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?FXII1i
+GRAVITY,
DECENCY,
íitC.
$$S
-and
not
think themselves undressed,
unless they
are con-
formed
to all the
niceties and vain fashions of
the
world.
Sometimes, it
may
be, we
are
too much afraid
we
shall
not
look like
the children
of
this world
;
whereas the
apostle
advises
us
rather
to look like strangers. We
are
travelling homeward through
a
foreign
country, having
the ornaments
of
holiness
on
us,
which
is
the
raiment
of
heaven.
I
confess,
we
are
not
required
to
affect singola-
city,
nor
to seek
a
foolish
and
useless
distinction
from
the
customs
of
our country,
where
they
are
proper, innocent,
and
becoming
;
for
the kingdom
of God
does
not
con -
sist in any affected
peculiarities
of
dress
or
behaviour;
but
let
us
remember
too,
that it
is
below
the glory
of
our
_character,
and the dignity
of
our
calling, to have
our
thoughts
uneasy,
if
every
pin and
point that
belongs
to
our
apparel
be
not placed
in
the most fashionable man-
.ner
;
to
fret and
rage;
if
every fold
of a garment
be
not
adjusted
in
perfect conformity
to
the mode.
Then
we
may
be
said
to,
fall
short of
that
venerable
de-
cency in
our apparel
which .christianity
should teach
us,
when
we
are
among the
first in any new devised
and
gaudy
fashions
:
when
we
are
some
of
the foremost
in
the
gaieties
of
the
age
:
When
we
run
to the
extremes
of
every
new
mode,
and
affect to vie
with
the
vainest
of
oup
sex
:
When
the business
of
dressing
is
made one
of the
most frequent, important, and
solemn
enquiries and
con-
cerns
of
life
;
and when it employs some
of our
Most
serious thoughts, and our warmest
passions
:
When
we
indulge
a
greater expence
in
finery
than
our
circumstances
.will
allow,
or
our
stations require
:
When
we
waste
more time
in
adorning
ourselves,
than the duties
we
owe
to
God
or man
will
reasonably
permit;
and
especially
if
we
intrench upon
the hours
which
should
be
devoted
to
sacred
purposes.
I
should add
also,
that
then
we
cer-
tainly break
in
upon christian
sobriety,
when
we
indulge,
such
sort
of
cloathing
as
in its
own
nature
becomes
a
temptation
to immodesty,
and
brings
fuel, to
the im-
pure
fire
of
the
eyes,
or.
of
the heart.
I
would
not
be
thought
to
treat
too largely
upon
this
subject,
or handle
it
too severely:
but
let. us
remember,
that
our
biggest
danger
in
this
age is excess,
and
luxury,
and vanity
of
mind
We are pretty secure
now-a
-days
from too
great a
carelessness in this respect.