their Prayers, tho perhaps with as little Understanding as a Parrot, and fancied that this was Charm enough to secure them against the temptations of the Present world and to waft them to a better; and so thro want of use and by misapplying their Thoughts to trifles and impertinencies, they’ve perhaps almost lost those excellent Capacities which probably were afforded them by nature for the highest things. For such as these I’ve a a world of Kindness and Compassion, I regret their misfortune as much as they can themselves, and suppose they’re willing to repair it and very desirous to inform themselves were’t not for the shame of confessing their Ignorance. But let me intreat them to consider that there’s no Ignorance so shameful, no Folly so absurd as that which refuses Instruction, be it upon what account it may. All good Persons will pity not upbraid their former unhappiness, as not being their own but other Peoples fault; whereas they themselves are responsible if they continue it, since that’s an Evidence that they are silly and despicable, not because they _cou’d_ not, but because they _wou’d_ not be better Informed. But where is the shame of being taught? for who is there that does not need it? Alas, Human Knowledge is at best defective, and always progressive, so that she who knows the most has only this advantage, that she has made a little more speed than her Neighbours. And what’s the Natural Inference from hence? Not to give out, but to double our diligence; perhaps we may out-strip ’em, as the Penitent often does him who needs no Repentance. The worst that can be is the perishing in a glorious attempt, and tho we shou’d happen to prove succesless, ’tis yet worth our while to’ve had such a noble design. But there’s no fear of ill success if we are not wanting to our selves, an honest and laborious mind may perform all things. Indeed an affected Ignorance, a humorous delicacy and niceness which will not speculate a notion for fear of spoiling a look, nor think a serious thought lest she shou’d damp the gaity of her humour; she who is so top full of her outward excellencies, so careful that every look, every motion, every thing about her shou’d appear in Form, as she employs her Thoughts to a very pitiful use, so is she almost past hopes of recovery, at least so long as she continues this humour, and does not grow a little less concern’d for her Body that she may attend her Mind. Our directions are thrown away upon such a temper, ’tis to no purpose to harp to an Ass, or to chant forth our Charms in the Ears of a deaf Adder; but I hope there are none so utterly lost in folly and impertinence: If there are, we can only afford them our Pity for our Advice will do no good.