On HC 96:
"The true worship of God is…that we sacredly and conscientiously keep ourselves within the bounds which God has prescribed, and that we do not add anything to that worship which has divinely instituted…To worship God truly, is to worship him in the manner which he himself has prescribed in his word." (p. 517)
On Circumstances:
"There are ecclesiastical or ceremonial ordinances, prescribed by men, which include the determination of circumstances necessary or useful for the maintenance of the moral precepts of the first table; of which kind are the time, the place, the form and order of sermons, prayers, reading in the church, fasts, the manner of proceeding in the election of ministers, in collecting and distributing alms, and things of a similar nature, concerning which God has given no particular command." (p. 521)
When Circumstances are Confused as Elements:
"Those things also which are in themselves indifferent [circumstances], that is, neither commanded nor prohibited by God, if they are prescribed and done as the worship of God, or if it is supposed that God is honored by our performing them, and dishonored by neglecting them [i.e. they become elements], it is plainly manifest that the Scriptures in these [the 2nd commandment] and similar places condemn them." (p. 519)
4 comments:
But wasn't Clark saying that the congregation wasn't supposed to say anything that wasn't scripture? Wouldn't that fall under the circumstances? "Prayer" in light of this commentary?
Tricia,
The circumstance is the FORM AND ORDER (sorry no italics) of prayers. Ursinus isn't talking about who should pray, but WHEN during the service prayers should take place. It is indifferent WHEN we pray, during the order of the service: it could take place at the beginning the middle or the end of the service. The important point is that it happens.
Prayer has traditionally been one of the three elements of worship. Prayer includes the congregation singing God's word, praying the Lord's prayer as well as the minister offering up prayers for God's people. I think you might be limiting your definition of "prayer."
So, I think Clark's view is still valid, in light of what Ursinus says here. The real question is, "Is he (Clark) right?" That's something you'll have to decide for yourself. And no, I won't tell you where I stand, yet... :)
What do you think about what Ursinus says in the last quote on this post? This is what happens when circumstances (time, place, dress, stance, etc.) are confused as elements. This is the error of Rome, Lutherans, Orthodox and Evangelicals. They confuse circumstances for elements.
I think what Ursinus says at the end is very helpful to decide what is indifferent.
What I don't get is how the congregation isn't supposed to say anything that isn't scripture. Where does this come from? bible and otherwise? How do the confessions recited in church fit into the RPW, the catechism, even that thing we say when the minister says: Lift your hearts to the Lord... that is considered worship is it not?
I think that principle comes from a survey of the history of Christian worship. Especially the piety of those who wrote our confessions (i.e. Ursinus, De Bras, Senate of Dort), how did they understand and apply the RPW?
The Creeds and Confessions, as we understand them, are summaries of what we confess the Bible to teach. That is, they are accurate summaries of Biblical teachings. For some, even this should not be allowed, because it is not the Word of God. That's another thing you'll have to determine.
A lot of the liturgy comes from the Psalms.
Hope that helps.
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