A treatise of self-judging, in order to the worthy receiving of the Lords Supper.…

Some learned men think the word Superstition is used in an indifferent and middle sense, as the word Heresy is sometimes, yea some say Paul speaks here in their commendation, and therefore useth the comparative more superstitious ⟨p. 8⟩or religious, and indeed they were excessively devout in their Religion, as among other things is plain concerning Anaxagoras, whom they adjudged to death, because he held the Sun, which they worshipped as god, to be but Saxum ignitum a white fiery stone; but this is not probable, because afterwards he calleth it an ignorant Worship, therefore the word is not here used in an indifferent sense, much less a laudable one. The instance by which he proveth their superstition, is an Altar with this Inscription [Greek or Hebrew], as the Romans had their ⟨p. 9⟩Incerti Dij, and therefore sacrificed sine Deo, fine Dea; so the Grecians not knowing which was according to their blind Idolatry [Greek or Hebrew], the proper god, to repel such an evil, made these Inscription, To the Unknown God; The Apostle to inform them herein instructs them both about the true God, who he is, and the true manner of Worship; After which he comes to the Exhortatory part of his Oration, which is grounded upon Gods dispensation to those times of Ignorance he winked at [Greek or Hebrew]; here may be much dispute about the salvation of Heathens, because it is said, ⟨p. 10⟩God winked at it, and so indeed generally it is interpreted, but the Septuagint use the word for to despise and be angry, Deut. 3.26. Psal. 78. and so to punish, and in this sense it seems to be used here. Those times of ignorance in Idolatry God was angry with, punishing of them with temporal and spiritual judgements, but now the grace of the Gospel, and the love of God hath appeared in commanding every one to repent: And my Text is the reason and forcible ground of repentance, Because he hath appointed a day. And

Some learned men think the word Superstition is used in an indifferent and middle sense, as the word Heresie is sometimes, yea some say Paul speaks here in their commendation, and therefore useth the comparative more superstitious