Theol. Solomon, in his Proverbs, saith:1 That the mouth of a strange woman [or an harlot] is as a deep pit: he that is a detestation to the Lord, shall fall therein. Wherein he plainly showeth, that these whom God detesteth and is exceeding angry with, are given over to this vice. And in another place he saith,2 A whore is as a deep ditch, and as a narrow pit. Noting thereby, that if a man be once fallen in with an harlot, he shall as hardly get out again, as a man that is plunged into a very deep and narrow pit, where he can scant stir himself. The same Solomon, in the book of Ecclesiastes, yields us the reason hereof: namely, because she is as nets, snares and bands, wherein, if a man be once taken, he is fast enough for getting out.3 I find, saith he, more bitter then death the woman whose heart is as nets, and snares, and her hands as bands. He that is good before God shall be delivered from her: but the sinner shall be taken by her. We do therefore plainly ⟨p. 57⟩see in what a labyrinth and dangerous case they be that are left of God, and given over to whoredom and harlots: and therefore it is said,4 Desire not her beauty in thine heart, neither let her eye-lids catch thee: for by a whorish woman a man is brought to a morsel of bread; and the adulteress hunteth for life, which is precious. 5Again he saith, Albeit the lips of an harlot drop as an honey-comb, and the roof of her mouth is softer then oil: yet her latter end is bitter as wormwood, and as sharp as a two-edged sword. All these prudent speeches of the holy Ghost do most evidently show unto us what a fearful thing it is to commit whoredom, and so to fall into the hands of whores and harlots. Therefore Job saith of the wicked,6 Their soul dieth in youth, and their life among the whoremongers.
Theol. Solomon, in his Proverbs, saith:1 That the mouth of a strange woman [or an harlot] is as a deep pit: hee that is a detestation to the Lord, shall fall therein. Wherein he plainly sheweth, that these whom God detesteth and is exceeding angry with, are given over to this vice. And in another place hee saith,2 A whore is as a deep ditch, and as a narrow pit. Noting thereby, that if a man be once fallen in with an harlot, hee shall as hardly get out again, as a man that is plunged into a very deep and narrow pit, where hee can scant stirre himselfe. The same Solomon, in the book of Ecclesiastes, yeelds us the reason hereof: namely, because shee is as nets, snares and bands, wherein, if a man be once taken, hee is fast enough for getting out.3 I finde, saith hee, more bitter then death the woman whose heart is as nets, and snares, and her hands as bands. Hee that is good before God shall bee delivered from her: but the sinner shall be taken by her. Wee doe therefore plainly ⟨p. 57⟩see in what a labyrinth and dangerous case they be that are left of God, and given over to whoredome and harlots: and therefore it is said,4 Desire not her beauty in thine heart, neither let her eye-lids catch thee: for by a whorish woman a man is brought to a morsell of bread; and the adulteresse hunteth for life, which is precious. 5Againe hee saith, Albeit the lips of an harlot drop as an honey-comb, and the roofe of her mouth is softer then oyle: yet her latter end is bitter as wormwood, and as sharp as a two-edged sword. All these prudent speeches of the holy Ghost doe most evidently shew unto us what a fearfull thing it is to commit whoredome, and so to fall into the hands of whores and harlots. Therefore Job saith of the wicked,6 Their soul dieth in youth, and their life among the whoremongers.
- 1Pro. 32.14.
- 213.17.
- 3Eccl. •.28.
- 4Prov. 6.5.
- 5Pro. 5.3, 4.
- 6Job 36.14.
