Page:Bangorian Sermon.djvu/9

Rh thinking of them; that the very same Word remaining, (which at first truly represented One certain Thing,) by having Multitudes of new inconsistent Ideas, in every Age, and every Year, added to it, becomes it self the greatest Hindrance to the true understanding of the Nature of the Thing first intended by it.

For Instance, Religion, in St. James's Days, was Virtue and Integrity, as to our selves, and Charity and Beneficence to others; before God, even the Father. Ja. i. 27. By Degrees, it is come to signify, in most of the Countries throughout the whole World, the Performance of every thing almost, except Virtue and Charity; and particularly, a punctual Exactness in a Regard to particular Times, Places, Forms, and Modes, diversified according to the various Humours of Men; recommended and practised under the avowed Name of External Religion: Two Words, which, in the Sense fix'd upon them by many Christians, God hath put asunder; and which therefore, no Man should join Rh