Clarke - BV4500_C46_1659_v1

Chap. I 3 about Appárel. love to lewdwomen, that they . might deftroy them, abufed their bodies to fil- thineife, as a reward of their wickedneflè, they. taughtthem this Art of paint- ing ; whence he inferreth, Hac nonflint membra qua Deuefecit, fedqua Dia- boltu infecit. These painted parts arenot ofGods making, but of the Devils corrupting. Nowwhat impiety is it to Professorsof Chriftianity, being formed byGod to feck to be reformed, and bettered by the Devil. Hence Tertullian faith, 7 he Devil hath certainly deviled this Art, that he might oppofe himfelfe againfl God : For that is Gods work ,ich is natural,and that the Devilswhich 16 counterfeited: And what hellishwickednefe (faith he) is it to adde to Gods work, the Devils Art ? &c. Secondly, as it bath an evil Author, fo it is in it felf evil, as fpringing froth finful roots, andbanging forth abundance ofcurfcd fruits. I. The root fromwhich it fprings is fornetimes Pride, which moves them, when they cannotmatch others in natural beauty, to ufe these Artificial helps, that they may excel them in that which is counterfeit. Somtimes it fprings from lull, and inward uncleannetfe, which moves them to ufe these inveigling Arts, that by feemingmore beautiful then they are, they may ensnare the affe6tions of thole Char look upon them. 2. The curled fruits which it produceth,arc either again(}God, others,or them- felves. I. Againft God they offend, by prefuming toadulterate his works, and by ta- king upon them to mend that which (as they fuppofe) he bath made amide. Hence St. C)prian , God made man according to his own Image, and dare anyprefume to change that whichGod bath made ? Infodoing- they offer wrong to God, when theyjlrive to reform and transform that which he hath formed. For that whichis natural is theworkofGod, hst the alteration of it is the workoftheDevil, &c. 2. They offend against men by deceiving andabusing them, making them to admire a painted Statue in !leadof Gods work. Again, they muchmore fin againfi them, whileft by these devilishArts, and counterfeit beauty, they enflame their hearts with filthy and unlawful lufts. Hence St, 7erome calls it ; the fire ofyouth, thefuel of tuf, -and thefigne which (hews where an unchaFle heart dwells. 3. They molt of all fin againit themfelves, yea, againfl both their bodies and fouler. For it (hews that they are a(hamed of themfelves in their native colour," and therefore being difpleafed therewith, like Players, they come difguifed in the likeneffe of other perfons% and for want ofa better, they ad their parts in the habit of an harlot. Nowwhat is this but unnaturally todeny themfelves ? what is it but tomake themfelves counterfeit idols, that unto them lutt mayoffer thefacrifice of uncleanneflé ? what is it but toexpofe themfelves to the fcorne and laughter of thofe, who Peeing their counterfeit beauty, shall afterwards happen to fee them in their own com- plexioll, and natural foulneffe. Again, whilefl they labour to attain to this counterfeit beauty, they lofe that true complexion which they have bynature : For with their medicines and minerals whichthey ufe for this purpose, they make their colour pale, they wrinkle their faces, yea, oft- times poifon their skin, andmake dim their eye-fight, and foover-greedily Peeking falfe beauty, they finde truedeformity, and make themfelves loth- fome indeed, that they,may appear beautiful in thew. 4. They fin againfl their good name, whilefi following the pra6tice of Har- lots, they defervedly get the reputation of being Harlots. For this out- ward paintingof there earthly houfes, makes men think that they are to be let, and byhangingout this signofLufi, they invite Cuftomers,feeming to offer their honefly to fale ateerie rates : whereas Chriflians thouldnot only Q2 avoid IÍ II.

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