Prov. 27.6. and that he is never lefs an enemy, than when he thus tells them the truth, Gal. 4. 16. Therefore, tho' they may in the enfuing leaves meet with fome things which may have a fhew of severity, yet let me affure my Reader, they have indeed a defign of the greatest service, by correcting the extravagance of fome, to refcue the whole Sex, as from the Contagion of the example, fo from the community of the blame. For fuch is either the inadvertence, or malice of a great part of Mankind, that (against all rules of difcourfe) they deduce generals from particulars, make every Woman fo far an Eve, that her depravation fhall forfeit her whole kind; and because there are foolish and fcandalous Women, will scarce allow there are any other.

The truth is, the Error feems in many Men to be affected; they propofe to themselves unworthy ends on Women, and make all their observa

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tions

tions wholly in order to thofe. He that is upon a base pursuit, takes a parti cular notice of all that he thinks for his turn; the reft fall not within his Sphere: and 'tis too probable he is fo abundantly fupplied for that abfolute confideration that he never defcends to the comparative. Nay, perhaps there may be yet a deeper Original of the fcandal: the World is much govern'd by estimation: and as applaufe encourages and exalts, fo an univerfal Contempt debafes and dejects the Spirit. If it can once pafs into a maxim, that Women are fuch filly or vicious Creatures, it may put fair for the making them fo indeed. Themfelves may imbibe the common opinion, charge all their Perfonal Faults on their Sex, think that they do but their kind, when indeed they moft contradict it, and no more afpire to any thing worthy, than a Man can pretend to the Excellencies of an Angel. And indeed this feems to be the practical inference

b

But excufe and complement are any where a very infipid foolish thing, and most intolerable in a ferious concern: I fhall not therefore fay ought that looks that way, only offer a fhort request, which I fuppofe will be equally in the behalf of the Author of this Tract, the Editor, and the Readers of it. Which is that whoever takes this Book in hand, would feriously confider it, and doing fo, receive the infinite benefits of uniform Virtue, and fincere Piety, the documents whereof are here with all poffible advantages propos'dand thereby give the Author that greatest of bleffings, the being an inftrument to the Eternal happiness of Souls; and as to us who deal in the affair of Printing, afford fome share in this moft defirable event, abfolving us from the charge of having done mischief, inftead of fervice to the World. For, to say the truth, no Book is fo fatally deftructive as that which convinces of duty, but fails of perfwading to it. But if the beft Books can do harm,twill certainly be difficult to make a plea for the multitudes of a contrary kind, which now efpecially ufurp upon the Age.

THE

PREFACE.

T

HO the fmallness of this tract, will scarce juftifie the folemnity of a Preface; yet remembring 'tis defign'd for those who are accustomed to Ceremonious Addrefes, I think it not beft to approach them too abruptly. And indeed befides the Civility, there feems fome use of it in order to my defign. To advise, or reprove, is fo ungrateful an Office, that he that undertakes it, had need ufe all previous arts to vindicate the fincerity of his purpofe, and to convince the perfon admonifb'd, that 'tis neither pleen nor prejudice, but the most real exuberant kindness which prompts him to inflict those wounds of a friend,

Prov. 27.6. and that he is never lefs an enemy, than when he thus tells them the truth, Gal. 4. 16. Therefore, tho' they may in the enfuing leaves meet with fome things which may have a fhew of feverity, yet let me af fure my Reader, they have indeed a defign of the greatest fervice, by correcting the extravagance of fome, to refcue the whole Sex, as from the Contagion of the example, fo from the community of the blame. For fuch is either the inadvertence, or malice of a great part of Mankind, that (against all rules of difcourfe) they deduce generals from particulars, make every Woman fo far an Eve, that her depravation hall forfeit her whole kind; and because there are foolish and fcandalous Women, will fcarce allow there are any other.

The truth is, the Error feems in many Men to be affected; they propofe to themselves unworthy ends on Women, and make all their obfervations

4