The Holy Limbeck(1), Commentary 47
The true Ornament.
Whoſe adorning, let it not be that outward adorning, of plaiting the hair, &c. But let it be the hidden man of the heart,
1 Pet. 3.3,4.
HOw? is not plaiting the hair a commendable Ornament? with what deformed beauties then is this Age diſfigured? how handſomly it makes it ſelf ugly? what pains it takes to be ridiculous? better the brain were out of his place, then the excreſcency thereof, or the whole head ake, then one hair not well: How many happy Goodmorrows might the ſoul bid it ſelf, by asking bleſſings of her heavenly Father, whilſt ſhe ſtands ſacrificing the precious Morn to the Idol in the Looking-glaſs? how many Virgin-Oraizons might be early up at heaven, whilſt the ingenious fancy is ſo zealous at new-modelling that careful careleſs Love-lock, or the Woodcocks ſnare, as if there were ſome Gordian Magick in each curl? But doth this refer onelyonly to the Feminine? then is this Age Hermophrodited; is not he the moſt admired Comet, that can be moſt fantaſtick? Some are ſo well read in the Glaſs and Comb, as to divide a hair, and again reconcile them with a wet finger, others curl them with a powder; doubtleſs both theſe do ſtand very much on their heads; no wonder their Brain-ſhell is ſo addle, when the choyceſt of their Intellects walk with its heels upward, that the whole Microcoſm can eſpy no other Horoſcope then that of the Antipodes: You may gueſs the ſubſtance of what's within, by the duſt of what's without; and if ever a Wit did put a Soleciſm upon his own brain, 'twas when he firſt went to School to adorn his head on the outſide, for every ſober man wears his head with the wrong ſide outward; but he whoſe head came newly out of a Mill-ſack, makes more of the offals of his Cranium, then the brain it ſelf is worth.
And is this then the grave Chriſtians Ornament? Away, you that profeſs piety, blazon no more vanity, ſuch duſty cob-webs are no mettal for the Helmet of your Salvation; be not ſo vainly ingenious in dreſſing but a Virmins Forreſt, with ſuch odoriferous curls; 'tis but a ſpans length off, and other Virmin by the duſt and oyncture of your own rottenneſs ſhall do it for you: Shall not he that covereth himſelf with a cloud, Lam. 3.44. that putteth on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and is clad with zeal as with a cloak, Iſa. 59.17. ſend baldneſs in ſtead of well-ſet hair? Iſa. 3.24. and ſmite with a ſcab the crown of the head? ver. 17. he that clothes the graſs of the field ſhall ſtrip thee naked: If ever therefore thou hopeſt to put on the garments the four and twenty Elders wear about the Throne, Rev. 4.4. or if ever thou expecteſt to be clothed with immortality of bliſs, away with the bravery of your tinckling Ornaments, with the wimples and the criſping pins, Iſa. 3.18,22. the Prophet there compares your Cauls and Tyres to the Moon; no wonder ſober mindes conclude you Lunatick.
And you that are the Amazons of the Age, but of the Maſculine-Gender, that take your paſtime in War, yet walk as if ſhod with the preparation of the Goſpel of Peace; if you muſt needs wear Arms in Halcyonian days, put on the Shield of Faith, the Breaſt-plate of Righteouſneſs, and the Helmet of Salvation; Belt your ſelves with the Girdle of Truth, but do not draw the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, out of any other Scabbard then the Scriptures: This is that true Ornament, which becomes every ſober, wiſe, grave, modeſt and true Chriſtian, Whoſe adorning, let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, &c. But let it be the hidden man of the heart, 1 Pet. 3.3,4.