William Ames Marrow of Sacred Divinity, Book 2, ch. 5 § 1-8 & ch. 13 Natural Worship. 1. The parts of religion are two; natural worship, and voluntary or instituted worship. 2. This distinction is grounded on Exodus 20:6, those words of the second commandment: “who love me, and keep my commandments.” 3. Natural worship is that… Read More Natural Worship and Instituted Worship
The Westminster Confession of Faith, chapter 21, after discussing the Regulative Principle of Worship and “the parts of the ordinary religious worship of God“, goes on to address extra-ordinary parts of religious worship, which include “solemn fastings (Est. 4:16; Joel 2:12; Mat. 9:15; 1 Cor. 7:5), and thanksgivings upon several occasions (Est. 9:22; Psa 107 throughout); which are, in their several times… Read More Occasional Days of Public Fasting or Thanksgiving
ΧΡΙΣΤΟΛΟΓΙΑ: OR, A DECLARATION OF THE GLORIOUS MYSTERY OF THE PERSON OF CHRIST — GOD AND MAN Chapter V The Person of Christ the great Representative of God and his Will. What may be known of God, is, — his nature and existence, with the holy counsels of his will. A representation of them unto us… Read More Jesus Christ: The Great Representative of God | John Owen
This excerpt assumes the reader is familiar with the Regulative Principle of Worship and the difference between elements of worship and circumstances of worship. See here for a brief introduction: What is the Regulative Principle of Worship? John L. Girardeau, Instrumental Music in the Public Worship of the Church pp. 147-156 (1.) It is not claimed,… Read More Is Instrumental Music a Circumstance of Worship?
This article assumes the Regulative Principle of Worship (RPW), which is the biblical doctrine that everything of religious significance in worship must be prescribed in holy Scripture, either explicitly or by good and necessary consequence, such that “whatever is beside the Word of God is against the Word of God.” [1] Given the RPW, the… Read More A Concise Case For Exclusive Psalmody
Instrumental Music in the Public Worship of the Church by John L. Girardeau A divine warrant is necessary for every element of doctrine, government and worship in the church; that is, whatsoever in these spheres is not commanded in the Scriptures, either expressly or by good and necessary consequence from their statements, is forbidden. 1.… Read More The Regulative Principle of Worship Proven From Scripture
Michael Bushell, Songs of Zion, chapter 4, section 3, pp. 163-165. The second commandment is by far the most important scriptural passage dealing with worship. It teaches us that God alone determines what kind of worship is acceptable to Him and that He rejects all forms of idolatry irrespective of source or good intention on… Read More The Regulative Principle of Worship in the Second Commandment
Objection: Scripture repeatedly speaks of singing a “new song” (Psa. 33:3; 40:3; 96:1; 98:1; 144:9; 149:1; Isa. 42:10). The four beasts and 24 elders sang a “new song” (Rev. 5:9), the 144,000 followers of the Lamb who had gotten victory over the beast also sang a “new song” (Rev. 14:3). Therefore, we may (or should) compose… Read More Psalmody Objections Answered: “New Song”
James Durham A Commentarie Upon the Book of Revelation pp. 6-19 Download as PDF There is much spoken of the Glory of God in this Book [i.e., Revelation]; and no where is the distinction of the Persons of the glorious Godhead more frequently and clearly set forth. Iohn was more full in this than any… Read More The Holy Trinity and Object of Our Worship
The Regulative Principle of Worship Defined We can only approach God on his own terms, not only for salvation, but also in worship. The Regulative Principle of Worship (RPW) is the doctrine that everything of religious significance in worship must be prescribed in holy Scripture, either explicitly or by good and necessary consequence, such that “whatever… Read More What is the Regulative Principle of Worship?
