Outward signs of old

To this, other circumstances were usually joined by them of old, which had no necessary connection with it. Such were the neglect of their apparel, the laying aside those ornaments which they were accustomed to wear, the putting on mourning, the strewing of ashes upon their head, or wearing sackcloth next to their skin. But we find little mention made in the New Testament of any of these indifferent circumstances. Nor does it appear that any stress was laid upon them by the Christians of the purer ages, however some penitents might voluntarily use them as outward signs of inward humiliation. Much less did the apostles or the Christians contemporary with them beat or tear their own flesh. Such discipline as this was not unbecoming the priests or worshipers of Baal. The gods of the Heathen were but devils, and it was doubtless acceptable to their devil-god when his priests cried aloud and cut themselves after this manner, till the blood gushed out upon them. But it cannot be pleasing to him, nor become his followers, who came not to destroy men's lives but to save them (Luke 9:56).