THE PICTURE OF A Wanton: her lewdness discovered. LONDON, Printed by W. White for T. P. and are to be sold in ivy Lane. 1615. To the Christian Reader. SAlomon in his Provers, Prou. 5. doth in many Chapters so wisely and pithily describe the impudency and lewd behaviour of an Harlot, Prou. 6. that if men would advisedly read them, Prou. 7. and diligently obey the divine Counsel in them contained, they would refrain coming near her doors, lest they might be ensnared with her allurements. But there are some that frequent Harlots houses to bear their Friend company (as they affirm,) not knowing, or at least not considering the corruption of their Nature, nor their own weakness to resist temptation, nor the danger to walk in the counsel of the ungodly, and to stand in the way of sinners. Some being settled on the Lees of their Sins, make it almost their daily practice to converse with them; not regarding how grivously they offend Almighty GOD, transgressing his holy Ordinances; nor weighing how they Defile their bodies, which are the Temples of the holy Ghost: nor considering into what penury and want they may be brought to: nor fearing the judgements and Punishments which God hath threatened to unchaste livers: Heb. 13. 4. For, Fornicators and Adulterers, God will judge. Almighty GOD, who is holy▪ yea, holiness itself, rightious in all his ways, and holy in all his works, hating all uncleanness; though he had abundance of Spirit, yet he made but one Man for one Woman; and one Woman for one Man, joining them together in holy Matrimony for the procreation of Children, to gather unto himself a Church out of mankind; as also to avoid Fornication: Therefore GOD saith, Exod. 20. Thou shalt not commit Adultery. Know ye not, (saith S. Paul,) that your Bodies are the members of Christ? 1. Cor. 16. 15. Shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an Harlot? God forbid: Yea saith; 19 or, Know ye not that your Body is the Temple of the holy Ghost, which is in you, whom ye have of God? and ye are not your own: ye are bought with a price. Consider then how such as couple themselves with Harlots, defile the members of Christ, and pollute the Temple of the holy Ghost, and cut themselves off from the fellowship of Christ, and drive away the holy Spirit from them: For what fellowship hath righteousness with Vnrightiousnesse? 1. Cor. 6. 14. What communion hath Light with Darkness? What concord hath Christ with Beliall? Wisdom cannot enter into a wicked heart, Wisdom. 1. 4. nor dwell in a body subject to sin. And who doth not know to what penury, yea to extreme beggary many have been brought by following of Harlots. Pro. 6. 26. For because of the whorish Woman, a man is brought to a morsel of Bread. Alea, Vina, Venus, tribus his sum factus egenus. The example of the Prodigal Child doth plainly declare it. And lastly, God hath, & will judge Fornicators Corporally Spiritually, and Eternally: Corporally, in this life with many foul and noisome Diseases, as Batches, the French Pox, wherewith many are consumed and eat to the bones. Spiritually, in their Understanding; For, Hose. 4. Fornication and Wine, take away a man's heart. Pro. 2. 18. Eternally, both in body and soul in Hell fire; For, her House tends to death, Pro. 7. 27. and her Paths to the Grave. Therefore, Scortorum pertis scribatur janua mortis. saith S. Paul, Be not deceived, neither Fornicators, nor Idolaters, nor Adulterers, nor Wantoness, nor Buggers, nor thieves, nor Covetous, nor Drunkards, nor Railers, 2 Cor. 6. 9 10. nor Extortioners, shall inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. And S. john saith, But the fearful and unbelieving, Revel. 21. 8. and the abominable, and Murderers, and Whoremongers, and Sorcerers, and Idolaters, and all Liars, shall have their part in the Lake which burneth with Fire and Brimstone: which is the second death. And let not the secret Fornicator and close Adulterer, job 24. 15. whose Eye waiteth for the twilight, and saith, no eye shall see me, and disguiseth his Face, think that he shall go unseen: Heb. 4. 13. For, all things are naked and bare to God's eyes, with whom he hath to do. Darkness and Light are all one to him. Psalm. 139. He knoweth the thoughts of all men: job 21. 27. And will set in order all that they have done; Psalm. 50. for he is the searcher of the Heart and Reins. Therefore saith Solomon, Prou. 5. 20. Why shouldest thou delight, my Son, in a strange Woman, or embrace the bosom of a stranger? 21. For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his paths. His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, 22. and he shall be holden with the cords of his own sin. He shall die for fault of instruction, 23. and shall go astray through his great folly. These things while I considered with myself, I remembered a Dialogue between two, written in Latin by that reverend learned man Erasmus, to dissuade young Women from this evil kind of life, by showing the abominable filthiness thereof. I have enlarged it both with addition of more persons, and larger matter; endeavouring to warn both young Men, and young Women; yea, and all of what age or condition soever, to take heed of this foul vice, and abominable sin, which will exclude them out of Heaven, if they repent not. I know that the multitude of Books in this age, are many: but good Books, which tend either to the instruction of Virtue, or to the destruction of Vice, are to be regarded, and diligently read: But filthy and unchaste Pamphlets, (whereof the World is too full) are fit to be burned as corrupters of Youth: And who soever doth so misspend his time, and abuse his Wit, and pervert the good gifts and graces of God, shall receive condign punishment, and his own Books shall be produced as witnesses against him. I now entreat thee (courteous Reader) to peruse this little Treatise: and if thou think it needful for these times, fit to promote God's glory, and profitable to men; as I hope, and am persuaded it is, give God the glory, and pray for me his unworthy servant. Thine in the Lord, F. S. THE PICTURE OF A LEWD HUSWIFE. The names of the speakers: Thais, a Harlot, a Courtesan. Parmeno, a Pander. Sophronius, a young Gallant. Dorio, a Baud. THAIS. PArmenio, I marvel I have not seen Dorio this Morning; nor received any Suitors from her. Parmeno. If it please you, I will go for her, to know when she will come: or when you shall expect any Suitor. Thais. Nay stay a while. But who comes yonder? Parme. I know not yet who it should be: But he is a proper young man. Thais. I like him the better. But if I am not deceived, it is Sophronius my old Friend, who hath been at Rome; for I heard that he is newly returned home. Parme. It is he indeed. Thais. My Sophronius, my sweet heart, my desired Friend, welcome: I rejoice that you are returned in safety; I have often wished your company since your departure. Sophro. I thank God, I am returned in safety: But I thank God the more, that I am returned a New man. Thais. So me thinks; for when you departed, you were beardless, but now you have got you a handsome Beard. You seem to me also, to have changed your Countenance; for you had a merry & pleasant Countenance when you departed; but now you seem very grave and sober. Sophro. Thais, I desire to speak with you secretly apart. Thais. Are we not alone, sweet heart? Hear is none but Parmeno my Pander, who hath been acquainted with our dealings. Sophro. I know it well: but let us go into a more secret place. Thais. If it be your mind, we will go into an inward Chamber. Sophro. This place is not secret enough unto me. Thais. From whence cometh this new shamefastness? I have a Closet, wherein I lay my Head-attire and my jewels, which is so dark, that I can neither see you, nor you me. Sophro. Look about all the Crevices. Thais. There is not one Crevice, believe me. Sophro. Is there no body near to hear us? Thais. Truly not a Fly, my sweet heart: Why do you linger and stay? Sophro. I but tell me Thais, Can we here deceive the eyes of the Almighty GOD? Thais. No, he seethe all things; we cannot avoid his sight. Sophro. How comes it to pass (my Thais) that we should not be ashamed to do that thing in the sight of Almighty God, and his holy Angels his witnesses, which we durst not for shame do in the sight of men? Thais. What new matter is this? Come you hither to preach? I think you are turned Puritan. Sophro. Thais, I would entreat thee, if thou dost tender the salvation of thy soul, to hear me a little what I will say unto thee. Thais. Say on. Sophro. You confess that we are in the sight of God: and we all should know, Pro. 15. 4. that God's eyes are in every place, beholding both good and evil. Heb. 4. All things are naked and bare to him, with whom we have to do. We cannot hide ourselves from him, Psalm. 139. nor go from him; for If we climb up to Heaven, he is there: If we go down to the Deep, he is there: If we take the wings of the Morning, and fly to the uttermost parts of the Earth, yet thither shall his hand lead us, and his right hand hold us: If we say the Darkness shall hide us, even the Night shall be light about us: He is round about our Bed, and spieth out all our ways. Thais. I pray you my Sophronius, what will you conclude of this? Sophro. My Thais, this is the scope of my speech; that seeing our Witness is in Heaven, and our Record with the Highest: seeing that God is the beholder of all our actions, and neither secrecy of place, nor darkness can hide us from his sight, we should take heed what we do; for he doth not only see our actions, but he will also judge them: for he can do it, because he is Almighty, and he will do, for he is just. Thais. I but (my Sophronius) God is merciful, he would not the death of a Sinner. Sophro. God indeed is merciful; Psal. 130. but to them that embracing his mercy, do fear him: and not to those which abusing his mercy, Rom. 2. do offend him. Thais. You are become very precise, and grown monstrous holy: You should go up into the Pulpit, and then I would hear thee. Sophro. I do not wonder that you scoff at my good Counsel, for it is usual with the World to despise wholesome and godly Exhortations: but I would not refuse to do any good Office, that I might recall you from this shameful and wretched life. Thais. Wherefore, my sweet Sophronius? I must get my living by some means: every Art nourisheth his Artificer; this is my Trade, this is my Rent. Soghro. I wish (my Thais) that thou wouldst shake off this madness of mind, and awake out of thy security, and consider of the matter in good earnest. Thais. I pray thee (Sophronius) keep thy Sermon till another time: If I were sick, or aged, I would hearken unto thee: but let us now be merry, and enjoy our pleasure together. Sophro. O Thais! hearken now unto my good Counsel: Delay in all things is dangerous; he that is not fit to day, may be less fit to morrow: now thou art in health and thy senses are fresh, and thy understanding strong, and thy memory ripe; if thy body were sick, it may be sickness would weaken all these, and thy pain would make thee impatient. And whereas thou speakest of old Age; Who hath any charter of his life? We are Tenants at will, God may thrust us out of our house and give us no warning: And this we have seen often how suddenly many have been taken out of this life; as the Rich man that promised unto himself many days, Luke 12. and gloried in his abundance, and this sentence was given against him, Thou Fool, this night they shall fetch away thy soul. Therefore let us not presume to repent when we are old, but even to day let us repent, because we know not whether we shall live till to morrow. Moreover, thou wouldst have me merry with thee, and enjoy the pleasures of sin: Let me tell thee Thais, that I have learned to be merry in the Lord; for other mirth is but momentany and transitory: and I have learned to renounce the pleasures of my Flesh, and of the World, because they are but for a little season; but they do procure eternal torment, as the example of the Rich Glutton doth teach. Thais. My Sophronius, why do you speak so much Scripture unto me, you know that I, and others of my fashion, little regard it, and care not how little we hear it; for it reproveth our life, and doth overthrow our gain? Sophro. Indeed Thais, they which are evil, hate the Light, and love Darkness more than the Light, because the Light discovereth their evil deeds. But if you and others of your fashion; yea, if all sinners would hearken unto the word of God and obey it, it would teach them to reform their lives, and to escape out of the snares of the Devil: hear therefore my good Thais, the word of God diligently, give obedience unto it; neither think it will hinder your profit: but assure yourself, that will it procure greater and much better gain than you can think. Thais. If you can show me that, I will hearken unto you gladly. Sophro. My Thais, the gain you think you reap by this evil kind of life, doth nourish your body; but the means is so evil, that it will destroy both body and soul, except you repent: But if you hearken to the Word of God, and reform your life by it, it will teach you to save both body and soul in the day of the Lord. Thais. My Sophronius, this kind of life which I lead, is common; yea, many Ladies, and gallant Women commit the same fault, though not so commonly known as our life is. Sophro. It may be most true, but the more is the pity; yet ought not we to follow an e●ill example, no not in great ones: neither should we follow a multitude to do evil. Thais. Why then I pray you, Sophronius, do you set on me as if I were alone thus ill disposed? Have you since your return, instructed any other of this life? if not, you seem to me, to single out me from all other, as if I were the greatest Sinner? Sophro. O Thais, Thais! I have not talked with many since my arrival; but I first come to thee, because (with grief of heart I speak it) I have lived dissolutly with thee: and whereas I do kindly admonish thee, thou hast cause to take it in good part, and make good use of it. Neither do I judge thee to be the greatest Sinner this way; but I know that you and I are great sinners: therefore let us both repent, and crave mercy of God in the mediation of jesus Christ. Thais. If you wish me well (my Sophronius,) as you pretend, and tender my salvation, as you say, speak on, and I will hear you gladly? Sophro. And I will do it cheerfully. But first let me entreat thee to answer me to one or two questions. Thais. I shall most willingly (my Sophornius.) Sophro. Tell me, Thais; Have you not some Divines that wish you evil? Thais. Yes, too many. Sophro. Would you willingly do that thing which is evil, to procure your own destruction; and to minister matter of joy unto them? Thais. No verily. I would rather give them Poison to bane them. Sophr. You speak indeed like a natural Woman, for before we be regenerate, Luke. we all Hate our Enemies; we are ready to render evil for evil: we are eager to revenge ourselves; but our Lord jesus doth teach us, not to resist Evil; For Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord, I will repay. But to return to that which you say, you would not do, and yet you do commonly. Thais. Not so (my Sophronius) I hope. Sophro. Yes Thais, it is too evident, as hereafter I will show you more at large. But tell me again (Thais,) Would you willingly do that which should offend your dear Friends? Thais. No verily. Sophro. I, but your evil and unclean life, doth not only greatly grieve, but much offend your Parents, your brethren and Sisters, and your Kinsfolk: You have renounced all natural affections unto them unto whom by nature you are most nearly joined: they are ashamed of thee, and thou art ashamed to come in their sight. Thais. Though I have changed some few Friends, and have renounced my affections to them; yet I have by this kind of life which I live, gotten me many more Friends: whereof you are one, whom I esteemed all ways as my Brother. Sophro. Let these words pass, and consider seriously of the matter as it is: You which think you have so many Friends, have no Friend, (believe me my Thais,) for they which come unto thee, esteem thee not for a Friend, but use thee as a Harlot. Consider then thou miserable Woman, into what mischief thou hast thrown thyself. Christ jesus the Son of GOD, esteemed thee so dear, that he redeemed thee not with corruptible things, as Silver and Gold, but with his precious Blood, that he might make thee one of his members the Child of God, and an inheritor of the kingdom of Heaven; And thou makest thyself a public Sink, in which every filthy, unclean, and scabby person, doth discharge their filthiness. And if as yet that infectious Leprosy which some call the Spanish Pip, some the French Pox, hath not touched thee, yet thou canst not long escape it: which if it come to pass, who can be more miserable than thou, though all other things else prosper well with thee. Weigh with thyself thy substance and thy report, what else shalt thou be then a living Carcase. Thou wert grieved to obey thy Mother; now thou servest Dorio a shameless Baud. It wearied thee to hear the Admonitions of thy Parents; but now often times thou art beaten of Whoremasters & frantic Fornicators. It was irksome to thee to do any work at home, whereby thou mightest get thy livings but now, What watchings, what tumults, what intolerable indignities dost thou endure of these filthy & unchaste persons, to whom thou dost prostitute thy body? Parmenio. I'll be sworn, Sophronius, you seem to be new changed indeed; for from a gallant youthful Gentleman, you are transformed to a Puritan Preacher; but I think if Dorio were here, you would turn your tale, and change your copy: she would hold you ●acke, and make you sing a new Song; and I purpose presently to fetch her. Sophro. You speak Parmeno, as you are: you are a goodly Apple-squire, a Pander to such Punks as Thais is: you draw by one line, & are an upholder of bawdry? and though you fetch that old Bawd, neither she nor you, shall make me go from that truth which I have spoken; and if you make haste, you shall find me here to aver that I have uttered. And now Thais, consider with me, that this flower of thy beauty which procureth thee Lovers, it will shortly vanish away, for either sickness, or age, will deface it; what wilt thou then do thou wretched woman? No Dunghill will be abhorred more than thou. Then of a Harlot, thou must become a Bawd, for such are the proceed of your wicked trade: which if it happen, what can be more vile? What can approach nearer unto the devils malice? Thais. I confess, (my Sophronius,) that all these things which thou sayest, are true; but tell me I pray you, from whence you have learned this holiness? You were wont to be a good fellow, and to delight in me: no man came more often to me, and more untimely, than you. Come you not lately from Rome? Sophro. Yes, I came from Rome very lately, as before I told you. Thais. I wonder not a little, that you are so transformed, my Sophronius; for commonly they which go to Rome, return not better, but much worse▪ how then are you grown so Godly? Sophro. I will tell thee, my Thais: Because I went not with the same mind, nor after the same fashion that many young Gentlemen and others do; for they go to Rome to see the Pope that Antichrist, Papastupor Mundi. the wonder of the world, to see and learn Italian tricks, to learn to court and serve their Mistress. And I will tell thee Thais, the occasions to make a man a Libertine, are there abundantly offered; for a man may be there, what he will, so he show not any liking of godliness and honesty, and therefore no marvel though they that have been at Rome (for the most part) return worse than when they went. Thais. O my Sophronius, you forget yourself, Rome is accounted a holy place, the Pope is called Christ's Vicar; they call others which consent not unto them, Heriques, and profess themselves the only Catholics of the world. Sophro. I know, Thais, that Rome is accounted a holy place; but I think they that esteem it so, have not been there: for though it was some times an holy City where many of God's Saints did live, yet now it is become an unfaithful City, a Cage of unclean Birds, a receptacle for perfidious and fugitive persons, and a sink of all evil. When I diligently observed how licentiously, how viciously, how inordinately men lived there, committing most sins without check, I did admire how they could call that place Holy, where men did lead such unclean lives. The Pope is called Christ's Vicar, and is borne upon men's shoulders, and worshipped as a God; but he doth not follow the steps of Christ herein, but doth clean contrary to the precepts of Christ, and therefore he may rather be called Antichrist; And whereas the Romanists call others Heretics who descent from them, I can assure thee Thais, that they hold and maintain foul and shameful Heresies, as I can prove by the holy word of God. And whereas they call themselves Catholics, & appropriate that name unto themselves, they do but as some that called themselves jews, and were not jews, as S. john doth teach, Revel. 3. 9 for they hold many things contrary to the holy Catholic Faith. Thais. If this be true (my Sophronius) which you say, I do the more admire that you should return so holy from so unholy a place; We see that men generally are so besotted and enchanted with the pleasures of this life, that they affect those places where they may most enjoy them; and desire rather to abide there where they may have liberty to enjoy the pleasures, of the flesh, then where men are warned to avoid these sirens and have the judgements of God denounced against them for their sins. I speak this from my own experience. Tell me therefore (my Sophronius,) by what means you are so transformed? Sophro. I will tell thee (my Thais) plainly, wishing that it may be as profitable to thee, as it hath been gainful to me. I chanced (by the goodness and grace of God) to fall into the company of a grave Father, who was a Protistant Minister, who had been at Rome to seek his Son, who secretly had slipped from him to see the Country, and to learn fashions; but hearing that he was returned to Venice, he came back again, & as we travailed together, he inquired of me of what Country I was? I told him an English man: he demanded of me the cause of my coming into those Countries: I answered him, to see Fashions, and to understand the state of the Romish religion which I heard commended in mine own Country; and also to observe the manners and fashions of the Catholics which I had heard exceedingly praised of our English Catholics, in my own Country. And when he had heard me to the end, he spoke on this manner unto me. My Son, saith he (for so he called me, speaking in Latin) Beware and take heed of those Popish Catholics, which are the Synagogue of Satan, and thank God that you are come out of Rome, yea out of Babylon, who exalteth herself as a Queen, and yet is that Strumpet spoken of in the Revelation of S. john. And believe me, Popery is a bundle of Iniquity: For, have you not seen how Courtesans are suffered & maintained under the Pope's nose: yea, many of the Popes have had their Paramours. The Stews and Brothel houses are every where allowed. They boast of the Scriptures, and yet they falsify them, & keep them from the people, that they may keep them in blindness. They justify themselves, and yet are most wicked. Their Clergy live in all manner of pleasures of the flesh. They hold it that a Priest living in Adultery & Fornication, doth not sin so much, as when he taketh a Wife. The jesuits (which is the last Order amongst them, and the worst) do hold it meritorious to kill the King of the Country, if he be not of their Religion: And therefore who soever holdeth the grounds of Popery, is in a most dangerous estate. But my Son, search the Scriptures, as our Saviour Christ exhorteth, and they shall reveal unto you the mysteries of our Salvation, and discover all their jugglings & impieties. I gave him great thanks, and have followed his counsel: Since which time, I have been studious in the Scriptures, and every day I perceive the gross errors of the Papists, their counterfeit Holiness, their deep Hypocrisy, and their great Iniquity. Now therefore, my Thais, if you tender your own salvation, detest Popery, and forsake this ill kind of life that you have led: yet there is hope, if you earnestly repent, God will receive you; for he would not the death of Sinner, but rather that he should repent. To day therefore, whiles God doth admonish you, hear his voice, and harden not your hearts against God; so shall you escape eternal condemnation. Thais. If this kind of life (my Sophronius) be so evil, if it be so dangerous, and if so great a punishment doth belong unto it, I marvel that it is so common; and I marnaile why some have affirmed, that Fornication is but a trick of Youth: and that it is no fault for a Young man to commit Fornication? Sophro. I told you, that the universality of a sin, doth not make it to be no sin, nor excuse a sin; for we ought not to follow a multitude to do evil. And whereas some say, that it is but a trick of Youth, to commit Fornication, & that it is no fault; these are the words of Heathen men, which had not the light of God's word: such evil Words corrupt good Manners. But the Word of God doth tell us, Heb. 13. 4. ● Cor. 6. that Fornicators and Adulterers God will judge, and punish. Neither shall Fornicators and Adulterers, enter into the kingdom of Heaven. Thais. This is a heavy sentence, if it should be executed; and indeed my Heart trembleth to hear it. If the state of this life which I have led, be so odious to God, and liable to so great punishment, I will, by God's grace, forsake it. But alas (Sophronius) how shall I live? How shall I maintain myself? Sophro. I am glad to hear that you fear the judgements of God, threatened to sinners in his Word. No doubt God's spirit will rest upon them that tremble at his Word; and I hope that God will make me an instrument to convert you. And whereas you demand how you should live? how you should maintain yourself? I will tell you what I would advise you: You shall secretly and suddenly gather up all your Apparel, & your Stuff, and I will help you to convey it to my House: and I would have you, to serve some Lady or Gentlewoman, and I myself will help to prefer you: yea, and if I can prefer you to a good Match, I will give a reasonable Portion to further it: and I will labour to reconcile you to your Parents, and to your brethren and Kinsfolk. Thais. Blessed be God (my Sophronius) that brought you hither this day, to give me this good Counsel: and I thank God that I have such a Friend, that is so careful for my good and salvation: And that you may know how you have prevailed with me, I submit myself wholly to your disposition, and am content to be ordered by you in all things. But see, Dorio is at hand, and P. Dorio. I am at hand indeed, and I have this good while heard your communication; and your conclusion I utterly mislike, and altogether distaste. Will you Thais, commit yourself to Sophronius to be ordered? Will you give over this pleasant and gainful kind of life? No, no, (my Thais) let not him deceive you, to draw you unto Misery and Penury. What can you more desire, than you have? You have the Pleasures of this life, you have costly Garments, dainty Fare, Money at will, and the company of lusty Gallants at command; and will you leave this kind of life, to wait and attend upon others, who are now attended upon? Will you be at the command of others, who may yourself command? To do so, were extreme folly. And you Sophronius, who seem to be so altered from the man you were, when you went from us; I doubt not, but you will be as kind to Thais: as you have been: for if you have not her to use at your command, you will have your haunt some where else: therefore play the good fellow, do as you have done, and let it not be said, that you are turned Puritan. Sophro. Avoid thou old Bawd, I defy thee and thy counsel: I utterly detest, & I do from my heart hate my former life, and do fly unto the mercy of God, in jesus Christ; And I tell thee Dorio, thou art an unclean woman, and an Instrument of the Devil to corrupt and destroy young persons, thy heart is full of Gall and bitterness: Repent therefore, if so be the Lord will have mercy upon thee; Or if thou wilt not, God shall punish thee in the end, as he hath done many, for the same fault. Dorio. Marry muff Sophronius▪ are you become a Preacher? In sooth sir your years are to young to teach me. I mean not to forsake this kind of life yet? I have used it too long to leave it, I will endeavour to bring young Gentlemen to Thais, to enjoy their pleasure: Should not young men rejoice in their youth, & cheer their hearts in the days of their youth, and walk in the ways of their heart and in the sight of their eyes? Sophro. I confess indeed, that I am young, yet my counsel ought not to be refused in respect of my youth, but rather it checketh your old age, continuing still in uncleanness. And whereas you say, you will not leave that filthy course of life yet, take heed that you harden not your heart against God, and so heap up wrath against the day of wrath. And whereas you say, you have used it too long to leave it herein, you show how dangerous a thing it is to accustom one's self to any evil; It is an easy thing to fall into any sin, but it is hard to get out of it. And whereas you say, you will be an Instrument to bring others to folly and to impiety, know this, that thou shalt the more seveerely be punished, for as much as thou dost not only evil of thyself, but art a Solicitor and abettor of others in sin. Neither aught young men live laciviously and dissolutely; for if they do, God will call them to judgement for it. Dorio. I tell thee Sophronius, thou art become a precise Fool; or rather I think thou dost but dally with me and Thais, that we may know and understand thy sharp Wit. But come Sophronius, be unto us as thou hast been: for thou shalt not find us changelings. Thais. Speak (Dorio) for thyself; for I tell thee plainly without any equivocation, that Sophronius hath so prevailed with me, that I disclay me thee, and utterly detest that filthy and unclean life whereunto thou hast brought me: for had not GOD in mercy made Sophronius an instrument to reclaim me, I had good cause to curse thee; for thou diddest draw me to this abominable life. Thou art she that did procure me to forsake my Parents, and their good counsel, to practise this odious and wicked course: therefore I do now defy thee, and all such lewd Women as you, which are the destruction of many young Women about this City, bringing them into evil company, and giving them lewd counsel. Dorio. Why how now housewife, are you become so Holy? It doth not agree with your profession; Have not you promised to be ordered and ruled by meet Do not you call me Mother, and confess yourself to be my Daughter? I think you dare not forsake me on this fashion; for if you do, I will display your life, and make you to be pointed at in the streets. Thais. You may term me at your pleasure, but your mocks and scorns shall not much offend me: and though I promised to be ordered by you, I now see my folly therein, and am sorry for it; and I know that evil Promises are better broken then kept. And though I called thee Mother, I see now (to my grief) that thou wert a wicked Mother to me. And though you dare me, and fear me with discovering my folly; I had rather be hated of thee & the World, & pointed at, then have the displeasure of Almighty God; but if he love me, (as I know he will) if I love him, and hate all iniquity, I little care for the hatred of the World: For I now see that they which are Gods friends, shall be hated of the World. And indeed, if you had your desert, you deserve to be pointed at, and to be seveerely punished for enticing of young Maids unto folly: and I will make you known to others, that they may take heed of you, and others of your fashion. Dorio. Marry you are a goodly Gossip indeed, you will be shortly, one of the Holy Sisters; I shall have you shortly, one of the Family of Love: I will observe you, and mark your fashions; and I swear by my Honesty, if Sophronius were not here, I would so beat thee, that thou shouldest not lift thine hands to thy head: But I shall find a time to be revenged of thee for thy malipartnesse. Sophre. It is the manner of such as you are, to frump and mock at such as forsake your evil life, and begin to serve God, and to make a conscience of their ways: But you shall smart for it one day, if you do not repent. And whereas you say, you will observe Thais, and mark her life; I would wish thee to observe thyself, and seriously consider what an abominable and hateful life thou dost lead. And whereas thou swearest by thy Honesty, thou swearest by that thou hast not; for such as thou art, are at defiance with Honesty, and wholly delight in dishonest and shameful life. And whereas thou sayest that thou wouldst beat her if I were absent, and dost threaten to be revenged of her, I tell thee, thou shameless old Bawd, that if thou dost touch her, or dost any way wrong her, I will cause thee and thy companions to be punished. Dorio. Nay then I defy thee, thou proud Puritan, and if Parmeneo will help me, I will scratch out thy eyes, for abusing me in this manner, but I hope, I shall be revenged of thee, ere it be long. But Parmeneo come, let us leave them: let us be gone, they are no company for us; they are a couple of precise Fools, and so they will prove. Sophro. I perceive, that thou hast a Harlot's face, and hast hardened thy heart that thou wilt not repent; but know thou, thou evil woman, that God shall punish thee, and all such persons: Ye shall be excluded out of heaven, and cast down into Hell: this shallbe the portion 〈◊〉 Adulterers, Fornicators, Drunkards, and all unclean ●●rsons, that will not repent. Oh that thou, & such as thou it, would consider this, & be wise, and lay hold on grace whiles the day of grace lasteth; for when the day of judgement cometh, Pro. 1. 28. it willbe too late to call for mercy: for as you stop your ears, Zacha. 7. 7. and will not hear God speak unto you now, so he will not hear you then, but will say departed from me, you workers of iniquity, I know you not. Dorio. I tell thee, thou young Puritan, that thou pratest in vain to me, I am no fit hearer for you; I will when I think good, altar my trade of life, and not be at your disposition, nor be directed by the best Preacher of the Land: Therefore take your Puritan Punk with you, you have made her a holy Sister: I, and Permeneo, will go seek some other young Mistress; which I doubt not, will be more faithful than your housewife hath been, who hath broken her honest word: and so a diew. Sophro. Farewell thou old Bawd, happy are they that are farthest off from such rotten members, and from such noisome and infectious plagues, which are able to destroy many. And now, my Thais, consider with me how sinners hardened in sin, refuse to hear good counsel, and stop their ears like the deaf Adder, refusing to hear the voice of the Charmer, charm he never so wisely. She will (she says,) reform her life at her pleasure; as if she could repent when she listed; whereas it is the gift of God. Her purpose is (as she saith) to corrupt some other, as she hath done you: But God (I trust) will cross her in her evil purpose, and confound her wicked enterprise. Thais. Amen (my Sophronius:) And God Almighty grant us his grace to continue in that good course whereinto we are entered, and guide us with his holy Spirit, that the rest of our life may be wholly consecrated unto him▪ that we glorifying him in this life, m●● be glorified of him in the life to come, through Ies●● Christ our Lord. Sophro. Amen, Amen. FINIS.