Downame - Puritan-02038 v2

Of the vanity of cofl y mid Brame apparel/, 399 fume ofhis holy example. Neither ought they to vfe vaine fa(hions,and exceffiue cofilineffe in their appareil, becaufe it is the common cuflome of the times ; feting wee haue an ex- preffe commandement, that we fhould not fo/12w a multitude Exod.s in that which is euill, nor conforme our fibres to the fafhiens oftherworld; but be out and y changed by the inward renningg of our minds. Wee muff not flay our reformation of appareil till we may carrie it with molt voices, nor expel a parlia- mentto rake away theft abufes; not laying them aliidetill we haue the whole countrie to beare vs company; but the law ofGods fpirit ruling in our hearts, muff make vs herein to be a law vnto our felues, feeking the reformation ofthat which is amiffe, though none would accompany vs inwell doing : for iffobe worldlings and vaine perlons bee bold on the behalfe of their mailer Satan,to bring into common vfe cofil attire, andfi range and wanton fafhions ,wherebythey. poyfon and corrupt all that are neere vnto them by their ill example: why íhould not wee who profeffe the name of Chrifl,fhew the like or greater boldneffe in a bettercaufe, obeying our Lord and mafler,and labouring by our modefi, graue and fober apparel!, to moueothers to imitate vs, and reforme their vani ty,and excefliue brauerie,by our good ex- ample? Which if in theft times chriflians wouldbegin,there is great hope that their endeauour would haue good fucces; not onelybecaufe many would bee drawne for confcience fake to follow their praaifr but alfo becaufe the mots being almoficloyed with the common vfe of brauerie,and al quite tyred with the excefhue charge which goeth to the main- taining of this cofily appareil; doe inwardly dcfire a refor- mation, fo it might bee general], and could bee content to weare more modefi,fober,and frugal attire,ifthe refs of their neighbours wouldbeare them companie. But here the weaker fexe doth further obieói, thateither 4. Set7.2t.' theymufi offend others by putting on this rich. and vaine Their excofe apparel!, or their husbandsby laying it afide; whb vnleffe anfreered Bobo they adorne themfelues will either be difpleafed with them, pretend the or at lead take nodelight in them; and better it were to of- bur4 ndrastbtm fend ¡bangers by metre, then thofe who are fo neere and.caafe oftheir.. decry