5. As thou art putting on thine apparel, remember that they were first given as coverings of shame, being the filthy effect of sin; and that they were made but of the offals and excrements of dead Beasts Therefore, whether thou respect the stuff or the first institution thou hast so little cause to be proud of them, that thou hast ⟨p. 142⟩great cause to be humbled at the sight and wearing of them: seeing the richest apparel are but fine covers of the foulest shame. Meditate rather, That as thine apparel serves to cover thy shame, and to fence thy body from cold: so thou shouldest be as careful to cover thy soul with thata wedding-garment, which is theb righteousness of Christ, 3and (because apprehended by our faith) called the righteousness of the Saints: 4Lest whilst we are richly apparelled in the5 sight of Men, 6we be not found to walkc naked (so that all our filthiness be seen) in •he sight of God. But that with his righteousness (as with a Robe) we may cover our selves from perpetual shame; and shield our Souls from that fiery cold that will procure eternal weeping and gnashing of Teeth. 8And withal, consider how blessed a people were our Nation, if every silken suit did cover a sanctified Soul. And yet a Man would think, that on whom God bestowed most of these outward blessings, 9of them he should receive greatest inward thanks. But if it prove otherwise, their reckoning will prove the heavier in the day of their accounts.
5. As thou art putting on thine apparel, remember that they were first given as coverings of shame, being the filthy effect of sin; and that they were made but of the offails and excrements of dead Beasts Therefore, whether thou respect the stuff or the first institution thou hast so little cause to be proud of them, that thou hast ⟨p. 142⟩great cause to be humbled at the sight and wearing of them: seeing the richest apparel are but fine covers of the foulest shame. Meditate rather, That as thine apparel serves to cover thy shame, and to fence thy body from cold: so thou shouldest be as careful to cover thy soul with thata wedding-garment, which is theb righteousness of Christ, 3and (because apprehended by our faith) called the righteousness of the Saints: 4Lest whilest we are richly apparalled in the5 sight of Men, 6we be not found to walkc naked (so that all our filthiness be seen) in •he sight of God. But that with his righteousness (as with a Robe) we may cover our selves from perpetual shame; and shield our Souls from that fiery cold that will procure eternal weeping and gnashing of Teeth. 8And withal, consider how blessed a people were our Nation, if every silken suit did cover a sanctified Soul. And yet a Man would think, that on whom God bestowed most of these outward blessings, 9of them he sh•uld receive greatest inward thanks. But if it prove otherwise, their reckoning will prove the heavier in the day of their accounts.
- aMat. 22. 11.
- bRom. 13 14.
- 31 Cor. 1. 30.
- 4Phil. 3. 9.
- 5Rev. 19. 8.
- 6Eph. 4. 24.
- cR•v. 16. 15.
- 8Mat. 22. 13.
- 9Luke 12. 48.
