Serpents
Astell alludes to a paradise where “no Serpents to deceive you, whilst you entertain your selves in these delicious Gardens. No Provocations will be given in this Amicable Society, but to Love and to good Works, which will afford such an entertaining employment, that you’ll have as little inclination as leisure to pursue those Follies, which in the time of your ignorance pass’d with you under the name of love, altho’ there is not in nature two more different things, than true Love and that brutish Passion which pretends to ape it.” The serpents are emblematic of the hindrances which deter women from finding utter pleasure. Deterrents expose women to cruel passion which is projected to emulate candid love. Women have the capacity to resist the captivation that is integral in the repressive passion which converts them to slaves of passion.
Nature
Astell writes, “Nature as bad as it is and as much as it is complain’d of, is so far improveable by the grace of GOD, upon our honest and hearty endeavours, that if we are not wanting to ourselves, we may all in some, tho’ not in an equal measure, be instruments of his Glory, Blessings to this World, and capable of Eternal Blessedness in that to come.” Ladies’ virtuousness can be contributory in diminishing the badness that is inherent in nature through honorable engagements. Undertakings which advance nature correspond to attending to God.
