Page:A Treatise concerning the Use and Abuse of the Marriage Bed.djvu/134

 the young forward Widows, for she is a maiden Lady, and has no Affairs.

cannot say, she marries for Maintenance, for she is rich, and has a plentiful Estate.

cannot say, she marries for Affection, for me declares she don't love him.

cannot say, 'tis to have Children, for she says something else to that, of which our next Chapter shall speak more fully.

then, what do you marry this Man for? Her Answer, if she will speak Truth, must be this: Truly, because I want to lie with a Man. Horrid Plea! Is this a just Reason for Matrimony! And can it be honestly called Matrimony; whatever it may be called in the Sense of legal Forms, can it be called so in the Sense of Conscience and of Honour? Is it not much more proper to say, 'tis a Matrimonial Whoredom?

I see but one Answer that can be given to this Argument, or be made a Plea for this kind of Matrimony, and this is a coarse one for either Party, I confess; but much more so for the Ladies, viz. That Marriage is said to be appointed to prevent Fornication; and that 'tis a Scripture direction to marry, rather than to turn. Let them that marry upon this Foundation acknowledge it then, and tell one another so before-hand, and see how the Tale will sit upon the Tongue of a young Gentleman, when he courts a Lady, and begins to address her thus:

, I have a great define to marry you.

Sir, says she, what do you desire me for? You don't love me, I hear.