A Letter to A.H. Esq.; Concerning the Stage (1698) and The Occasional Paper No. IX (1698) by Anonymous
page 36 of 43 (83%)
page 36 of 43 (83%)
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increased to a head, and thrown out again into all parts of the body,
many of which to be sure first have it from thence, tho' they afterwards help to keep up the Spring: And if this pestilent Matter, be not only thus suffered to circulate, but assisted to spread, the _Sickness_ will quickly be _unto Death_. For whatever some fancy, a Nation can never live long without any Religion, nor Religion subsist without some to attend it as their principal Care: So that shou'd it indeed come to pass, that no body minded what Men of this Character said, as these _Teachers_ would have it, Darkness with all it's hideous works wou'd soon cover the face of the Land, and make it fit for the Stroke. We are already almost advanced to the brink of the Pit, by People's unlearning only what once they were taught, of the Honour and Advantage of _Marriage_, and the mutual Duties of Husbands and Wives, which are indeed so grosly forgot, that the Offenders have well nigh made their own Doctrine against it, appear to be true: But then it cannot confuse it self better, then by bidding so fair to destroy all the Comfort and Use of a _Social Life_: For if Mankind cannot indeed be happy in Wedlock, they are in a very deplorable State. It was deservedly thought a Monstrous Error in those that declaimed against Marriage of old, as bringing more Creatures into the World to Sin, and be punished for it; tho' Salvation and Purity were their design: How much then above these are they to be blamed, who wou'd fain bring it into discredit, without any intent to keep Souls from Miscarrying, or set an unspotted life in it's place; but on purpose to spread their _Abominations_ the wider, in defiance of all the Threatnings of God denounced against them, and those they defile. |
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