1. The customs, fashions, &c. which make up the attire and pleasure of the age, are enemies to inward retirement.--2. Their end is to gratify lust.--3. Had they been solid, Adam and Eve had not been happy, that never had them.--4. But the confidence and presumption of Christians, as they would be called, in the use of them is abominable.--5. Their authors further condemn them, who are usually loose and vain people.--6. Mostly borrowed of the Gentiles, that knew not God.--7. An objection of their usefulness considered and answered, and the objectors reproved.--8. The best heathens abhorring what pretended Christians plead for.--9. The use of these things encourages the authors and makers of them to continue in them.--10. The objection of the maintenance of families answered. None must do evil, that good should follow: but better employments may be found more serviceable to the world.--11. Another objection answered: GOD no author of their inventions, and so not excusable by his institution.--12. People pleading for these vanities show what they are. An exhortation to the weighty and considerate. A great part of the way to true discipleship, is to abandon the school and shop of Satan. I. Next, those customs and fashions, which make up the common attire and conversation of the times, do eminently obstruct the inward retirement of people's minds, by which they may come to behold the glories of immortality: who instead of fearing their Creator in the days of their youth, and seeking the kingdom of God in the first place, (Eccl. xii. 1; Luke, xii. 31,) expecting the addition of such other things as may be necessary and convenient, according to the injunctions of God and the Lord Jesus Christ; as soon as they can do anything, they look after pride, vanity, and that conversation which is most delightful to the flesh, (Jer. xviii. 18-20,) which becomes their most delightful entertainment: all which do but evidently beget lustful conceptions, and inflame to inordinate thoughts, wanton discourses, lascivious treats, if not at last to wicked actions. To such it is tedious and offensive to speak of heaven or another life. Bid them reflect upon their actions, not grieve the Holy Spirit, consider of an eternal doom, prepare for judgment; and the best return that is usual is reproachful jests, (Eph. v. 3, 4,) profane repartees, if not direct blows. Their thoughts are otherwise employed: their mornings are too short for them to wash, to smooth, to paint, to patch, to braid, to curl, to gum, to powder, and otherwise to attire and adorn themselves; (Psalm xii. 2; Isa. v.; xii.; lix. 3, 4;) whilst their afternoons are as commonly bespoke for visits and for plays; where their usual entertainment is some stories fetched from the more approved romances; some strange adventures, some passionate amours, unkind