A discourse concerning liturgies, and their imposition

He that had a Talent and used it not, though he endeavoured to keep it safe, yet it did not increase; when every ••e that traded with the stock wherewith they were entrusted, made a regular increase according to the measure they had received. And in Experience we daily see men Napkening their Talents until they are taken from them; whilst others receive Additions to their store, at least such supplies as that their first Provisions fail not. Hence the great direction for the exercise of the work of the Ministry is, to stir up the gift received, by a due performance whereof in all persons entrusted with them, is the whole work of edifying the body of Christ, until it reach the measure appointed to every member, completed and finished. Edification then depends on the improvement of Gifts, and the improvement of Gifts on their due exercise according to the mind of Christ. The want then of that due exercise, either by the neglect of them on whom they are bestowed, or any hindrance of it put upon them by others, is the sole way of obstructing the improvement of spiritual gifts, and by direct and immediate consequence of the edification of the Church. Now this seems to be so much done by the prescription of the Liturgy and imposition of it, that it is impossible for the wit of man to invent a more effectual expedient for the compassing of that evil end. The main exercise of Spiritual gifts on which their growth and improvement doth depend, lies in the administration of Gospel Ordinances. That is the work of the Ministry for which they are bestowed. To hinder therefore or forbid that exercise is directly to forbid the due, regular, appointed means of their increase, and so also of the edification of the body of Christ; the means indispensably necessary unto it, being removed and taken away. Now this is openly and avowedly done in the imposed Liturgy if imposed. It says expressly that the Ministers of the Gospel shall not use or exercise any Spiritual gift in the administration of those Ordinances for which provision is made in the Book.

He that had a Talent and used it not, though he endeavoured to keep it safe, yet it did not encrease; when every ••e that traded with the stock wherewith they were entrusted, made a regular encrease according to the measure they had received. And in Experience we daily see men Napkening their Talents until they are taken from them; whilst others receive Additions to their store, at least such supplies as that their first Provisions fail not. Hence the great direction for the exercise of the work of the Ministry is, to stir up the gift received, by a due performance whereof in all persons entrusted with them, is the whole work of edifying the body of Christ, until it reach the measure appointed to every member, compleated and finished. Edification then depends on the improvement of Gifts, and the improvement of Gifts on their due exercise according to the mind of Christ. The want then of that due exercise, either by the neglect of them on whom they are bestowed, or any hindrance of it put upon them by others, is the sole way of obstructing the improvement of spiritual gifts, and by direct and immediate consequence of the edification of the Church. Now this seems to be so much done by the prescription of the Liturgy and imposition of it, that it is impossible for the wit of man to invent a more effectual expedient for the compassing of that evil end. The main exercise of Spiritual gifts on which their growth and improvement doth depend, lyes in the administration of Gospel Ordinances. That is the work of the Ministry for which they are bestowed. To hinder therefore or forbid that exercise is directly to forbid the due, regular, appointed means of their encrease, and so also of the edification of the body of Christ; the means indispensably necessary unto it, being removed and taken away. Now this is openly and avowedly done in the imposed Liturgy if imposed. It says expresly that the Ministers of the Gospel shall not use or exercise any Spiritual gift in the administration of those Ordinances for which provision is made in the Book.