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.

    39/346 (page 29)
    « S I R, c< T READ over yourTreatife of Self-Pollution, much to my Satisfaction, and cannot but thank you for it (though I am unknown to you) becaufe I am ve- rily perfuaded it will, in a great Meafure, fupprefs that odious and abominable Sin, which has hitherto been fre- quently practifed, becaufe, out of a bafeSortof Modefty, it has not been fufficiently difcovered and expofedby the Writers upon that Subject. To my Knowledge, I can allure you, it has had a very good Effect upon a young Gentleman (that defired me to write this to you) who, for feveral Years, followed this foul Practice, though, in other Refpects, he was very fober and regular. He was always oblerved to be a confcientious Youth, conftant and devout in his Prayers, abhorred Drunkennefs and Debauchery, and was fo extremely modeft, that he could fcarce look upon a Woman, but yet (as he himfelf con- feffed to me) having but light Apprehenfions of the Guilt of this vile Sin, he fell into it, and oftentimes commit- ted it without any Regret. By the frequent Practice of this deteftable Sin, it is incredible to tell you how much his intellectual Abilities, which were once very bright and vigorous, are-weakened and decayed, and the Conflitu- tion of his Body damaged and impaired. He has made a Refolution, upon reading your Book, to leave it off in- tirely, and to pray for the Afiiilance of the Divine Grace, that he may repent fincerely, and abftain from that exe- crable Practice for the Time to come ; and I hope by a total Abftinence from it, by ufing fome Kind of Severities which I have advifed, and by mortifying his Flefh by an abftemious Courfe of Life, he may keep his Body under, and make it obedient to the Motions of God's holy Spirit. 1 wifh the fober Youth of the Nation, at leaft, would ferioufly confider the heinous Guilt of this unnatural Vice (as you have well opened it in your Book) and be afraid of doing that in the Sight of God, which they would be afhamed of before a Child ; or, if the Love of Virtue and Chaitity will not excite, let the Horrors of this Sin deter them ;