A fourth volume containing one hundred and fifty sermons on several texts of Scripture…

(2.) Addictedness to Fashions, certainly that argues such a Levity that doth not suit with the Gravity of Religion. That there is a Sin in Fashions, is plain by Isa. 3. where the Holy Ghost is pleased to give us an Inventory of the Wardrobe of the Women among the Jews; for what Reason, but to show they were vainly addicted to Fashions? So Zeph. 1.8. I will punish the Princes, and the King's Children, and all such as are clothed with strange Apparel. God takes notice of Pride in Apparel, though it be in Courtiers, Nobles, Princes, and Kings Children, their new and strange exotic Garbs; therefore much more is it evil in private Persons, and those that are of an inferior Rank. But you will say, if we must not follow the Fashion, of what Date should our Habits be? Should we go back as far as Adam to clothe our selves with Skins and Leaves; and run back to the Rudeness of former Ages? I answer; There may be as much Vanity and Affection in being too much out of the Fashions of the times and places in which we live, as in being too much in it; therefore our Liberty in this kind is to be determined by the general and received Custom of the gravest and godly wise. It stands not with Christian Gravity to be first in a Fashion, and affect that which is new, nor to take it up when it is only the Fashion among those that are light and vain; they are not to be imitated, for that's conforming our selves to the Fashions of the World, which the Apostle disproves, Rom. 12.2. Be not conformed to this World. The Apostle speaks in the Business of long Hair: and when he had spoken what an unseemly thing it was for a Man, Ruffian-like, to go with long Hair; 1 Cor. 11.14. Doth not Nature it self teach you, that if a Man have long Hair, it is a Shame to him? He adds, ver. 16. But if any Man seem to be contentious, we have no such Custom, neither the Churches of God. Which seems to carry this Sense, that if Women will come with their Nakedness into the Congregation, and if Men will wear long Hair; and if any Man or Woman will contend and say, the thing is indifferent, and they have a Liberty in this kind; this is the short Answer, We have no such Custom, neither the Churches of God. Therefore the general and received Custom of the Churches of God ought to be a Law in all such Cases.