And as the Quakers consider these to be
forbidden to themselves, they feel themselves obliged to forbid them to
others. And, in these parcticular prohibitions, they consider themselves
as sanctioned both by the writings and the practice of the early
christians.
In looking at the objections, which have been made with a view of
replying to them, they would observe first, that these objections do not
seem to apply to them as a society, because they presuppose
circumstances concerning them, which are not true. They presuppose
first, that their moral education is founded on prohibitions solely,
whereas they endeavour both by the communication of positive precepts,
and by their example, to fill the minds of their children with a love of
virtue. They presuppose again, that they are to mix with the world, and
to follow the fashions of the world, in which case a moderate knowledge
of the latter, with suitable advice when they are followed, is
considered as enabling them to pass through life with less danger than
the prohibition of the same, whereas they mix but little with others of
other denominations. They abjure the world, that they may not imbibe its
spirit. And here they would observe, that the knowledge, which is
recommended to be obtained, by going through perilous customs is not
necessary for them as a society.
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