A discourse concerning liturgies, and their imposition

But whereas God himself having instituted his own Worship and all the concernments of it, doth also assert his own Authority and VVill as the sole cause and rule of all the Worship that he will accept, no instance being left on record of any one that ever made any Additions to what he had appointed, on any pretence whatever, or by virtue of any Authority wherever that was accepted with him; and whereas the most eminent of those who have assumed that power to themselvea, as also the judgement of the reasons necessary for the exerting of it, as to matter and manner, have been given up in the righteous judgement of God to do things not convenient, yea abominable unto him (as in the Papal Church) it is not unlikely to be the wisdom of men to be very cautious of intruding themselves into this thankless Office.

But whereas God himself having instituted his own VVorship and all the concernments of it, doth also assert his own Authority and VVill as the sole cause and rule of all the VVorship that he will accept, no instance being left on record of any one that ever made any Additions to what he had appointed, on any pretence whatever, or by vertue of any Authority wherever that was accepted with him; and whereas the most eminent of those who have assumed that power to themselvea, as also the judgement of the reasons necessary for the exerting of it, as to matter and manner, have been given up in the righteous judgement of God to do things not convenient, yea abominable unto him (as in the Papal Church) it is not unlikely to be the wisdome of men to be very cautious of intruding themselves into this thankless Office.

But such is the corrupt nature of man, that there is scarce any thing, whereabout men have been more apt to contend with God from the foundation of the world. That their will and wisdom may have a share (some at least) in the ordering of his Worship is that which of all things they seem to desire. Wherefore to obviate their pride and folly, to his asserting of his own Prerogative in this matter, he subjoins severe interdictions, against all or any mans interposing therein; so as to take away any thing by him commanded, or to add any thing to what is by him appointed. This also the Testimonies recited fully express. The Prohibition is plain, Thou shalt not add to what I have commanded. Add not to his Words, that is, in his Worship to the things which by his Word he hath appointed to be observed; neither to the Word of his Institution, nor to the things instituted, Indeed adding