434 WORKS OF ST. CHRYSOSTOM. [HOMILY VIII. spread into breadth nor shrink into scantiness, but be between both ; and when the bosom is set off with many folds, is not this more alluring than any silken robes ? and when the shoe, shin ing through its blackness, ends in a sharp point, and imitates the elegance of painting, so that even the breadth of the sole is scarce visible or when, though you do not indeed paint the face, you spend much time and pains on washing it, and spread a veil across the forehead, 1 whiter than the face itself and above that put on a hood, 2 of which the blackness may set off the white by contrast is there not in all this the vanity of dress ? What can one say to the per petual rolling of the eyes? to the putting on of the stomacher, so artfully as sometimes to con ceal, sometimes to disclose, the fastening? For this too they sometimes expose, so as to show the exquisiteness of the cincture, winding the hood entirely round the head. Then like the players, they wear gloves so closely fitted, that they seem to grow upon the hands : and we might speak of their walk, and other artifices more alluring than any ornament of gold. Let us fear, beloved, lest we also hear what the Prophet said to the Hebrewwomen who were so studious of outward ornament ; " Instead of a girdle, thou shalt be girded with a halter, instead of well-set hair, baldness." (Isa. iii. 24, Sept.) These things and many others, invented only to be seen and to attract beholders, are more allur ing than golden ornaments. These are no trifling faults, but displeasing to God, and enough to mar all the self-denial of virginity. Thou hast Christ for thy Bridegroom, O virgin, why dost thou seek to attract human lovers ? He will judge thee as an adulteress. Why dost thou not wear the ornament that is pleasing to Him ; modesty, chastity, orderliness, and sober apparel ? This is meretricious, and disgraceful. We can no longer distinguish harlots and virgins, to such indecency have they advanced. A virgin s dress should not be studied, but plain, and without labor ; but now they have many artifices to make their dress conspicuous. O woman, cease from this folly. Transfer this care to thy soul, to the inward adorning. For the outward orna ment that invests thee, suffers not that within to become beautiful. He that is concerned for that which is without, despises that which is within, even as he that is unconcerned about the exterior, bestows all his care upon the interior. Say not, " Alas ! I wear a threadbare garment, mean shoes, a worthless veil ; what is there of ornament in these ? " Do not deceive thyself. It is impossible, as I said, to study appearance more by these than by costlier dresses ; espec- 1 /j-tTo. TOV litrta-rrov. The reading is suspected, but it seems to mean, " so as to make one effect with the forehead." 2 </><ipos. ially when they are close-fitted to the body, fashioned to an immodest show, and of shining neatness.3 Thou excusest thyself to me, but what canst thou say to God, who knows the heart and the spirit with which thou doest these things? " It is not done for fornication ! " Per haps not, but for admiration and dost thou not blush for shame to be admired for such things? But thou sayest, " It is but chance I am so dressed, and for no motive of this kind." God knoweth what thou sayest to me : is it to me thou must give account ? Nay, it is to Him who is present at thy actions, and will one day inquire into them, to whom all things are naked and open. It is on this account that we now urge these things, that we may not let you be amenable to those severe judgments. Let us fear, therefore, lest He reprove you in the words of the Prophet to the Jewish women. " They come to be seen of me wantoning and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet." (Isa. iii. 16.) Ye have taken upon you a great contest, where wrestling, not ornament is required ; where the battle awaits you, not sloth and ease. Observe the combatants and wrestlers in the games. Do they concern themselves about their walk or their dress? No, but scorning all these, and throwing about them a garment 4 dripping with oil, they look only to one thing, to wound, and not be wounded. The devil stands grinding his teeth, watching to destroy thee every way, and thou remainest unconcerned, or concerned only about this satanic ornament. I say nothing about the voice, though much affectation is shown in this also, nor about perfumes, and other such luxuries. It is for these things we are ridi culed by the women of the world. The respect for virginity is lost. No one honors a virgin as she ought to be honored. They have given occasion to their own dishonor. Ought not they to be looked up to in the Church of God, as women coming from heaven ? but now they are despised, and deservedly, though not those among them who are discreet. But when one who has a husband and children, and presides over a household, sees thee, who ought to be crucified to the world, more devoted to the world than herself, will she not ridicule and despise thee ? See what care ! what pains ! In thy humble dress, thou exceedest herwho wears the costliest ornament, and art more studious of appearance than she who is arrayed in gold. What is becoming to thee thou seekest not ; that which misbecomes thee thou pursuest, when thou oughtest to be occupied in good works. On this account virgins are less honored than women of the world. For they do not perform 3 So B. (doubtful reading). 4 See on Stat. Honi. i. 16.