We do not expect that all who come into this Society will be perfect, but we will endeavour to make them and our selves so as much as may be. Nor shall any be admitted who either have not, or are not desirous to have, that Divine yet humble, that Great and Generous, yet Meek and Condescending Spirit, that unfeigned Love to GOD and all Mankind which was in Christ Jesus. We set no other Rules than those of the Gospel, Christianity being the highest Improvement of a Rational Nature, and every one’s oblig’d to keep its Institutions whether they Live in such a Society or out of it.
And as for that degeneracy which it may fall into, ’tis too general an objection to have any weight, and may as well be urg’d against Universities, all sorts of Government, and indeed against every thing, as against this. May be’s and if’s are endless, and he who undertakes to provide against all Future Contingencies, either believes no GOD or fancies himself to be one. A Prudent Man will look as far as he can, and provide to the utmost of his Knowlege and Power, but when that’s done, he knows he’s but a Man and therefore can’t possibly Forsee and Remedy all things.
Let’s then do what we Can, and leave the rest to our Great Benefactor and Governor, but let us set about our own part, not only when the way is open and easy, who shall give us thanks for that? but in spite of all Difficulties and Discouragement, since we have so Glorious a Leader, so indefatigable in his Labours, so boundless in his Love, such an Omnipotent Assister who neither wants Power nor Will to help us. The Peevishness and Obstinacy of such as Quarrel with our Labour of Love and set themselves against all we can do to serve them, will only add to our Laurels and enlarge our Triumphs, when our Constancy in doing Good has at last o’ercome those Perverse Opposers of it.
The End.
ERRATA.
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Books printed for Ric. Wilkin at the King’s-Head in St. Paul’s Church-yard.
A Serious Proposal to the Ladies for the Advancement of their true and greatest Interest: Part 1. By a Lover of her Sex, the 3d. Edition.
Letters concerning the Love of God, between the Author of the Proposal to the Ladies and Mr. John Norris. 8o.
Bishop Patrick’s Glorious Epiphany. 8o.