(3.) That they are the great preservers of order in the celebration thereof. And therefore on these accounts they may be instituted, or appointed by some, and observed by all. But things are indeed quite otherwise, God is a spirit and will be worshipped in spirit and in truth, John 4.24. And no devotion is acceptable unto him, but what proceedeth from, and is an effect of faith, for without faith it is impossible to please God, Heb. 11.6. and faith in all things respects the commands and authority of God; for, saith he, in vain do they worship me, who teach for doctrines the commandments of men, Matth. 15.9. and he rejecteth all that honour which is given him by those, whose fear towards him, or worship of him, is taught by the precepts of men, Isa. 29.13. These things therefore being utterly destitute of divine Authority, they can no way farther or promote the devotion of the Worshippers. ⟨p. 57⟩What natural, or carnal affections may be excited by them, as men may inflame themselves with Idols, Isa. 57.5. or what outward, outside devotion they may direct unto or excite, is uncertain; but that they are no means of stirring up the grace of God in the hearts of Believers, or of the increase or strengthening of their faith, which things alone God accepts in Gospel Worship, seeing they are not appointed by him for any such purpose, is most certain: for to say that any thing will effectually stir up devotion, that is, excite, strengthen or increase grace in the heart towards God, that is not of his own appointment, is on the one hand, to reflect on his wisdom and care towards his Church, as if he had been wanting towards it in things so necessary, which he declares against, Isa. 5.4. what, saith he, could have been done more to my Vineyard, that I have not done in it? so on the other, it extols the wisdom of men above what is meet to ascribe unto it. Shall men find out that, which God would not, or could not, in matters of so great importance unto his glory, and the souls of them ⟨p. 58⟩that obey him? yea, and it cannot be but that attendance unto them, and their effects must needs divert the mind from those proper spiritual actings of faith and grace, which is its duty to attend unto.
(3.) That they are the great preservers of order in the celebration thereof. And therefore on these accounts they may be instituted, or appointed by some, and observed by all. But things are indeed quite otherwise, God is a spirit and will be worshiped in spirit and in truth, John 4.24. And no devotion is acceptable unto him, but what proceedeth from, and is an effect of faith, for without faith it is impossible to please God, Heb. 11.6. and faith in all things respects the commands and authority of God; for, saith he, in vain do they worship me, who teach for doctrines the commandments of men, Matth. 15.9. and he rejecteth all that honour which is given him by those, whose fear towards him, or worship of him, is taught by the precepts of men, Isa. 29.13. These things therefore being utterly destitute of divine Authority, they can no way farther or promote the devotion of the Worshipers. ⟨p. 57⟩What natural, or carnal affections may be excited by them, as men may inflame themselves with Idols, Isa. 57.5. or what outward, outside devotion they may direct unto or excite, is uncertain; but that they are no means of stirring up the grace of God in the hearts of Believers, or of the increase or strengthening of their faith, which things alone God accepts in Gospel Worship, seeing they are not appointed by him for any such purpose, is most certain: for to say that any thing will effectually stir up devotion, that is, excite, strengthen or increase grace in the heart towards God, that is not of his own appointment, is on the one hand, to reflect on his wisdome and care towards his Church, as if he had been wanting towards it in things so necessary, which he declares against, Isa. 5.4. what, saith he, could have been done more to my Vineyard, that I have not done in it? so on the other, it extolls the wisdom of men above what is meet to ascribe unto it. Shall men find out that, which God would not, or could not, in matters of so great importance unto his glory, and the souls of them ⟨p. 58⟩that obey him? yea, and it cannot be but that attendance unto them, and their effects must needs divert the mind from those proper spiritual actings of faith and grace, which is its duty to attend unto.
