An exposition of the prophecy of Hosea begun in divers lectures upon the first…An exposition of the prophesie of Hosea begun in divers lectures vpon the first…

Suppose we should instance only in garments. That all that meets together in Christian Assemblies, should meet decently in decent garments, Ministers and others,¹ the light of nature tells us, and there may be law if men will be refractory to compel them unto it, to meet so as they may meet decently in regard of their garments. But now if it come thus far, that we leave natural decency, and such or such a garment shall be made decent for Gods worship because it is appointed, whereas if it were not appointed it would not be decent at all. When I say all the decency doth not depend upon what God hath put into it, or what is natural to it, but depends merely upon the institution of man, for take away that institution it would not be decent; as in some kind of garments, put case men were left to their freedom, that there were no institution, I put it to your Consciences whether it would be decent to wear them: If it would not be decent, then it seems it is the institution that puts all upon it; and now here we must take heed. This then puts more upon that creature then nature or the God of nature hath put upon it, then in way of common prudence (I say were it not for an institution, that seems to go further, that seems to intrench upon an ordinance) would be done.² Further, There is more put upon […] then nature hath put into it, when there shall be expected by virtue of an institution, some kind of spiritual ⟨p. 112⟩efficacy to work upon the soul, then it comes to be sinful. As thu when that creature by virtue of the institution, and appointment shall be made, and esteemed, or accounted of more effectual to stir up my mind, or to signify such a thing, as purity or holiness, then another creature that hath as much in it naturally to signify the same thing, and to stir up my mind; this is to imitate Gods institution, which is too much boldness in any man. As, when God doth appoint a thing in his Church, a Ceremony or the like, he will take some thing that hath a resemblance to put men in mind of such a holy thing, that hath some kind of Metaphor or likeness in it.

Suppose we should instance onely in garments. That all that meetes together in Christian Assemblies, should meet decently in decent garments, Ministers and others,