RELIGION. This Latin Word Religio, is taken in three Senses in Holy Scripture. Ex. xii. 43.First, for the external and ceremonial Worship of the Jewish Religion. Hæc est Religio Phasæ. This is the Ceremony of the Passover. Quæ est ista Religio? What is the Meaning of this Ceremony? Lev. xvi. 3.You shall afflict your Souls by a perpetual Religion. Religione perpetuâ. By a Worship that shall continue for ever. Esth. viii. 17.After the Death of Haman, many embraced the Religion of the Jews. Plures eorum religioni & cæremoniis jungerentur.
Secondly, Religio is put for the true Religion, the best manner of serving and honouring Jacob. i. 27. Act. xxvi. 5.God. Religio munda & immaculata apud Deum & Patrem, hæc est; visitare pupillos, &c. St. Paul says, that he had lived in the Sect of the Pharisees, which was look’d upon as the most perfect of the Religion of the Jews.
Thirdly, and lastly, The Word Religion in Scripture, as well as in profane Authors, is often put for Superstition. Do not imitate those who affect to humble themselves before the Angels, and to pay them a superstitious Worship. Nemo vos seducat, volens in Col. ii. 18. Acts ii. 5. x. 2. xiii. 50. Vulg.humilitate & Religione Angelorum, &c.