Baxter - Houston-Packer Collection BX5151 .B3 1659

(406) I. final! read in Logick, Phyficks, Metaphyficks, &c. It is im plyed that in all I ufe the befl helps, and in the heft order that I can. So he that bids me read the Scripture, bath not tyed me to read only a Printed, or only a WrittenBible ; nor to readwith fpedacles or without. He that bath commandedme to Preach, bath not toldmewhether I muff write my Sermon before or not : or ufe Notes for the help ofmy memory, or not ; but bath left thefe tobe determined as general Rules, and emergent accafions andcircumftances fhalldireft us. And he that bath commanded us to preach and pray, bath not told us whether we fhall ufe the helpofa Book, or not : nor whether we fhall ufe an bourgl#áfs or aclockto meafure our time by. He that bath commanded us cheerfully and joyfully to fing his Praifes, bath not told us whether we (hall ufe the meeter, or any melodious tune tohelp us : or whether we fhall ufeor not ufe a Mufical Instrument or the help ofmore Artificial fingers,or choriflers ?Thefe are left toour reafon to determine of, by general rules which nature andScripture have laiddown. 4. 234 15. InCivil adions, that are Religious only finally, andby Participation, and not any ads of fpecial worship, it is lawful! to ufe Symbolical Rites, that are in their kind veer ofkin to Sacraments in their kind, and may be called, Civil Sacraments : fuch is the Pealingand delivery of Indentures, or other Covenant writings : and the delivery of Poffeffion of a houfe by a Key,and of the Temple by a Book.and Bel:rope, and of Land by a twig and turf ; and of Civil Government by a Crown, or Scepter, or Sword, &c. And fuch is the ufe of a Ring inMarriage. g. 24. i6. Though God hathcommanded that certain per- fons thus and thus qualified fhall be defied andordainedMinifiers ofChrift, and feparated to the Gofpel of God ; yet bath be not nominated the individual perfons, but left it to man to`choofe them,according to the direlions that he hath given them : Pru- deuce therefore is here the judge. S. 25. In all thefe cafes;it is no ufurpation, nor addition to the wordor inflitution ofGod, for man to determine : It is but anobeyingof Godscommands : All thefe are Neceffary in their Genus, and commandedus ofGod, and theSpecies (or individu- als in the lait cafe) nowhere by the wordof God determinedof : _ fo

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