Wise. My heart akes at this answer, because there is too much cause for it. [130d] This very Answer would Mr. Badman give his wife, when she (as she would sometimes) reproved him for his pride: We shall have, says he, great amendments in living now, for the Devil is turned a corrector of vice: For no sin reigneth more in the world, quoth he, than pride among professors. And who can contradict him? let us give the Devil his due, the thing is too apparent for any man to deny.
And I doubt not but the same answer is ready in the mouths of Mr. Badmans friends; for they may and do see pride display it self in the Apparel and carriages of professors; one may say, almost as much, as among any people in the Land, the more is the pity. Ay, and I fear that even their Extravagancies in this, hath hardened the heart of many a one, as I perceive it did somewhat the heart of Mr. Badman himself.
For mine own part, I have seen many my self, and those Church-members too, so deckt and bedaubed with their Fangles and Toyes, and that when they have been at the solemn Appointments of God, in the way of his Worship, that I have wondred with what face such painted persons could sit in the place where they were without swounding. But certainly the holiness of God, and also the pollution of themselves by sin, must needs be very far out of the minds of such people, what profession soever they make.
I have read of an Whores forehead, [131a] and I have read of christian-shamefacedness; I have read of costly array, and of that which becometh women professing Godliness, with good works; [131b] [131c] but if I might speak, I know what I know, and could say, and yet do no wrong, that which would make some professors stink in their places; [131d] but now I forbear.
Atten. Sir, you seem to be greatly concerned at this, but what I shall say more? it is whispered, that some good Ministers have countenanced their people in their light and wanton Apparrel, yea have pleaded for their Gold, and Pearls, and costly array, &c.
Wise. I know not what they have pleaded for, but ’tis 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. [131e] 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; [131f] 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 Spiders webb, 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 a Maid, by way of reproof, for her fond and gaudy garment. But she told me,
Atten. Now you are speaking of the cause of pride, pray shew me yet further why pride is now so much in request? [132b]