Sermons to Young Women

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1809 edition. Excerpt: ... SERMON I. ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FEMALE SEX, ESPECIALLY THE YOUNGER PART. / -aft--that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not -with broidertd hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array, but Cvthich becoineth women professing godliness J with good worfcs. AN a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride "her attire ? DEGREES is the Almighty's question by the mouth of a prophet. Splendid attire and rich ornaments are in many places of scripture spoken of without censure, and in some with approbation. "The king's daughter," says the psalmist," is "all glorious within: " he adds, "her clothing is "of wrought gold; she shall be brought into the "king in raiment of needle-work." The Virtuous Woman is in the proverbs applauded for " clothing "her household with scarlet, and herself with silk "and purple." The creator has poured unbounded beauty over his works. Witness the flowers of the field, celebrated by Our Saviour himself; witness the gems of the mine, mentioned in the Revelation of St. John, as employed to give additional lustre even to the New Jerusalem; witness, in general, all that wonderful colouring, and those fair proportions, that please the eye, and amuse 1 Tim. ii. 8, 9,10. Vol. I. A the imagination, with endless variety. Who can resist, who indeed ought to resist, the agreeable effect? Surely the Author of Nature does nothing in vain. He surely meant, that by beholding her with delight we might be led to copy her with care, and from contemplating the inferior orders of beauty rise to the admiration of that which is supreme. As he has furnished infinite materials for the exercise and entertainment, no less than for the provision and accommodation of man; so has he inspired that genius, and supplied...