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

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prayer composed in one age, become unfit for anoth.
er, by the unavo~d!ble change ,of language, circumstances,
and oplIDons ; secondlY, that the perpetual
repetition of the same form of words produce weariness
and inattentiveness in the congregation. However,
both these inconveniences are, in their nature,
vincible. Occasional revisions of a liturgy may obviate
the first; and devotion will supply a remedy
for the second: or they may both subsist in a considerable
degree, and yet be outweighed by the objections
which are inseparable from extemporary prayer.
The Lord~s prayer is a precedent, as well as a
pattern for forms of prayer. Our Lord appears, if
not to have prescribed, at least to have authorized the
use of fixed forms, when he compiled with the request
of the di.;ciple who said unto him, " Lord, teach us to
pray, as John also taught his disciples." Luke xi. 1.
The properties required in a public liturgy are,
that it be compendious; that it express just conceptions
of the divine attributes; that it recite &Deh wants
as a congregation are likely to feel, and no other;
and that it contain as few controverted propositions
as possible.
I. That it be compendious.
It were no difficult task to contrac.t the liturgies
of~ most churches into half their present compass, and.
yet retaiu every distinct Fetition~ 2S well as the substance
of every sentiment, which can be found in
them. nut brevity may be studied too much. The
COIn poser of a liturgy nlust not sit down to his \\7ork
with a hope, that the devotion of the congregation
wiii be uniformly sustained throughout, or that every
part \vili be attended to by every hearer. Jf'this
could- be depended upon, a very short service \vould
be sufficient for every purpose that can be answered
~r de~igned hy social worship: but seeing 1 he atren·
lion of t110st l11en is apt to \~van(Ie:r and rcttlrn at in··
ter\'a~~, ~ll:d by ~tarlS., he will admit a certain degree of
a!nphficJ.tt()~ and repetition, of diversity of expres­
~:lOn upo~ lh~ same sl~bject, and variety of phrase and
~'Jl"tl\, \\iltll 11!~J~~ ad,iltJ()rl to t1lf' S~ll~I?, 10 ~Ile e11d