Mr. Richard Baxter's last legacy in select admonitions and directions to all sober dissenters

My Opinion as to Liturgy in general,¹ is, 1. That a stinted Liturgy is in it self lawful.² 2. That a stinted Liturgy in some parts of Public Service is necessary.³ 3. In the parts where in is not necessary, it may not only be submitted to, but desired, when the peace of the Church requireth it. 4. It is not of such necessity to take the matter, and words out of the Holy Scriptures,⁴ but that we may join in a Liturgy, or use it, if the Form of Words be not from Scripture. This is thus proved: 1. That which is not directly, or consequentially forbidden by God, remaineth lawful. A stinted Liturgy is not directly, or consequentially forbidden of God: Therefore it remaineth lawful. The major is undoubted, because nothing but a prohibition can make a thing unlawful; where there is no Law, there is no Transgression. 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 can be produced.⁵

My Opinion as to Liturgy in general,¹ is, 1. That a stinted Liturgy is in it self lawful.² 2. That a stinted Liturgy in some parts of Publick Service is necessary.³ 3. In the parts where in is not necessary, it may not only be submitted to, but desired, when the peace of the Church requireth it. 4. It is not of such necessity to take the matter, and words out of the Holy Scriptures,⁴ but that we may joyn in a Liturgy, or use it, if the Form of Words be not from Scripture. This is thus proved: 1. That which is not directly, or consequentially forbidden by God, remaineth lawful. A stinted Liturgy is not directly, or consequentially forbidden of God: Therefore it remaineth lawful. The major is undoubted, because nothing but a prohibition can make a thing unlawful; where there is no Law, there is no Transgression. 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 Prohibion can be produced.