A discourse concerning liturgies, and their imposition

That the Prescription of the Liturgy, to be used as prescribed, is the Provision of a means for the accomplishing of some Ends in the Worship of God, the Judgement and the Practise of those who Contend for it, do sufficiently declare. Those Ends, or this End (to sum them up all in one) is, That the Ordinances and Institutions of Christ may be quickly administered and solemnized in the Church with decency and order unto the Edification of the Assemblies wherein it is used. I suppose none will deny this to be the end intended in its Imposition; it is so pleaded continually; nor is there uny other that I know of assigned. Now of the things mentioned it is the last that is the principal end; namely, the Edification of the Church, which is aimed at for its own sake, and so regulates the whole Procedure of mere mediums, and those that are so mediums as also to be esteemed subordinate ends. Such are Decency and Order, or Uniformity. These have not their worth from themselves, nor do they influence the intention of the Liturgists for their own sakes, but as they tend unto Edification. And this the Apostolical Rule expressly requireth, 1 Cor. 14. The Prescription then of a Liturgy is a Provision for the right Administration of the Ordinances of the Gospel ⟨p. 57⟩uno the Edification of the Church. This is its general nature; and in the Administration of the Ordinances of the Gospel, consists the chief and main work of the Ministry: That this Provision is Humane, hath been before declared. It was not made by Christ, nor his Apostles; but of men, and by men was it made and Imposed on the Disciples of Christ. It remaineth then that we Consider whether Jesus Christ have not made provision for the same end and purpose; namely, that the Ordinances and Institutions of the Gospel may be administered to the edification of the Church. Now this the Apostle expressly affirms, Ephes. 4. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. Unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ; wherefore he saith when he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive and gave Gifts unto men,—He gave—some Pastors and Teachers for the perfection of the Saints, for the work of the Ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ; till we all came in the unity of the Faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.