Onania: or, the heinous sin of self-pollution and all its frightful consequences (in both sexes) considered with spiritual and physical advice to those who have already injured themselves by this abominable practice.

Date:
1756
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Onania: or, the heinous sin of self-pollution and all its frightful consequences (in both sexes) considered with spiritual and physical advice to those who have already injured themselves by this abominable practice. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    to inftrucT: others, that he will be provoked not to fuffjr fuch an extraordinary Cafe to efcape the Notice of the ableft Philofopher. YOU acquaint me in your Letter, that it is reported at Rome, that two Nuns in a Monaftery were changed in fuch a Manner, as to be fufpecled of PirHity. Upon the Increafe of fuch a Report that it came to the Popes Ears, who, upon fuch an extraordinary Occafion, ordered fome Cardinals to inquire into the Truth of it : That, after their Search, they affirmed, that the Nuns were grown in fuch a Manner, as to hi.ve changed their Sex ; in Tefti- mony of which, you fay, the Cardinals commanded them to be expelled the Monaftery, and that, at that Time, they had changed their Drefs, and took upon them the Employs of Men* IWOND'ER what could induce his Holinefs to commit the Infpection of that Affair to his Cardinals, who are no Ways converfant in the Difference of Sexes. It is true indeed, that the Reputation of their Integrity would prevent all Manner of Sufpicion as to their Report ; but yet their unfpotted Chaftity, joined with Shame and Mo- defty, could never fuffer them to make fuch a nice Inquiry as the Nature of fuch a Thing demanded. PERSONS who read this Account may,perhaps, be divided into different Opinions, and both of them wrong. SOME, who have a Confidence in the Integrity of the Cardinals, may not, upon that Account, disbelieve it ; but, as it exceeds the wonted Bounds of Nature, take it for a Miracle. « OTHERS may wholly difbelieve it, as it fo far exceeds the Reach of Nature, that, as Miracles are ceafed, it muft be impoffible ; and as they are under no Obliga- tions to believe Impoflibilities, fo they will not believe that. T t 2