In like manner, though some may spend most that they have in needless ornaments, and yet seem in other respects truly pious, yet it is certainly false; for it is impossible for a mind that is in a _true state_ of religion, to be vain in the use of cloaths. Now to convince you of this, let us suppose that some _eminent saint_, for instance, the _Virgin Mary_ was sent into the world for a few years, and that you was going to her to be edified by her piety, would you expect to find her dressed out and adorned in fine and expensive cloaths? No: you would know in your own mind, that it was as impossible as to find her learning to _dance_. Do but add _saint_, or _holy_, to any person, either _man_ or _woman_, and your own mind tells you immediately, that such a character cannot admit of the vanity of fine apparel. A _saint_ finely dressed, is as great nonsense, as an _apostle_ in an _embroidered suit_. Every one’s own natural sense convinces him of the inconsistency of these things.
♦16. Now what is the reason, that when you think of a _saint_, you cannot admit the vanity of apparel? Is it not because it is inconsistent with such a right state of heart? And is not this a demonstration, that where such vanity is admitted, there a right state of heart is wanted? For as certainly as the _Virgin Mary_ could not indulge herself, or conform to the vanity of the world in _dress_ and _figure_; so certain is it, that none can indulge themselves in this vanity, but those who want her piety of heart; and consequently it must be owned, that all needless and expensive finery is the effect of a disordered heart.
♦ Number 15 omitted in text.
_Covetousness_ is not a crime, because there is any harm in _gold_ or _silver_; but because it is a foolish and unreasonable state of mind, that is fallen from its true good, and sunk into such a poor and wretched satisfaction.
In like manner, the _expensive finery_ of dress is not a crime, because there is any thing good or evil in cloaths, but because the expensive ornaments of cloathing shews a _foolish_ and _unreasonable_ state of heart, that is fallen from right notions of human nature, and turns the necessities of life into so many instances of pride and folly.
17. This therefore is the way that you are to judge of the crime of vain apparel: it is an offence against the _proper use_ of cloaths, as covetousness is an offence against the proper use of money: it is an indulgence of _proud_ and _unreasonable_ tempers, an offence against the _humility_ and _sobriety_ of the Christian spirit: it is an offence against all those doctrines that require you to do all to the _glory_ of God, and an offence against all those texts of scripture, that command you to _love_ your neighbour as yourself, to _feed_ the hungry, to _cloath_ the naked, and do _all works_ of charity that you are able. So that you must not deceive yourself with saying, where can be the harm of _cloaths_? For the covetous man might as well say, where can be the harm of _gold_ or _silver_? But you must consider, that it is a great deal of harm to want that _wise_ and _reasonable_ state of heart, which is according to the spirit of religion, and which no one can have in the manner that he ought to have it, who indulges himself either in the _vanity_ of dress, or the _desire_ of riches.
18. Some persons perhaps, who admire the life of _Miranda_, may say, how can it be proposed as a common example? How can we that are married, or we who are under the direction of our parents, imitate such a life?
It is answered, just as you may imitate the life of our blessed Saviour and his apostles. The circumstances of our Saviour’s life, and the state and condition of his apostles, were more different from yours than that of _Miranda_ is; and yet their life is the common example that is proposed to all Christians.
It is their _spirit_ therefore, their piety, their love of God, that you are to imitate, and not the particular form of their life.
Act under God as they did, direct your common actions to that end which they did, practise such love of God, such charity to your neighbour, such humility and self-denial, as they did; and then, though you are only teaching your own children, and St. _Paul_ is converting nations, yet you are following his steps, and acting after his example.
19. Don’t think therefore, that you can’t or need not be like _Miranda_, because you are not in her state of life: for as the same spirit and temper would have made _Miranda_ a _saint_, tho’ she had been forced to labour for a maintenance; so if you will aspire after her spirit, every _condition_ of life will furnish you with sufficient means of employing it.
_Miranda_ is what she is, because she does every thing in the name, and with regard to her duty to God; and when you do the same, you will be exactly like her, though you are never so different in your outward state.