A discourse of the work of the Holy Spirit in prayer with a brief…

I do not say, that this fatal Consequence of the Introduction of humanely devised set Forms of Prayer in the Worship of the Church in the horrible abuse made of it, is sufficient ⟨image 14⟩to condemn them as absolutely unlawful. For where the Opinions leading unto such Idolatrous practices are openly rejected and condemned as was before intimated, there all the Causes, Means and Occasions of that Idolatry may be taken out of them, and separate from them, as it is in the Liturgies of the Reformed Churches whether imposed or left free. But it is sufficient to lay in the Balance against that veneration which their general observance in many ages may invite or procure. And it is so also to warrant the Disciples of Christ to stand fast in the Liberty wherewith he hath made them free.

Another Evil which either accompanied or closely followed on the Introduction of devised Forms of Prayer into the Church, was a supposed necessity of adorning the Observance of them with sundry Arbitrary Ceremonies. And this also in the End as is confessed among all Protestants, increased Superstition in its Worship, with various practices leading unto Idolatry. It is evident that the Use of free Prayer in Church Administrations, can admit of no Ceremonies but such as are either of Divine Institution, or are natural circumstances of the actions wherein the Duties of Worship do materially consist. Divine Institution and Natural Light, are the Rules of ⟨image 14⟩all that order and Decency which is needful unto it. But when these devised Forms were introduced, with a supposition of their necessity and sole use in the Church in all acts of immediate Worship, men quickly sound that it was needful to set them off with Adventitious ornaments. Hereon there was gradually sound out and prescribed unto constant Observation so many outward Postures and Gestures, with Attires, Music, Bowings, Cringes, Crossings, Venerations, Censings, Altars, Images, Crucifixes, Responds, Alternatives, and such a rabble of other Ceremonies, as rendered the whole worship of the Church ludicrous, burdensome and superstitions. And hereon it came to pass that he who is to officiate in Divine Service, is obliged to learn and practise so many turnings and windings of himself, Eastward and Westward, to the Altar, to the Wall, to the People; So many Gestures and postures in kneeling, rising, Standings, Bowings, less and profound, secret and loud speakings, in a due Observance of the Interposition of Crossings, with Removals from one place to another, with provision of Attires, in their variety of Colours and respect to all the Furniture of their Altars, as are difficult to learn, and foolishly antic in their practice, above all