this; but what if I shall say more: It is whis pered, that some good ministers have countenanced their people in their light and wanton apparel, yea have pleaded for their gold and pearls, and costly array.

Wise, I know not what they have pleaded for: but it is easily seen, that they tolerate, or, at least-wise, wink and connive at such things, both in their wives and children. "And so from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land." And when the hand of the rulers are chief in. a trespass, who can keep their people from being drowned in that trespass?

Atten. This is a lamentation, and must stand for a lamentation.

Wise. So it is, and so it must. And I will add, it is a shame, it is a reproach, it is a stumbling-block to the blind; for though men be as blind as Mr Badman himself, yet they can see the foolish lightness that must needs be the bottom of all these apish and wanton extravagancies. But many have their excuses ready; to wit, their parents, their husbands, and their breeding calls for it, and the like; yea, the examples of good people prompt them to it: but all these will be but the spider's web, when the thunder of the word of the great God shall rattle from heaven against them, as it will at death or judgment; but I wish it might do it before. But alas! these excuses are but bare pretences, these proud ones love to have it so. I once talked with ą

maid, by way of reproof, for her fond and gaudy garment. But she told me, The tailor would make it so; when alas! poor proud girl, she gave order to the tailor so to make it. Many make parents and husbands, and tailors, &c. the blind to others; but their naughty hearts, and their giving of way thereto, that is the original cause of all these evils.

Atten. Now you are speaking of the cause of pride, pray shew me yet further why pride is now so much in request.

Wise. I will shew you what I think are the reasons of it.

1. The first is, Because such persons are led by their own hearts, rather than by the word of God. I told you before, that the original fountain of pride is the heart. For out of the heart comes pride; it is therefore because they are led by their hearts, which naturally tends to lift them up in pride. This pride of heart tempts them; and by its deceit overcometh them; yea, it doth put a bewitching virtue into their peacock's feathers, and then they are swallowed up with the va nity of them.

2. Another reason why professors are so proud, (for those we are talking of now), is, because they are more apt to take example by those that are of the world, than they are to take example of those that are saints indeed. Pride is of the world; "For all that is of the world, the lust of the flesh, the Just of the eyes, and the pride of life, are

not of the Father, but of the world." Of the world therefore professors learn to be proud. But they should not take them for example. It will be objected No, nor your saints neither, for you are as proud as others: Well, let them take shame that are guilty. But when I say, professors should take example for their life by those that are saints indeed, I mean as Peter says: They should take example of those that were in old time the saints; for saints of old time were the best, therefore to these he directed us for our pattern: Let the wives conversation be chaste, and also coupled with fear. Whose adorning, (saith Peter), let it not be that outward adorning, of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of ap parel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible; even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner, in the old time, the holy women also who trusted in God adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands."

3. Another reason is, because they have forgotten the pollution of their nature. For the remembrance of that must needs keep us humble, and being kept humble, we shall be at a distance from pride. The proud and the humble are set in opposition: God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble." And can it be imagined, that a sensible Chris

flan should be a proud one? Sense of baseness tends to lay us low, not to lift us up with pride; not with pride of heart, nor pride of life but when a man begins to forget what he is, then he, if ever, begins to be proud.

Methinks it is one of the most senseless and ridiculous things in the world, that a man should be proud of that which is given him on purpose to cover the shame of his nakedness with.

4. Persons that are proud, have gotten God and his holiness out of their sight. If God was before them, as he is behind their back; and if they saw him in his holiness, as he sees them in their sins and shame, they would take but little pleasure in their apish knacks. The holiness of God makes the angels cover their faces, crumbles Christians, when they behold it, into dust and ashes and as his Majesty is, such is his word; therefore they abuse it, that bring it to countenance pride.

Lastly, But what can be the end of those that are proud, in the decking of themselves after their antic manner? Why are they for going with their bulls foretops, with their naked shoulders, and paps hanging out like a cow's bag? Why are they for painting their faces, for stretching out their neck, and for putting of themselves unto all the formalities which proud fancy leads them to? Is it because they would honour God? because M

they would adorn the gospel? because they would beautify religion, and make sinners to fall in love with their own salvation? No, no, it is rather to please their lusts, to satisfy their wild and extravagant fancies; and I wish none doth it to stir up lust in others, to the end they may commit uncleanness with them. I believe, whatever is their end, this is one of the great designs of the devil: And I believe also, that Satan has drawn more into the sin of uncleanness by the spangling shew of fine cloaths, than he could possibly have drawn unto it without them. I wonder what it was that of old was called the attire of an harlot; certainly it could not be more bewitching and tempting than are the garments of many professors this day.

Atten. I like what you say very well; and I wish that all the proud dames in England that profess were within the reach and sound of your words.

Wise. What I have said, I believe is true; but as for the proud dames in England that profess they have Moses and the prophets; and if they will not hear them, how then can we hope that they should receive good by such a dull sounding ram's horn as I am? However, I have said my mind; and now if you will, we will proceed to some other of Mr Badman's doings.

Atten. No: Pray before you shew me any thing else of Mr Badman, shew me yet more particularly the evil effects of this sin of pride.