in my Opinion, draw on a more pernicious Evil than that which they deſign to avoid. If the leaſt Familiarity is obſerved between Perſons of a different Sex, they are immediately ſummon'd to the Communion-Table, and there obliged to ſwear themſelves innocent, or endure the Shame and Puniſhment ordained for the Crime of Fornication. This they call Purging, but it is ſo far from being worthy of that Name, that many to avoid public Disgrace, add the Sin of Perjury to the other, and take the moſt ſolemn Oath that can be invented to a Falſhood. Innumerable are the Inſtances I could give of this Truth; but to avoid being tedious, I shall repeat but one, that being of ſo dreadful a Nature, as may very well ſerve to convince my Reader, that too much Severity, as well as too much Lenity, is of dangerous Conſequence.
A Widow at Duglas, being of a light Behaviour, was frequently ſuſpected to be guilty of Fornication, and accordingly was ſummon'd, and took the Oath of Purgation, (how truly, the Sequel will prove.) As ſhe was was one Evening going home, he was accoſted by a Stran-
ger,
