their Art ; and yet they are resolved not to be altogether unsuccessful , they will accompany it to another world ; Nay , they have sent their Poetick ▪ fancies before it , to prepare an Elizium , to furnish it with Grotto's , with shady Groves , and Rivers ; They have designed it an Eternal business , to repeat a past fidelity , and the Triumphs of mortal incounters ; They have put it into the Arms of a perpetual Spring of Beauty , leaned it on a fragrant bosome , and under the influence of bright and shining Eyes ; wherein so sweet a recess , it must entertain it self for ever with repeating its humane Atchievments ; yer if it find these Pleasures too luscious , they will permit it that varity in Heaven , which they allowed on Earth ; They have formed it assignations in wither'd hollow Trees , and weary Traverses in Sooty Regions , They can imagine a perfect tranquility in nothing , and have framed their Elizium according to the Colour and Figure of its Atoms ; which they esteem a happy thought , since it would dull so vigorous a Passion to be confined to one enjoyment : It would be tired with sitting for ever still ; and therefore they resolve it shall be perplexed in innumerable Labyrinths , that it shall grow Melancholly , and delight to behold the purple Current of a Wound , that it shall incounter the Spectres of jealousie , and fright it self with its own shadow , that it shall Tilt in Tournaments of fancy , overthrow Rivals , and win Garlands : Thus have the Poets ploted an Immortal business to themselves in the managements of Love , But yet they will not leave its languishing Affairs upon Earth , though they accompany its lofty Genius to Elizium ; yet they will not quit its Earthly part , whilst it rots in dirty Actions , they will force a freshness from that withered Trunk , and perswade the world , that it is still as lovely , and as charming ; as in all the vivacity and sweetness of its Life : But it is high time to leave them , when they grow so Extravagant . Thus Sir , have I given you a Prospect of the Poetick Image , which you will find very unlike to that which has the ascendant of Marriage : The busie world has all along lain below this Romantick Passion , and would have nothing to do with its Chimera's : Sometimes it received a wound from those Fantasms ; But it endeavoured to cure it as fast as it could : They have often made it propositions for a Commerce , but they were always strange and extravagant : Sometimes they were too rude and simple , and of a Melancholly below its active Affairs : Otherwhile they were too Heroick , and flew above their humility . It s reality was too sordid , and its imbelishments altogether useless and Romantick ; It therefore with great justice , excluded them all from its conversation , and took those Idea's that were the product of Actions , and not of the Brain ; It entertained nothing above its Affairs , and preserved those benefits in vigorous Actions , whilst it refused to refine them by idle Harangues ; It saw too plainly , in other concernments , that their imbelished Theories had ruined their plactice , and therefore would not admit of the leisure to be flourisht and extolled ; It despised Artful and fine Records , whilst it only valued an active and vigorous tradition ; which it has conveyed to this Age , in spight of all the attempts have been made upon it ; and if it must be its Doom to suffer now , it will not only fall a Victime to the injustice and sottishness of barbarous men , but stand a mighty instance of the approaching Catastrophe of the world ; which will even before its dissolution , grow too like that Chaos it must be at last ; whilst all its virtue and glory will be darkened , and grow a place frequented only by a savage appetite , in all its horrid shapes , a youthful Virtue must Traverse it with abhorrency , whilst it incounters so many frightful representations of vice , and the Ghosts of murdered Honours , and it must at the same time preserve it self from the Cyrcean Poetick Note , whose harmonious blandishments will lead it upon the Precipices of ruine and dishonour , and are the great procures of the Prey for monstrous vices . And thus that frame which began with innocence and Marriage , will end with Crimes , and with the contempt of it , it rose with peaceful and amicable virtue ; but must fall with cruel and warring vices , and those Flames in which it shall suffer , will like burning Glasses , be a mirrour to shew the monstrous attempts of this Age ; The Atheist must behold with horrour a confutation of his bold Philosophy , in the Period of that world , to which he had given so fantastick a beginning , and the Poet , will with the same surprize , see it the Stage of that Tragedy , that will out-do all the dolours of his Dramatick fancy . FINIS . ERRATA . PAge 49. l. 1. for errous r. errours . p , 51. l. 6. for our to r. to our . p. 52. l. 10. for oppeared r. appeared . p. 58. l. 16. or presidid r. presided . p. 65. l. 4. for feeting r. fleeting . p. 66. l. 1. for insensible r. insensibly . p. 98. l. 1. for assented r ▪ assaulted . p. 124. l. 10. for Rialdty r. Ribaldry . p. 131. l. 9. for have the most r. have most .