Wesley Corpus

1. For the preceding exhortation I have the authority of God, in clear and express terms: “I will that women” (and, by parity of reason, men too) “adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broidered” (curled) “hair, or gold, or pearls,” (one kind of precious stones, which was then most in use, put for all,) “or costly apparel; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.” (1 Tim. ii. 9, 10.) Again: “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting” (curling) “the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparcl. But let it be the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” (1 Peter iii. 3, 4.) Nothing can be more express; the wearing of gold, of precious stones, and of costly apparel, together with curling of hair, is here forbidden by name: Nor is there any restriction made, either here, or in any other scripture. Whoever, therefore, says, “There is no harm in these things,” may as well say, “There is no harm in stealing or adultery.” 2. There is something peculiarly observable in the nauner wherein both St. Peter and St. Paul speak of these things. “Let not your adorning,” says St. Peter, “be that outward adorning; but let it be the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit.” The latter clause is not added barely to fill up the sentence, but with strong and weighty reason. For there is a direct contrariety (as little as we may suspect it) between that outward, and this inward, adorning; and that, both with regard to their source, and with regard to their tendency. As to their source, all that adorning springs from nature; a meek and quiet spirit, from grace; the former, from conforming to our own will, and the will of man; the latter, from conformity to the will of God. And as to their tendency, nothing more directly tends to destroy meekness and quietness of spirit than all that outward adorning, whereby we seek to commend ourselves to men, and not to God. For this cherishes all those passions and tempers which overthrow the quiet of every soul wherein they dwell. 3. Let “them adorn themselves,” saith St.