The cure of church-divisions, or, Directions for weak Christians to keep them from being…

Thirdly, it corrupteth Religion in the minds of men; and causeth them to fear where no fear is, and to be devout erroneously: As if one should mistake the person of the King, and give his honour to another who is like him: or should run into a play-house to do his devotion, and think that he is in the Church. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship, Joh. 4. 22.

Thirdly, it corrupteth Religion in the minds of men; and causeth them to fear where no fear is, and to be devout erroneously: As if one should mistake the person of the King, and give his honour to another who is like him: or should run into a play-house to do his devotion, and think that he is in the Church. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship, Ioh. 4. 22.

Fourthly, This superstition tendeth to destroy true Religion, by gratifying and increasing aversation and opposition; by making it seem an unlovely tiresome thing. All that is truly of God is Rational and amiable, and wisely contrived for our good: And the enemies of Godliness, have not a word of solid Reason, to say against it: But that which is brought in by corrupters may be confuted: And unnecessary things become a burden, Act. 15. 28. What a toilsome task doth Popery contain? of positives and negatives? ceremonies, and austerities, and useless labours? And then they that take their pilgrimages, and penances, and night-risings, and multiplied formalities to be a burden, and hear them called by the name of Religion, do account Religion it self a burden, as taking this to be a part of it: And when Religion is not loved it is lost. To make it seem bad and unlovely, is the way by which the devil destroyeth it in the world.