Wesley Corpus

Accordingly, it is objected, First, “If God has given us plentiful fortunes, if we are placed in the higher ranks of life, we must act suitably to our fortune. We ought to dress according to our rank; that is, in gold and costly apparel.” Not to insist that mone of you are of this rank, I answer, Where is this written? Our Saviour once occasionally said, “Behold, they who wear gorgeous” (splendid) “apparel, are in Kings’ courts;” but he docs not say, they ought to be even there; he neither enjoins nor countenances it. And where is this either enjoined or allowed by IIim or any of his Apostles? Bring me plain, scriptural proof for your assertion, or I cannot allow it. 2. “But did not God give express command by Moses, that some even among his chosen people should be adorned in the most exquisite manner with gold and precious stones, and costly array?” Indeed he did; he expressly commanded this with regard to Aaron and his successors in the IIigh Priesthood. But to this I answer, First, This direction which God gave, with regard to thc Jewish IIigh Priest, cau certainly affect no person in England, unless the Archbishop of Canterbury; and I apprehend, he docs not plead the precedent. Secondly, The Jews and we are under different dispensations. The glory of the whole Mosaic dispensation was chiefly visible and cxternal; whereas the glory of the Christian dispensation is of an invisible and spiritual nature. 3. “But what then are gold and precious stones for? Why have they a place in the creation?” What, if I say I cannot tell? There are abundance of things in the creation which I do not know the use of. What are crocodiles, lions, tigers, scorpions for? Why have so many poisons a place in the creation? Some of them are for medicine: But what ever they are for, in whatever manner they may be useful, they are certainly not to be used in such a manner as God has expressly forbidden. 4. “But if they were not thus adorned, Kings and Generals would be despised by their subjects and soldiers.” Supposing they would, that is nothing to you; for you are neither Kings nor Generals. But it is absolutely certain they would not, if they were not despised on other accounts.