The Christian-man's calling: or, A treatise of making religion ones business. Wherein the nature…

This pride consisteth inwardly in mens valuing themselves the higher for their habit, which indeed is Childish: They discover their want of wit whose spirits rise with their garments, as the boat with the waters. The dogs that kept Vulcans temple, fawned upon a good suit; but if a man came in ragged apparel, they would tear him in pieces. They are brutish who judge either themselves or others to have real worth from the bravery of what they wear. Pride is manifested outwardly, by mens readiness to follow new fashions. It is no commendation to English men that they are French mens apes. A la mode de France, is most in the Gallants mouths: But they who borrow (saith one) fashions of Egyptians, may meet with their botches and boils. They who affected the Babylonian finery, had with it the Babylonian fetters, Ezek. 23.15. I will punish the Princes, and the Kings children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel, Zeph. 1.8. God speaketh of them, who in their clothes imitated the Egyptians, ¹or the Babylonians. Though they were never so high, (Princes and Kings children) yet being vain in their habit, they were sure to feel the weight of Gods hand; I will punish them. Idolaters are no fit measure for Gods people to make their clothes by. The prophet Isaiah draweth up an Inventory of the Ladies wardrobe in Jerusalem, and pronounceth both a sharp objurgation and severe commination against them for their twinkling with their eyes, and tinkling with their feet; for their lofty gate, and stately garb, Isa. 3.18, to 24. We may read ⟨p. 432⟩there what strange fury God hath for strange fashions. The daughters of London (saith one) do in pride of countenance and earriage, for exceed the daughters of Zion. ²Alas how many men are dressed like Poppets in a play, and women like Bartholomew babies. Some that are professors, by their antic habits (which are the covers of their shame) become a shame to their profession.³