Page:A Treatise concerning the Use and Abuse of the Marriage Bed.djvu/173

 guage is pretty much unknown among us, I could almost venture to put in a grave Word to the Ladies that marry, and would have no Children; those preposterous, not unthinking but ill-thinking Ladies, I say, that will marry but would have no Children; as 'tis most certain that they expose their Modesty in it, so they likewise expose their Christianity; and let me ask them but this short Question; Pray, Madam, what Religion are you of?

asking after the Lady's Religion, I do not mean whether Protestant or Papist, Church of England, or Presbyterian, but whether Christian or Pagan, a worshipper of, or of the Devil; of one or a thousand Gods, nominal Gods; in a word, have you, Madam, any such Thing as Religion about you? It is indeed a Question, which, in a Christian Nation, should pass for an Affront; but when People act counter to Principle, and counter to Profession, they open the Door to the Question, nay, they make it rational and necessary.

I will suppose the Lady shall answer, I am a Christian, and a Protestant.

, Madam, then you will allow me to say, that sometimes you pray to, or, to give it you in the Language of the Moderns, you say your Prayers.

I do, says the Lady; and what then?

then, Madam, you suppose, or grant, that can hear you, when you say your Prayers?

, I know he can, says she; what then?

then, Madam, you believe he will answer your Prayers too, and grant your Requests also, because he has promised he will, if what we ask be agreeable to his Will, 1 John v. 14.