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

This also produced all the pretended ornaments of their Temples, Chapels, and Oratories, by Crucifixes, Images, a multiplication of Altars, with Relics, Tapers, Vestments and other Utensils.

This also produced all the pretended ornaments of their Temples, Chapels, and Oratories, by Crucifixes, Images, a multiplication of Altars, with Reliques, Tapers, Vestments and other Utensils.

None of these Things whereby Christian Religion ⟨image 16⟩is corrupted and debased, would ever have come into the minds of men, had not a necessity of their Invention been introduced by the establishment of set Forms of Prayer, as the only way and means of Divine Worship. And wherever they are retained, proportionably unto the principles of the Doctrine which men profess, some such Ceremonies must be retained also. I will not therefore deny but that here lieth the foundation of all our present differences about the manner of Divine Worship. Suppose a necessity of confining the Solemn Worship of the Church unto set Forms of Prayer, and I will grant that sundry Rituals and Ceremonies may be well judged necessary to accompany their observance. For without them they will quickly grow obsolete and unsatisfactory. And if on the other hand, free Prayer in the Church be allowed, it is evident that nothing but the Grace and Gifts of the Holy Ghost, with a due regard unto the Decency of natural circumstances is required in Divine service, or can be admitted therein.

None of these Things whereby Christian Religion ⟨image 16⟩is corrupted and debased, would ever have come into the minds of men, had not a necessity of their Invention been introduced by the establishment of set Forms of Prayer, as the only way and means of Divine Worship. And whereever they are retained, proportionably unto the principles of the Doctrine which men profess, some such Ceremonies must be retained also. I will not therefore deny but that here lyeth the foundation of all our present differences about the manner of Divine Worship. Suppose a necessity of confining the Solemn Worship of the Church unto set Forms of Prayer, and I will grant that sundry Rituals and Ceremonies may be well judged necessary to accompany their observance. For without them they will quickly grow obsolete and unsatisfactory. And if on the other hand, free Prayer in the Church be allowed, it is evident that nothing but the Grace and Gifts of the Holy Ghost, with a due regard unto the Decency of natural circumstances is required in Divine service, or can be admitted therein.