excite disgust, or render deformity the more observable.

3. Your conversation is to be always dis

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tinguished by CHASTITY and FEAR,' and these are to be 6 COUPLED.' How natural,

how necessary the alliance!

The apostle deems it needless to descend to the grossness of vice, or actual infractions of the marriage covenant. He would intimate, that where there are no such infamous degradations in your sex, there may be an audacity of countenance, a boldness of look, a levity of discourse, a freedom of manners, a forwardness of behaviour, a challenging, obtrusive, advancing air-very unbecoming the sacred decorum which should appear in all the female character. He therefore requires 'FEAR.' It intends the reverse of every thing seen in too many of our modern females-diffidence, bashfulness; the blushings of reserve; the tremulous retiring of modesty; the sensation which arises from the union of innocency and danger; the carefulness which leads you to avoid the appearance of evil;' the apprehension, that to be suspected is almost as bad as to be guilty;

the prudence which keeps you far, very far from the extremities of permission; the vigilance which discerns and announces danger, while yet a great way off; the caution that never suffers the outguards to be called in, or the enemy to approach even near enough to reconnoitre. This, my fair hearers, will diffuse a glory over you, which never fails to charm, and upon all the glory will be a defence.

4. Much depends on the manner in which you adorn yourselves; whether you appear the votaries of vanity; or prize your souls; improve your minds; and govern your tempers. 'Whose ADORNING, let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel: but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible; even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.'

The sex which rendered clothing necessary, has always been too much disposed to glory in the memorial of our shame. Women have not the same mediums of address with men. They must succeed by means more silent and

disguised.

Discovery would often frustrate intention. They know their force lies in their beauty, and seize dress as an auxiliary; they' increase natural attractions by artificial assist'Can a maid forget her ornaments, or

ance.

a bride her attire ?'

Peter knows what is too characteristical in the sex. What he despairs to alter, he labours to improve. Women MUST be fine; WILL be fine. He indulges them; only turning their attention from external decoration to internal accomplishment. Not that he forbids. a proper attention to the body. Nothing can be so despicable and disgusting as a slattern; though it has been remarked, that a propensity to it, is often found connected with a love of finery. The body is the work of God; the structure is fearfully and wonderfully made.' It is a part of our nature, but it is the inferior part; and this should regulate the degree of attention. A woman of good sense, will always possess a better standard of dress in her own taste, than is to be derived from any precise rules.

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She will avoid whatever would appear light

The apparel of '

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a woman pro→

and wanton. fessing godliness,' should not be the attire of a woman of the world, much less, 'the attire of a harlot.' Females sometimes wear a label, on which indecency and indelicacy are written, and then appear to be offended because observers can read. I would not always infer too much of the disposition from these outward hints, but in the name of a blush, on what principle can we explain the invention or adoption of certain modes?—I describe nothing.

She will beware of exceeding her rank, and her circumstances, or even of reducing her means of beneficence. Shall I here avail myself of the season? How How many miserable objects are there around you! What an insult on the wretchedness of the times, is the dress of many extravagant females! My fair hearers, escape this censure. Remember Dorcas ; enter yonder 'upper chamber;' see the 'widows standing and weeping, and showing the coats and garments which she made while she was with them.' What will afford you most pleasure when you come to die, the recollection of the property you employed in clothing

the naked, or of that which you expended on costly folly? What satisfaction, resulting from the applause of finery, can equal the joy of benevolence that a female feels, while moving among the tears, prayers, and benedictions of gratitude? When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness unto me.'

She will keep it from engrossing too much of the mind; she will not suffer it to be either her business or delight; she will not render herself responsible at the bar of God for the awful waste of hours, week, months, shall I add, years! detached from a life as short as it is important, and the whole of which ought to be redeemed!

He

The apostle speaks comparatively. would teach women that they have souls; that they are made capable of greater beauty than the body yields; that they ought to adorn the mind; that their endeavours to decorate their persons should be infinitely surpassed by their attention to intellectual accomplishments; that they should be ambitious of moral endowments, and above all things, pay an