Eu. What new Religion is that then, which makes that void, that the Law of Nature had establish’d?  What the old Law hath taught, and the Gospel approv’d, and the Apostles confirm’d?  That is an Ordinance that never came from Heaven, but was hatch’d by a Company of Monks in their Cells.  And after this Manner, some of them undertake to justify a Marriage between a Boy and a Girl, though without the Privity, and against the Consent of their Parents; if the Contract be (as they phrase it) in Words of the present Tense.  And yet that Position is neither according to the Dictate of Nature, the Law of Moses, or the Doctrine of Christ or his Apostles.

Ca. Do you think then, that I may not espouse myself to Christ without my Parents Consent?

Eu. I say, you have espous’d him already, and so we have all.  Where is the Woman that marries the same Man twice?  The Question is here only about Places, Garments and Ceremonies.  I don’t think Duty to Parents is to be abandon’d for the Sake of these Things; and you ought to look to it, that instead of espousing Christ, you don’t espouse some Body else.

Ca. But I am told, that in this Case it is a Piece of the highest Sanctity, even to contemn ones Parents.

Eu. Pray, require these Doctors to shew you a Text for it, out of the holy Scriptures, that teach this Doctrine; but if they can’t do this, bid them drink off a good large Bumper of Burgundian Wine:  That they can do bravely.  It is indeed a Piece of Piety to fly from wicked Parents to Christ:  But to fly from pious Parents to a Monkery, that is (as it too often proves) to fly from ought to stark naught.  What Pity is that I pray?  Although in old Time, he that was converted from Paganism to Christianity, paid yet as great a Reverence to his idolatrous Parents, as it was possible to do without prejudice to Religion itself.

Ca. Are you then against the main Institution of a monastick Life?

Eu. No, by no Means:  But as I will not persuade any Body against it, that is already engag’d in this Sort of Life, to endeavour to get out of it, so I would most undoubtedly caution all young Women; especially those of generous Tempers, not to precipitate themselves unadvisedly into that State from whence there is no getting out afterwards:  And the rather, because their Chastity is more in Danger in a Cloyster than out of it; and beside that, you may do whatsoever is done there as well at Home.

Ca. You have indeed urg’d many, and very considerable Arguments; yet this Affection of mine can’t be removed.

Eu. If I can’t dissuade you from it, as I wish heartily I could, however, remember this one Thing, that Eubulus told you before Hand.  In the mean Time, out of the Love I bear you, I wish your Inclinations may succeed better than my Counsel.

The PENITENT VIRGIN.

The ARGUMENT.