A26892:7104
A Christian Directory
A Christian directory, or, A sum of practical theology and cases of conscience directing Christians how to use their knowledge and faith, how to improve all helps and means, and to perform all duties, how to overcome temptations, and to escape or mortify every sin : in four parts ... / by Richard Baxter.A Christian directory, or, A summ of practical theologie and cases of conscience directing Christians how to use their knowledge and faith, how to improve all helps and means, and to perform all duties, how to overcome temptations, and to escape or mortifie every sin : in four parts ... / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by Robert White for Nevill Simmons, 1673
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Part 3 › Question 112: Quest. 112. Whether Religious Worship may be given to a Creature? and what?
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
7. It is no appearance of Idolatry to kneel to a King, or a Father, or Superior, when we are professing1 nothing but to Honour them with due honour: But when the Church assembleth professedly to Worship God, if then they mix expressions of veneration to Angels, and Saints in Heaven, or to a King, or any Creature, in their Worshipping of God, without a very notorious signification of sufficient difference, it will seem a joining them in part of the same Divine honour.
7. It is no appearance of Idolatry to kneel to a King, or a Father, or Superiour, when we are professing1 nothing but to Honour them with due honour: But when the Church assembleth professedly to Worship God, if then they mix expressions of veneration to Angels, and Saints in Heaven, or to a King, or any Creature, in their Worshipping of God, without a very notorious signification of sufficient difference, it will seem a joyning them in part of the same Divine honour.
8. So we may put off our hats to the Chair of state, or Kings Image, yea and kneel towards it as to him, if he command it in due time and place, when it is humane Worship only which we profess: But to kneel or bow as an act of honour towards the Image of King, Saints or Angel, in the time of our professed Worshipping of God, is scandalous, and an appearance that we give them a part of that which we are giving to God.