Watts - BX5200 .W3 1813 v.6

PROPOSITION XX. 19a doctrine of the Trinity in times of error, and to take away all suspicion of heresy from the public worship. Yet I cannot but give my opinion, that since the apostles continually vary their doxologies, it is a piece of christian pru- dence not to confine one's self everlastingly to any one certain form of doxology lest the people think that very form to be of sacred necessity : And I am not willing to be the man who should venture to say, there is an absolute necessity of using any doxology, which has no pattern or precept in scripture. We must have a care lest we make any thing necessary by mere human customor constitution, which the holy scripture hash not made so by a divine appointment. For though I have shown that there is in scripture a sufficient foundation to allow and sups port the common doxology, yet there is no plain and positive command for it there, nor any account of the practice of it.* Question III, " Is it lawful in our doxologies or ascriptions of praise, to pay the same worship to the Holy Spirit, or to the Son, as we do to theFather ?" Answer I. It is the divine nature or godhead in eachperson, that is theonly foundation of divine worship ; and since it is one and the same godhead, that subsists in the Spirit and the Son, as in the Father, therefore when we use such acts and forms of devotion in blessing and praising God, as agree to the godhead * The doxologies used in the New Testament are these, viz. Rom, xi. 26. " Of him, and through him, and to him are all things. To whom be glory for ever,jAmen." Rom. xvi. 27. " To God only wise be glory through Jesus Christ, for ever, Amen." Gal. i. 4, 5, " According to the will of God and our Father. To him be glory for ever and ever, Amen." Ephes. iii. 21. " To him be glory in the church, by Christ Jesus, throughout all ages, world without end, Amen." Phil. iv. 20, " Now to God and our Father be glory for ever and every Amen.'/ 1 Tim. i. 17. " Now to the King eternal, immottal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever, Amen." 1 Tim. vi. 16, " Whom no man bath seen, or can see. To whom be honour and power ever- lasting, Amen," 2 Tint. iv. 8. "The Lord shall deliver me, &c. to whom be glory for ever and ever, Amen." lieb. xiii. 24. " The God df peace,-through Jesus Christ, towhom be glory forever, Amen." I Pet. iv. 11, " Tbat Goin all things may be glorified, through Jesus Christ, to whom bepraise and domi- nion for ever and ever, Amen" I Pet. i. 3. " Bl,-ssed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Pet, iii. 18. " Our Saviour Jesus Christ, to him be glory both now, and for ever, Amen." Jude verse 25. " To the only wise God, our Saviour, be glory, and majesty, dominion, and power, both now and ever, Amen." Rev,'ï, 5, B. " To him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, &c, be glory, and dominion, for ever and ever, Amen." Rev. iv. 11. " Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honour, and power for thou bast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created" Rev. r. 12. " Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory and blessing." Verse 13. 66 Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power be to him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever, Amen." Rev. vii. 10. " Salvation onto our God, which sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb," Verse 12. " Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and m'ght be unto our God, for ever and ever, Amen." Rev. xix. I. Hallelujah, salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, uato the Lord our God. Vol. v7, N

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