PHI LOS 0 P H Y . - Classic Works of Apologetics Online

other cause than the regular establishment of aGsemblies
for divine worship j in which, either portions
cf scripture are recited and explained, or the
principles of Christian erudition are so constantly
taught in sermons, incorporated with liturgies, or expressed
in extempore prayer, as to ;mprint, by the
very repetition, some knowledge and memory of these
subjects upon the most unqualified and careless hearer.
rl~he two reasons, above stated, bind all the members
of a community to uphold public worship by
their presence and example, although the helps and
opportunities which it affords may not be necessary.
to the devotion or edification of all ; and to some
nlay be useless : for it is easily foreseen, how soon
reiigic.us assemblies \\1rould fdll into ccntempt anddisuse,
if that class of" olankind, \vho are above seek.
ing in~truction in them, and want not that ,their
own piety should be assisted by either forms oF.~socifly
in devotion, \vere to withdraw their attendance;
especially when it is considered, that all who please
are at liberty to rank themselves of this class. This
argument meet-> the only serious apology that can
be made for the absenting of ourselves from public
worship.
"Surely (same "ril! say) I nlay be excused
from going to church, so )cl~Jg as I pray at home,
and ha\'e no reason to doubt but that my prayer~
are as acceptable and efficacious in my closet, as irl
a carhedral; stiil less can I tllink myself obliged to
sit out a tedious scrnlon, ill order to hear what isknown
already, what is better learnt from books, or
sUJ!gested by meditation." They, whose qualifications
and habits best supply to themselves all the effect of
public oTcl!!1ances, will be tIle last tCl prefer this e:,~·
cusc, whtn they auvert to the general [&JlIequcnce of setting
up such an exemption, as well as when they cen·
~id~r the tLlrl1 ,vrlicll i~ sure to be given iTl the neigll ...
bOllrlloou t() tll~~ir al)~.~:ncc fr()lll l)ul)lic \vlJrship.
You stay from church, to emp10y rhe :-.abbath at home
ill exerci~es atlJ studies "llitcd to ir~ l)t'>})er busilless ;
your next neighbour :;trt)'s from church, to spend.