A discourse concerning liturgies, and their imposition

These things being Premised, I shall subjoin some of the Reasons that evidently declare the Imposition and Use of such a Liturgy or Form of Public Words, to be contrary to the Rule of the Word, and consequently sinful.

These things being Premised, I shall subjoyn some of the Reasons that evidently declare the Imposition and Use of such a Liturgy or Form of Publick Words, to be contrary to the Rule of the Word, and consequently sinful.

First, The Arbitrary Invention of any thing with Commands for its necessary and indispensable use in the Public Worship of God, as a part of that Worship, and the use of any thing so Invented and so Commanded is that Worship, is unlawful and contrary to the Rule of the Word; But of this nature is the Liturgy we treat of. It is an Invention of men, not appointed, not commanded of God; it is commanded to be used in the Public Worship of God, by reading the several Parts of it, according to the occasions that they respect; and that indispensably; and is made a part of that Worship.

First, The Arbitrary Invention of any thing with Commands for its necessary and indispensable use in the Publick Worship of God, as a part of that Worship, and the use of any thing so Invented and so Commanded is that Worship, is unlawful and contrary to the Rule of the Word; But of this nature is the Liturgy we treat of. It is an Invention of men, not appointed, not commanded of God; it is commanded to be used in the Publick Worship of God, by reading the several Parts of it, according to the occasions that they respect; and that indispensably; and is made a part of that Worship.

There are Three Things affirmed in the Assumption concerning the Liturgy, First, That it is not Appointed or Commanded of God, i. e. there is no Command of God either for the use of this or that Liturgy in particular, nor in general that any such should so be, and be so used as is pleaded. And this we must take for granted, until some instance of any such Command be produced. Secondly, That it is made Necessary by virtue of the Commands of men, to be used in the Public Worship of God. About this there will be no difference. Let it be denied, and there is an end of all this strife. I shall not dispute about other mens practise. They who are willing to take it upon their Consciences, that the best way to serve God in the Church, or the best Ability that they have for the discharge of their duty therein, consists in the reading of such a Book (for I suppose they will grant that they ought to serve God with the best they have) shall not by me be Opposed in their way and practise. It is only about its Imposition, and the Necessity of its Observance by virtue of that Imposition, that we Discourse. Now the present Command is, That such a Liturgy be always used in the Public Worship of God, and that without the use or reading of it, the Ordinances of the Gospel be not Administered, at any time, nor in any place; with strong Pleas for the Obligation