I fancy he makes
mention of the strange woman in the Text: and whilest I hear another
report, that _Julia_ arrived to that heighth of licentiousness, [10]_That
she would leave nothing undone which she could basely commit, either by
Action or Passion, judging that lawful which pleased her humour best_, me
thinks he characterizes our strange woman to us. King _Solomon_
(understanding a hot Prostitute) tells us, _Prov._ 6. 27. a man cannot take
fire into his bosom, but he must be necessarily burnt; and I believe that
many of the Gallants of our time, who have thought onely to _warm_ and
cherish their lusts at this she-fire, have at last been soundly _burnt_ by
taking her into their bosomes: for this strange Woman is not like the
_Glow-worm_, that carries only a counterfeit _heat_, nor of so cold a
constitution as the _Moon_ was when she embraced _Endymion_; but he that
{7} embraces her shall find the same entertainment the Satyr did, that
kiss'd the fiery coal and burnt his lips; and we may say of her, what the
tyrant _Nero_ once said of himself and his mother _Agrippina_, "[11]That
there can nothing come of her into the world but what is detestable and
accursed." This _Helena_ is hot enough to _inflame_ Troy; this _Hecuba_ can
bring forth nothing but a Fire-brand. Though the Toad hath a precious Stone
in her head, yet her body is poysonous: And so, though this Strange Woman
may wear a handsome countenance, and for her superficial and skin-deep
beauty seem an inestimable Jewel, yet, if we view her throughly, we shall
discover the venom of her impure body; for, though _her lips drop as an
honey comb, and her mouth is smoother then oyl, yet her end is bitter as
wormwood, and sharp as a two-edg'd sword_. Upon which two Verses of the
Text, as upon two pillars, I build this practical Proposition,

{8}

_That the short and transitory pleasures which the strange woman
affords us, are accompanied with the sharpest and most permanent
evils._

And that, First, Because she'l wound and stain our reputation. How full is
the adulterer of fears and jealousies, scorching desires, and impatient
waitings, tedious demurrs, sufferance of indignities, and amazements of
discoveries, and his uncleanness is ever attended by shame which is its
eldest daughter; for let us consider how infamous it has ever been, to be
noted for a common _Pathick_, or a lustful _Amoretto_, how opprobriously
Adulterers have been used by most Nations. The