A discourse concerning liturgies

Nor was it their opinions concerning Worship, delivered in the Scripture, so much as the exercise of their Worship, which incensed the Gentiles against them. For divers of the Heathen held and published opinions highly derogatory to their Worship; as that of Heraclitus to pray before Images, was as wise an act, as to talk to a Wall, related, b. 1. Clem. Alexandrin. protrept. [Greek or Hebrew] ⁿAnd Celsus in Orig. l. 1. p. 6. and l. 7. p. 373. And that of the Pythagoreans, who thought it not fit to pray, because it was uncertain what was profitable, and so fit to be prayed for, [Greek or Hebrew], Laert. in Pythag. Or that of the Philosophers ⟨p. 19⟩in Justin Martyr, who, denying a particular providence, conceived God would take no notice of any person, though he sought him night and day, [Greek or Hebrew] Dial. cum Tryph. princip. And that of the Peripatetics, that Prayers and Sacrifices were good for nothing, as Origen represents ^othem, l. 2. p. 68. [Greek or Hebrew]. Who have studied to deserve Aristippus Character, [Greek or Hebrew], Diogen. Laert. Aristipp. And that of the Platonists, that there was no immediate intercourse betwixt Mortals and the Celestial Gods; but all addresses were to be made by the mediation of Demons, which was cross to the practice of the generality of the Heathen, in their Devotions. And what more vilifies their Worship, then that of Seneca, Quae omnia sapiens servabit, tanquam legibus jussa, non tanquam Diis grata. And that, sic adorabimus, ut meminerimus cultum magis ad morem, quam ad rem pertinere^p. Just such apprehensions as many prudential Conformists have of our Formality and Ceremonious Worship, yet both complying with the present Modes enjoined, and making some show of liking what they secretly derided; for which feigned consent, and not setting up any other way of Worship, they (several sorts of the Philosophers) escaped then, and ours now well enough.

Nor was it their opinions concerning Worship, delivered in the Scripture, so much as the exercise of their Worship, which incensed the Gentiles against them. For divers of the Heathen held and published opinions highly derogatory to their Worship; as that of Heraclitus to pray before Images, was as wise an act, as to talk to a Wall, related, b. 1. Clem. Alexandrin. protrept.