A Body of Practical Divinity

4. Avoid Superstition, which is a Bridge leads over to Rome. Superstition is the bringing in any Ceremony, Fancy or Innovation into Gods worship which he never appointed. This is very provoking to God, because it reflects much upon his Honour, as if he were not wise enough to appoint the manner of his own Worship. God hates all strange Fire to be offered in his Temple, Lev. 10.1. A Ceremony may in time bring to a Crucifix. They who contend for the Cross in Baptism, why may they not as well have the Oil, Salt and Cream, the one being as ancient as the other? Such as are for Altar-worship, they who will bow to the East, may in time bow to the Host. Take heed of all occasions of Idolatry. Idolatry is Devil-worship, Psal. 106.37. And if you search through the whole Bible, there is no one Sin that God hath more followed with Plagues than Idolatry; the Jews have a Saying, that in every Evil which befalls them, there is uncia aurei vituli, an Ounce of the Golden Calf in it. Hell is a Place for Idolaters, Rev. 22.15. For without are Idolaters. Synesius calls the Devil [Greek or Hebrew], a Rejoicer at Idols, because Image-worshippers help to fill Hell. That you may be preserved from Idolatry and Image-worship,

4. Avoid Superstition, which is a Bridge leads over to Rome. Superstition is the bringing in any Ceremony, Fancy or Innovation into Gods worship which he never appointed. This is very provoking to God, because it reflects much upon his Honour, as if he were not wise enough to appoint the manner of his own Worship. God hates all strange Fire to be offered in his Temple, Lev. 10.1. A Ceremony may in time bring to a Crucifix. They who contend for the Cross in Baptism, why may they not as well have the Oyl, Salt and Cream, the one being as antient as the other? Such as are for Altar-worship, they who will bow to the East, may in time bow to the Host. Take heed of all occasions of Idolatry. Idolatry is Devil-worship, Psal. 106.37. And if you search through the whole Bible, there is no one Sin that God hath more followed with Plagues than Idolatry; the Jews have a Saying, that in every Evil which befals them, there is uncia aurei vituli, an Ounce of the Golden Calf in it. Hell is a Place for Idolaters,