Proverbs 5

Ver. 1, 2. And, my children, what I am just going to say requires your particular and most serious consideration, that you may be able to preserve yourselves from the most subtle and dangerous deceits, and, by your pious and prudent discourses and admonitions, prevent the ensnaremient of others—3—6. For astonishing are the arts, and inconceivable the enchanting flatteries, of whorish women, as if nothing but the most pure and exquisite pleasures were to be enjoyed in fellowship with them: but dreadful is the real issue thereof, in the impairing of men’s health, strength, estates, and reputation; and in remorse of conscience, wretched death, and endless damnation.—And, to prevent your repentance and escape from their snares, they will turn themselves into ten thousand forms, that they may work on your several humours

Proverbs 5:7-14

Let me therefore, with the utmost affection, earnestness, and solemnity, beseech you to avoid such women, and all, even the most distant, approaches to familiarity with them, as a dangerous, an infernal, plague; lest you forfeit your credit, 4 nd sacrifice your vigour of life, to base and cruel wretches, who labour to ruin ou to every intent, and for ever; and lest your wealth, and the fruit of your re and labour, should, by their means, be transferred from you to others; and, hen your substance is gone, and your body pining to death, under horrible issues, you should have nothing left you but inexpressible torment of conence, reflecting upon the faithful admonitions of parents and teachers which you have condemned, and the miseries which you do, and must for ever, undergo

Proverbs 5:15-19

And, to prevent your having the smallest inclination to the base nd polluting pleasures of whoredom, marry; and in a wife wholly your own njoy and rest contented with the pure, chaste, and honourable, pleasures of the marriage state. Take pleasure in having children by her, sporting in the streets, or dispersed into families. Have children by her alone, and which you are sufficiently certain are really your own. Make your wife happy, by an affectionate cleaving to her only; and take pleasure in her innocent and delightful company. While you live together, let her always be amiable in your eyes; cherish her with the most tender affection; and in her embraces, and tender regard, always take such satisfaction as to prevent your affections in the least fixing upon another in her stead. 20, 21. And, when you can so fully, pleasantly, securely, instantly, innocently, and honourably, enjoy such pleasure in a pious and affectionate wife, why risk every thing dear to enjoy the base, dishonourable, destructive, and damning, pleasures of whoredom,—especially when the all-seeing God witnesses your most secret conduct, and will quickly reward or punish you according to the nature of it? 21, 22. Nor shall whoremongers and adulterers long escape his insupportable vengeance;—their own guilt and lust shall for ever bind and hold them fast under the power of his wrath. To punish their contempt of former instructions and warnings, God shall abandon them to impenitence, and permit them madly to rush forward, through increasing crimes, into endless amination

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. V.—It is shameful and shocking that mankind should be inclined, nay so much inclined, to a sin so base, so beastly, and ruinous, whoredom.—That, even in the sex where modesty ought to shine with distinished lustre, wretches should be found who impudently entice to it. Surely it 75 must be very absurd to prefer the pleasures of it, attended with miseries innumerable, to the innocent, the sanctified, joys and honours of the marriage state! But no wonder, that they, who atheistically discredit the omniscience and justice of God, and live thoughtless of their future account, should proceed to the most infamous lengths in wickedness. Yet let them remember, that in the most miserable manner, correspondent to their sins, they shall at last be hurried into endless fire!