A discourse concerning liturgies, and their imposition

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 ⟨p. 19⟩things adds to the Word; for the Word that adds is made of a like Authority with his. All Making to our selves is forbidden, though what we so make may seem unto us to tend to the furtherance of the Worship of God. It is said men may add nothing to the substance of the Worship of God, but they may order, dispose, and appoint the things that belong to the manner and circumstances of it, and this is all that is done in the prescription of Liturgies. Of Circumstances in and about the Worship of God we have spoken before, and removed that pretence. Nor is it safe distinguishing in the things of God, where himself hath not distinguished. When he gave out the Prohibitions mentioned under the Old Testament, he was appointing or had appointed his whole Worship, and all that belonged unto it, in matter and manner, way and order, substance and circumstance. Indeed there is nothing in its whole nature, as it belongs to the general being of things, so circumstantial, but that if it be appointed by God in his Worship, it becomes a part of the substance of it; nor can any thing that is not so appointed ever by any be made a circumstance of his Worship, though many things are circumstances of those actions, which in his Worship are performed. This distinction then directly makes void the Command, so that Conscience cannot acquiesce in it. Besides we have showed that Liturgies prescribed and imposed, are necessary parts of Gods Worship, and so not to be salved by this distinction.

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 wisdome may have a share (some at least) in the ordering of his VVorship is that which of all things they seem to desire. VVherefore to obviate their pride and folly, to his asserting of his own Prerogative in this matter, he subjoyns severe interdictions, against all or any mans interposing therein; so as to take away any thing by him commanded, or to adde any thing to what is by him appointed. This also the Testimonies recited fully express. The Prohibition is plain, Thou shalt not adde to what I have commanded. Adde not to his Words, that is, in his VVorship to the things which by his VVord he hath appointed to be observed; neither to the VVord of his Institution, nor to the things instituted, Indeed adding