know not how the Men will resent it to have their enclosure broke down,
and Women invited to tast of that Tree of Knowledge they have so long
unjustly _Monopoliz’d_. But they must excuse me, if I be as partial
to my own Sex as they are to theirs, and think Women as capable of
Learning as Men are, and that it becomes them as well. For I cannot
imagine wherein the hurt lies, if instead of doing mischief to one
another, by an uncharitable and vain Conversation, Women be enabled to
inform and instruct those of their own Sex at least; the Holy Ghost
having left it on record, that _Priscilla_ as well as her Husband,
catechiz’d the eloquent _Apollos_ and the great Apostle found no fault
with her. It will therefore be very proper for our Ladies to spend part
of their time in this Retirement, in adorning their minds with useful
Knowledge.
To enter into the detail of the particulars concerning the Government
of the _Religious_, their Offices of Devotion, Employments, Work, _&c._
is not now necessary. Suffice it at present to signify, that they will
be more than ordinarily careful to redeem their Time, spending no
more of it on the Body than the necessities of Nature require, but by
a judicious choice of their Employment and a constant industry about
it, so improve this invaluable Treasure, that it may neither be buried
in Idleness, nor lavish’d out in unprofitable concerns. For a stated
portion of it being daily paid to GOD in Prayers and Praises, the
rest shall be employ’d in innocent, charitable, and useful Business;
either in study in learning themselves or instructing others, for
it is design’d that part of their Employment be the Education of
those of their own Sex; or else in spiritual and corporal Works of
Mercy, relieving the Poor, healing the Sick, mingling Charity to the
Soul with that they express to the Body, instructing the Ignorant,
counselling the Doubtful, comforting the Afflicted, and correcting
those that err and do amiss.
And as it will be the business of their lives, their meat and drink
to _know_ and _do_ the Will of their Heavenly Father, so will they
pay a strict conformity to all the Precepts of their holy Mother the
_Church_, whose sacred Injunctions are too much neglected, even by
those who pretend the greatest zeal for her. For besides the daily
performance of the Publick Offices after the Cathedral manner, in the
most affecting and elevating way, the celebration of the Holy Eucharist
every Lords Day and Holy-day, and a course of solid instructive
Preaching and Catechizing; our _Religious_, considering that the holy
JESUS punctually observ’d the innocent usages of the _Jewish_ Church,
and tho’ in many instances the _reason_ of the Command ceas’d as to
him, yet he wou’d obey the _letter_ to avoid giving offence and to
set us an admirable pattern of Obedience; therefore, tho’ it may be
thought such pious Souls have little occasion for the severities of
fasting and mortification, yet they will consider it as a special part
of their Duty to observe all the Fasts of the Church, _viz. Lent_,
_Ember_, and _Rogation-days_, _Fridays_ and _Vigils_; times so little
heeded by the most, that one wou’d scarce believe them set apart for
Religious Purposes, did we not find them in the antiquated Rubricks.
And as their Devotion will be regular, so shall it likewise be solid
and substantial. They will not rest in the mere out-side of Duty, nor
fansie the performance of their Fasts and Offices will procure them
license to indulge a darling Vice: But having long since laid the
Ax to the root of sin, and destroy’d the whole body of it, they will
look upon these holy times of recollection and extraordinary Devotion
(without which Fasting signifies little) as excellent means to keep it
down, and to pluck up every the least Fibre that may happen to remain
in them. But we intend not by this to impose any intolerable burden
on tender Constitutions, knowing that our Lord has taught us, that
Mercy is to be prefer’d before Sacrifice: and that Bodily Exercise
profiteth but a little, the chief business being to obtain a a divine
and God-like temper of Mind.
And as this institution will strictly enjoyn all pious and profitable
Employments, so does it not only permit but recommend harmless and
ingenious Diversions, Musick particularly and such as may refresh the
Body without enervating the Mind. They do a disservice to Religion
who make it an enemy to innocent Nature, and injure the Almighty when
they represent him as imposing burdens that are not to be born. Neither
GOD nor Wise men will like us the better for an affected severity and
waspish sourness. Nature and Grace will never disagree, provided we
mistake not the one, nor indulge the petulancy of the other; there
being no Displacencies in Religion, but what we our selves have
unhappily made. For true Piety is the most sweet and engaging thing
imaginable, as it is most obliging to others, so most easie to our
selves. ’Tis in truth the highest _Epicurism_, exalting our Pleasures
by refining them; keeping our Appetites in that due regularity which
not only Grace, but even Nature and Reason require, in the breach
of which tho’ there may be a Transport, there can be no true and
substantial delight.
As to _Lodging_, _Habit_ and _Diet_, they may be quickly resolv’d on
by the Ladies who shall subscribe; who I doubt not will make choice
of what is most plain and decent, what Nature not Luxury requires.
And since neither Meat nor Cloaths commend us unto GOD, they’ll
content themselves with such things as are fit and convenient, without
occasioning scruple to themselves or giving any trouble or offence
to others. She who considers to how much better account that Money
will turn which is bestow’d on the Poor, than that which is laid out
in unnecessary Expences on her self, needs no Admonitions against
superfluities. She who truly loves her self, will never waste that
Money on a decaying Carkass, which if prudently disburs’d wou’d procure
her an eternal Mansion. She will never think her self so fine, as when
the backs of the Poor do bless her; and never feast so luxuriously
as when she treats an hungry person. No perfume will be thought so
grateful as the Odour of Good Works, nor any Wash so beautifying as her
own tears. For her Heroick Soul is too great to ambition any Empire
but that of her own Breast, or to regard any other Conquest than the
rescuing poor unhappy Souls from the slavery of Sin and Satan, those
only unsupportable Tyrants; and therefore what Decays she observes in
her face will be very unconcerning, but she will with greatest speed
and accuracy rectify the least Spot that may prejudice the beauty of
her lovely Soul.
In a word, this happy Society will be but one Body, whose Soul is
love, animating and informing it, and perpetually breathing forth it
self in flames of holy desires after GOD and acts of Benevolence to
each other. Envy and Uncharitableness are the Vices only of little and
narrow hearts, and therefore ’tis suppos’d, they will not enter here
amongst persons whole Dispositions as well as their Births are to be
Generous. Censure will refine into Friendly Admonition, all Scoffing
and offensive Railleries will be abominated and banish’d hence,
where not only the Words and Actions; but even the very Thoughts and
Desires of the _Religious_ tend to promote the most endearing Love and
universal Good-will. Thus these innocent and holy Souls shou’d run
their Race, measuring their hours by their Devotions, and their days by
the charitable Works they do. Thus wou’d they live the life of Heaven
whilst on Earth, and receive an Earnest of its Joys in their hearts.
And now, what remains for them to do at Night, but to review the
Actions of the Day? to examine what Passions have been stirring? How
their Devotions were perform’d? in what temper their Hearts are? what
good they have done? what progress they’ve made towards Heaven? and
with the plaudit of a satisfied Conscience sweetly to sleep in peace
and safety, Angels pitching their Tents round about them, and he that
neither slumbers nor sleeps rejoycing over them to do them good.
And to the end that these great designs may be the better pursu’d and
effectually obtain’d, care shall be taken that our _Religious_ be
under the tuition of persons of irreproachable Lives, of a consummate
Prudence, sincere Piety and unaffected Gravity. No Novices in Religion,
but such as have spent the greatest part of their lives in the study
and practice of Christianity; who have lived _much_, whatever the time
of their abode in the world has been. Whose Understandings are clear
and comprehensive, as well as their Passions at command and Affections
regular, and their Knowledge able to govern their Zeal. Whose scrutiny
into their own hearts has been so exact, that they fully understand the
weaknesses of humane Nature, are able to bear with its defects, and by
the most prudent methods procure its Amendment. Plentifully furnish’d
with instructions for the Ignorant and comfort for the disconsolate;
who know how to quicken the slothful, to awaken the secure, & to dispel
the doubts of the Scrupulous. Who are not ignorant when to use the Spur
and when the Rein, but duly qualified to minister to all the spiritual
wants of their Charge; Watching over their Souls with tenderness and
prudence; applying fitting Medicines with sweetness and affability.
Sagacious in discovering the very approaches of a fault, wise in
preventing, and charitable in bearing with all pityable Infirmities.
The sweetness of whole Nature is commensurate to all the rest of
their good Qualities, and all conspire together to make them lov’d
and reverenc’d. Who have the perfect government of themselves, and
therefore rule according to Reason not Humour, consulting the good of
the Society, not their own arbitrary sway. Yet know how to assert their
Authority when there is just occasion for it, and will not prejudice
their Charge by an indiscreet remissness and loosening the Reins of
discipline. But what occasion will there be for rigour, when the
design is to represent Vertue in all her Charms and native Loveliness,
which must needs attract the eyes and enamour the hearts of all who
behold her? To joyn the sweetness of Humanity to the strictness of
Philosophy, that both together being improv’d and heighten’d by grace,
may make up an accomplish’d _Christian_, for she who is truly so, is
certainly the best-bred and best-natur’d person in the world, adorn’d
with a thousand Charms, most happy in her self and most agreeable and
beneficial to all She converses with? And that every one who comes
under this holy Roof may be such an amiable, such a charming Creature,
what faults they bring with them shall be corrected by sweetness not
severity; by friendly Admonitions, not magisterial Reproofs; Piety
shall not be roughly impos’d, but wisely insinuated, by a perpetual
Display of the Beauties of Religion in an exemplary Conversation,
the continual and most powerful Sermon of an holy Life. And since
Inclination can’t be forc’d, and nothing makes people more uneasy than
the fettering themselves with unnecessary Bonds, there shall be no Vows
or irrevocable Obligations, not so much as the fear of Reproach to
keep our Ladies here any longer than they desire. No: Ev’ry act of our
_Religious_ Votary shall be voluntary and free, and no other tye but
the Pleasure, the Glory and Advantage of this blessed Retirement to
confine her to it.
And now I suppose, you’ll save me the labour of proving, that this
Institution will very much serve the ends of Piety and Charity; it is
methinks self-evident, and the very Proposal sufficient proof. But if
it will not promote these great ends, I shall think my self mightily
oblig’d to him who will shew me what will; for provided the good of
my Neighbour be advanc’d, ’tis very indifferent to me whether it be
by my method or by anothers. Here will be no impertinent Visits,
no foolish Amours, no idle Amusements to distract our Thoughts and
waste our precious time; a very little of which is spent in Dressing,
that grand devourer and its concomitants, and no more than necessity
requires in sleep and eating; so that here’s a vast Treasure gain’d,
which for ought I know may purchase an happy Eternity. But we need not
rest in generals, a cursory view of some particulars will sufficiently
demonstrate the great usefulness of such a Retirement; which will
appear by observing first a few of those inconveniencies to which
Ladies are expos’d by living in the World, and in the next place the
positive advantages of a Retreat.
And first, as to the inconveniences of living in the World; no very
small one is that strong _Idea_ and warm perception it gives us of its
Vanities; since these are ever at hand, constantly thronging about
us, they must necessarily push aside all other Objects, and the Mind
being prepossess’d and gratefully entertain’d with those pleasing
Perceptions which external Objects occasion, takes up with them as
its only Good, is not at leisure to tast those delights which arise
from a Reflection on it self, nor to receive the _Ideas_ which such a
Reflection conveys, and consequently forms all its Notions by such
_Ideas_ only as it derives from sensation, being unacquainted with
those more excellent ones which arise from its own operations and a
serious reflection on them, and which are necessary to correct the
mistakes and supply the defects of the other. From whence arises a very
partial knowledge of things, nay, almost a perfect ignorance in things
of the greatest moment. For tho’ we are acquainted with the Sound of
some certain words, _viz. God_, _Religion_, _Pleasure_ and _Pain_,
_Honour_ and _Dishonour_, and the like; yet having no other _Ideas_ but
what are convey’d to us by those Trifles we converse with, we frame to
our selves strange and awkward notions of them, conformable only to
those _Ideas_ sensation has furnish’d us with, which sometimes grow so
strong and fixt, that ’tis scarce possible to introduce a new Scheme of
Thoughts and so to disabuse us, especially whilst these Objects are
thick in our way.
Thus she who sees her self and others respected in proportion to that
Pomp and Bustle they make in the world, will form her Idea of Honour
accordingly. She who has relish’d no Pleasures but such as arise at
the presence of outward Objects, will seek no higher than her Senses
for her Gratification. And thus we may account for that strange
insensibility, that appears in some people when you speak to them of
any serious Religious matter. They are then so dull you’ll have much
ado to make them understand the clearest Truth: Whereas if you rally
the same persons, or chat with them of some Mode or Foppery, they’ll
appear very quick, expert, and ingenious. I have sometimes smil’d
betwixt scorn and pity, to hear Women talk as gravely and concernedly
about some trifling disappointment from their Milliner or Taylor,
as if it had related to the weightiest concerns of their Souls, nay,
perhaps more seriously than others who wou’d pass for Good, do about
their eternal Interest; but turn the talk that way, and they grow as
heavy and cold as they were warm and sensible before. And whence is
this, but because their heads are full of the one, and quite destitute
of such Ideas as might give them a competent notion of the other, and
therefore to discourse of such matters, is as little to the purpose as
to make Mathematical Demonstrations to one who knows not what an Angle
or Triangle means. Hence by the way, will appear the great usefulness
of judicious Catechizing, which is necessary to form clear Ideas in
the mind, without which it can receive but little benefit from the
Discourses of the Pulpit, and perhaps the neglect of the former, is
the reason that the great plenty of the latter has no better effect.
By all which it appears, that if we wou’d not be impos’d on by false
Representations and Impostures, if we wou’d obtain a due knowledge of
the most important things, we must remove the little Toys and Vanities
of the world from us, or our selves from them; enlarge our Ideas, seek
out new Fields of knowledge, whereby to rectify our first mistakes.
From the same Original, _viz._ the constant flattery of external
Objects, arises that querulousness and delicacy observable in most
Persons of fortune, and which, betrays them to many inconveniencies.
For besides that it renders them altogether unfit to bear a change,
which considering the great uncertainty and swift vicissitudes of
worldly things, the Greatest and most established ought not to be
unprepar’d for; it likewise makes them perpetually uneasy, abates the
delight of their enjoyments, for such persons will very rarely find
all things to their mind, and then some little disorder which others
wou’d take no notice of, like an aching Tooth or Toe, spoils the
relish of their Joys. And tho’ many great Ladies affect this temper,
mistaking it for a piece of Grandeur, ’tis so far from that, that it
gives evidence of a poor weak Mind, a very childish Humour, that must
be cocker’d and fed with Toys and Baubles to still its frowardness, and
is like the crazy stomach of a sick Person, which no body has reason to
be fond of or desire.
This also disposes them to Inconstancy, for she who is continually
supply’d with variety knows not where to fix; a Vice which some Women
seem to be proud of, and yet nothing in the world so reproachful and
degrading, because nothing is a stronger indication of a weak and
injudicious mind. For it supposes us either so ignorant as to make a
wrong Choice at first, or else so silly as not to know and stick to it,
when we have made a right one. It bespeaks an unthinking inconsiderate
Mind, one that lives at Random, without any design or end; who wanting
judgment to discern where to fix, or to know when she’s well, is ever
fluctuating and uncertain, undoing to day what she had done yesterday,
which is the worst Character that can be given of ones Understanding.
A constant Scene of Temptations and the infection of ill company, is
another great danger which conversing in the world exposes to. ’Tis a
dangerous thing to have all the opportunities of sinning in our power,
and the danger is increas’d by the ill Precedents we daily see of those
who take them. _Liberty_ (as some body says) _will corrupt an Angel_,
and tho’ it is indeed more glorious to conquer than to fly, yet since
our Vertue is so visibly weakened in other instances, we have no
reason to presume on’t in this. ’Tis become no easy matter to secure
our Innocence in our necessary Civilities and daily Conversations,
in which if we have the good luck to avoid such as bring a necessity
on us, either of seeming rude to them, or of being really so to GOD
Almighty, whilst we tamely hear him, our best Friend and Benefactor
affronted and swallow it, at the same time, that we wou’d reckon’t
a very pitiful Spirit to hear an Acquaintance traduc’d and hold our
Tongue; yet if we avoid this Trial, our Charity is however in continual
danger, Censoriousness being grown so modish, that we can scarce avoid
being active or passive in it; so that she who has not her pert jest
ready to pass upon others, shall as soon as her back is turn’d, become
a Jest her self for want of Wit.
In consequence of all this, we are insensibly betray’d to a great loss
of time, a Treasure whose value we are too often quite ignorant of
till it be lost past redemption. And yet considering the shortness and
uncertainty of Life, the great work we have to do, and what advantages
accrew to us by a due management of our time, we cannot reconcile it
with prudence to suffer the least minute to escape us. But besides our
own lavish Expences concerning which one may ask as _Solomon_ does of
Labour, _What Fruit have we of all that Sport and Pastime we have taken
under the Sun?_ so unreasonable is the humour of the World, that those
who wou’d reckon it a rudeness to make so bold with out Money, never
scruple to waste and rob us of this infinitely more precious Treasure.
In the last place, by reason of this loss of time and the continual
hurry we are in, we can find no opportunities for thoughtfulness and
recollection; we are so busied with what passes abroad, that we have
no leisure to look at home, nor to rectifie the disorders there.
And such an unthinking mechanical way of living, when like Machines
we are condemn’d every day to repeat the impertinencies of the day
before, shortens our Views, contracts our Minds, exposes to a thousand
practical Errors, and renders Improvement impossible, because it will
not permit us to consider and recollect, which is the only means to
attain it. So much for the inconveniences of living in the World; if we
enquire concerning Retirement, we shall find it does not only remove
all these, but brings considerable advantages of its own.
For first, it helps us to mate Custom and delivers us from its Tyranny,
which is the most considerable thing we have to do, it being nothing
else but the habituating our selves to Folly that can reconcile us
to it. But how hard is it to quit an old road? What courage as well
as prudence does it require? How clear a Judgment to overlook the
Prejudices of Education and Example and to discern what is best, and
how strong a Resolution notwithstanding all the Scoffs and Noises of
the world to adhere to it? For Custom has usurpt such an unaccountable
Authority, that she who would endeavour to put a stop to its Arbitrary
Sway and reduce it to Reason, is in a fair way to render her self the
_Butt_ for all the Fops in Town to shoot their impertinent Censures
at. And tho’ a wise Woman will not value their Censure, yet she cares
not to be the subject of their Discourse. The only way then is to
retire from the World, as the _Israelites_ did out of _Ægypt_, lest the
Sacrifice we must make of its Follies shou’d provoke its Spleen.
This also puts us out of the road of Temptation, and very much redeems
our Time, cutting off those extravagancies on which so much of it
was squandered away before, and furnishing us constantly with good
employment, secures us from being seduc’d into bad. Great are the
Benefits of holy Conversation which will be here enjoy’d; As Vice _is_,
so Vertue _may_ be catching; and to what heights of Piety will not she
advance, who is plac’d where the sole business is to be Good, where
there is no pleasure but in Religion, no contention but to excel in
what is truly commendable; where her Soul is not defil’d nor her Zeal
provok’d, by the sight or relation of those Villanies the World abounds
with?