A92933:78
A Serious answer to a late book styled, A reply to Mr. Robert Steed's…A Serious answer to a late book stiled, A reply to Mr. Robert Steed's…
A Serious answer to a late book styled, A reply to Mr. Robert Steed's epistle concerning singing wherein the chief scriptures and arguments are examined, and the weakness thereof showed : together with an answer to the several reflections, and false charges, against both churches and persons, recommended to the elders, ministers, and members of baptized churches.A Serious answer to a late book stiled, A reply to Mr. Robert Steed's epistle concerning singing wherein the chief scriptures and arguments are examined, and the weakness thereof shewed : together with an answer to the several reflections, and false charges, against both churches and persons, recommended to the elders, ministers, and members of baptized churches.
London : s.n., Printed in the Year, 1692
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.
2. We say, that as God alone knows how, and by what means himself will be worshipped; so it is not in the Power of Men or Angels to prescribe Worship to his Creature; and that it is an intrenchment upon his Sovereignty for any so to do: Man being to observe whatsoever he, and he only, hath commanded.
2. We say, that as God alone knows how, and by what means himself will be worshipped; so it is not in the Power of Men or Angels to prescribe Worship to his Creature; and that it is an intrenchment upon his Soveraignty for any so to do: Man being to observe whatsoever he, and he only, hath commanded.
3. It is evident that in all the instituted Worship that God hath prescribed, it is with all Plainness both in Matter and Manner. And that God hath always done, even in the first Institution God gave to Adam, not to eat of the forbidden Fruit: It was with that plainness and clearness, that no Objection could be made by him in his disobeying the Command of God. Also in all the Tabernacle and Temple-Worship, every particular direction thereunto, to the very Pin in the Tabernacle, was given to them, that they might not vary from, without Sin. And therefore the least Addition or Detraction from it, was severely punished by God. And now it is much more plain under the Gospel-Administration, tho more Spiritual. And the Worshippers that are admitted to perform or celebrate it in his Church, are required even in the outward part, both as to their Qualifications and Exercise, to be more Spiritual than under the Law.
4. Therefore tho the Obligation to worship is natural, and that it is to be performed with the highest Reverence and Affection concreated with Man: yet the whole of external Worship is positive, and depends upon Institution. Nature is silent therein, otherwise than as it regulates, with respect to Conveniency and Decency, in common with other actions, in matters of less moment than Worship, to wit, Marriage and Meats. Man was created with an Instinct for Nutrition and Procreation, but was directed unto the means and manner of both by Institution. So in the present Case, that God is to be honoured and praised, is an innate Principle; but the means how, or which way, or by whom it is to be managed in his Church, depends only on his Sovereign Will and Pleasure