17. This therefore is the way that you are to judge of the crime of vain apparel: it is an offence against the _proper use_ of cloaths, as covetousness is an offence against the proper use of money: it is an indulgence of _proud_ and _unreasonable_ tempers, an offence against the _humility_ and _sobriety_ of the Christian spirit: it is an offence against all those doctrines that require you to do all to the _glory_ of God, and an offence against all those texts of scripture, that command you to _love_ your neighbour as yourself, to _feed_ the hungry, to _cloath_ the naked, and do _all works_ of charity that you are able. So that you must not deceive yourself with saying, where can be the harm of _cloaths_? For the covetous man might as well say, where can be the harm of _gold_ or _silver_? But you must consider, that it is a great deal of harm to want that _wise_ and _reasonable_ state of heart, which is according to the spirit of religion, and which no one can have in the manner that he ought to have it, who indulges himself either in the _vanity_ of dress, or the _desire_ of riches. 18. Some persons perhaps, who admire the life of _Miranda_, may say, how can it be proposed as a common example? How can we that are married, or we who are under the direction of our parents, imitate such a life? It is answered, just as you may imitate the life of our blessed Saviour and his apostles. The circumstances of our Saviour’s life, and the state and condition of his apostles, were more different from yours than that of _Miranda_ is; and yet their life is the common example that is proposed to all Christians. It is their _spirit_ therefore, their piety, their love of God, that you are to imitate, and not the particular form of their life. Act under God as they did, direct your common actions to that end which they did, practise such love of God, such charity to your neighbour, such humility and self-denial, as they did; and then, though you are only teaching your own children, and St. _Paul_ is converting nations, yet you are following his steps, and acting after his example. 19. Don’t think therefore, that you can’t or need not be like _Miranda_, because you are not in her state of life: for as the same spirit and temper would have made _Miranda_ a _saint_, tho’ she had been forced to labour for a maintenance; so if you will aspire after her spirit, every _condition_ of life will furnish you with sufficient means of employing it. _Miranda_ is what she is, because she does every thing in the name, and with regard to her duty to God; and when you do the same, you will be exactly like her, though you are never so different in your outward state. You are married, you say; therefore you have not your _time_ and _fortune_ in your power as she has. It is true; therefore you cannot spend _so much_ time, nor _so much_ money in the manner that she does.