Downame - Puritan-02038 v2

J3eautie fuered from trae vertue is to be contemned. I r y worth, momentanic, and oftentimes butofa dales continu- ance ; yet there arc many fo deftitute of all goodneffe, that for want of better matter in them, they are proud of this vaine fhadow ; and being void ofvertuc, by their beautie a- lone do fceme vnto themfelues glorious.Moreouer,it is thus abufed, whenas we do too much affel & fer our harts vpon it, and fpend ouer much time and labour either in getting, preferuing, orincreafng ir, negledting in the meant time things ofmore neceffitie and greater value:vntowhicha- bufe vaine worldlings, (efpccially of the weaker fex) are much addíeted, who fuperflitioufly abftaine from thofe things which they molt loue ; and are content to vfethofe things which they loathe,to get orrecouer this vanity;thin kingnopaines coo much, no punifhment which they take on thcmfelues toogreat, nor their precious health too deare, to giue for the purchafe ofthis fading trifle; and fpending more time in the combing and curling of their haire, in wafhing, fweating and bathing, drefling and trimming,and in many other their hidden myfteries, (of which wilful! ig- norance is no finne,and thereof! am not afhamed herein of my fimplicitie) then in all their fpirituall devotionstowards God, or their duties of Chriflianitie towards their neigh. bours; fo that no bodic that is wife would enuie vnto them their fuppofed happiueffe, confifling in this vain beautie, if he did but confider at what dcarc rates it is bought, and how much more excellent things they do in the meane timelofe, whileft they are procuringor preferuingthis triflingvanitic. Finally, thofe abide it vnto .fimte who ouervalue it in them - felues or others, preferring it before the gifts of the mind, vertue, Gods fanetifying graces, and the meanes oftheir fal- uation ; yea more efteeming ofthis perifhing fauour,then of the eternall fauourand loue ofGod, for howfoeuer this gift of beau tie be good as proceeding from God;yet it:is incorn- pardon ofthe former ofno excellencic, being a good tem- poral!, carnal], and ofthe meaneft and lowett degree, and therefore it is impioufly loved (as one faith) when inre fieFE Auguft.deCi. thereof, the eternallCod, ourinternallandfempiternallgoodne$ uit.Dei.lib.t9; ár negleUed; but as righteoufneffeia forfaken, and gold lowed of "Pal, 13 couetons