and with all the soul, and with all the might a. But the acceptable way of worshipping the true God is instituted by himself, and so limited by his own revealed will, that he may not be worshipped according to the imaginations to the children of Israel, and made all unto him, Thou shalt not live ; for that were present in Israel to serve, thou speakest lies in the name of the even to serve the Lord their God. Lordand his father and his mother And all his days they departed not that begat him shall thrust him from following the Lord, the God of through when he prophesieth. their fathers. 2 Chron, xy. 12. And I. a Rom. i. 20. For the invisible they entered into a covenant to seek things of him from the creation of the the Lord God of their fathers with all world are clearly seen, being undertheir heart, and with all their soul; stood by the things that are made, even Ver. 13. That whosoever would not his eternal power and Godhead; so seek the Lord God of Israel should that they are without excuse. Acts be put to death, whether small or great, xvii. 24. God, that made the world, whether man or woman. Ver. 16. and all things therein, seeing that he And also concerning Maachah, the is Lord of heaven and earth, dwellmother of Asa the king, he removed eth not in temples made with hands. her from being queen, because she had Psal. cxix. 68. Thou art good, and made an idol in a grove: and Asa cut doest good: teach me thy statutes. down her idol, and stamped it, and Jer. x. 7. Who would not fear thee, burnt it at the brook Kidron. Dan. O King of nations ? for to thee doth iii. 29. Therefore I make a decree, it appertain: forasmuch as among all That every people, nation, and lan- the wise men of the nations, and in all giage, which speak any thing amiss their kingdoms, there is none like unagainst the God of Shadrach, Me. to thee. Psal. xxxi. 23. O love the shach, and Abednego, shall be cut in Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord pieces, and their houses shall be made preserveth the faithful, and plentifulà dunghill ; because there is no other iy rewardeth the proud doer. Psal. god that can deliver after this sort. xviii. 3. I will call upon the Lord, i Tim. ii 2. For kings, and for all that who is worthy to be praised; so shall are in authority ; that we may lead a I be saved from mine enemies. Rom. quiet and peaceable life in all godliness x. 12. For there no difference be. and honesty. Isa. xlix. 23. And kings twixt the Jew and the Greek: for the shall be thy nursing-fathers, and their same Lord over all is rich unto all that queens thy nursing-mothers; they call upon him. Psal. Ixii. 8. Trust in shall bow down to thee with their face him at all times; ye people, pour out toward the earth, and lick up the dust your heart before him: God is a reof thy feet, and thou shalt know that fuge for us. Josh. xxiv. 14. Now I am the Lord: for they shall not be therefore fear the Lord, and serve him ashamed that wait for me. Zech. xiii. in sincerity and in truth, and put a2. And it shall come to pass in that way the gods which your fathers seryday, saith the Lord of hosts, that I ed on the other side of the flood, and will cut off the names of the idols out in Egypt: and serve ye the Lord. of the land, and they shall no more Mark xii. 33. And to love him with be remembered ; and also I will cause all the heart, and with all the underthe prophets and the unclean spirit to standing, and with all the soul, and pass out of the land. Ver. 3. And it with all the strength, and to love his shall come to pass, that when any neighbour as himself, is more than all shall yet prophesy, then his father and whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices. his mother that begat him shall say

:

and devices of men, or the suggestions of Satan, under any visible representation, or any other way not prescribed in the holy scripture b.

II. Religious worship is to be given to God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; and to him alone : not to angels, saints, or any other creatured: and, since the fall, not without a Mediator ; nor in the mediation of any other but of Christ alone e

III. Prayer, with thanksgiving, being one special part of religious worship’, is by God required of all men 8; and,

b Deut. xii. 32. What thing soever the Faiher which hath sent him. And I command you, observe to do it: thou 2 Cor. xiii. 14. The grace of the shalt not add thereto, nor diminish Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of from it. Matt. xy. 9. But in vain God, and the communion of the Hothey do worship me, teaching for doc- ly Ghost, be with you all. Amen. trines the commandments of men. d Col. ii. 18. Let no man beguile Acts xvii. 25. Neither is worshipped you of your reward, in a voluntary with men's hands, as though he need. humility, and worshipping of angels, ed any thing, seeing he giveth to all intruding into those things which he life, and breath, and all things. Matt. hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his iv. 9. And saith unto him, All these fleshly mind. Rev. xix. 10.' And I things will I give thee, if thou wilt fell at his feet to worship him: and fall down and worship me. Ver. 10. he said unto me, See thou do it not; Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee I am thy fellow.servant, and of thy hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou brethren that have the testimony of shalt worship the Lord thy God; and Jesus: worship God : for the testimohim only shalt thou serve. [Deut. xv. ny of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. to the 2015 Verse.] Exod. xx. 4. Thou Rom. i. 25. Who changed the truth shalt not make unto thee any graven of God into a lie, and worshipped and image, or any likeness of any thing served the creature more than the that is in heaven above, or that is in Creator, who is blessed for ever. the earth beneath, or tbat is in the wa- Amen. ter under the earth Ver. 5. Thou e John xiv. 6. Jesus saith unto shalt not bow down thyself to them, him, I am the way, and the truth, and nor serve them : for I the Lord thy the life : no man cometh unto the Fa. God am a jealous God, visiting the ther but by me. 1 Tim. i. 5. For iniquity ofthe fathers upon the children there is one God, and one Mediator unto the third and fourth generation of between God and men, the man Christ them that hate me: Ver. 6 And shew. Jesus. Eph ii. 18. For through him ing mercy unto thousands of them that we both have access by one Spirit love me, and keep my commandments. unto the Father Col. iji 17. And Col. ii. 23. Which things have indeed whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do a shew of wisdom in will-worship all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giv. and humility, and neglecting of the ing thanks to God and the Father body, not in any honour to the satis- by him. fying of the flesh.

III. f Phil. iv. 6. Be careful for no11. c Matt.iv. 10. (See before in let. thing : but in every thing by prayer ter b.] With John v. 23. That all and supplication, with thanksgiving, men should honour the Son, even as let your requests be made knowi unthey honour the Father. He that ho- to God. noureth not the Son, honoureth not 8 Psal. Ixv. 2. O thou that bear.

k

m

that it may be accepted, it is to be made in the name of the Son", by the help of his Spirité, according to his will k, with understanding, reverence, humility, fervency, faith, love, and perseverance; and, if vocal, in a known tongue m.

IV. Prayer is to be made for things lawful", and for all sorts of men living, or that shall live hereafter • ; but not est prayer, unto thee shall all flesh man availeth much. James i. 6. But conie.

let him ask in faith, nothing wavering: b John xiv. 13. And whatsoever ye for he that wavereth is like a wave of shall ask in my name, that will I do, the sea, driven with the wind, and that the Father may be glorified in the tossed. Ver. 7. For let not that man Son. Ver. 14. If ye shall ask any think that he shall receive any thing thing in my name, I will do it. 1 Pet. of the Lord. Mark xi. 24. Therefore ii. 5. Ye also, as lively stones, are I say unto you, What things soever built up a spiritual house, an holy ye desire when ye pray, believe that priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacri. ye receive them, and ye shall have fices, acceptable to God by Jesus them. Mait. vi. 12. And forgive us Christ.

qur debts, as we forgive our debtors. i Rom. viii. 26. Likewise the Spi- Ver. 14. For if ye forgive men their rit also helpeth our infirmities : for trespasses, your heavenly Father will we know not what we should pray also forgive you. Ver. 15. But if ye for as we ought: but the Spirit itself forgive not men their trespasses, neimaketh intercession for us with groan- ther will your Father forgive your ings which cannot be uttered,

trespasses. Col. iv. 2. Continue in ke 1 John v. 14. And this is the con- prayer, and watch in the same with fidence that we have in him, that if ihanksgiving. Eph. vi. 18. "Praying we ask any thing according to his always with all prayer and supplicawill, he heareth us.

tion in the Spirit, and watching there. Psal. xlvii. 7. For God is the king unto with all perseverance and suppliof all the earth: sing ye praises with cation for all saints. understanding. Eccl. v. 1. Keep thy m 1 Cor. xiv. 14. For if I

pray in foot when thou goest to the house an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, of God, and be more ready to hear, but my understanding is unfruitful. than to give the sacrifice of fools: for IV. n (1 John v. 14. See letter k.] they consider not that they do evil. 01 Tim. ii. 1. I exhort therefore, Ver. 2. Be not rash with thy mouth, that, first of all, supplications, pray. and let not thine heart be hasty to ut- ers, intercessions, and giving of ter any thing before God; for God is. thanks, be made for all men : Ver. 2. in heaven, and thou upon earth: there. For kings, and for all that are in aufore let thy words be few. Heb. xii. thority; that we may lead a quiet and 38. Wherefore, we receiving a king peaceable life in all godliness and hodom which cannot be moved, let us nesty. John xvii. 20. Neither pray I have grace, whereby we may serve for these alone, but for them also God acceptably, with reverence and which shall believe on me throngh their godly fear. Gen. xviii. 27. And Abra- word. 2 Sam. vii. 29. Therefore now ham answered and said, Behold now, let it please thee to bless the house of I have taken upon me to speak unto thy servant, that it may continue for the Lord, which am but dust and ash- ever before thee: for thou, O Lord €s. James v. 16. Confess your faults God, hast spoken it: and with thy one to another, and pray one for ano- blessing let the house of thy servant ther, that ye may be healed: the ef. be blessed for ever. Ruth iv. 12. And feccual fervent prayer of a righteous let thy house be like the house of Pha

art come.

for the dead P, nor for those of whom it may be known that they have sinned the sin unto death 9,

V. The reading of the scriptures with godly fear"; the sound preaching, and conscionable hearing of the word, in obedience unto God, with understanding, faith, and reverence *; singing of psalms with grace in the heart"; as also, the due administration and worthy receiving of the sacrarez, (whom Tamer bare unto Judah,) gogues every sabbath-day. Rev. i. 3. of the seed which the Lord shall give Blessed is he that readerb, and they thee of this young woman.

that hear the words of this prophecy, p 2 Sam. xii. 21. Then safd his ser- and keep those things which are writvants unto him, What thing is this ten therein ; for the time is at hand. that thou hast done? Thou didst fast s 2 Tim. iv. 2. Preach the word, and weep for the child while it was be instant in season, out of season; alive; but when the child was dead, reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long. thou dist rise and eat bread. Ver. 22. suffering and doctrine. and he said, While the child was yet + Jaines i. 22. But be ye doers of alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, the word, and not hearers only, de. Who can tell whether God will be' ceiving your own selves. Acts x. 33. gracious to me, that the child may live? Immediately therefore I sent to thee; Ver. 23. But now he is dead, where and thou hast well done that thou fore should I fast? can I bring him

Now therefore are we all back again? I shall go to him, but he here present before God, to hear all shall not return to me. With Luke things that are commanded thee of xvi. 25. But Abraham said, Son, re- God. Matth. xii. 19. When any one member that thou in thy lifetime re- heareth the word of the kingdom, and ceivedst thy good things, and likewise understandeth it not, then cometh the Lazarus evil things : but now he is wicked one, and catcheth away that comforted, and thou art tormented. which was sown in his heart: this is Ver. 26. And besides all this, between he which received seed by the way. us and you there is a great gulf fixed; side. Heb iv. 2. For unto us was the so that they which would pass from gospel preached, as well as unto them; hence to you cannot ; neither can they but the word preached did not profit pass to us that would come from them, not being mixed with faith, in thence. Rev. xiv. 13. And I heard a them that heard it. Isa. Ixvi. 2. For voice from heaven, saying unto me, all those things hath mine hand made, Write; Blessed are the dead which and all those things have been, saith die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, the Lord: but to this man will I look, saith the Spirit, that they may rest even to him that is poor, and of a confrom their labours; and their works trite spirit, and trembleth at my word. do follow them.

u Col. jii. 16. Let the word of 9.1 John v. 16 If any man see his Christ dwell in you richly in all wis. brother sin a sin which is not unto dom; teaching and admonishing one death, he shall ask, and he shall give another in psalms, and hymns, and him life for them that sin not unto spiritual songs, singing with grace in death. There is a sin unto dearh: I your hearts to the Lor?: Eph. v. 19. do not say that he shall pray for it. Speaking to yourselves in psalms, and

V., Acts xy. 21. For Moses of old hymns, and spiritual songs, singing time hath in every city them that and making melody in your hearts to preach him, being read in the syna- the Lord. James v. 13. Is any among

Z

ments instituted by Christ; are all parts of the ordinary religious worship of God w: besides religious oaths *' and vows), solemn fastings ? and thanksgivings upon special occasions, which are, in their several times and seasons, to be used in an holy and religious manner b.

VI. Neither prayer, nor any other part of religious worship, is, now under the gospel, either tied unto, or made more acceptable by, any place in which it is performed, or towards which it is directed c: but God is to be

you' afilicted ? let him pray. Is any Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neimerry ? let him sing psalms.

ther eat nor drink three days, night w Matth. xxviii. 19. Go ye there- or day: I also and my maidens will fore and teach all nations, baptizing fast likewise, and so will I go in unto them in the name of the Father, and the king, which is not according to of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. the law; and if I perish, I perish. (1 Cor. xi. 23. to Verse 29.] Acts ii. Matth, ix. 15. And Jesus said unto 42. And they continued stedfastly in them, Can the children of the bridethe apostle's doctrine and fellowship, chamber mourn as long as the brideand in breaking of bread, and in groom is with them but the days prayers.

will come, when the bridegroom shall * Deut. vi. 13. Thou shalt fear the be taken from them, and then shall Lord thy God, and serve him, and they fast. 1 Cor. vii. 5. Defraud ye shalt swear by his name. With Neh. not one the other, except it be with X. 29. They clave to their brethren, consent for a time, that ye may give their nobles, and entered into a curse, yourselves to fasting and prayer; and and into an oath, to walk in God's come together again, that Satan tempt law, which was given by Moses the you not for your incontinency. servant of God, and to observe and do a (Psal. cvii. throughout.] Esth. ix. all the commandments of the Lord 22. As the days wherein the Jews our God, and his judgments and his rested from their enemies, and the

month which was turned unto them y Isa. xix. 21. And the Lord shall from sorrow to joy, and from mourn. 'be known to Egypt, and the Egyp- ing into a good day : that they should tians shall know the Lord in that day, make them days of feasting and joy, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; and of sending portions one to ano. yea, they shall vow a vow unto the ther, and gifts to the poor. Lord, and perform it. With Eccl.v. 6 Heb. xii. 28. Wherefore, we re4. When thou vowest a vow unto ceiving a kingdom which cannot be God, defer not to pay it, for he hath moved, let us have grace, whereby we no pleasure in fools: pay that which may serve God acceptably, with reve. thou hast vow ed Ver. 5. Better is rence and godly fear. at that thou shouldest not vow, than VI. c John iv. 21. Jesus saith unto that thou shouldest vow, and not her, Woman, believe me, the hour cqpay

meth, when ye shall neither in this * Joel ii. 12. Therefore also now, mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, wor. saith the Lord, Turn ye even to me ship the Father. with all your heart, and with fasting, d Mal. i. 11. For from the rising of and with weeping, and with mourn the sun, even unto the going down of ng. Esth. iv. 16. Go, gather toge- the same, my name shall be great a. her all the Jews that are present in mong the Gentiles, and in every place

Statutes.