[4.] When it suits not with modesty and chastity. Garments were given to cover nakedness and the deformity that was introduced by sin ; therefore the apostle saith, ' Let the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety, not with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array,' 1 Tim. ii. 9. And therefore the leav- ing the breasts naked, in whole or in part, is a transgression of this rule ; they uncover their nakedness, which they should veil and hide, especially in God's presence ; as the apostle saith, 1 Cor. xi. 10, ' The woman ought to have power on her head, because of the angels.' In the assembly there you meet with angels and devils ; angels to observe your garb and carriage, and devils to tempt you ; therefore be covered because of the angels. Yet usually women come hither with a shame- less impudence into the presence of God, men, and angels. This is a practice that neither suits with modesty nor conveniency ; nothing can be alleged for it but reasons of pride and wantonness ; it feeds your own pride, and provokes lust in others. You would think they were wicked women that should ofier others poison to drink ; they do that which is worse, lay a snare for the soul ; uncover that which should be covered ; lest you provoke others of your rank to imitate your vanity, if they should not by the fear of God be guarded from unclean thoughts and filthy desires. Now christians should be far from allowing sin in themselves, or provoking it in others.
[5.] When dressing of the body takes up too much of our hearts and time, so as to cause us to neglect the inward adorning, and by it we are tempted to pride. Certainly there is a sin in fashions themselves, but the greatest sin is the pride of the heart. The garment falls under a rule ; but apparel is not the ofi'ence, but pride : Isa. iii. 16, ' The daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched-out necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet.' Better never wear jewels or costly raiment more, than to be tempted by it to pride. Therefore the spiritual ornament you should still preserve is being humble in spirit : 1 Peter iii. 4, ' Let your adorning be the hidden man of the heart, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit.' When you forget that, it is a sad exchange. Outward adornment belongs to the pomp of the world, but the inward adornment is our spiritual glory and excellency. The outward adorn- ing is to please men, but the inward adorning pleaseth God. Now we should rather please God than men ; better never please men than offend God.
Secondly, To offer some helps.
YeR. 12.] SEEMONS UPON TITUS II. 11-14. 139
1. Consider, curiosity in clothes argues deformity of mind ; a godly, serious, humble christian is above these things. Therefore, how can we choose but think that a man or woman hath vanity in his heart that is so clothed with it upon his back ? Look, as plasters argue a wound or sore, so do these exotic and vain attires argue a wound and blot in the soul ; that there is pride, vanity, and levity there." Clemens Alexandrinus observes that the Lacedemonians permitted only harlots and infamous women and common prostitutes to go in gorgeous attire. Clothes, then, are the flag and ensign which pride hangs out, and the nest of wantonness.
2. To be proud of clothes is to be proud of our own shame. Before sin came in man did not need a garment. Look, as the sun is adorned with light, it needs no trimming and ornament, so man in innocency was adorned with grace, and needed no other robe ; but when he sinned, he needed garments. So then he that is proud of his clothes is but proud of the rags with which his wounds are bound up. Clothes are a memorial that we were once disobedient to God. Shall a thief be proud of his shackles, or a malefactor of his brand or mark in his forehead ? This is a time of mourning, not of triumph ; therefore God at first clothed Adam with skins, an habit that becomes mourning. We shall not need these things in heaven ; clothes are only there in use where sin is.
3. Consider that habit makes not the man. A horse is not chosen by his trappings, but by his strength and swiftness ; the trappings are things external, that conduce nothing to his goodness ; so man is not to be valued by his habit, it is but the excrement of silk-worms ; not by the ornaments of the body, but the endowments of the mind. Imperatoria majestas, saith Seneca, virtute constat, non corporis cultu. And therefore, if you would excel others indeed, you should excel them in grace and virtue. Alas ! many are but dung finely dressed ; the hidden man of the heart, that is the man. Grace is the best dressing, and that which is never out of fashion ; by this men are valued. The more wise and excellent men are indeed, the less curious in their apparel. Cato, that had been consul at Eome, never wore apparel that exceeded an hundred pence. Let great ones be known by their modesty of apparel.