A practical exposition of the X. Commandments with a resolution of several momentous questions…A practical exposition of the X. Commandements with a resolution of several momentous questions…

And therefore we say, that in men and women both, there is condemned by the Lord, 1 Costliness and excessive bravery of apparel, 1 Tim. 2.9. which saith not that we are to foster sordidness or baseness, or that men in all place • or stations, and of all ranks, should, as to their apparel, be equal, but that none should exceed. It is strange, that sometimes the poorest and meanest for place, and often for qualifications, are finest this way, as if it were the best or only way to commend and set them out; and that some should have more in clothes then in their stock, is utterly intolerable. 2. Strangeness in the ever-changing fashions, and extravagant modes of apparel, while as the Lord by nature hath continued the shape of mens bodies to be the same; for what is meant else by strange apparel, so often forbidden in the Scripture, but that ⟨p. 363⟩which is commonly called the fashion, or new fashion, a new and uncouth garb? And certainly mens minds are often infected with lascivious thoughts, and lustful inclinations, even by the use and sight of gaudy and vain clothing, and we well see, light, loose, conceited minds discover themselves in nothing sooner then in their apparel, and fashions, and conceitedness in them. 3. There is a lightness in clothing, as to colour, mounting as they call it, &c. and in dressing of the body, which may be seen in these dressings of the hair, in powderings, laces, ribbon, points, &c. which are so much in use with Gallants of the time; this, especially in women, is insisted on and condemned, Isa. 3.16, 17, &c. some things indeed there mentioned, are not simply unlawful, especially to persons of higher quality, and at all times; but the particulars fo • lowing are condemned; 1. Affecting of, and having a lust after, brave clothing, making our back our God, as some do their belly, Phil 3.19. and this may be where clothes are but mean, yet the lust and appetite after them may be great. 2. Haughtiness and vanity in clothes and dressings, when we think our selves better with them then without them, or esteem our selves, because of them above others, in other things superior, or at least equal to us. 3. Excess in these, in their superfluity and costliness, as i • said, above and beyond our state and station. 4.