Five disputations of church-government and worship

§. 22. 14. God that hath commanded us to celebrate his Praise and other public worship, hath left it to our Liberty and Prudence to make use of such Helps of Nature, or of Art, as may most conduce to further our obedience, and stand in a due subserviency to his institutions. As for instance: he that hath commanded us to study his word and works, hath not prescribed me a certain Method for my studies, nor told me what Languages or Sciences I shall learn, or first learn: nor what Authors ⟨p. 406⟩I shall read in Logic, Physics, Metaphysics, &c. It is implied that in all I use the best helps, and in the best order that I can. So he that bids me read the Scripture, hath not tied me to read only a Printed, or only a Written Bible; nor to read with spectacles or without. He that hath commanded me to Preach, hath not told me whether I must write my Sermon before or not: or use Notes for the help of my memory, or not; but hath left these to be determined as general Rules, and emergent occasions and circumstances shall direct us. And he that hath commanded us to preach and pray, hath not told us whether we shall use the help of a Book, or not: nor whether we shall use an hour-glass or a clock to measure our time by. He that hath commanded us cheerfully and joyfully to sing his Praises, hath not told us whether we shall use the meter, or any melodious tune to help us: or whether we shall use or not use a Musical Instrument: or the help of more Artificial singers, or choristers? These are left to our reason to determine of, by general rules which nature and Scripture have laid down.

§. 22. 14. God that hath commanded us to celebrate his Praise and other publick worship, hath left it to our Liberty and Prudence to make use of such Helps of Nature, or of Art, as may most conduce to further our obedience, and stand in a due subserviency to his institutions. As for instance: he that hath commanded us to study his word and works, hath not prescribed me a certain Method for my studies, nor told me what Languages or Sciences I shall learn, or first learn: nor what Authors ⟨p. 406⟩I shall read in Logick, Physicks, Metaphysicks, &c. It is implyed that in all I use the best helps, and in the best order that I can. So he that bids me read the Scripture, hath not tyed me to read only a Printed, or only a Written Bible; nor to read with spectacles or without. He that hath commanded me to Preach, hath not told me whether I must write my Sermon before or not: or use Notes for the help of my memory, or not; but hath left these to be determined as general Rules, and emergent accasions and circumstances shall direct us. And he that hath commanded us to preach and pray, hath not told us whether we shall use the help of a Book, or not: nor whether we shall use an hour-glass or a clock to measure our time by. He that hath commanded us cheerfully and joyfully to sing his Praises, hath not told us whether we shall use the meeter, or any melodious tune to help us: or whether we shall use or not use a Musical Instrument: or the help of more Artificial singers, or choristers? These are left to our reason to determine of, by general rules which nature and Scripture have laid down.