As honours of the world again the Quakers think them censurable, because
all such honours were censured by Jesus Christ. On the occasion, on
which he exhorted his followers not to be like the Scribes and
Pharisees, and to seek flattering titles, so as to be called Rabbi Rabbi
of man, he exhorted them to avoid all ceremonious salutations, such as
greetings in the market-places. He couples the two different customs of
flattering titles and salutations in the same sentence, and mentions
them in the same breath. And though the word "greetings" does not
perhaps precisely mean those bowings and scrapings, which are used at
the present day, yet it means, both according to its derivation and the
nature of the Jewish customs, those outward personal actions or
gestures, which were used as complimentary to the Jewish world.
With respect to the pulling off the hat the Quakers have an additional
objection to this custom, quite distinct from the objections, that have
been mentioned above. Every minister in the Quaker society takes off his
hat, either when he preaches, or when he prays. St Paul[55] enjoins this
custom. But if they take off their hats, that is, uncover their heads,
as an outward act enjoined in the service of God, they cannot with any
propriety take them off, or uncover their heads to men, because they
would be giving to the creature the same outward honour which they give
to the creator.
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