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Lady. Do, Cousin, if it be possible.
Cou. Nay, since you are so much in earnest.
Lady. Indeed, I am in earnest.
Cou. Why, there are Things to be taken to ———
Lady. What! to make Folks miscarry. Oh! I would not do that neither; I dare not do that.
Cou. "What! you mean to prevent your being with Child, I suppose.
Lady. Ay, ay, I do mean that; but I wou'd not take Things to destroy the Child, that wou'd be murther. I wou'd not do that by no means, Cousin.
Cou. Why look ye, Child, I would not deceive you, 'tis the same Thing.
Lady. What do you mean?
Cou. Why, I mean as I say; I tell you, 'tis the same Thing, Child.
Lady. What! the same Thing to prevent a Conception as to destroy the Child after it is conceived: Is that the same Thing?
Cou. Yes, I say, 'tis the same Thing.
Lady. Explain your self, Cousin, for I don't understand you, indeed; it does not seem the same Thing to me.
Cou. Why, in the first place, you would prevent your having any Children, though you married according to God's holy Ordinance; which Ordinance, as the Office of Matrimony tells you, was appointed for that very End; to take Medicines therefore to prevent, or to destroy that Conception, are equally wicked in their Intention, and it is the End of every thing, that makes it Good or Evil; the rest differs only in the degree.
Lady,