A69533:1385
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
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.
§. 7. I shall first give some instances of the former sort (the Lawful Ceremonies) and then name the latter (that are unlawful,) which I shall afterward give my reasons against. And 1. It is left to humane determination what place the Public assemblies shall be held in. God having commanded us to frequent such assemblies, and not forsake them, doth oblige us to some place in general, and to a fit place. He that bids us preach, and hear, and pray, and assemble to these ends, doth plainly bid us, do this some where. It is impossible to meet, and not in a Place. And in that he hath not determined of any place himself, he hath left it to our reasons to determine of as occasion shall require. God hath not commanded to build a ⟨p. 401⟩Temple in such a place rather then another: or to go thither to worship rather then another place (but by consequence and general directions:) nor hath he determined what place the Minister shall stand to preach in, or where all the people shall have their seats. All these are but the circum•••nces of a holy action, which are left to humane prudence.
§. 7. I shall first give some instances of the former sort (the Lawfull Ceremonies) and then name the latter (that are unlawfull,) which I shall afterward give my reasons against. And 1. It is left to humane determination what place the Publick assemblies shall be held in. God having commanded us to frequent such assemblies, and not forsake them, doth oblige us to some place in general, and to a fit place. He that bids us preach, and hear, and pray, and assemble to these ends, doth plainly bid us, do this some where. It is impossible to meet, and not in a Place. And in that he hath not determined of any place himself, he hath left it to our reasons to determine of as occasion shall require. God hath not commanded to build a ⟨p. 401⟩Temple in such a place rather then another: or to go thither to worship rather then another place (but by consequence and generall directions:) nor hath he determined what place the Minister shall stand to preach in, or where all the people shall have their seats. All these are but the circum•••nces of a holy action, which are left to humane prudence.