Secondly, How do men make Superstition and Idolatry their business. Though they are careless ⟨p. 83⟩about Divine institutions, yet they are zealous for humane traditions. How zealous were the Pharisees for the inventions of their Elders. They called them Mashlamathath, Completions or Perfections; esteeming them both helpful to the observation of the Law of God, and also to the perfection of it. Superstitious persons do naturally think that their postures, gestures, ceremonies, and additions do render the Worship of God more comely and more complete; but truly such embrace a cloud instead of Juno, worship the shadow of Christ, whilst the Prince himself goeth unsaluted. Men are exceeding prone to, and earnest for such vain and false ways and worship; partly because its pleasing to corrupt spirits, who naturally love a fair show in the flesh. A pompous holiness, suits best with a proud heart; partly because these traditions were received from their Ancestors; and as Austin observed in his time; Men were resolved right or wrong to be followers of their Fathers. (Suitable to which Cicero said, I will never forsake that way of Divine service which I have received from my Fore-fathers, for any mans pleasure, or by any mans persuasion) No not though Christ himself dyed to redeem them from their vain conversations, received by tradition from their Fathers, 1 Pet. 1.18, 19. hence, though they are so backward where God Commands, yet they are forward when men command. What an outcry doth Micah make for his Idol? What a privy search doth Laban make for his Image? Gideon, must dye for throwing down the Alter of Baal. ⟨p. 83⟩How earnest are many for priests, Tapers, Altars, Sacrifices, Days, Meats, Conservations, the Holy of Holies, Crossing and Cringings. In these their zeal is hot, boiling over to the scalding of themselves and others. Though this fervency is aptly compared to a Ship without Ballast, over-beared with Sails, which in a strom casts away all aboard her; they disesteem their estates and possessions in comparison of Idolatry and Superstition. Such persons are not only liberal but lavish; Jeroboam will be at great cost for his Idols, they must be, not Iron or Brazen, no not Silver, but Golden Calves, not Gilded over, but Massive, molted Gold;
SEcondly, How do men make Superstition and Idolatry their business. Though they are carel•ss ⟨p. 83⟩about Divine institutions, yet they are zealous for humane traditions. How zealous were the Pharisees for the inventions of their Elders. They called them Mashlamathath, Completions or Perfections; esteeming them both helpful to the observation of the Law of God, and also to the perfection of it. Superstitious persons do naturally think that their postures, gestures, ceremonies, and additions do render the Worship of God more comely and more compleat; but truely such embrace a cloud instead of Juno, worship the shadow of Christ, whilst the Prince himself goeth unsaluted. Men are exceeding prone to, and earnest for such vain and false ways and worship; partly because its pleasing to corrupt spirits, who naturally love a fair shew in the flesh. A pompous holiness, sutes best with a proud heart; partly because these traditions were received from their Ancestours; and as Austin observed in his time; Men were resolved right or wrong to be followers of their Fathers. (Sutable to which Cicero said, I will never forsake that way of Divine service which I have received from my Fore-fathers, for any mans pleasure, or by any mans perswasion) No not though Christ himself dyed to redeem them from their vain conversations, received by tradition from their Fathers, 1 Pet. 1.18, 19. hence, though they are so backward where God Commands, yet they are forward when men command. What an outcry doth Micah make for his Idol? What a privy search doth Laban make for his Image? Gideon, must dye for throwing down the Alter of Baal. ⟨p. 83⟩How earnest are many for priests, Tapers, Altars, Sacrifices, Days, Meats, Conservations, the Holy of Holies, Crossing and Cringings. In these their zeal is hot, boyling over to the scalding of themselves and others. Though this fervency is aptly compared to a Ship without Ballast, over-beared with Sails, which in a strom casts away all aboard her; they disesteem their estates and possessions in comparison of Idolatry and Superstition. Such persons are not onely liberal but lavish; Jeroboam will be at great cost for his Idols, they must be, not Iron or Brazen, no not Silver, but Golden Calves, not Guilded over, but Massie, molted Gold;
