I doubt not but it was designed to cast a slur upon the vanity of apparel, since it is a thing of so little estimation in the sight of God that He bestows it in the highest degree on the meanest of his creatures. For it is to be presumed, had it been a thing of any great worth in itself, instead of bestowing these admirable varieties of colours, gildings, and embroideries upon tulips, He would have bestowed them upon creatures of higher dignity. Whereas, on mankind He has bestowed but very sparingly of these gaudy colours and features; a great part of them being black, a great part of them being tauny, and a great part being of other wan and dusky complexions, show that it is not the outward gaudy beauty that He values, but the ornaments of the mind — Christian graces and virtues — which, in His sight, are of great price.
From sermon preached at Bruton Parish Church by Commissary Blair.