[f. WILL sb.1 + WORSHIP sb., rendering Gr. ἐθελοθρησκεία (Col. ii. 23).] Worship according to one’s own will or fancy, or imposed by human will, without divine authority.

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1549.  Cheke, Hurt Sedit. (1641), 59. Seeing … true worship taught, and wil-worship refused.

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1565.  Calfhill, Answ. Martiall, To Rdr. 6 b. A wilworship, a naughty seruice, hauing no ground of the worde of God.

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1611.  Bible, Col. ii. 23. Which things haue in deed a shew of wisedome in will worship [Vulg. superstitione; Tindale chosen holynes, Coverdale chosen spiritualtie, Geneva volontarie worshipping].

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a. 1629.  Hinde, J. Bruen, xxx. (1641), 93. That such service unto Saints, is but witt-worship, will-worship, and Idol-service.

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1641.  Sanderson, Serm., Matt. xv. 9 (1681), II. 4. Those Pharisees … intending by those superstitious Will-worships to honour God.

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1730.  Berkeley, Serm., Wks. 1871, IV. 641. Not lip-worship, nor will-worship, but inward and evangelical.

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1827.  G. S. Faber, Sacr. Cal. Prophecy (1844), II. 106. A declension from evangelical soundness to unwarrantable superstition and will-worship.

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1846.  Trench, Mirac., Introd. (1862), 5. The will-worship of Jeroboam.

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  So Will-worshipper, one who practises will-worship; † Will-worshipping, will-worship.

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1571.  Golding, Calvin on Ps. ix. 12. 28. The wil woorshippinges which superstitious persones have forged too themselves of theyr owne heades.

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1660.  Jer. Taylor, Duct. Dubit., II. iii. rule 13. § 9. He that sayes God is rightly worshipped by an act or ceremony concerning which himself hath no way express’d his pleasure, is superstitious, or a will-worshipper.

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