A discourse concerning liturgies, and their imposition

Thus far then is the Liberty given by Christ unto his Church preserved entire, and the Request seems not immodest that is made for the Continuance of it. When men cry to God for the Liberty in his Worship, which was left unto them by Christ and his Apostles, he will undoubtedly hear, though their Fellow servants should be deaf to the like Requests made unto them: And truly they must have a great Confidence in their own Wisdom and Sufficiently, who will undertake to Appoint and Impose on others the Observation of things in the Worship of God, which neither our Lord Jesus, nor his Apostles did appoint or impose.

Thus far then is the Liberty given by Christ unto his Church preserved intire, and the Request seems not immodest that is made for the Continuance of it. When men cry to God for the Liberty in his Worship, which was left unto them by Christ and his Apostles, he will undoubtedly hear, though their Fellow servants should be deaf to the like Requests made unto them: And truly they must have a great Confidence in their own Wisdome and Sufficienty, who will undertake to Appoint and Impose on others the Observation of things in the Worship of God, which neither our Lord Jesus, nor his Apostles did appoint or impose.

Two things are principally pretended as Grounds of the Imposition of public Liturgies. First, The disability of the present Ministers of the Churches to Celebrate and administer the Ordinances of the Gospel to the honour of God, and Edification of the Church without the use of them. Secondly, The great importance of Uniformity in the Worship of God, not possibly to be attained, but by virtue of this expedient, I desire to know whether these Arguments did occur the consideration of the Apostles or no: If they shall say they did; I desire to know why they did not make upon them the Provision now judged necessary, and whether those that so do, do not therein prefer ⟨p. 21⟩their wisdom and care for the Churches of God, unto the wisdom and care of the Apostles. If it shall be said, that the Bishops or Pastors of the Churches, in their days had abilities for the discharge of the whole work of the Ministry without this relief, so that the Apostles had no need to make any such supply. I desire to know from whom they had these abilities; If it be said that they had them from Jesus Christ, I then shall yet also further ask, whether ordinary Bishops or Pastors had any other Gifts from Jesus Christ, but what he promised to bestow on ordinary Bishops and Pastors of his Churches; it seems to me that he bestowed no more upon them then he promised to bestow, viz. Gifts for the Work of the Ministry, with an especial regard to that outward condition of his Churches, whereunto by his providence they were disposed. It will then in the next place be enquired, whether the Lord Jesus Christ promised to give any other Gifts to the ordinary Bishops and Pastors of the Churches in those days, then he promised to all such Officers in his Church to the end of the World. If this appear to be the state of things, that the Promise by virtue whereof they received those gifts and abilities for the discharge of their duty, which rendered the Prescription of Liturgies needless, as to the first Ground of them pretended; did and do equally respect all that succeed in the same Office and Duty, according to the mind and will of Christ unto the end of the World, is not the pretended necessity derogatory to the glory of the faithfulness of Jesus Christ, as plainly intimating that he doth not continue to fulfil his Promise;