or found
agreeable. This Objection yet can hardly (I think) be less just, than
such a Character of any Book of this Nature, as some it seems give of
this: the Author whereof pretended not (as I suppose) to so much in
his Design, as these People find in his Performance. And the nature
and extent of a Christian's Duty is but little in their thoughts, who
think that any Rules dictated by Prudence, or Experience of the World,
and directed to the Glory of a good Name, are such Instructions as can
render any one what they ought to be. A _solid Vertue_ can alone do
this; the Possession whereof is infinitely preferable to that of
Reputation; with which yet it is so rarely unattended, that one may
affirm there is no so secure and easie a way (especially for a Lady)
to acquire and conserve the Reputation of being Vertuous, as really to
be so.

But Vertue is not (tho often so misrepresented) included in Innocency;
or does consist in a partial Practice of Actions praiseworthy; for its
extent is equal to our liberty of Action; and its Principle the most
Active one of the Mind; Vertue being the natural result of a sincere
desire to conform in all things to the Law set us by our Maker; which
who so truly endeavours, will not find much occasion for such kind of
Advices as the above-mentioned ones, either to correct their Faults,
or teach them to put a mask over them; an ill use sometimes made of
this sort of Instructions: However a better might be, since it is
true, that young People from the Experience of others may learn many
things in reference to their Conduct, the knowledge whereof they would
buy too dear at their own. The difficulty yet that there is in
applying general Rules to particular Cases, makes (I presume) Books of
this sort, how good soever in the kind, of less advantage to those who
most need them, than some imagine them to be.

This which was then said on the Subject of these _Conseils_ (lying by
accident in the way) suggests to me now two things, wherein the
Documents ordinarily given to such young Ladies, as are intended to
have the best care taken of their Instruction, are, I think, very
defective; and the fitter to be redress'd, as being of peculiar ill
consequence in a Sceptical, loose and unthinking Age; wherein Wit is
apt to pass upon many for Reason.

The first of these is, That those Notions, or Ideas of Vertue, and
consequent Rules of Action, which are usually given to such young
Persons, do rarely carry