A Christian directory, or, A summ of practical theologie and cases of conscience directing Christians how to use their knowledge and faith, how to improve all helps and means, and to perform all duties, how to overcome temptations, and to escape or mortifie every sin : in four parts ... / by Richard Baxter.

Quest. 86. Is it lawful to bow at the naming of Iesus?

Answ. THE question either respecteth the Person of Jesus, named by any of his names, or else this name Iesus only. And that either simply in it self considered; or else comparatively as excluding, or not including ••••••••er names.

1. That the person of Iesus is to be bowed to, I never knew a Christian deny.

2. That we may lawfully express our reverence by bowing, when the names [God, Jehovah, Je∣sus, Christ, &c.] are uttered, I have met with few Christians who deny, nor know I any reason to deny it.

3. Had I been fit to have prescribed directions to other Ministers or Churches, I would not have perswaded, much less commanded them, to bow at the Name of Iesus, any more than at the name of God, Iehovah, Christ, &c. For many Reasons which the Reader may imagine, though I will not now mention them.

4. But if I live and joyn in a Church where it is commanded and peremptorily urged to bow at the name of Iesus, and where my not doing it would be divisive, scandalous or offensive, I will bow at the name of God, Iehovah, Iesus, Christ, Lord, &c. one as well as the other: seeing it is not bowing at Christs name that I scruple, but the consequents of seeming to distinguish and prefer that name alone before all the rest.

Notes

• Mic. 6. 6. Jer. 23. 27. Isa. 52 5, 6. Isa. 29. 24. Isa. 42. 8, 9. Psal. 2. 10, 11. Phil. 2. 9, 10, 11, 12. Psal. 34. 3. & 66. 2. & 68. 4. & 72 19. & ••6. 1, 2. & 96 2. & 100. 4. & 111. 9. & 148. 13. & 149. 3. Isa. 9. 6, 7. & 12. ••. Psal. 138. 2, 3. Rev. 15. 4. 1 Chron. 29. 20. & 2 Chron. 29. 30.