[ 47 ]
that decency will permit, what it is I am to engage against, and for what Reasons.
Chastity is a Virtue much talked of, little practised; a great Noise is made with the word Chastity, and, on many Occasions, where little true regard is had to the thing, and perhaps where 'tis little understood; 'tis taken among us for a meer Regulation of Manners, and a kind of Government of Life. But the definition is infinitely short of the thing it self, which is of a high and superior kind; it is a rectitude of Nature, an inherent Brightness of the Soul, I'll give you a better description of it presently, and a better describer also, for I must speak with Authority, if possible, where I have so much to say, and which you will like so little.
If Chastity in general be so little understood, the Chastity I speak of is infinitely more out of the way of your ordinary thinking: Matrimonial Chastity! 'tis a new strange Term, said one of my critical Observers before I published this Work; you must be sure to tell us what you mean by it, or it will not be intelligible: What, says he, are you going to lay down Rules and Laws for the Marriage Bed! Are you going to enclose what Heaven has left free, and pretending to shew us the deficiency of God's Laws, supply that deficiency with some wiser Rules of your own? 'Tis against Nature, as well as against Heaven. But this Reproof is misplaced, and the Reprover mistaken. I am far from adding to the Restraints that Nature, and the God of Nature have laid upon us, but am for shewing you what Restraints they are; and particularly to let you see, there are some Re-
straints
