A69533:1214
Five disputations of church-government and worship
Five disputations of church-government and worship by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by R.W. for Nevil Simmons, 1659
Qu. Whether a stinted Liturgy, or form of Worship, be a desirable m… › Proposition 1
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The Minor is sufficiently proved by instances. God hath made it our Duty to Assemble for his Public Worship: But he hath not told us in what place; nor in what seats each person shall sit. Yet some place is necessary: and therefore it is left to mans Determination: Nor hath he tied us for weekly Lectures to any one day; nor on the Lords day, to begin at any one certain hour: and yet some day and hour is necessary; which therefore man must determine of. So God hath commanded us to read the Scriptures: But hath not told us whether they shall be printed or written; whether we shall read with Spectacles or without; what Chapter we shall read on such or such a day; nor how much at a time; Ministers must preach in season and out of season: But whether they must stand or sit, or what text they shall preach on, or how long, and whether in a prepared form of words or not, whether they shall use notes, or not, or use the Bible, or recite texts by memory, &c. none of these things are determined by God; and therefore are left to humane prudential determination. Abundance of such undetermined circumstances may be enumerated about Singing, Praying, Sacraments and all duties.
The Minor is sufficiently proved by instances. God hath made it our Duty to Assemble for his Publick Worship: But he hath not told us in what place; nor in what seats each person shall sit. Yet some place is necessary: and therefore it is left to mans Determination: Nor hath he tied us for weekly Lectures to any one day; nor on the Lords day, to begin at any one certain hour: and yet some day and hour is necessary; which therefore man must determine of. So God hath commanded us to read the Scriptures: But hath not told us whether they shall be printed or written; whether we shall read with Spectacles or without; what Chapter we shall read on such or such a day; nor how much at a time; Minist•rs must preach in season and out of season: But whether they must stand or sit, or what text they shall preach on, or how long, and whether in a prepared form of words or not, whether they shall use notes, or not, or use the Bible, or recite texts by memory, &c. none of these things are determined by God; and therefore are left to humane prudential determination. Abundance of such undetermined circumstances may be enumerated about Singing, Praying, Sacraments and all duties.