Thus I have detected the several Fallacies, Inconsistencies, and Impositions of the Author of Onania; prov’d that he is mistaken in the Crime of Onan; that the design, of his Book was to encourage Lewdness, and thereby promote the sale of destructive Medicines, which many times occasion a conflux of Humours, and incurable Diseases; shewn that Quack Preparations promote the very Sin he with views of Interest pretends to discountenance, set forth the real Crime of Onan, and the Causes and fatal Consequences of Self-pollution: I now proceed to the heinousness of the Sin.
CHAP. II.
The Sin of Self-Pollution, the means to avoid it, and to attain Chastity.
The Learned Ostervald treating of the several Species of Uncleanness, says it is easy to discern ‘that impure Actions are forbidden for two Reasons. First, because they are likely means of carrying Men to the grosser Crime: People don’t ordinarily arrive at the height of Wickedness all at once, but by certain Steps and Degrees. They begin with what they think lawful; they accustom themselves to violate the rules of Chastity in such Instances, as they perswade themselves, can have no great hurt in them: But then from these lesser Offences, they proceed to others, whose Wickedness they cannot but be sensible of; and so at length they fall into the more horrid Crime. But in the second place, though we should never come thus far, and our unchaste Actions should never push us on to the utmost Licentiousness, they however defile the Soul; they increase the inclination to Uncleanness, and withdraw from God; as a very little Observation will inform those, who allow themselves in these sort of Liberties.
‘To impure Actions, may be subjoin’d such Looks, as are contrary to Chastity, inasmuch, as a Man may be guilty also of Sin in this respect, whether in beholding such Objects, or in reading such Books, as may be apt to beget unlawful Desires. It is an undoubted Truth, that impure Passions are chiefly rais’d and inflam’d by the sight, and that it is impossible to continue Chast without a diligent care to govern the Eyes, and to turn them away from whatsoever might seduce the Heart. Let but any one enquire into the Objects I am speaking of, and the Impressions they are apt to make upon the Mind, and this will presently convince him of the Evil and Danger of suffering his Eyes to dwell upon them: These Objects pollute the Imagination, filling it with lustful Thoughts; and it is only through the Temptation of sensuality, that any can fix their Eyes upon them, or take any manner of pleasure in them. The holy Scriptures sufficiently caution against these undue Liberties; it was by the sight that David was entic’d to commit Iniquity: And Job, who liv’d at a time when moral Chastity was less known, than it has been since, had yet learn’d, that the principal Duty of Chastity was to regulate the Sight.’
There are many Things conducive to Chastity, as the pious example of Superiours, a Godly Conversation, Books of Devotion, a firm Resolution, Temperance, &c. And at all Seasons, Persons ought to use their utmost Endeavours for overcoming their inclinations to Impurity; but there are some times, and opportunities, wherein it is done far more easily than at others. In matters of Salvation, as well, as in all others, a great deal depends upon a choice of proper Seasons: No-body, but must have found, that he is not always equally well disposed: Upon some occasions a thing will appear almost insuperable, which yet will not be so at another time: Take a Man given to any particular passion, and in the instant, when he is seiz’d and transported with it: All you can say to the contrary, will make no Impression upon him; yet take the same Person out of his passion, when his Blood is cold, and you will see him very different. The Impure have their intervals, and these longer or shorter, and more or less frequent, according as the Habit they have contracted is stronger or weaker; there are some, over whom this passion has so great an Ascendency, that they are almost perpetually employ’d by it; yet such as these have some more favourable Moments, wherein they are capable of reflection, and wherein their Passion allows them some respite without opposition.
But there is nothing to be done without Resolution and Confidence; and we may be assur’d, that God’s enjoining of Chastity, is an incontestable proof, that People may attain it: It is by no means to be presum’d, that our great Creator, who is all Justice, would under pain of Damnation command the observance of such Duties, as he knows to be entirely out of our power: No, there are means of performing what he injoins, not attended with unconquerable difficulties: And as it is he, who has ordered these means; so has he engaged himself to second them with his blessing, whenever we commence a sincere obedience to his Laws.
It would be strange to find any make a Question of this; but it must be granted, that as this Duty is not to be acquir’d with equal ease at all times, so it is not alike easy to all sorts of Persons; and some find considerable trouble in it; and so it is in all the other Duties of Morality: There are some, who whether from their natural Tempers and Constitutions, or from the bad Habits they have contracted, are violently press’d on to certain Passions, and must encounter Self-difficulties before they can make the least conquest over them: An eagerness of Temper, and fullness of Heat, with an ill Habit too long indulg’d, will render Persons so prone to anger, that they must be very diligent and watchful, and always upon their guard, or they will not be able to avoid it; but it will very ill become these to offer this for their excuse; for by this means, there is no Person but would be able to vindicate himself: So in a temporal Sense, were Criminals allow’d to plead a strong inclination and proneness of Nature, to the committing of Crimes, there would be no such thing as Justice or Government in the World.
Tho’ many Persons are strongly press’d to Impurity, yet it cannot be concluded, from hence, that there are no methods of Preservation from this Passion: If they brought themselves into this State by their own fault, and for want of using the means proper in order to Chastity, this is no Evidence that these means are not sufficient for their purpose: The Case is the same here, as if a Man had fallen into a dangerous Indisposition for not using certain Preservatives or Remedies, which does not shew that he had no means of preventing his Sickness, but only that he did not make a right use of them: Those who are entangled in this dangerous Passion, and whose return to Chastity appears very difficult, may yet be assur’d, that they may recover themselves: It is true, they may find it troublesome at first, but then they ought to remember, that it is but reasonable for them to cross their own Inclinations, and bear with some inconvenience to preserve themselves from fatal ruin: The trouble will daily lessen, and what at first seem’d insuperable, will become at length pleasant in the performance. There are certainly means of being Chast, and whosoever makes the Trial, will quickly find the benefit of them: As for those that will not use them, who will do nothing to fortify themselves, will not keep out of the way of Temptations, nor cross their vicious Inclinations in any thing; I confess it is my Opinion, that they will never attain any degree of Chastity, but then they have none but themselves to blame for it; it is their own fault, and not any defect in Religion, that they are in this Condition: And to such the Almighty has ordain’d a proper Remedy, whereby to avoid the excesses of the Flesh, which is Marriage.
Meditation is an excellent means to Purity, it excites and recalls into the Mind, divers good Reflections, and abates the force of Temptations: There is no matter of Religion and Piety, which may not be revolv’d in our Minds to advantage; and there are many particular Meditations, that have a peculiar Virtue for dissuading from pollution; such as the presence of our Creator, Death, Resurrection, Judgment, &c. The thoughts of Death, which puts an end to all our Enjoyments here, must necessarily abate the allurements of sensual Pleasures. The thoughts of our Resurrection will force us to have a regard to Purity: And the thoughts of our Saviour’s Sufferings, are a powerful Motive, not to seek our own ease, and the satisfaction of our Senses in this World.