Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

When men are more devout in observance of uncertain Traditions, or mere humane inventions, than at the hearing of the unquestionable Oracles of God. When men shall squeeze their countenances into a more serious figure, and demean themselves in a more religious posture, at the appearance of some mock Ceremony clothed in a Jewish or Pagan garb, which hath unhappily made a rent in the Coat of Christ; and pay a more exact reverence to that, which hath no Divine, but only a humane stamp upon it, than to the clear and plain Word of God, which is perhaps neglected with sleepy nods, or, which is worse, entertained with profane scoffs; this is to prefer the Authority of man employed in trifles, before the Authority of the wise Law-giver of the World. Besides, the ridiculousness of it is as great, as to adore a Glo-worm, and laugh at the Sun; or for a Courtier to be more exact in his cringes and starched postures before a puppet, than before his sovereign Prince. In all this we make not the Will and Authority of God our rule, but the Will of ⟨p. 758⟩man; Disclaim our dependence on God, to hang upon the uncertain breath of a Creature; in all this God is made less than man, and man more than God. God is deposed, and man enthroned, God made a slave, and man a sovereign above him. To this we may refer the solemn Addresses of some for the maintenance of the Protestant Religion according to Law, the Law of Man; not so much minding the Law of God; resolving to make the Law, the Church, the State, the Rule of their Religion, and change that, if the Laws be changed, steering their Opinions by the compass of the Magistrates Judgment and Interest.

When men are more devout in observance of uncertain Traditions, or meer humane inventions, than at the hearing of the unquestionable Oracles of God. When men shall squeeze their countenances into a more serious figure, and demean themselves in a more religious posture, at the appearance of some mock Ceremony clothed in a Jewish or Pagan garb, which hath unhappily made a rent in the Coat of Christ; and pay a more exact reverence to that, which hath no Divine, but only a humane stamp upon it, than to the clear and plain Word of God, which is perhaps neglected with sleepy nodds, or, which is worse, entertain'd with prophane scoffs; this is to prefer the Authority of man employ'd in trifles, before the Authority of the wise Law-giver of the World. Besides, the ridiculousness of it is as great, as to adore a Glo-worm, and laugh at the Sun; or for a Courtier to be more exact in his cringes and starcht postures before a puppet, than before his soveraign Prince. In all this we make not the Will and Authority of God our rule, but the Will of