For the first, what Religion is. The derivation of the word, will somewhat help to the explication of the thing, the Latin word Religio from which our English word comes, 1Some derive a Relegendo, because men by serious reading come to be Religious, grace sometimes findeth a passage through the sight into the soul. The eye (as in Austin ⟨p. 13⟩and Junius) hath affected the heart, Zanchy derives it a Religendo, or rather a re-eligendo from choosing again, or a second time, because a Religious person chooseth God for his chiefest good and portion. His first choice was carnal of the flesh and the creature but his second choice is spiritual of God and Christ, and this choice is Religion. Austin and Lactantius (to whom I rather incline) derive it a Religando from binding or knitting, 2because it is the great bond to join and tie God and man together. As the parts of the body are knit to the head, by the nerves and sinews, so man is knit to God by Religion. Sin and irreligion separate God and man asunder, your iniquities have separated between you and your God, Isa. 59.2. Godliness and Religion unite God and man together, I will dwell in them and walk in them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 2 Cor. 6.16: Atheism is a departing or going away from God, Eph. 4.18. Heb. 3.12. Religion is a coming or returning unto God, Heb. 10.22. Jer. 3.1. The great misery of man by his fall, is this, He is far from God; And the great felicity of man by favour, is this, He draweth nigh to God, Psa. 73.2. ult. Jam. 4.8. Irreligion is a turning their backs upon God, but Religion is a seeking the face of God, and a following hard after him, Psa. 2.3. Psa. 27.8. Psa. 63.8. By ungodliness men wander and deviate from God, by godliness men Worship, and are devoted to God, Psa. 119.150 and 38. verses.
FOr the first, what Religion is. The derivation of the word, will somewhat help to the explication of the thing, the Latin word Religio from which our English word comes, 1Some derive a Relegendo, because men by serious reading come to be Religious, grace sometimes findeth a passage through the sight into the soul. The eye (as in Austin ⟨p. 13⟩and Junius) hath affected the heart, Zanchy derives it a Religendo, or rather a re-eligendo from chosing again, or a second time, because a Religious person chuseth God for his chiefest good and portion. His first choice was carnal of the flesh and the creature but his second choice is spiritual of God and Christ, and this choice is Religion. Austin and Lactantius (to whom I rather incline) derive it a Religando from binding or knitting, 2because it is the great bond to joyn and tie God and man together. As the parts of the body are knit to the head, by the nerves and sinews, so man is knit to God by Religion. Sin and irreligion separate God and man asunder, your iniquities have separated between you and your God, Isa. 59.2. Godliness and Religion unite God and man together, I will dwell in them and walk in them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 2 Cor. 6.16: Atheism is a departing or going away from God, Eph. 4.18. Heb. 3.12. Religion is a coming or returning unto God, Heb. 10.22. Jer. 3.1. The great misery of man by his fall, is this, He is far from God; And the great felicity of man by favour, is this, He draweth nigh to God, Psa. 73.2. ult. Jam. 4.8. Irreligion is a turning their backs upon God, but Religion is a seeking the face of God, and a following hard after him, Psa. 2.3.
- 1C••er. •b. 2. de […] d••r. ••••h. •on. •. lib. 1. de relig. cap. 13.C••er. •b. 2. de 〈…〉 d••r. ••••h. •on. •. lib. 1. de relig. cap. 13.
- 2Aug. Tom. 1. lib. de vera relig. Lact. lib. 4. Divin. inflit. c. 18.
