DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.3689#0072
70 zA Serious Call to
Chapter IX.
Containing some reflections upon the life of
Miranda, and showing how it may, and
ought to be imitated by all her sex.
NOW this life of Miranda, which I heartily recommend
to the imitation of her sex, however contrary it may
seem to the way and fashion of the world, is yet
suitable to the true spirit, and founded upon the
plainest doctrines of Christianity.
To live as she does, is as truly suitable to the Gospel of Christ,
as to be baptized, or receive the Sacrament.
Her spirit is that which animated the Saints of former ages ;
and it is because they lived as she does, that we now celebrate
their memories, and praise God for their examples.
There is nothing that is whimsical, trifling, or unreasonable in
her character; but everything there described, is a right and
proper instance of a solid and real piety.
It is as easy to show, that it is whimsical to go to church, or
to say one's prayers, as that it is whimsical to observe any of
these rules of life. For all Miranda's rules of living unto God,
of spending her time and fortune, of eating, working, dressing,
and conversing, are as substantial parts of a reasonable and holy
life, as devotion and prayer.
For there is nothing to be said for the wisdom of sobriety, the
wisdom of devotion, the wisdom of charity, or the wisdom of
humility, but what is as good an argument for the wise and
reasonable use of apparel.
Neither can anything be said against the folly of luxury, the
folly of sensuality, the folly of extravagance, the folly of pro-
digality, the folly of ambition, of idleness, or indulgence, but what
must be said against the folly of dress. For religion is as deeply
concerned in the one as in the other.
If you may be vain in one thing, you may be vain in every-
thing ; for one kind of vanity only differs from another, as one
kind of intemperance differs from another.
If you spend your fortune in the needless vain finery of dress,
you cannot condemn prodigality, or extravagance, or luxury,
without condemning yourself.
If you fancy that it is your only folly, and that therefore there
can be no great matter in it; you are like those that think they
Chapter IX.
Containing some reflections upon the life of
Miranda, and showing how it may, and
ought to be imitated by all her sex.
NOW this life of Miranda, which I heartily recommend
to the imitation of her sex, however contrary it may
seem to the way and fashion of the world, is yet
suitable to the true spirit, and founded upon the
plainest doctrines of Christianity.
To live as she does, is as truly suitable to the Gospel of Christ,
as to be baptized, or receive the Sacrament.
Her spirit is that which animated the Saints of former ages ;
and it is because they lived as she does, that we now celebrate
their memories, and praise God for their examples.
There is nothing that is whimsical, trifling, or unreasonable in
her character; but everything there described, is a right and
proper instance of a solid and real piety.
It is as easy to show, that it is whimsical to go to church, or
to say one's prayers, as that it is whimsical to observe any of
these rules of life. For all Miranda's rules of living unto God,
of spending her time and fortune, of eating, working, dressing,
and conversing, are as substantial parts of a reasonable and holy
life, as devotion and prayer.
For there is nothing to be said for the wisdom of sobriety, the
wisdom of devotion, the wisdom of charity, or the wisdom of
humility, but what is as good an argument for the wise and
reasonable use of apparel.
Neither can anything be said against the folly of luxury, the
folly of sensuality, the folly of extravagance, the folly of pro-
digality, the folly of ambition, of idleness, or indulgence, but what
must be said against the folly of dress. For religion is as deeply
concerned in the one as in the other.
If you may be vain in one thing, you may be vain in every-
thing ; for one kind of vanity only differs from another, as one
kind of intemperance differs from another.
If you spend your fortune in the needless vain finery of dress,
you cannot condemn prodigality, or extravagance, or luxury,
without condemning yourself.
If you fancy that it is your only folly, and that therefore there
can be no great matter in it; you are like those that think they