The Whole Treatise of the Cases of Conscience

Now touching the Covering of the body with apparel, these things are to be remembered. First, that it must be covered in decent, and seemly sort. Thus Joseph wrapped Christs body that was dead, in a clean linen cloth, together with the spices, Matt. 27. 59. Secondly, the whole body must be covered some only parts excepted, which (for necessity sake) are left open and bare, as the hands and face: because there is an ignominious shame, not only on some parts, but over the whole body. And here comes to be reproved, the affected nakedness used of sundry ⟨p. 575⟩persons, who are wont to have their garments made of such a fashion, as that their neck and breasts may be left for a great part uncovered. A practise full of vanity, and clean contrary to this Rule grounded in corrupted nature. For if the whole body be over spread with shame, by sin, why should any man by such practise, (as much as in him lies) uncover his shame to the view of the world? The end of attire is, to hide the shameful nakedness of the body, from the sight of men. But such persons as these are, do hereby express the vanity and lightness of their minds, by leaving some parts of their bodies open and uncovered. Wherein, what do they else, but even display and manifest unto men and Angels, their own shame and ignominy? Nay, what do they else, but glory in that, which is (by the just judgement of God) reproachful unto them? Let all those that fear God, and are humbled in the consideration of their sins, which are the matter of the shame of mankind, be otherwise affected.

Now touching the Couering of the bodie with apparell, these things are to be remembred. First, that it must be couered in decent, and seemely sort. Thus Ioseph wrapped Christs bodie that was dead, in a cleane linnen cloath, together with the spices, Matt. 27. 59. Secondly, the whole bodie must be couered some onely parts excepted, which (for necessitie sake) are left open and bare, as the hands and face: because there is an ignominious shame, not only on some parts, but ouer the whole bodie. And here comes to be reproued, the affected nakednesse vsed of sundry ⟨p. 575⟩persons, who are wont to haue their garments made of such a fashion, as that their neck and brests may be left for a great part vncouered. A practise full of vanitie, and cleane contrary to this Rule grounded in corrupted nature. For if the whole body be ouer spread with shame, by sinne, why should any man by such practise, (as much as in him lies) vncouer his shame to the view of the world? The ende of attire is, to hide the shamefull nakednes of the bodie, from the sight of men. But such persons as these are, doe hereby expresse the vanitie and lightnes of their mindes, by leauing some parts of their bodies open and vncouered. Wherein, what doe they else, but euen display and manifest vnto men and Angels, their owne shame and ignominie? Nay, what doe they else, but glorie in that, which is (by the iust iudgement of God) reprochfull vnto them? Let all those that feare God, and are humbled in the consideration of their sinnes, which are the matter of the shame of mankinde, be otherwise affected.