and diſdain Religion, Virtue, and Senſe, which are Qualities, in their Nature, of much higher Perfection, becauſe an Elegance of Perſon only is wanting; this is ſurely inconſiſtent either with a wiſe Man, or a good Chriſtian. And it is, perhaps, being too charitable to conclude that ſuch Perſons mean any thing more by their Marriage, than to pleaſe their carnal Appetites, for the Satisfaction of which we are taught it was not ordained.
‘In the next Place, with reſpect to Fortune. Worldly Prudence perhaps exacts ſome Conſideration on this Head; nor will I abſolutely and altogether condemn it. As the World is conſtituted, the Demands of a married State, and the Care of Poſterity, require ſome little Regard to what we call Circumſtances. Yet this Proviſion is greatly encreaſed beyond what is really neceſſary, by Folly and Vanity, which create abundantly more Wants than Nature. Equipage for the Wife, and large Fortunes for the Children, are by Cuſtom enrolled in the Liſt of Neceſſaries; and, to procure theſe, every thing truly ſolid and ſweet, and virtuous, and religious, are neglected and overlooked.
‘And
