Here you come over with the same text of Scripture and the same arguments, whereunto answer hath been given already. But I must follow you in that path, wherein you are pleased to go before me. 1 Will-worship is unlawful, both in the teacher, and them that communicate with him in that worship. But the preaching of the word and administration of the Sacraments in our assemblies is not will-worship, but the ordinance of Christ. 2 To yield any approbation, liking, or reverence unto mens institutions, devised, and to be exercised with opinion of holiness, 1necessity, and worship, is sin. And if this be the meaning of your proposition, we confess the Scriptures teach this very thing, and judicious learned Divines affirm it. And what use there is of heaping up Authors to prove that which is most willingly assented unto, I cannot tell. The Lord hath laid down the way and manner of his worship, and hath not left it to any creature to meddle with, but according to his prescription and appointment. 2The outward worship of God must be strictly done according to his commandment. A good intention there hath no place, works devised by mans fancy, have not only no promise of reward for doing of them, but contrariwise great threatenings and maledictions of God. 3But all institutions of men in the exercise of religion, such, to wit, as be simply matters of order, or appurtenances of worship, as time, place, method, phrase of speech, stinted catechisms, forms of blessing and administration of the Sacraments, &c. be not of that nature, neither doth every ⟨p. 105⟩thing concerning the qualification and exercise of ministry belong to the second Commandment. So that all institutions in general are not condemned in Scripture, nor disliked by godly and learned men, so the general given for direction in such cases be observed. 3 We hold it unlawful outwardly, and but in appearance, to join with Idolaters in their Idolatry: Many words in this matter might well be spared: But we desire to see your commandment, why for every particular act, that in a large sense is Idolatrous, adjoined to the true worship of God, 4we should forbear our presence at the worship it self, or be said to communicate in the sin there committed?
HEre you come over with the same text of Scripture and the same arguments, whereunto answer hath beene given already. But I must follow you in that path, wherein you are pleased to goe before mee. 1 Will-worship is unlawful, both in the teacher, and them that communicate with him in that worship. But the preaching of the word and administration of the Sacraments in our assemblies is not will-worship, but the ordinance of Christ. 2 To yeeld any approbation, liking, or reverence unto mens institutions, devised, and to be exercised with opinion of holinesse, 1necessitie, and worship, is sinne. And if this be the meaning of your proposition, we confesse the Scriptures teach this very thing, and judicious learned Divines affirme it. And what use there is of heaping up Authors to prove that which is most willingly assented unto, I cannot tell. The Lord hath laid downe the way and manner of his worship, and hath not left it to any creature to meddle with, but according to his prescription and appointment. 2The outward worship of God must be strictly done according to his commandement. A good intention there hath no place, workes devised by mans fancie, have not only no promise of reward for doing of them, but contrariwise great threatnings and maledictions of God. 3But all institutions of men in the exercise of religion, such, to wit, as be simply matters of order, or appurtenances of worship, as time, place, method, phrase of speech, stinted catechismes, formes of blessing and administration of the Sacraments, &c. bee not of that nature, neither doth every ⟨p. 105⟩thing concerning the qualification and exercise of ministerie belong to the second Commandement. So that all institutions in generall are not condemned in Scripture, nor disliked by godly and learned men, so the generall given for direction in such cases be observed. 3 We hold it unlawfull outwardly, and but in appearance, to joyne with Idolaters in their Idolatry: Many words in this matter might well bee spared: But wee desire to see your commandement, why for every particular act, that in a large sense is Idolatrous, adjoyned to the true worship of God, 4we should forbeare our presence at the worship it selfe, or be said to communicate in the sinne there committed?
- 1Babing in Lev. 10 Calv. in loc. Jun. anal. in loc. Piscat. ibid.Babing in Lev. 10 Calv. in loc. Iun. anal. in loc. Piscat. ibid.
- 2CAN Stay, § 5. p. 40.
- 3Q. Eliz. Injunct. 3.
- 4Calfeb. against Mar. art. 10. p. 185, 186.
