An answer to some cases of conscience respecting the country. By Solomon Stoddard, A.M.…

and lay themselves under Temptation by this Extravagancy, either to oppress Men in their Dealings• or ⟨p. 7⟩to be more Pinching in other Cases, than they ought to be. And those Men that have more plentiful Estates, have no Liberty to use them according to their own Pleasure. That Money that may be laid out to Advantage, should not be spent Unprofitably. 3. It is Pride: they do it to make a great S•••; It is from an Affectation of Swaggering; it is an Affecting of Finery that there is no just occasion for. They count it Brave to be in the Fashion; crave the honour of being counted as Gallant as others. It is too much Flaunting. 4. It is contrary to Gravity. There is a Masculine Gravity that should appear in the Countenances of Men, discovering a Solemnity of Spirit. But this Fractice is Light, and Effeminate. Tho it make a Show; yet it takes much away from the Presence of Men. Such Curiosity discovers much Vanity in the Mind; and makes others to esteem the more lightly of them; and not to show that Respect to them. This Practice makes them look, as if they were more disposed to Court a Maid; than to bear upon their Hearts the weighty Concernments of GOD's Kingdom. But I am fearful that the Stream runs so strong this way, that no Endeavours will work a Public •••ormation; until GOD does give Men another Spirit; or lay them under other Dispensations. Yet it may not be without good Effect on some particular Persons, if a Testimony be born against the Practice; if not to Reduce any; yet to Prevent some that were in danger. Thus Sir, I have endeavoured to give some Satisfaction to your Desires; which I hope you will take in good part, from your Servant. N—H. July, 29. 1701.

and lay themselves under Temptation by this Extravagancy, either to oppress Men in their Dealings• or ⟨p. 7⟩to be more Pinching in other Cases, than they ought to be. And those Men that have more plentiful Estates, have no Liberty to use them according to their own Pleasure. That Money that may be laid out to Advantage, should not be spent Unprofitably. 3. It is Pride: they do it to make a great S•••; It is from an Affectation of Swaggering; it is an Affecting of Finery that there is no just occasion for. They count it Brave to be in the Fashion; crave the honour of being counted as Gallant as others. It is too much Flanting. 4. It is contrary to Gravity. There is a Masculine Gravity that should appear in the Countenances of Men, discovering a Solemnity of Spirit. But this Fractice is Light, and Effeminat. Tho it make a Shew; yet it takes much away from the Presence of Men. Such Curipsity discovers much Vanity in the Mind; and makes others to esteem the more lightly of them; and not to shew that Respect to them. This Practice makes them look, as if they were more dispos'd to Court a Maid; than to bear upon their Hearts the weighty Concernments of GOD's Kingdom. But I am fearful that the Stream runs so strong this way, that no Endeavours will work a Publick ormation; until GOD does give Men another Spirit; or lay them under other Dispensations. Yet it may not be without good Effect on some particular Persons, if a Testimony be born against the Practice; if not to Reduce any; yet to Prevent some that were in danger. Thus Sir, I have endeavoured to give some Satisfaction to your Desires; which I hope you will take in good part, from your Servant. N—H. July, 29. 1701.