God is His own Design and End, and that there is no other Worthy of Him.

In this quote, Mary Astell asserts that God is both the design and the end of all existence, meaning that God is the ultimate source and purpose of everything. By stating that there is "no other worthy of Him," Astell emphasizes that God is singular in importance and cannot be equaled by anything or anyone else. The quote reflects Astell’s belief in God's supreme authority and the idea that all things in the universe are centered around Him, with no external force or entity deserving of the same reverence or significance.

Astell, a 17th-century English philosopher and advocate for women’s education, often intertwined religious and philosophical concepts in her works. This quote is part of her broader intellectual engagement with the idea that God’s will and design are paramount, guiding the universe and human existence. For Astell, understanding and recognizing God as both the creator and the ultimate goal of life is essential for living a righteous life and understanding one’s place in the world.

The origin of this quote lies in Astell's theological perspective, which was influenced by her strong religious faith and her commitment to Christian doctrine. Astell’s writings, especially in her work A Serious Proposal to the Ladies, focused on exploring the relationship between reason, faith, and God, often challenging the societal norms of her time. This quote reflects her belief that understanding God’s role as both the beginning and end of creation was central to human understanding of purpose and meaning.

Ultimately, Astell's quote emphasizes the importance of recognizing God as the center of existence, both as the creator and the ultimate goal of all life. It speaks to a theocentric view of the world, where everything revolves around God’s design and purpose, and nothing else can be considered truly worthy in comparison. This perspective encourages a humble recognition of God’s supremacy and a reminder that human understanding and existence are intrinsically linked to His divine plan.