A golden mine opened, or, The glory of God's rich grace displayed in the…

O what a Reproach doth the talkative and prating person bring on the Name of God: This Man, this Woman, say they, is a Member of such or such a Church, and see what vain talk, frothy words, and frivolous Discourse proceeds from their Lips: But much more evil is in such who back-bite, revile, and defame others (as was hinted before.) This I say may discover such to be but chaff.

2. They appear to be Chaff, not only by their light, vain, idle and back-biting Tongues, but also by their light Behaviour; for the lightness of the heart is as much discovered by a loose and airy Deportment, as by loose and vain words; their wanton Looks, and rolling Eyes, or other unseemly and uncomely carriage, shows in part what they are; they being not of a grave, sober, and serious spirit, but behave themselves as if they had no sense of the Omniscience of God upon their hearts, nor of his holiness, not setting the Lord always before them, gives cause to all to fear they are but chaff.

2. They appear to be Chaff, not only by their light, vain, idle and back-biting Tongues, but also by their light Behaviour; for the lightness of the heart is as much discovered by a loose and airy Deportment, as by loose and vain words; their wanton Looks, and rowling Eyes, or other unseemly and uncomely carriage, shews in part what they are; they being not of a grave, sober, and serious spirit, but behave themselves as if they had no sense of the Omnisciency of God upon their hearts, nor of his holiness, not setting the Lord always before them, gives cause to all to fear they are but chaff.

3. Their light, empty and airy Attire, Dresses, and antic ¹Fashions, which they wear and take delight in, doubtless too much discovers the Lightness, Vanity and Emptiness of their Spirits: I am persuaded these high and shameless Head-dresses which some Women appear in, that come into Christian Assemblies, are but as Tell-tales of the Vanity, Pride, Emptiness, and Haughtiness of their hearts; who but they that sell Wine will put forth a Bush? I cannot see how a sober, serious Christian Woman should be satisfied to wear such Antic Dresses: Their Souls sure must needs blush at the Thoughts of them; when they consider whose Eyes behold them, First, Many gracious Men and Women, with no little trouble: And in the second place, their faithful Ministers, to the wounding and grieving their Souls. Thirdly, And a multitude of loose and ungodly People, who reproach and laugh at them, and cast contempt upon Religion on that account. Fourthly, And which is more, the holy Angels, they come into our Assemblies, and observe all, both Males and Females, how they do adorn their Profession and behave themselves. Women should cover their heads, because of the Angels; they ought to be in subjection, and therefore