A DISCOURSE Concerning LITURGIES.

A DISCOURSE Concerning LITURGIES.

THE Reputation of prescribed Liturgies depends on their supposed Antiquity; this is their great, their best support. They pretend not to Scripture, nor will their Advocates maintain, that the Apostles either used such, or left any order for the composing and prescribing of them.

And it will seem strange to those that reverence Antiquity, that good Reason should be found for them; if the Ancients for four or five Ages could see none, in such circumstances as might render it equally visible to them and us.

And it will seem strange to those that reverence Antiquity, that good Reason should be found for them; if the Antients for four or five Ages could see none, in such circumstances as might render it equally visible to them and us.

If they had seen it, it would appear in their practice, there especially where the Reason is thought to be most cogent, viz. in the administration of the Sacraments. It is presumed, ^athat there first ⟨p. 2⟩of all, there especially, forms of Prayer were (and are to be) prescribed; and so it will be granted, that if Antiquity be not for them there, it owns them no where.

1. aThe Ancient Churches, from the very first Century, did use such public wholesome forms of sound words, in their Sacramental Celebrations especially, and afterwards in other Holy Administrations or public Duties, as made up their solemn, devout and public Liturgies. D. G. Consideration touching Liturgies, p. 8.