Page:A Treatise concerning the Use and Abuse of the Marriage Bed.djvu/333

 is an End so base, so mean, so absurd, that no Christian Man can plead it in Excuse; and yet, at the same time, 'tis impossible to find any other Excuse for it: In short, it is a meer shameless use of a Woman, to abate the heat of his Spirits, and cool his Blood; 'tis making a Necessary-House of his Wife, and nothing more or less; and that indeed is a sordid Thing, so much as in the suggestion of it; 'tis adding Scandal to the Crime, covering it without a Cover; there's no Excuse can be made for it, no tolerable Name be given to it (that I can find at least) but this of Matrimonial Whoredom, according to my Title.

us then think of reforming this scandalous Practice; let us look at it in a due Perspective, in a clear open Light. If any one thing can with Modesty be said in Defence of it, let us hear it; if not, if it is to be only confess'd as a Crime, let it be forsaken as a Crime. What cannot be defended, ought to be reformed: What every one is ashamed to speak for, none should be ashamed to forsake.

I could offer some Examples upon this Subject, but they are of such a course kind, that it is too foul to mention; there's no entring into the Particulars; it would offend the Ears of all those that have the least Pretence to Modesty. Some of our worthy Neighbours will indeed, on this very Score, pass unreproved, and the filthy Circumstances not be animadverted upon, because they cannot be mentioned; but it is so, it cannot be helped, so they must escape.

I have the Honour to converse with some Gentlemen so abstenious, that they are able to clear themselves of this Charge; and 'tis to