A26945:31
The judgment of Mr. Baxter concerning ceremonies and conformity with a short reflection upon a scandalous pamphlet entitled, A proposition for the safety and happiness of the king and kingdom : in a letter to a gentleman of the House of Commons.
London: printed for R. Jenaway sic, 1667
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
This is thus proved:
Argument 1. That which is not directly, or consequentially forbidden by God, remaineth lawful: A stinted Liturgy is not directly, or consequentially forbidden by God: therefore it remaineth lawful.
The Major is undoubted, because nothing but a Prohibition can make a thing unlawful. Sin is a transgression of a Law: where there is no Law, there is no Transgression: And yet I have heard very Reverend men answer this, That it is enough that it is not commanded, though not forbidden▪ Which is plainly to deny both Scripture and Civil Principles.
Now for the Minor, That a stinted Liturgy is not forbidden, we need no other proof, than that no Prohibition 1can be produced.
Argument 6. If it be lawful for the People to use a stinted 1Form of words in Public Prayer, then is it in it self lawful for the Pastors: but it is lawful for the People: for the Pastors prayer (which they must pray over with him, and not only hear it) is a stinted Form to them, even as much as if he had learnt it out of a Book. They are to follow him in his Method and Words, as if it were a Book-Prayer.
Argument 6. If it be lawful for the People to use a stinted 1Form of words in Publick Prayer, then is it in it self lawful for the Pastors: but it is lawful for the People: for the Pastors prayer (which they must pray over with him, and not onely hear it) is a stinted Form to them, even as much as if he had learnt it out of a Book. They are to follow him in his Method and Words, as if it were a Book-Prayer.
Argument 7. It is lawful to use a Form in Preaching: therefore a stinted Liturgy is lawful.
1. Because Preaching is a part of that Liturgy. 2. Because the reason is the same for Prayer, as for that, in the main.
Argument 8. That which hath been the practice of the Church in Scripture-times, and down to this day, and is yet the practice of almost all the Churches of Christ on earth, is not like to be unlawful: but such is the use of some stinted forms of Public Service: therefore, &c. That it was so in the Jews Church, and approved by Christ, I have showed. That it hath been of ancient use in the Church since Christ, and is at this day in use in Afric, Asia, Europe, even among the Reformed Churches in France, Holland, Geneva, &c. is so well known, that I think I need not stand to prove it: yea, those few that seem to disuse it, do yet use it, in Psalms, and other parts of Worship.
Argument 8. That which hath been the practice of the Church in Scripture-times, and down to this day, and is yet the practice of almost all the Churches of Christ on earth, is not like to be unlawful: but such is the use of some stinted forms of Publick Service: therefore, &c. That it was so in the Jews Church, and approved by Christ, I have shewed. That it hath been of ancient use in the Church since Christ, and is at this day in use in Africk, Asia, Europe, even among the Reformed Churches in France, Holland, Geneva, &c. is so well known, that I think I need not stand to prove it: yea, those few that seem to disuse it, do yet use it, in Psalms, and other parts of Worship.
As for the Common-Prayer it self, I never rejected it 1because it was a Form, nor thought it simply unlawful because it was such a Form; but have made use of it, and would do again in the like case.
The Ceremonies controverted among us, were especially, The Surplice, the Gesture of Kneeling in receiving the 1Lords Supper, the Ring in Marriage, Laying the hand on the Book in taking an Oath, the Organs and Church-Music, Holy-days, Altars, Rails, and the Cross in Baptism.
The Ceremonies controverted among us, were especially, The Surplice, the Gesture of Kneeling in receiving the 1Lords Supper, the Ring in Marriage, Laying the hand on the Book in taking an Oath, the Organs and Church-Musick, Holy-dayes, Altars, Rails, and the Cross in Baptism.
Some decent Habit is necessary; either the Magistrate, 1or the Minister himself, or the Associated Pastors ⟨p. 12⟩must determine what. I think neither Magistrate nor Synod should do any more than hinder Undecency: But yet if they do more, and tie all to One Habit (and suppose it were an undecent Habit) yet this is but an imprudent use of Power. It is a thing within the Magistrates reach; he doth not an alien work, but his own work amiss: and therefore the thing in it self being lawful; I would obey him, and use that garment, if I could not be dispensed with. Yea, though Secondarily the Whiteness be to signify Purity, and so it be made a teaching sign, yet would I obey.
Some decent Habit is necessary; either the Magistrate, 1or the Minister himself, or the Associated Pastors ⟨p. 12⟩must determine what. I think neither Magistrate nor Synod should do any more than hinder Undecency: But yet if they do more, and tye all to One Habit (and suppose it were an undecent Habit) yet this is but an imprudent use of Power. It is a thing within the Magistrates reach; he doth not an aliene work, but his own work amiss: and therefore the thing in it self being lawful; I would obey him, and use that garment, if I could not be dispensed with. Yea, though Secondarily the Whiteness be to signifie Purity, and so it be made a teaching sign, yet would I obey.
