Conformity of the ecclesiastical discipline of the Reformed churches of France with that of the primitive Christians written by M. La Rocque ... ; render'd into English by Jos. Walker.

ARTICLE I.

THE Irreverence shall be restrain'd which is seen in several, when they are present at Ecclesiastick or Do∣mestical Prayers, in not uncovering the Head, and Kneel∣ing, which things are contrary to Piety, gives suspicion of Pride, and may scandalize good Men. Therefore Pastors shall be desired, as also Elders, and Masters of Families, to have a regard that during the said Prayers, every body without Exception, or accepting of Persons, do give by this mark of outward behaviour, a testimony of the humility of his heart, and of the Homage he owes to Almighty God, un∣less some may be hinder'd to do it by sickness, or otherwise, the Judgment whereof shall be left to his own constancy.

CONFORMITY.

The Ancient Christians were wont to kneel at Pray∣ers, as Eusebius testifies in his Ecclesiastical History. St. Chrysostom in his 18 Homily on the 2 to the Corinthians, saith, that he bowed to the ground, and Synesius in his 57 Epistle, that he kneeled down at his Prayers, and that in that posture of a Beggar, he desir'd Death rather than a Bishoprick: Nevertheless it must be granted, that about the end of the 2 Century, they began to pray standing, on Sundays, and during the interval of time, betwixt Easter to Whitsontide, Tertullian assures us so in

the third Chapter of the Book of the Crown, and with him the Author of Questions to the Orthodox in the Works of St. Justin Martyr, in the 115 Question; a practise authorised by the great Council of Nice in the 20th. Cannon, on account of those which us'd otherwise. In the time of St. Jerom, that is to say, in the 4 and 5 Century's, the Decree of Nice was follow'd, and he also touches the Use of this Custom in his Preface on the Ephesians, where he observes, that from Easter to Whit∣sontide,

It is a time of Joy and Victory, during which, saith he, we do not bend the knee, and do not pro∣strate towards the Earth, * 1.1 but arising with the Lord, we fly up to the highest Heavens:

He observes the same thing in his Dialogue against the Luciferians chap. 4. St. Paul nevertheless does the contrary, for we read in the 20 chap. of the Acts ver. 36. that having discoursed with the Pastors of the Church of Ephesus, he kneeled down and prayed with them all, it appears by the 16 verse of the same chapter, that 'twas betwixt Easter and Whitsontide. St. Luke observes also in the 21 chap. verse the 5th. of the same Book of Acts, that the Apostle de∣parting from Tyre about the same time, being accompa∣ny'd with the Disciples and Brethren of the place, with their Wifes and Children, they kneeled down and prayed: Moreover, this practise of the Ancient Christians which I but now mention'd, shews that it was ever their man∣ner to pray kneeling, which is the most becoming and decent posture to procure the Mercy of God, as the Author of Questions to the Orthodox does declare; be∣cause indeed the Creature can never too much humble himself before the Soveraign Majesty of his Maker, in whose presence he must prostrate himself and confess his vileness and nothingness, saying to him with Abraham, I

am but dust and ashes. And as they prayed kneeling in the primitive Church, there's no doubt to be made but they also prayed bare-headed; such doubtless were those Common Prayers and Supplications which were made in their Assemblies, as Justin Martyr and Tertullian do testifie in their Apologies.

As for singing of Psalms, it is what has ever been pra∣ctis'd in Christian Assemblies. St. Paul recommends it to the Colossians in these terms, * 1.2 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms, and Hymns, and spiritual Songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Pliny the 2d. in his Relation to the Emperor Trajan of the Christians in Asia, and of their Assemblies before day light for fear of Per∣secution, he observes amongst other things, * 1.3 that they sang Hymns to Jesus Christ as to a God. Tertullian makes men∣tion of this Letter of Pliny to Trajan in the 2 chap. of his Apology, and in the 39 he speaks of these spiritual Songs which Christians sang to God in his time; especially the Psalms of David have ever been highly esteemed in the Church, which has found the singing of them so com∣fortable and saving, that it has ever been practis'd with∣out Interruption. The 17 Cannon of the Synod of Laodicea prescribes the manner of singing them in the Assembly. It would be endless to relate all the Fathers have said in commendation of these Divine Hymns, the praise whereof they have endeavour'd to strive who should most exalt them, especially St. Basil, St. Ambrose, St. Chrysostom, Theodoret, and several others, therefore I'le content my self in producing what is said by the Author of the Christian Topography,

That the Psalms of David are sung in all Churches throughout the World, and that they are almost in every bodies mouth, as well great as small, and that in each Church

they are sung, * 1.4 and they are oftner read than the Writings of the Prophets, or any other sacred Monu∣ments.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Tom. 6. pag. 161.
• * 1.2

  Col. 3.16. See Eph. 5.19.
• * 1.3

  Lib. 10. Ep. 97.
• * 1.4

  Ap••d Al∣la••••um de lib. Graee. pag. 61.