To clarify, the Confession does
not say that
worship is to be ordered by the light of nature and Christian prudence. It specifically says that
some circumstances are to be so ordered...
Quote:
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and that there are some circumstances concerning the worship of God, and government of the Church, common to human actions and societies, which are to be ordered by the light of nature and Christian prudence, according to the general rules of the Word, which are always to be observed.(o)
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To understand how
worship is to be regulated, as opposed to the
circumstances of worship, see chapter 21 of the Confession.
Apart from the elements of worship listed there, there are circumstances pertaining to worship such as time and place, for example, which are not specifically commanded in Scripture, though it
is commanded that we worship God on the Lord's Day. Principles of worship, such as those found in the first table of the Decalogue are not negotiable; choosing a place where a congregation will meet for worship, for example, or setting a time for worship, is not regulated by Scripture apart from the "general rules of the Word." The distinction between principles or elements of worship and circumstances is of the utmost importance, because there is liberty in the latter but not in the former.
[Edited on 7-27-2005 by VirginiaHuguenot]