And what makes this matter the more to be lamented, is this. That women are not only spoiled by this education, but we spoil that part of the world, which would otherwise furnish the most instances of an eminent and exalted piety. The Church has formerly had eminent saints in that sex; and it may reasonably be thought, that it is purely owing to their poor and vain education, that this honour of their sex is for the most part confined to former ages.
The corruption of the world indulges them in great vanity, and mankind seem to consider them in no other view, than as so many painted idols, that are to allure and gratify their passions; so that if many women are vain, light, gew-gaw creatures, they have this to say in excuse of themselves, that they are not only such as their education has made them, but such as the generality of the world allow them to be.
Some indeed are pleased to say, that women are naturally of little and vain minds, and consequently their trifling vain behaviour is owing solely to that; but this I look upon to be as false and unreasonable, as to say, that butchers are naturally cruel: for as their cruelty is not owing to their natures, but to their way of life, which has changed their natures; so whatever littleness and vanity is to be observed in the minds of women, it is like the cruelty of butchers, a temper that is wrought into them by that life which they are taught and accustomed to lead. At least thus much must be said, that we cannot justly charge any thing upon their nature, till we take care that it is not perverted by their education.
But supposing it were true, that they were thus naturally vain and light, then how much more blameable is that education, which seems contrived to strengthen and increase the folly and weakness of their minds? For if it were a virtue in women to be proud, and vain, and indevout, we could hardly take better means to raise these bad things in them, than those which are now used in their education.
Some people that judge hastily, will perhaps say, I have been exercising too great a severity against the sex. But more reasonable persons will easily observe, that I entirely spare the sex, and only arraign their education; that, I profess, I cannot spare; but the only reason is, because it is their greatest enemy, because it deprives the world of so many blessings, and the church of so many saints as might reasonably be expected from persons, formed by their natural temper to all goodness and tenderness, and fitted, by the clearness and brightness of their minds, to contemplate, love and admire every thing that is holy, virtuous, and divine.
CHAPTER VII.
Shewing, how true devotion fills our lives the greatest peace and happiness that can be enjoyed in this world.
SOME people perhaps may object, that by thus living wholly unto God, and introducing a regard to his glory in all that we do, too great a restraint will be put upon human nature; and that by thus depriving ourselves of so many seemingly innocent pleasures, as such a way of life would hinder us from pursuing, we shall render our lives dull, uneasy, and melancholy.
But this objection is entirely groundless. For christian devotion requires us to renounce no ways of life, wherein we can act reasonably, and offer what we do to the glory of God. All ways of life, all satisfactions and enjoyments that are within these bounds, are no ways denied by the strictest rules of real devotion. And will you think that your life must be uncomfortable, unless you may displease God, be fools and mad, and act contrary to that reason and wisdom which He has implanted in you?