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§. 120. Of the vain diligence of superstitious persons.
TO set out the unprofitablenesse and vanity of the foresaid meats, the Apostle addeth this Description of the persons which use them, Them which have been occupied therein.
The Verb translated, a 1.1 Have been occupied, is a Compound. The b 1.2 simple Verb signifieth to tread upon, Luk. 10. 19. The Compound to walk about hither and thither.
It is oft used to set out sedulity and diligence: and that both in a good and bad sense: For it setteth out Christs sedulity for the good of his Church, He walked in the midst of the seven golden Candlesticks, Rev. 2. 1. It also •…•…etteth out the sedulity of the devil about destroying men, The devil as a roaring Lion walketh about, seeking whom he may devour, 1 Pet. 5. 8.
It here implieth the diligence of superstitious persons about external, carnal Rites. So it is used in this phrase, Why walk not thy Disciples according to the tra∣ditions of the Elders? Mark 7. 5. and in this phrase, Walk after the customes, Acts 21. 21.
Our English doth well expresse the emphasis of the Greek word, thus, Them that have been occupied therein.
Hereby we are given to understand, that superstitious persons much busie them∣selves* 1.3 about their external Rites. They are occupied therein: they much imploy themselves thereabout; they are as men ever walking about, never resting, never quiet, never satisfied.
The reason hereof is evident, they have no certain setled Rule.
The Rule that they have is either their own invention, or the tradition of others: both which are uncertain, and have no limits.
Herein lieth a main difference betwixt true Religion and vain Superstition. The* 1.4 ground and Rule of true Religion is Gods Word, which hath its limits, and is sure and inviolable; it never altereth, but ever remaineth the same. He that guides him∣self thereby knoweth what to do, how far to go, and where to stay, and herein his conscience is satisfied and quieted.
But the superstitious person hath no such certain Rule. As there are many Inventions and Traditions of men in former times: so they who live in pre∣sent times, still adde more and more; and more is like to be added in succeeding times.
Well therefore might the Apostle adde this negative NOT to meats, and thereby imply, That the heart cannot be established with meats.
This is a strong motive against this carnal doctrine, and against all other of the like kinde.