DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.3689#0073
a Devout and Holy Life, yi
are only guilty of the folly of covetousness, or the folly of
ambition. Now though some people may live so plausible a
life, as to appear chargeable with no other fault, than that of
covetousness or ambition ; yet the case is not as it appears, for
covetousness, or ambition, cannot subsist in a heart, in other
respects rightly devoted to God.
In like manner, though some people may spend most that
they have in needless expensive ornaments of dress, and yet
seem to be in every other respect truly pious, yet it is certainly
false; for it is as impossible for a mind that is in a true state of
religion, to be vain in the use of clothes, as to be vain in the use
of alms or devotions. Now to convince you of this from your
own reflections, let us suppose that some eminent saint, as for
instance, that the holy Virgin Mary was sent into the world, to
be again in a state of trial for a few years, and that you were
going to her, to be edified by her great piety. Would you
expect to find her dressed out, and adorned in fine and ex-
pensive clothes ? No. You would know in your own mind,
that it was as impossible, as to find her learning to dance. Do
but add saint, or holy, to any person, either man, or woman, and
your own mind tells you immediately, that such a character
cannot admit of the vanity of fine apparel. A saint genteely
dressed, is as great nonsense, as an Apostle in an embroidered
suit; everyone's own natural sense convinces him, of the incon-
sistency of these things.
Now what is the reason, that when you think of a saint, or
eminent servant of God, you cannot admit of the vanity of
apparel ? Is it not because it is inconsistent with such a right
state of heart, such true and exalted piety ? And is not this
therefore, a demonstration, that where such vanity is admitted,
there a right state of heart, true and exalted piety, must needs
be wanted ? For as certainly as the holy Virgin Mary could
not indulge herself, or conform to the vanity of the world in
dress and figure ; so certain is it, that none can indulge them-
selves in this vanity, but those who want her piety of heart; and
consequently it must be owned, that all needless and expensive
finery of dress, is the effect of a disordered heart, that is not
governed by the true spirit of religion. _
Covetousness is not a crime, because there is any harm in gold
or silver, but because it supposes a foolish and unreasonable
state of mind, that is fallen from its true good, and sunk into
such a poor and wretched satisfaction.
In like manner, the expensive finery of dress is not a crime,
because there is anything good or evil in clothes, but because
the expensive ornaments of clothing, shows a foolish and un-
are only guilty of the folly of covetousness, or the folly of
ambition. Now though some people may live so plausible a
life, as to appear chargeable with no other fault, than that of
covetousness or ambition ; yet the case is not as it appears, for
covetousness, or ambition, cannot subsist in a heart, in other
respects rightly devoted to God.
In like manner, though some people may spend most that
they have in needless expensive ornaments of dress, and yet
seem to be in every other respect truly pious, yet it is certainly
false; for it is as impossible for a mind that is in a true state of
religion, to be vain in the use of clothes, as to be vain in the use
of alms or devotions. Now to convince you of this from your
own reflections, let us suppose that some eminent saint, as for
instance, that the holy Virgin Mary was sent into the world, to
be again in a state of trial for a few years, and that you were
going to her, to be edified by her great piety. Would you
expect to find her dressed out, and adorned in fine and ex-
pensive clothes ? No. You would know in your own mind,
that it was as impossible, as to find her learning to dance. Do
but add saint, or holy, to any person, either man, or woman, and
your own mind tells you immediately, that such a character
cannot admit of the vanity of fine apparel. A saint genteely
dressed, is as great nonsense, as an Apostle in an embroidered
suit; everyone's own natural sense convinces him, of the incon-
sistency of these things.
Now what is the reason, that when you think of a saint, or
eminent servant of God, you cannot admit of the vanity of
apparel ? Is it not because it is inconsistent with such a right
state of heart, such true and exalted piety ? And is not this
therefore, a demonstration, that where such vanity is admitted,
there a right state of heart, true and exalted piety, must needs
be wanted ? For as certainly as the holy Virgin Mary could
not indulge herself, or conform to the vanity of the world in
dress and figure ; so certain is it, that none can indulge them-
selves in this vanity, but those who want her piety of heart; and
consequently it must be owned, that all needless and expensive
finery of dress, is the effect of a disordered heart, that is not
governed by the true spirit of religion. _
Covetousness is not a crime, because there is any harm in gold
or silver, but because it supposes a foolish and unreasonable
state of mind, that is fallen from its true good, and sunk into
such a poor and wretched satisfaction.
In like manner, the expensive finery of dress is not a crime,
because there is anything good or evil in clothes, but because
the expensive ornaments of clothing, shows a foolish and un-