Wesley Corpus

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. If they are valiant and wise, they will never be despised for With REGARD TO DRESS, 473 the plainness of their dress. Was ever General or King more esteemed or beloved by his subjects and soldiers than King Charles of Sweden ? And it is sure he wore no gold or costly apparel, not so much as a common Officer. But we need not go so many years back. Who is the Prince that is now honoured and beloved both by his subjects and soldiers, far beyond any other King or General in Europe? There is no need to repeat his name. But does he gain this honour and love by the costliness of his apparel?. So far from it, that he rarely uses any other dress than the uniform of his own guards. 5. “But if all men were to dress like him, how would tradesmen live?” I answer, (1.) God certainly considered this before ever he gave these commands. And he would never have given them, had he not seen, that, if they were universally observed, men in general would live better than they otherwise could; better in this world, as well as that to come... But, (2.) There is no danger at all that they should be universally observed. Only a little flock in any civilized mation will observe them, till the knowledge of God covers the earth.