I.

I'

SECT. II.

Of Meekness.

N the next place we may rank Meeknefs as a neceffary feminine Vertue; this even nature seems to teach, which abhors monftrofities and difproportions, and therefore having allotted to Women a more smooth and foft compofition of body, infers thereby her intention, that the mind fhould correfpond with it. For tho' the adulterations of Art, can reprefent in the fame face beauty in one pofition, and deformity in another; yet nature is more fincere, and never meant a ferene and clear forehead, fhould be the frontif-piece to a cloudy tempeftuous heart. Tis therefore to be wifh'd they would take the admonition, and whilft they confult their glaffes, whether to applaud or improve their outward form, they would caft one look inwards, and examine what fymmetry there is held with a fair out-fide, whether any ftorm of paffion darken and overcaft their interiour beauty and use at least an equal diligence to rescue that, as they would to clear their face from any ftain or blemish.

2. BUT it is not nature only which fug

gefts

gefts this, but the God of nature too, Meeknefs being not only recommended to all as a Christian Vertue, but particularly enjoin'd to Women as a peculiar accomplishment of their Sex I Pet. 3. 4. where after the mention of all the exquifite and coftly deckings of art, this one ornament of a meek and quiet fpirit, is confronted to them, with this eminent atteftation, that it is in the fight of God of great price; and therefore to all, who will not enter difpute with God, and conteft his judgement, it must be fo too. Now, tho' Meekness be in it felf a fingle entire Vertue, yet it is diverfifi'd, according to the feveral faculties of the Soul, over which it has influence; fo that there is a Meekness of the Understanding, a Meeknefs of the Will, and a Meekness of the Affections; all which muft concur to make up the meek and quiet fpirit.

3. AND firft for the Meekness of the Understanding; it confifts in a plyableness to conviction, and is directly oppofite to that fullen adherence obfervable in too many; who judge of tenets, not by their conformity to truth and reafon, but to their prepoffeffions, and tenaciously retain'd opinions; only because they (or fome, in whom they confide) have once own'd them; and certainly fuch a temper is of all others the most obstructive to Wifdom. This puts them upon the chance of a Lottery, and what they first happen to draw,

determines them merely upon the privilege of it's precedency: fo that, had Mahomet first feiz'd them, his tenure would have been as indefiefable as Chrift's now. How great the force of fuch prejudices is, we may fee by the oppofitions it rais'd againft Chriftian Doctrine in grofs at it's firft promulgation; the Jews blind zeal for the Traditions of their Fathers, engaging them in the murder even of that very Meffias, whom those Traditions had taught them to expect, and after, in the perfecution of that Doctrine, which his Refurrection had fo irrefragably attefted. And to juftifie the propriety of this observation to those I now write to, 'tis exprefsly affirm'd Acts 13. 50. that they made ufe of the zeal of the female Profelytes for that purpose. The Jews ftir'd up the devout and honourable Women, and rais'd a perfecution against Paul and Barnabas. So that 'tis no unreasonable advice to fuch, to be fure they fee well their way before they run too fierce a career in it, otherwife the greatest heat without light, do's but refemble that of the bottomlefs pit, where flames and darkness do at once co-habit.

4. BUT whilft I decry this prejudicate ftiffness, I intend not to plead for it's contrary extreme, and recommend a too eafy Flexibility, which is a temper of equal, if not more ill confequence than the former. The adhering to one opinion, can expofe but to one

errour;

errour; but a mind that lies open to the effluxes of all new tenets, may fucceffively entertain a whole ocean of delufions; and to be thus yielding, is not a Meeknefs, but fervilenefs of Understanding. Indeed 'tis fo great a weakness of mind, that the Apostle finks it fomewhat below the impotence of Women, and resembles it to that of children, Ephef. 4. 14. Yet it seems the folly of fome Women had levell'd them with children in this matter: for the fame Apoftle takes notice of fuch, to whom as he gives the Epithet of filly, fo the latter part of the character fpeaks them incorrigibly fo, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth, 2 Tim. 3. 7. a description, which if we compare with our times, we must think Prophetick. For, how many inftances hath this age given us of Women fo led captive; who being either affected with the novelty, or feduc'd by the pretended zeal of a new teacher, have given up their understandings to him: and for a while, this ftrong Man has kept poffeffion; but when a ftronger than he hath come, it has far'd as with him in the Gospel, a louder Zeal or a newer Doctrine, foon divides his fpoils; and that by force of the very fame principle, on which he fet up; which, within a while, undermines the latter alfo, and fo fucceffively, 'till the poor profelyte has been hurried through all the mazes of wild errour, and at laft perhaps (like a palate dif

E 2

tracted

tracted by too much variety) fhe fixes upon that which at firft fhe moft decry'd. This has been eventually true in fome, who setting out in the fierceft deteftation of Popery, have wander'd fo long like the blinded Syrians, 2 Kings 6. 20. that they have at laft found themselves in the midft of Samaria; by an infenfible circular motion, been brought about to that Religion, from which alone they defign'd to fly. So little do itching ears know whither they may be carry'd. And indeed the ear, when infected with that prurient humour, may vie mischiefs with the tongue, which St. Fames tells us Chap. 3. 6. is (tho' a little member) a world of iniquity.

5. 'Tis therefore the most important concern of all, to fortify that fo affailable part; but 'tis efpecially fo of Women, not only in refpect of that natural imbecillity, which renders them liable to feducement; but also because the opinion of their being fo, makes them particularly aim'd at by feducers. For as he who is to put off adulterated wares, will choose the most unwary Chapmen; fo thefe Sophifticatours of Divinity, defire the most undifcerning auditors. And truly that so many of that Sex are fo, I do not fo much impute to any natural defect, as to the loofe notions they have of Religion, of which they have perhaps fome general confus'd apprehenfions; but have fo little penetrated the depth