If you fancy that it is your _only folly_, and that therefore there can be no great matter in it, you are like those that think they are only guilty of the folly of covetousness or ambition. Now though some people may live so plausible a life, as to appear chargeable with no other fault than covetousness or ambition; yet the case is not as it appears, for covetousness or ambition cannot subsist in a heart that is in other respects rightly devoted to God. In like manner, though some may spend most that they have in needless ornaments, and yet seem in other respects truly pious, yet it is certainly false; for it is impossible for a mind that is in a _true state_ of religion, to be vain in the use of cloaths. Now to convince you of this, let us suppose that some _eminent saint_, for instance, the _Virgin Mary_ was sent into the world for a few years, and that you was going to her to be edified by her piety, would you expect to find her dressed out and adorned in fine and expensive cloaths? No: you would know in your own mind, that it was as impossible as to find her learning to _dance_. Do but add _saint_, or _holy_, to any person, either _man_ or _woman_, and your own mind tells you immediately, that such a character cannot admit of the vanity of fine apparel. A _saint_ finely dressed, is as great nonsense, as an _apostle_ in an _embroidered suit_. Every one’s own natural sense convinces him of the inconsistency of these things. ♦16. Now what is the reason, that when you think of a _saint_, you cannot admit the vanity of apparel? Is it not because it is inconsistent with such a right state of heart? And is not this a demonstration, that where such vanity is admitted, there a right state of heart is wanted? For as certainly as the _Virgin Mary_ could not indulge herself, or conform to the vanity of the world in _dress_ and _figure_; so certain is it, that none can indulge themselves in this vanity, but those who want her piety of heart; and consequently it must be owned, that all needless and expensive finery is the effect of a disordered heart. ♦ Number 15 omitted in text. _Covetousness_ is not a crime, because there is any harm in _gold_ or _silver_; but because it is a foolish and unreasonable state of mind, that is fallen from its true good, and sunk into such a poor and wretched satisfaction. In like manner, the _expensive finery_ of dress is not a crime, because there is any thing good or evil in cloaths, but because the expensive ornaments of cloathing shews a _foolish_ and _unreasonable_ state of heart, that is fallen from right notions of human nature, and turns the necessities of life into so many instances of pride and folly.