THE Discipline and Habit OF VIRGINS.  
Written in Latin by the HOLY MARTYR St. Cyprian, Arch-Bishop of CARTHAGE.  
Translated into English.  
LONDON: Printed in the Year 1697.   

THE PREFACE.  
VAin Pomp and Luxury has so far prevailed with those that would be called the fair Sex, that, it seems, it were ill manners to question the lawfulness thereof. An universal corruption and dissolution of manners, in many of them, is come to that pitch, that they seem, almost, past reclaiming. Lewdness and debauchery is so ordinary a sport amongst many, not only of the inferior sort of women; but also among some( if I may not say many) of the first rank and quality; that Christian modesty, so especially recommended to the female Sex, is not only forgotten, but even contemned and trodden under foot. St. Paul not only exhorts, but also seems to command women to adorn themselves in modest Apparel with shamefacedness and sobriety; 
1. Tim. c. 2. v. 9.10.  not with broidered hair or gold or pearls or costly array; but( which becometh women professing Godliness with good works. And St. Peter to the same effect. Whose adorning( says he) let it not be that outward of plaiting the hair and of wearing of gold, 
1. Pet. c. 3. v. 3.4.  or of putting on of apparel, but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet Spirit, which is, in the sight of God, of great price. And yet no Age of Paganism could ever parallel the Pomp and Luxuy of women pretending to profess Christianity; whilst, so many thousands of the living members of Jesus Christ, I mean the poor, are exposed to the injury of hunger and could, with, scarce, so many rags as will cover their nakedness, and can hardly extort, with a great deal of importunity, one single farthing, from some of those Ladies, who have, God knows, how many pounds worth of ribbons, of Patches, of Gold and Silver Lace, and other superfluous Vanities to deck their heads and heels.  
It was this doleful consideration, and a Zeal of those precious Souls captivated by the Devil, that moved me to translate this small Treatise of the Holy Martyr St. Cyprian; in hopes that some of those Ladies, who will not scruple to cast away four or five hours a day upon a Comedy would bestow, at least, an hour or two on the reading of this, to see how different a sense this great man had of the Pomp and Luxury, so common now a days, from some mercenary Pastors, and blind pretended Spiritual Guides, who criminally betray the word of God, with false glosses and interpretations, wherewith they not only countenance, but also seem to abet these corruptions: as if such plain text of the Scripture needed any other comment, than the bare reading. Not that I dare hope to be able to reclaim many( for alas! such is the corruption of our Age, that few will give themselves the time to red it, much less, take it to heart) but that, since we are accustomend to pay a great deal of veneration to antiquity, and that the words of men eminent for piety and learning, especially such as flourished in the primitive Church and purest times of Christianity, are of great weight; some virtuous Ladies and Gentlewoman, considering seriously in what abomination this holy and learned Martyr held this Pagan Pomp, so much improved, in our days, by Christian women, who, notwithstanding, solemnly renounced it in their Baptism, would reform their Childrens Manners after this original; which may be easily done, by moderating the excess of their dresses, by retrenching the extravagance of their pleasures, and diversions, especially that of the Theatre, where Modesty and shamefacedness is easily shipwrecked, and immodesty and barefaced impudence soon learned; but more particularly, by employing some part of that time which is thrown away upon diversion, in practising some works of Piety and Devotion. And since I come to talk of the Theatre; I hope the devout Reader won't be sorry I make this digression, to give him St. John chrysostom that learned and virtuous Bishop of Constantinople, his sense of it. This great Man having lived a great while in two Imperial Cities, viz. Antioch and Constantinople, had often occasion to Preach against the disorders of the Theatre. The Comedy, says he, is the School of Debauchery, the Accademy of incontinence, the chair of pestilence. There you shall see lewd Women representing Adulteries and pronouncing Blasphemies. When you come from the Theatre, with what face can you look upon your Wife, your Children, your Servants, your Friends? And again he confutes the silly pretences and foolish causes of those that goes there. These are his Words, What harm is it, say you, to go to the Comedy? does that deserve a separation from the Communion?( for it seems he used to Excommunicate such as went.) And I ask you, can there be a greater crime than to come impudently to the Holy Table, after being polluted with Adultery? Yes it's a kind of Adultery to go to the Comedy; and if you do not believe me, give ear to the Words of him who is to Judge our lives. Jesus Christ says unto us, that whosoever looketh on a Woman to lust after her, hath committed Adultery with her already in his Heart: What may be said then of those who go on purpose to these places, where they spend the day in looking upon Women who have not the best Reputation in the World? With what Face will they maintain that they have not looked upon them with Lustful Eyes? Since there is nothing to be heard, but lascivous words; nothing to be seen, but immodest actions: There you shall hear amorous Songs, there you are charmed with consorts of music, proper to excite the most shameful Passions; there you shall see Women trimmed with false features and colours, decked and arrayed for to inspire Love. There the audience is in a confusion, and a certain sloth, which bushes them forward to the Lewdness, which this fatal train inspires them with. The Musical Instruments, the consorts and the Airs, are not less dangerous; they do unhappily flatter and soften the Heart, and prepare it to run into the Net which is spread by these unfortunate and depraved Women. For, if in the Church where Psalms are Sung, where the Scripture is expounded, where we have continually the fear of God before our Eyes, and stand with an aweful respect: if, I say, even in this venerable place, Lust creeps in, how shall those, who are daily at the Play, who neither sees nor hears but what is profane and dangerous, who are filled with unclean thoughts, whose Eyes and Ears are continually attacked, be able to resist the motions of Lust? or if that be impossible, how will they excuse themselves from the crime of Adultery? And if they are Adulterers how can they pretend to enter into the Church and partake of the Sacred Table, unless they Repent. Thus far St. chrysostom.  
As for the Author of this Treatise I need not say any more of him, his Learned and Pious works sufficiently declare his Character to the World. This only I will say, that what he writ or Preached, the same he confirmed by his works in his Life, and at his death sealed it with his Blood. Touching the translation, which is my own Part, I am not ashamed to own that it lost a great deal of it's Lustre and Beauty in the change. However, if it please Almighty God to give it his Blessing, I hope it will be of some profit to the Reader, if so I have my end.   

The Book of the Holy Martyr St. CYPRIAN Arch-Bishop of Carthage; of the discipline and Habit of Virgins.  
DIscipline the guardian of Hope, the keeper of Faith, the Guide in the way of Salvation, the fuel and Nutriment of a good Inclination, the Mistress of Virtue, causeth one to abide constantly in Christ, to live in God, and to arrive happily at the Heavenly promises, and Divine rewards. To follow this is Salvation; but to contemn and neglect it, is Mortal. The Holy Ghost speaks in the Psalms, Hold fast the Discipline lest perhaps the Lord should be angry, 
Psal. 2.  and ye perish from the right way, when his anger will be suddenly kindled against you. And again, God saith to the Sinner, 
Psal. 49.  why dost thou declare my Righteousness and takest my Covenant by thy Mouth? Since thou hatest Discipline, and rejectest my words. And again we red, He that casts off Discipline, 
Sap. 3.  is unhappy. And from Solomon we receive the Commands of Wisdom advising, My Son do not neglect the Discipline of the Lord, neither be weary of his correction, 
Prov. 3.  for whom the Lord loveth, he correct●th. If then God loves whom he corrects, and corrects him that he may mend; the Brethren Likewise, especially the Priests do not hate but love those whom they correct, to the end they may amend; since God, by his Prophet Jeremias, has foretold it, and our days have declared it. I will give you Pastors according to mine heart, 
jer. 3.  which shall feed you with Chastening. Seeing then, that in the Holy Scriptures both old and new; Discipline is always commanded; and that the Foundation of Religion and Faith proceeds from fear and observance; what should we more earnestly desire? what more willingly embrace? That, having taken a deep root and solidly fixed our habitation upon that firm rock, we may stand unshaken against the Storms and Tempests of this World; that by those divine precepts we may attain to the gifts of Christ: considering likewise and understanding, that our Members being the Temples of God, purified and cleansed from all the dregs of the old Contagion, by the sanctification of the Sacred ablution, it is not lawful either to Defile, or pollute them, seeing, he that defiles shall be defiled. We are the tilers and Rulers of those Temples, let us therefore serve him, to whom we belong. St. Paul says, you do not belong to yourselves, for ye are bought at a great Price, glorify and carry God in your Bodys; let us glory, and carry God in a pure and unspotted body; and we who are redeemed by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, let us obey with all submission the Commands, of our Redeemer, and let us endeavour, that no impure nor profane thing be brought into the Temple of God, lest he being offended, should forsake the seat where he dwells. These are the Words of the Lord both saving and teaching, healing and admonishing; Behold thou art made whole, Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. He prescribes him the Manner of living he gives him the Law of Innocence after he had given him Health. Neither does he suffer him to give the reins to his Passions, but threatens him with more grievous evils than those whereof he was cured: because it is a lesser offence to have Sinned before he had known the Discipline of the Lord, which once known is almost unpardonable if Infringed. Let Men and Women, Boys and Maids, let every Sex and age look to this, and see that, for the Religion and Faith which they owe to Almighty God, that pure and Holy thing which they have received from his bounty, be not slightly looked after, since itis written: He that Perservers unto the end shall be saved. 
Mat. 10.   
Now my discourse is unto you o Virgins, of whom I have so much the greater care, by how much your Glory is the more sublime.( Virginity) is that Flower of the Ecclesiastical Blossom, the glory and Ornament of Spiritual grace, a sweet Inclination, an entire and solid work, the Master-piece of praise and honor, the Image of God, answering to the Lords holiness, the most Illustrious portion of the flock of Christ. The glorious fecundity of our Mother the Church, by these and in these doth abundantly Flourish: And by how much this spreading Virginity adds to its Number, so much it increases the Joy of it's Mother. To these we speak, these we exhort by Love rather than by power: not that, as being highest and lowest, but Conscious of our own meanness, we do assume any Liberty of Censuring; but rather out of our tenderness for them, we much more fear the assaults of the Devil. Neither is this a needless caution, or an empty fear, which takes care of the way of Salvation, which preserves the wholesome precepts of the Lord, that those, who Consecrated themselves to Christ, and by renouncing Carnal Concupiscence, have entirely devoted their Souls and Bodys to God, should finish that work which is destined to a great Reward; nor be solicitous to adorn, or please any, but their own Lord, from whom they expect the Reward of their Virginity, since he himself says: All cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. For their are some Eunuchs, 
Mat. 19  which were so burn from their Mothers womb, and there are some, who were made Eunuchs of Men; and there be some Eunuchs which have made themselves Evnuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven. So likewise, by this voice of the Angel, the gift of ꝯtinence is declared, Virginity is Preached: These are they which were not defiled with Women, 
Apo. 14.  for they are Virgins, these are they which follow the Lamb whither soever he goeth. Neither doth God promise the grace of ꝯtinence to Men only, and forget the Women, but because the woman is a portion of the man, and was taken from him and formed, God speaketh, commonly in all the Scriptures, to him that was first formed, because they are both in one flesh, and by the Man is signified likewise the Woman. But if ꝯtinence doth follow Christ, and Virginity be designed for the Kingdom of God, what have they( Virgins) to do with Worldly deckings and Ornaments, with which whilst they covet to please men, they offend God, not reflecting that it is written they who please men are Confounded, 
Psa. 51.  for God maketh no account of them. and that St. Paul hath likewise after a glorious and Sublime manner preached. If I yet pleased men, I should not be the Servant of Christ. 
Gal. 1.  Now continency and Chastity does not consist in the integrity of the Flesh alone, but also in the Modesty and Simplicity of the Exterior ornaments, that according to St. Paul, the Woman that is not Married, may be Holy both in Body and in Spirit. The same Apostle teacheth saying; He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord, but he that is Married, careth for the the things that are of the World, how he may please his Wife. So likewise, the Virgin and the Unmarried Woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be Holy both in Body and Spirit. A Virgin ought not only to be so, but also to be understood, and believed to be such: to the end that when she is seen no body may doubt her being a Virgin. Perfection should extend itself equally to all: nor should the Ornaments of her Body blast the famed of her Mind. Why should she appear decked or adorned, as if she had a Husband, or sought one? If she be a Virgin, let her rather fear to please, than seek to endanger her self, being designed for better and more Heavenly things; Let such as have no Husbands, whom they would feign to please, be pure and perfect not only in body, but in Spirit also: For it is not lawful for a Virgin to deck her Features, nor to glory in her flesh, or it's Beauty: whereas all their endeavours should be bent against the Flesh, and their most obstinate strife, in subduing and mortifyeing their Bodys. St. Paul with a lofty Voice cries out, 
Gal. 6.  God forbid that I should Glory, save in the across of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the World is Crucified unto me, and I unto the World. And must a Virgin in the Church of Christ, glory in the shape of her Flesh, and Beauty of her Body? St. Paul adds, Those that are Christs have Crucified their Flesh with their Vices and Lusts. And must she, who professes to have renounced the Vices and concucupiscences of the flesh, be overtaken in those things to which she has Renounced? when you are found so, O Virgin, itis easy to discover what you are; you boast of one thing and you affect another: you taint yourself with Spots of carnal Concupiscence, whilst, at the same time you would pass for a Candidate of purity and Modesty. Cry says the Lord to Esaias, all Flesh is Grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the Flower of the Field: The Grass withereth, and the Flower Fadeth, but the Word of the Lord remaineth for ever. It becometh no Christian, much less a Virgin, to value her self upon any Honor or Glory of her Flesh, but to thirst after the Word of God, and embrace the things that will endure for ever. Or if she must Glory in the Flesh, then Indeed she may, when she is Tormented for owning her Profession, when she discovers more fortitude, tho' a Woman, than the men who torture her, when she suffers Fire, or the across, or the Sword, or the Beasts, that she may be crwoned. these are the most precious Pearls of the Flesh, these the most Glorious ornaments of the Body. But there are some rich Women, who abounding with a plentiful Fortune, love their Riches, and Maintain that it is Lawful to use their goods to their content; first let such know, that she is truly Rich, who is Rich in God: that she has true Wealth, whose Wealth is Christ: that these are the true Goods, which are Spiritual, Divine, Heavenly, which guides us to God, and which we enjoy, with God for ever. Moreover what ever earthly things we possess in this World, and must leave after us, are as much to be contemned as the World itself is Contemptible, whose Pomps and Allurments we renounce upon our Happy journey to God. St. John stirs and exhorts us, and with a Heavenly voice conjures us, saying: Love not the World, neither the things that are in the World, 
Joa. 2.  if any man love the World, the Love of the Fathers is not in him. For all that is in the World, the Lust of the Flesh, and the Lust of the Eyes, and the Pride of Life, is not of the Father, but is of the World: and the World passeth away, and the Lust thereof: but he that doth the will of God, abideth for ever, even as God abideth for ever. We must then pursue the things which are Eternal and Divine, and do all things according to the Will of God, we must follow the footsteps of our Lord, and his Divine original, who taught us, saying I did not come down from Heaven to do my own will, but the Will of him that sent me. And if the Servant be not greater than his Master, and the Freeman oweth Obedience to him that made him free; surely, we that desire to be accounted Christians, ought in all reason to imitate that, which Christ has done. It is written, it is red, it is heard, and it is publicly declared in the Church, that, he that abideth in Christ ought himself to walk, 
Joa. 2.  even as he hath walked. We must tread in the same path with him, we must endeavour to follow him with a Holy emulation. Then the pursuit of truth will answer the Faith we profess, and the Reward of Faith is given to him that believes, if he acts according to his belief.  
Thou sayest thou art Rich: but St. Paul prevents thee in thy riches, and with a Heavenly voice prescribes, how thou art to Moderate thy Dress. Let Women, says he, adorn themselves in modest apparel with shane fac'dness and Sobriety: 
1. Tim. 2.  not with broiderd Hair or Gold, or Pearls or Costly array, but( which becometh Women professing Godliness with good Works. St. Peter likewise is of the same Opinion, saying, 
1. Pet. 3.  whose Adorning, let it not be that outward of plating the Hair, & of wearing of Gold, or of putting on of Apparel: but let it be the hidden Ornament of the Heart. And if the Apostles do admonish those Women, who, on pretence of their Husbands, do excuse their gaudy Dresses, to restrain and Moderate themselves to a Religious observance of the Ecclesiastial Discipline: how much more ought a Virgin to observe it, who can pretend to no such Allowance; nor fasten the falsehood of her fault upon another, since she her self is the only person to whom it can be ascribed. You say, you are Rich, but all that is in your power, is not fit to be done; neither ought those Tedious desires which proceed from Worldly Ambition to extend further, than what is suitable to the Honor and Modesty of a Virgin. Since it is written all things are lawful unto me, 
1. Cor. 6.  but all things are not expedient. Besides, if you give any Marks of Gallantry in your Dress, and walk remarkablely in public, if you attract and draw the Eyes and Hearts of Young men upon you, if you Cherish the Lust of their desires, if you kindle the Flames of their Hearts, so that you make them perish, tho' you do not perish, and do kill those you see, as it were with Sword or Poison, you cannot be excused, as if your mind were chased and Modest: your immodest Dress and your Strumpet-like Ornaments reproach you: nor can you be reckoned among the Maids and Virgins of Christ, who lives in the World so, as that you may be loved.  
You say, you are Rich; but a Virgin ought not to boast of her Riches: since the Holy Scripture says. What did our Pride advantage us, 
Sap. 5.  or what did the Vanity of our Riches avail us? For all hath passed way like a shadow. And again the Apostle exhorteth, saying. And they that buy as tho' they Possessed not; and they that use this World, as not abusing it, for the fashion of this World passeth away. Peter likewise to whom the Lord gave in charge to feed and keep his flock, upon whom he founded his Church, denies to have Silver or Gold: but affirms that he is Rich in the grace of Christ, and Wealthy in his Faith and power, wherewith he might work many and wonderful Miracles, and abound in Spiritual goods for his glories, sake, this Wealth, these Riches cannot be possessed by him, who would rather be Rich in this world then in Christ. You say, you are Rich and Wealthy, and think you may use these things which God was willing you should possess: do so, use them, but let it be for things that tends to your Salvation, make use of them to good purposes, use them as the Lord hath shewed and Commanded you. Let the Poor perceive that you are Rich, let the Needy find that you have Wealth, give out your Patrimony to God upon use, feed Christ: that you may bear away the glory of your Virginity, and Happily attain to the reward that attends it, have the Prayers of many. deposit your Treasure, where no Thief can dig up, where no sly Knave can break in. Acquire Riches, but let it be in Heaven, where your Fruit will be Permanent and Everlasting, secured from the danger of any Secular injury, where Rust cannot Eat it, nor Hail break it, nor the Sun burn it, nor rain spoil it. for you Sin against God, even in this very thing, if you believe, Riches were given you for any other end, than to work your Salvation. For, tho' God gave Man a Voice, he ought not therefore to sing Lascivious and Immodest Songs therewith; he Created Iron to Till the Earth, yet we must not commit Murder with it: nor must one Sacrifice to Idols, because God produced Incense, Wine, and Fire; neither must you offer drams to their Altars, because your Fields abound with flocks of Cattle. Otherwise a large Patrimony is a Temptation, if not turned to good use: as every one aboundeth in Riches, so ought he rather to redeem than increase his sins. Notable Marks in clothes and Ornaments, and Lascivious dresses, become none, but Prostitute and Immodest Women, and no habit is more Precious than theirs whose Modesty is least esteemed. So in the holy Scriptures, wherewith the Lord would have us be taught and admonished, that whore-like, and proudly decked City, which with its Ornaments, or rather, for its Ornaments, was to perish, is described. And there came, says St. John, one of the seven Angels which had the Seven Vials, 
Apo. 17.  and talked with me, saying, come hither, I will show unto thee, the judgement of the great Whore, that sitteth upon many Waters: with whom the Kings of the Earth have committed Fornication. So he carried me away in the Spirit into the Wilderness: and I saw a Woman sitting upon a Beast; and the Woman was arrayed in Purple, and Scarlet Colour, and Decked with Gold, and precious Stones, and Pearls, having a Golden Cup in her hand full of Abominations, and filthiess of her Fornications. Let all Chast and Modest Women shun the Deckings of the Incestuous, let them detest the dress of Strumpets, the Marks of Bawds, and the ornaments of whores. In like manner the Prophet Esaias replenished with the Holy Ghost crys out, and reproaches the Daughters of Sion, which were corrupted by their Gold and Silver, and array, and severely Chides those that abounded with Pernicious Wealth. Because, says he, 
Esa. 3.  the Daughters of Sion are Haughty, and walk with stretched forth Necks, and wanton Eyes, Walking and Mincing as they go, & making a tinkling with their Feet: therefore the Lord will smite with a Scab the Crown of the Head of the Daughters of Sion, and the Lord will discover their secret parts, in that day, the Lord will take away the Bravery of their Tinkling ornaments, and their cawls, and their round Tires like the Moon, the Chains, and the Bracelets, and the Mufflers, the Bonnets, and the ornaments of the Legs, and the Head-bands, and the Tablets and the Ear-rings; the changeable suits of Apparel and the Mantles, and the Wimples, and the Crysping-pins. And it shall come to pass, that instead of a Sweet smell, there shall be a Stink; and instead of a Girdle, a Rent, and instead of well set Hair there shall be Baldness. This is what God blames, this is what he remarks: hence it is, that he pronounces Virgins Corrupted, hence it is that he declares that they have degenerated from the true, and divine Ornament. Being Exalted, they fell: being Decked, they deserved Dirt and filthiness; when they put on Silks and Purple, they cannot be clothed with Christ, being decked with Gold, and Pearls, and Precious stones, they loose the Ornaments of their Hearts and Minds. Who would not detest and abhor that which was so fatal to others? Who would covet or desire, that, which was like a sword or Dart to the ruin of others? If you had seen one Drink a Cup, and Die, you would soon guess his drink was Poison; if you had seen one Eat and expire, you would judge that, what he eat was Mortal, that could so soon kill: neither would you eat or drink of that, whereof you had seen others Die. Now what weakness of Understanding, what Blindness, what Madness is it, to covet that, which always has & does offend? What madness is't, to think that you will not Perish by that, wherewith, you are Conscious, so many to have been Killed? For God, did not make sheep of Purple or Scarlet Colour, neither did he teach men to Die and Colour wool with the juice of herbs, or with Violet, nor has he ordained Bracelets beset with Gold, Pearls, and precious stones orderly ranked, that you may hid the Neck which he has made, that what God had formed in man may be covered, and what the Devil had invented may appear. would God have Wounds to be made in ears, wherewith the Innocent babes that knows no evil, are Tormented, that Precious grains may hang at those Wounded ears, grains heavy, indeed, not with their own, but with the weight of their price? All which the sinful and Apostate Angels discovered by their arts, when tumbling into Earthly contagion, they fell from their Celestial vigour. It was they, who taught to Paint the Eye-brows with Black, and to daub the Cheeks with counterfeit read, and to alter the Hair with adulterated Colours, in a word, to besmear all the Face and Head with the filth of their Paint.  
And now, indeed, for the fear and care which Faith suggests to us, for the Love and tenderness, which our Brotherhood requires of us, I think that not onely Virgins, or Widdows, but also Wives, and all sort of Women, are to be admonished, that they should by no means suffer their form and shape, which is the work of God, to be Adulterated, either with Yellow colour, or Black dust, or read, or any other Ointment whatsoever, which defaces the Natural Linements and the handework of the Creator.  
God says; 
Gen. 1.  let us make Man after our own Image and likeness; and will any body be so bold as to alter and change that which he has made? they lay Violent hands upon God, when they presume to reform and disfigure what he has formed; not understanding that what ever is born is the work of God, but what ever is altered is the work of the Devil. If a skilful Limner had, drawn a Picture, and with exquisite Colours paintted, to the lice, every Feature and Lineament in the Body, and that another, pretending more skill, would lay hands upon it, in order to Mend the Work, the former doubtless would think himself injured and would be justly offended: and do you think, your rash Presumption will escape unpunished, who dares lay hands on a piece drawn by the hands of the Almighty? For tho' you be not Lewd, nor Immodest in the Eyes of Men, for your Prostitute paint; you are nevertheless an adulteress when you Corrupt and Violate the work of God. You think to Adorn, and set yourself out, but in the mean time you inpugne the Divine work, and falsify the truth. The words of the Apostle sufficiently instructeth in this: Purge out says He the old Leaven, 
1. Cor. 5.  that ye may be a new Lump, as ye are unleavened; for even Christ our Passover is Sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the Feast, not with old Leaven, neither with the Leaven of Malice and Wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and Truth. Can sincerity and truth persist, when that that is sincere is Polluted with Adulterated Colours, and truth with Sophisticated Ointments is changed into a lie? Your Lord and Master says: you cannot make one hair in your Head White or Black: and you to convince your Masters words, and show your one skill to be greater, would with a rash and Sacrilegious contempt Colour your Hair; as a future presage of your Evil, you covet to have Golden hair, and you sin( o wickedness) in your Head, that is to say, in the most precious part of your Body; and as it is written of the Lord: His Head, 
Apoc. 2.  and the Hair of his head was White like Wool or Snow; you abhor that hoariness, you detest that Whiteness which is like to the Lords head. Are not you afraid, pray, when the day of judgement comes, that your Maker will not know you, and when you come to the Promised Rewards will turn you away, and shut you out, saying: this is not my work, this Image is not Mine; you have polluted your Skin with false Paste, you have altered your hair with Adulterated Colours, you have taken a false Face for your own, your Figure is corrupted, your Countenance altered, you cannot see God, since you have not the Eyes which were made by God, but which were infected by the Devil. him you have followed, the Blaseing and Painted eyes of the Serpent you have Immitated, by your enemy you have been dressed, and with him you shall burn. Are not these things, I beseech you, to be considered by the Servant, of God? Are not these hourly and daily to be feared? Let Married women have a care how they flatter themselves with a vain pretence of pleasing their Husbands, whom, when they produce for their excuse, they join in the Guilt of their Criminal condescension. Indeed Virgins,( whose good this discourse chiefly Consults,) which sets themselves out with such art, are not, in my opinion, to be reckoned among Virgins: but like Mangy Cattle, or Scabby sheep ought to be driven and chased from the pure and Holy fold of Virginity; lest they should infect, or pollute the rest by their Contagion, whilst they live amongst them. And since our purpose is to seek what is good for chased minds, let us shun whatever is pernicious and destructive to them. Neither can I pass those things by, which being introduced by a certain negligence, do usurp a kind of Liberty contrary to modest and sober Behaviour. Some Virgins are not ashamed to be present at Weddings, and with the Lascivious discourses Generally practised on such Occasions, to mix immodest words, to hear what is not becoming, to observe what is not lawful to be  told, to be present at obscene words and Drunken Feasts wherewith the Flames of Lusts are kindled, and the Bride encouraged to suffer the loss of her Maiden-head, and the Bridegroom prompted to the confidence of taking it.  
What place is there for her at Weddings, who has not a mind to mary? or how can they be pleasant or Merry, where such different and opposite wishes and desires do meet? What is there learnt? what is there seen? how much does a Virgin fail in her purpose who, was modest when she came, but immodest departing? tho' she is chased in body and mind, yet in her Eyes, in her Ears, in her Tongue she is not.  
But what of those Virgins, who Promiscuously with those of the other sex go to Baths? who Prostitute their Bodies, which they had before devoted to Chastity and Modesty, to the Lust of lascivious Eyes, who when they see and are seen naked by Men, do they not Administer a Temptation to wickedness? does not such objects, solicit and Invite the beholders to corrupt and defile them? But one will say, let every one see to what Intention he comes there; for my part, I have no other but to wash and refresh my Body. That plea does not purge you; nor excuse the crime of your Lascivious wantonness. Such a Bath does not wash but sully you, nor does it Cleanse your Members but Defile them. you look at none Lasciviously, but you yourself are Lasciviously Looked upon: you do not please your eyes with any foul object, but being the object that pleases others, yourself is polluted: you make a show of the Bath, and the place where you meet is worse than the Theatre. there all modesty is put off together with your clothes, all modesty and shame-facedness of the Body is laid aside; Virginity itself is discovered even to be seen and handled. Now let me see, can you be modest amongst Men when you are Clothed, you, I say, whose nakedness has encouraged them to attempt your Chastity?  
I'ts for this reason the Church laments her Virgins, thus she Mourns for their Infamous and detestable faults, so the Flower of Virgins fadeth, the honor and Modesty of Chastity is cut off, all their glory and worth is profaned. Thus the devouring Enemy by his execrable arts insinuates himself: thus the Devil Creeps in insensibly: thus when Virgins go about decked and trimmed, they are no more Virgins; being corrupted with their hidden disgrace, they are Widdows before they are Wives; they are adultresses, not of Husbands but of Christ; and according to the Measure of the reward which Virgins are to expect, so much shall they suffer pains for the loss of their Virginity.  
Hear me therefore as a Father, o Virgins; hear me, I beseech you, instructing and advising you, hear me for your own good and profit: be ye such as God your Artificer has made you: Be ye such as the Hands of your Heavenly Father has ordained you. Let not the Face be tainted, let the Neck be pure, the Countenance sincere: Let not the Ears be wounded, nor the Neck or Arms tied up with precious Chains of Pearl or ston.— Let your feet be free from Golden featers your Hair from Sophisticated Colours. Let your Eyes be worthy to look God in the Face, use Baths among Women whose conversation may render such washings innocent, avoid the wicked Feasts, and Lascivious Banquets of Weddings, whose very Contagion is dangerous. You that is a Virgin, you that glory in serving the Lord should be above any thoughts of Immodest Apparel, conquer your Gold, you that triumph over the Flesh and the World. 'Tis not surely the property of one and the same, not to be overcome in great, and yet to succumb in mean things. 
Mat. 7.  The way is strait and narrow which leads to life; the path is high and difficult which tends to glory: by this small path the Martyrs do pass, Virgins do go, and every one that is just do walk. Avoid the broad and spacious way: there are Poisonous pleasures, and mortal allurements: there the Devil flatters, that he may deceive; pleases, that he may hurt; entices, that he may Kill. The fruit of Martyrs, as the first, is an Hundred fold; yours, as the Second is Sixty. And as their thoughts is not of the World or the Flesh, nor their strife little, light or delicate: so let your courage in suffering be next them, whose reward in glory is ranked in the Second place.  
It is not easy to attain to great things, how do we sweat, how do we labour, when we mount hills, or tops of Mountains? How great then should our labour be, when we ascend to Heaven? if you consider the reward that is promised your labour will come far short of it. Immortality is given to him that persevers; an eternal Life is promised, the Lord promiseth a Kingdom. preserve o Virgins that which ye began to be. Keep that which ye will be. Great is the reward which attends you, great is the price of Virtue, and very great is the reward of Chastity. would you know how great are the evils Virtue wants, and the good it possesseth. I will multiply, says God to the Woman thy Sorrow, and thy Conception: 
17. Gen. 3.  In sorrow thou shalt bring forth Children: and this desire shall be to thy Husband, and he shall rule over thee. Ye are free from that decree, Ye do not fear the sorrow or groans of Women traveling in Child-birth: Ye are in no danger of that Nature, neither is a Husband your Master, but Christ your Lord and Chief is instead of a Husband, whose Lot and Fortune is common to you.  
This is the voice of the Lord saying: The Children of this world mary, and are given in Marriage, but they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that World and the Resurrection from the Dead, neither mary, nor are given in Marriage. neither can they die any more for they are equal unto the Angels, and are the Children of God, being the Children of the Resurrection. What we will, that ye now begin to be. Ye do already enjoy the glory of the Resurrection. Ye pass through the World without the Worlds infection. Whilst ye persevere in Chastity, ye are equal to the Angels of God; provided your Chastity be pure and unspoted; and that as it begun stoutly, so it may last continually, and affect no Ornaments of Jewels or Pearls but of good manners. Look up on God and Heaven, and do not abase those Eyes lifted up to the Consideration of Carnal concupiscence or Earthly things.  
The first decree Commands to en●●ease and Multiply: the Second advices ꝯtinence. When the World was in the beginning empty and unpeopled, it was necessary to Propagate and multiply Mankind that the earth might be inhabited: but now since the World is replenished, such as have the gift of ꝯtinence, make themselves Eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven. This the Lord commandeth not, but exhorteh. Nor doth he impose a necessity upon us, since he left us a free will to use it. But seeing there are a great many Mansions with the Father, he would show us which of them are the best: Ye thirst after these best Mansions, and if you mortify the desires of the Flesh, you will get the reward of a greater grace in Heaven. Indeed as many as attained to that divine Benefit of sacred Baptism, have by the grace of there Sacrament put of the old man, and being renewed by the Holy Ghost, are cleansed from the Filth of the old contagion by a new Regeneration. But ye, who have cast off the desires of Flesh and Blood, have a greater title to the Sanctity and purity of that Regeneration, whilst ye keep the things only that are of Virtue and of the Spirit. It's the voice of the Apostle, whom the Lord calls his chosen Vessel, and whom he sent to promulgat his Heavenly commands: The first man is of the Earth, Earthy: the second is the Lord from Heaven: as is the Earthy, such are they also that are Earthy: and as is the Heavenly, such are they also that are Heavenly. and as we have born the image of the Earthy, we shall also bear the Image of the Heavenly. This Image Virginity bears, so doth integrity, so doth Truth and holiness. Such as are mindful of the Discipline of the Lord, such as join Religion with Justice; such as are stead-fast in Faith, humble in fear, strong in Sufferings, mildred in bearing injuries, prompt in doing works of Mercy, unanimous in peace and concord do bear this Image. All which o good Virgins, ye ought to observe, Love and fulfil; ye who having leisure to serve God and Christ do with a greater and more excellent part go before to the Lord to whom ye are Consecrated. Ye that are Elder instruct the Younger, ye that are Younger assist the Elder, excite your equals, stir up one an other with mutual Exhortations, provoke to Glory with documents of Emulation in Virtue. Endure stoutly, go on Spiritually, arrive happily. And remember, me, when your Virginity begins to be crwoned.  
FINIS.