Thirdly, is the hair of the head the creature of God, and the natural1 colour his workmanship? then all abuse hereof must needs be unlawful: as first, the custom of those men or women, who being ashamed of Gods workmanship in their own hair, do beautify their2 heads with bought hair, sometime of dead persons. This is an odious ⟨p. 170⟩thing, & such persons take Gods name in vain, as much as they which swear by their head at every word; for be they what they will be, God in some sort hath set his own name in the natural colour of their hair, which none ought to be ashamed of. Secondly, the painting of3 faces, and colouring of the hair is another abuse of Gods name set therein. This practise was abhorred of the heathen, who in their writings4 have branded Poppaea Neros wife, because she used an ointment made of Asses milk, to make her face fair and bright: what then shall we say of our ladies and gentlewomen, who paint their faces with Spanish white, and colour their hair? These doubtless believe not Gods word, which preferreth the fear of God before favour and beauty, Pro. 31. 30. But yet me thinks they should be ashamed to be followers of Jezebel, 2. King. 9. 30. Thirdly, the wearing of long hair is another abuse thereof, in the younger sort; it began indeed among the aged, but now it is become a trick of youth, and is the badge of a proud heart: for how can they say they glorify God thereby, when the Apostle saith, It is a shame for a man to have long hair. Well, sith God hath set his name therein, we must beware how we make it an instrument of sin. If it be said, to wear long hair is our English fashion: I answer, It is not our ancient English fashion, but indeed it is a foreign trick, and therefore as unlawful as foreign attire, which God condemns, Zeph. 1. 8. Our ancient English fashion (except it were among the aged) was to wear short hair; and in every country, the most ancient and grave fashions ought to be followed; not only in the use of the hair, but in apparel also, that therein men may show the grace of their heart: for mans attire is Gods ordinance, borrowed from his creatures, wherein God hath set his name, and therefore we ought not to deface it, with the stamp of pride and vanity; but rather show therein, that liberty and modesty, that may honour Gods name.
Thirdly, is the haire of the head the creature of God, and the natural1 colour his workemanship? then all abuse hereof must needs be vnlawfull: as first, the custome of those men or women, who beeing ashamed of Gods workemanship in their owne haire, doe beautifie their2 heads with bought haire, sometime of dead persons. This is an odious ⟨p. 170⟩thing, & such persons take Gods name in vaine, as much as they which sweare by their head at euery word; for be they what they will be, God in some sort hath set his owne name in the naturall colour of their haire, which none ought to be ashamed of. Secondly, the painting of3 faces, and colouring of the haire is another abuse of Gods name set therein. This practise was abhorred of the heathen, who in their writings4 haue branded Poppaea Neros wife, because shee vsed an oyntment made of Asses milke, to make her face faire and bright: what then shall we say of our ladies and gentlewomen, who paint their faces with Spanish white, and colour their haire? These doubtlesse beleeue not Gods word, which preferreth the feare of God before fauour and beautie, Pro. 31. 30. But yet me thinkes they should bee ashamed to be followers of Iesabel, 2. King. 9. 30. Thirdly, the wearing of long haire is another abuse thereof, in the yonger sort; it began indeed among the aged, but now it is become a tricke of youth, and is the badge of a proud heart: for how can they say they glorifie God therby, when the Apostle saith, It is a shame for a man to haue long haire. Well, sith God hath set his name therein, we must beware how we make it an instrument of sinne. If it be said, to weare long haire is our English fashion: I answer, It is not our auncient English fashion, but indeede it is a forraine tricke, and therefore as vnlawfull as forraine attire, which God condemnes, Zeph. 1. 8. Our auncient English fashion (except it were among the aged) was to weare short haire; and in euery countrie, the most auncient and graue fashions ought to be followed; not onely in the vse of the haire, but in apparel also, that therein men may shew the grace of their heart: for mans attire is Gods ordinance, borrowed from his creatures, wherin God hath set his name, and therefore we ought not to deface it, with the stampe of pride and vanitie; but rather shew therein, that libertie and modestie, that may honour Gods name.
- 1Abuses about the hair of the hea•.Abuses about the haire of the hea•.
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- 4Pl. not hist. l. 11. c. 41. & l. 28. c. 12.Pl. n•nat hist. l. 11. c. 41. & l. 28. c. 12.
