A94156:900
The Christian-man's calling: or, A treatise of making religion ones business. Wherein the nature…
The Christian-man's calling: or, A treatise of making religion ones business. Wherein the nature and necessity of it is discovered. : As also the Christian directed how he may perform it in [brace] religious duties, natural actions, his particular vocation, his family directions, and his own recreations. / By George Swinnock ...
London: printed for T.P., 1662
Treatise › Chapter 24: How a Christian may exercise himself to Godliness in his Apparel and Sleep.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
2. Prodigality in our apparel must be avoided. A man must cut his suit according to his cloth. I mean, his apparel must not be above his rank and estate. Some men famish their bellies to make their backs fine; others turn their rents into ruffs, their riches into robes, 1their lands into laces, and hang (as Seneca saith) two or three Lordships in their ears; that when they have their best clothes on, we may say of them, They are in midst of all their wealth.
2. Prodigality in our apparel must be avoided. A man must cut his sute according to his cloth. I mean, his apparel must not be above his rank and estate. Some men famish their bellies to make their backs fine; others turn their rents into ruffs, their riches into robes, 1their lands into laces, and hang (as Seneca saith) two or three Lordships in their ears; that when they have their best clothes on, we may say of them, They are in midst of all their wealth.
- 1Prodigi singulis auribus bina aut terna perdent patrimonia. Senec.
Even those whose honour may allow richer garments then the vulgar, ought to distinguish between prodigality, and what is suitable to their places. Alcisthenes had a costly cloak, sold by Dionysius to the Carthaginians for an 120 talents. Heliogabalus had rich apparel, yet never wore it twice, his shoes were embellished with diamonds, his seats were strewed with musk and amber, his bed was covered with silver and gold, and beset with pearl. But Augustus Cesar was much on the other hand, and wore no other garments then what his wife, 1his sister, or his daughter, made him; and being asked the reason, answered, That rich and gay clothing was either the ensign of Pride, or nurse of luxury. So Alexander