Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Timothy 2:9

The Apostles next Precept to be urged by Timothy, is concerning the habits of women, especially when they come to worship God in the publick Assemblies, (for as to such Assemblies the Precepts in this Chapter, both before and after this, chiefly relate) concerning these, he commands that they should adorn themselves in modest apparel, observe a decency, with respect to the modesty of their Sex, the purity of Religion, the quality of their condition, and their Age: Religion has no other interest in our habits, but to regulate them according to a modest comeliness; for they are indifferent in their nature, and neither add nor detract from the acceptance of our Religious services.

Shamefastness and Sobriety, or modesty; a moderation of mind shewed both in the habit of the body, and the manners and behaviour both with these inward habits, and in an outward habit, that may speak souls possest of these inward habits.

Not with hair plaited or curled, not adorned with ornaments of Gold, or Pearls, or costly aray. The Apostle condemneth not these ornaments, where they are suited to the quality of Women, and ask not too much time to put on, and in order; but where they are too excessive, with respect to the purse of those that wear them, or take up more time to be spent in putting them on, then is fit to be so spent, especially on a Sabbath-day, or where they are put on out of pride, or to make a vain shew, or are of that nature and fashion, as they speak an unchast, or an immodest heart, or may cause scandal to others. The Apostle Peter 1 Pet. 3.3. hath much the same precept, where he is not speaking of Womens habits, with such s[illegible: 1 letter]ecial reference to publick Assemblies, but to their ordinary Conversation, but it ought to be more specially avoided, when people come to worship God. They should not so habit themselves when they go to pray, as if they were going to a danceing School· (As Chrysostome in his time complained of some that did).

Marginal references: Or, plaited.