A Christian Directory

§. 77. Sign 26. Proud persons are ashamed and troubled if any necessity force them, to go lower in apparel, or provisions, or deportment, than others do of their degree: To show you that it is not as a Duty that Decency is regarded by them, but as the ornaments of pride: else they would be quiet when Providence maketh it cease to be their duty! They are not so much ashamed of sin, and the neglect of God and their salvation, as they are to be seen in sordid attire, or in a poor and homely garb: Beggars and servants show here that they are as proud as Lords. What abundance of them go but seldom to Church, and give this as a reason [I wanted clothes:] As if they would neglect their souls, their God, their greatest duty, rather than do it in such Clothes as they do their common work? Doth Christ appoint you to give him the meeting, that by his Ministers he may instruct you for salvation, and that you may ask and receive the pardon of your sins, and will you disappoint him and refuse to come, for want of better clothes? Sure you do not think that these are the Wedding Garment which he requireth you to bring? You would beg if you were naked or in rags: and will you not come to beg of God, because you have no better clothes? Do you set more by the reputation of your clothes, than the means of your salvation? How little do such wretches set by God, and by his mercy now, that will shortly on their death-beds cry for Mercy, without any such regard of clothes. Naked they come into the world, and naked they must go out, and yet they will turn their backs on the Worship of God, for want of clothes. They are not ashamed nor afraid to be ungodly, and to forsake their duty; but they are ashamed of torn or poor attire. What, say they, shall we make our selves ridiculous! When their pride and ungodliness is cause of a thousand fold more shame. We read of thousands, even of the poor, that crowded after Christ to hear him; but of none that staid at home for want of clothes; when it is like they had no better than yours.

§. 77. Sign 26. Proud persons are ashamed and troubled if any necessity force them, to go lower in apparel, or provisions, or deportment, than others do of their degree: To shew you that it is not as a Duty that Decency is regarded by them, but as the ornaments of pride: else they would be quiet when Providence maketh it cease to be their duty! They are not so much ashamed of sin, and the neglect of God and their salvation, as they are to be seen in sordid attire, or in a poor and homely garb: Beggars and servants shew here that they are as proud as Lords. What abundance of them go but seldome to Church, and give this as a reason [I wanted cloaths:] As if they would neglect their souls, their God, their greatest duty, rather than do it in such Clothes as they do their common work? Doth Christ appoint you to give him the meeting, that by his Ministers he may instruct you for salvation, and that you may ask and receive the pardon of your sins, and will you disappoint him and refuse to come, for want of better clothes? Sure you do not think that these are the Wedding Garment which he requireth you to bring? You would beg if you were naked or in rags: and will you not come to beg of God, because you have no better clothes? Do you set more by the reputation of your clothes, than the means of your salvation? How little do such wretches set by God, and by his mercy now, that will shortly on their death-beds cry for Mercy, without any such regard of clothes. Naked they come into the world, and naked they must go out, and yet they will turn their backs on the Worship of God, for want of clothes. They are not ashamed nor afraid to be ungodly, and to forsake their duty; but they are ashamed of torn or poor attire. What, say they, shall we make our selves ridiculous! When their pride and ungodliness is cause of a thousand fold more shame. We read of thousands, even of the poor, that crowded after Christ to hear him; but of none that staid at home for want of clothes; when it is like they had no better than yours.