Now the holy Ghost says they did this, because the shadow of them was good. The holy Ghost instanceth only in one reason; the shadow was good, that is, they pleased themselves in their own ways, they thought there was more solemnity in this way of worship than to go to the Temple to worship there. The shadow was good, Oh it was brave to go to the open fields, and it was more solemn they thought to go there than to worship in the City. The shadow was good, they applauded and blest themselves in this way. Usually superstition thinks it ⟨p. 151⟩hath a great deal of reason for what it doth, 1that is the Note from hence. Therefore it is observable of the Papists, the way of their worship it is most ridiculous and absurd, yet they write whole volumes of their Rational, of Divine Service to show reason for what they do, as if it were a reasonable service,2 and in Colos. 2. ult, it is spoken of will-worship, that it hath a show of wisdom. Now the words in the Greek are [Greek or Hebrew] it hath the reason of wisdom, for so it may be turned, for is used for Ratio, it hath the reason of wisdom. So that word your Reasonable Service, it is [Greek or Hebrew]. So that Idolaters think that it is not only wisdom, but that they have the very reason the very quintessence of wisdom in their way of false-worship, they can give such account of it, the shadow is good; And especially in that very thing that they think their worship is more sumptuous and brave and hath more solemnity in it than the Ordinances of God have: This is the vanity and pride of mens spirits, to think that the worship of God appointed in his word hath not solemnity enough in it: That is the point naturally rising from thence. It is the pride I say of mens spirits to think that Gods Ordinances are too plain,3 too mean for them, they can find out a way that sets out the worship of God thus and thus, they will show more reverence of and respect to God than others shall. But certainly if it be not Gods own, whatsoever outward respect can be given unto God in it, he abominateth it and abhorreth it.4 I have read of a Lady in Paris, that when she saw the bravery of a Procession to a Saint, she cried out, Oh how fine is our Religion beyond that of the Hugonites, that is such as those who in England they call Puritans! They have a poor and mean and beggarly Religion, but we have a fine and brave Religion;
Now the holy Ghost saies they did this, because the shadow of them was good. The holy Ghost instanceth only in one reason; the shadow was good, that is, they pleased themselves in their own waies, they thought there was more solemnity in this way of worship than to go to the Temple to worship there. The shadow was good, Oh it was brave to go to the open fields, and it was more solemn they thought to go there than to worship in the City. The shadow was good, they applauded and blest themselves in this way. Ʋsually superstition thinks it ⟨p. 151⟩hath a great deal of reason for what it doth, 1that is the Note from hence. Therefore it is observable of the Papists, the way of their worship it is most rediculous and absurd, yet they write whol volumns of their Rational, of Divine Service to shew reason for what they do, as if it were a reasonable service,2 and in Colos. 2. ult, it is spoken of will-worship, that it hath a shew of wisdom. Now the words in the Greek are 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 it hath the reason of wisdom, for so it may be turned, for is used for Ratio, it hath the reason of wisdom. So that word your Reasonable Service, it is 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. So that Idolaters think that it is not only wisdom, but that they have the very reason the very quintessence of wisdom in their way of false-worship, they can give such account of it, the shadow is good; And especially in that very thing that they think their worship is more sumptuous and brave and hath more solemnity in it than the Ordinances of God have: This is the vanity and pride of mens spirits, to think that the worship of God appointed in his word hath not solemnity enough in it: That is the point naturally rising from thence. It is the pride I say of mens spirits to think that Gods Ordinances are too plain,3 too mean for them, they can find out a way that sets out the worship of God thus and thus, they will shew more reverence of and respect to God than others shall. But certainly if it be not Gods own, whatsoever outward respect can be given unto God in it, he •bominateth it and abhorreth it.4 I have read of a Lady in Paris, that when she saw the bravery of a Procession to a Saint, she cried out, Oh how fine is our Religion beyond that of the Hugonites, that is such as those who in England they call Puritans! They have a poor and mean and beggarly Religion, but we have a fine and brave Religion;
- 1Obser.
- 2Rationale divinorum officiorum
- 3Obs.
- 4A Lady in Paris.
