A69533:1327
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 10
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.
1Object. 7. But what confusion will it •ake in the Church if one Congregation shall have a Form, and another none, and every man shall be left to do what he list in Prayer?
- 1Object. 7.
Answ. This is the voice of that Ignorance, Pride, and Dividing usurpation that hath caused all the Schisms and troubles of the Church. Must the Churches have no Peace but on your imposed terms? Must none be endured, but all cast out of the Church of God that dare not say your forms of prayer, though they are as wise and pious and peaceable as you? Nothing but Proud arrogancy and uncharitable cruelty will say so. 2. But if we must needs all Agree in the manner of our Prayers, we must shut out all forms, and agree all to be without them (which yet I consent not to.) For there is no one Form that you can expect that all should agree in, that's of humane invention: Not but that we may well do it: but it will not be. 3. How had the Church Unity before any of your forms were known? 4. If it be no blemish for several Nations to have several Forms, and manners, it is tolerable for several Congregations▪ 5. How did the Ancient Churches maintain their Unity, when Liturgies were in use, and the variety was ⟨p. 391⟩so great as is commonly known? Many Churches had no singing of Psalms (Vid. Pamel. in Cyprian. de Orat. Dom. Not. 6.) Others used it by the whole Assemblies (see Ball's Friendly Trial, page 60. citing the Authors that attest it) Other Churches did use to sing by course, or two at a time. (See it proved by Ball ibid. out of many witnesses.) This variety and much more consisted then with Unity, and may do now, when forced uniformity will not. 6. We are all now at Liberty what Gesture we will use in singing Psalms, &c. and is here any discord hence arising? But men were forced to kneeling only in Receiving the Lords Supper, and there came in discord. Mens fancies makes that seem confusion that is no such thing. No more then that all that hear or pray, have not the same coloured clothes, complexions, &c.