A treatise of self-denial. By Richard Baxter, pastor of the church at KidderminsterA treatise of self-denial. By Richard Baxter, pastor of the church at Kederminster

all is not well where all this care and curiosity is necessary. And what is the deformity that you would hide by this? Is it that of your mind? Why you bewray it more? you tell all that see you, that you are empty, silly souls, as plainly as a Morris-dancer, or a Stage-player doth tell folks what he is by his attire. Is it the deformities of your bodies that you would hide this way! I confess that's the best excuse that can be made for this excess: For apparel will do more to hide the deformities of the body than of the mind. But the shape of your clothes is fittest for this (so far it is fit to be attempted:) For the bravery of them will do little, but draw mens observation the more upon your infirmity. If you say that you have no such extraordinary necessity; then I must say that you do your selves wrong to tice people to suspect it.

all is not well where all this care and curiosity is necessary. And what is the deformity that you would hide by this? Is it that of your mind? Why you bewray it more? you tell all that see you, that you are empty, silly souls, as plainly as a Morrice-dancer, or a Stage-player doth tell folks what he is by his attire. Is it the deformities of your bodies that you would hide this way! I confess that's the best excuse that can be made for this excess: For apparel will do more to hide the deformities of the body than of the mind. But the shape of your clothes is fittest for this (so far it is fit to be attempted:) For the bravery of them will do little, but draw mens observation the more upon your infirmity. If you say that you have no such extraordinary necessity; then I must say that you do your selves wrong to tice people to suspect it.

2. And also you make an open ostentation of Pride, or Lust, or both, to all that look upon you. In other cases you are careful to hide your sin, and take it for an heinous injury if you be but openly told of it and reproved: How comes it then to pass that you are here ⟨p. 177⟩so forward your selves to make it known, that you must carry the signs of it open in the world! Is it not a dishonour to Rogues and Thieves, that have been burnt in the hand or forehead, or must ride about with a paper pinned on their backs declaring their crimes to all that see them; So that every one may see, yonder is a thief, and yonder is a perjured man? And is it not much like it for you to carry the badge of pride or lust abroad with you in the open streets and meetings? Why do you desire to be so fine, or neat, or excessive comely? Is it not to draw the eyes and observations of men upon you? and to what end? Is it not to be thought either Rich, or beautiful, or of an handsome person? And to what end desire you these thoughts of men? Do you not know that this desire is Pride it self? You must needs be some body; and fain you would be observed and valued; and fain you would be noted to be of the best or highest rank, that you can expect to be reckoned of: And what is this but Pride? And I hope you know that Pride is the Devils sin, the first born of all iniquity; and that which the God of heaven abhors! so that it were more credit for you in the eyes of men of wisdom to proclaim your selves beggars, sots, or idiots, than to proclaim your pride. And too oft it shows a pang of lust as well as pride: especially in young persons: and few are so forward to this sin as they. This bravery and fineness is but the fruit of a procacious mind; it's plainly a wooing, alluring act: It is not for nothing that they would fain be eyed, and be thought comely or fair in others eyes! somewhat they want: you may conjecture what! And even married people, if they love their credit, should take heed by such means of drawing suspicion upon themselves. Sirs, if you are guilty of folly, pride and lust, your best way is to seek of God an effectual cure,