a _domineering Lust_: But I fear that this _Paradise_ she puts them in will prove but a _Fools Paradise_; for I believe they'l quickly conclude, That the sulphureous flames which _Ætna's_ fiery paunch continually vomits into the Air bear not so forcible and durable a heat as the Calentures of her lustful blood; and that the poyson'd garment dipt in the _Centaur's_ blood, which caused {6} _Hercules_ to burn in living flames, had had not such vigour and vehemency as her enflamed Lust. Whilest I hear one Historian talk of _Sempronia_, and give her this character, [9]_That she oftner courted men to her embraces then she was courted by them_, I fancy he makes mention of the strange woman in the Text: and whilest I hear another report, that _Julia_ arrived to that heighth of licentiousness, [10]_That she would leave nothing undone which she could basely commit, either by Action or Passion, judging that lawful which pleased her humour best_, me thinks he characterizes our strange woman to us. King _Solomon_ (understanding a hot Prostitute) tells us, _Prov._ 6. 27. a man cannot take fire into his bosom, but he must be necessarily burnt; and I believe that many of the Gallants of our time, who have thought onely to _warm_ and cherish their lusts at this she-fire, have at last been soundly _burnt_ by taking her into their bosomes: for this strange Woman is not like the _Glow-worm_, that carries only a counterfeit _heat_, nor of so cold a constitution as the _Moon_ was when she embraced _Endymion_; but he that {7} embraces her shall find the same entertainment the Satyr did, that kiss'd the fiery coal and burnt his lips; and we may say of her, what the tyrant _Nero_ once said of himself and his mother _Agrippina_, "[11]That there can nothing come of her into the world but what is detestable and accursed." This _Helena_ is hot enough to _inflame_ Troy; this _Hecuba_ can bring forth nothing but a Fire-brand. Though the Toad hath a precious Stone in her head, yet her body is poysonous: And so, though this Strange Woman may wear a handsome countenance, and for her superficial and skin-deep beauty seem an inestimable Jewel, yet, if we view her throughly, we shall discover the venom of her impure body; for, though _her lips drop as an honey comb, and her mouth is smoother then oyl, yet her end is bitter as wormwood, and sharp as a two-edg'd sword_. Upon which two Verses of the Text, as upon two pillars, I build this practical Proposition, {8} _That the short and transitory pleasures which the strange woman affords us, are accompanied with the sharpest and most permanent evils._