IX. Gregory, and this a father of the church, a very extraordinary man, was so zealous for the simplicity and purity of the mind, language, and lives of the Christians of his time, that he suppressed several Greek authors, as Menander, Diphilus, Apollodorus, Philemon, Alexis, Sappho, and others, which were the recreations of the vain Gentiles: thus Cardan. Hear his judgment of fine clothes, none of the least part of the luxury and vanity of the age. "There be some," saith he, "are of opinion, that the wearing of precious and sumptuous apparel is no sin; which if it were no fault, the Divine word would never have so punctually expressed, nor historically related, how the rich man, that was tormented in hell, was clothed in purple and silk: whence we may note, that, touching the matter or subject of attire, human curiosity availeth highly. The first substance of our garments was very mean, to wit, skins, with wool; when it is we read, God made Adam and his wife coats of skins; that is, of skins of dead beasts. Afterwards, to see the growing pride and vanity of men and women, they came to pure wool, because lighter; after that to flax: then to dung and ordure of worms, to wit, silk; lastly, to gold and silver, and precious stones, which excess of apparel highly displeased God: for instance whereof, which the very Pagans themselves observed, we read that the very first among the Romans that ever wore purple was struck with a thunder-bolt, and so died suddenly for a terror to all succeeding times, that none should attempt to live proudly in precious attire." This was the sense of Gregory Nazianzene, that ancient Christian writer, who wore commonly a poor coat, like to a frock; so did Justin Martyr, Jerome, and Austin, as their best robe. X. Ambrose, called a father, who was lieutenant to the province and city of Milan, and upon his discreet appeasing the multitude, disordered upon some difference amongst them about electing a bishop, was by their uniform consent chosen himself: although this person, of all others, might have been thought to plead for the accustomed recreations, especially not having been long a Christian, for he was a Catechumen, or one but lately instructed, at the time of his being elected; yet doth he in so many words determine the matter thus: "Plays ought not to be known by Christians;" then not made, heard, and defended by Christians; or they must be none that do so.