The first will
consist of men, who rigidly follow the rules of the society, and are as
exemplary as the very best of the members. The second will consist of
those, who we members according to the letter, but not according to the
spirit, and who are content with walking in the shadow, that follows the
substance of the body. Those of the first class will do justice, and
they will have on equal influence with any. Those of the second,
whatever may be their riches, or whatever they may say, are seldom if
ever attended to in the administration of the discipline.
From hence it will appear, that if there be any partiality in the
administration of this institution, it will consist principally in this,
that a rich man may be suffered in particular cases, to go longer
without admonition than a poorer member; but that after admonition has
been begun, justice will be impartially administered; and that the
charges of a preference, where disowning is concerned, has no solid
foundation for its support.
SECT. IV.
_Three great principles discoverable in the discipline, as hitherto
explained--these applicable to the discipline of larger societies, or to
the criminal codes of states--lamentable, that as Christian principles,
they have not been admitted into our own--Quakers, as far as they have
had influence in legislation, have adopted them--exertions of William
Penn--Legislature of Pennsylvania as example to other countries in this
particular.
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