An exposition with practical observations continued upon the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh chapters…

Lastly, It was the conceit of many of the Heathens that it was too much to the dishonour of God to be worshipped in any place covered above head or to be circumscribed within any limits. Even the Heathens, some of them looked upon God as infinite, and for him to be worshipped within any place covered above head they thought it was a dishonour, therefore they would worship him in the open fields and under trees. This was the reason of their sacrificing under trees.

Lastly, It was the conceit of many of the Heathens that it was too much to the dishonor of God to be worshipped in any place covered above head or to be circumscribed within any limits. Even the Heathens, some of them looked upon God as infinite, and for him to be worshipped within any place covered above head they thought it was a dishonor, therefore they would worship him in the open fields and under trees. This was the reason of their sacrificing under trees.

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