THE DIVINE OFFICES AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE SACRAMENTS And other Ordinances in the REFORMED SPANISH CHURCH. Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls."-Jerem. vi. 16. MADRID: PRINTED BY J. CRUZADO. 1889. Office for Trinity Sunday, Order for the Administration of the Holy Com munion, Abbreviated Office for the Holy Communion, 122 125 155 166 . 186 . 195 . 205 . 215 . 223 PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. I.-Public Worship. RULES for the Public Worship of God, as observed by the Church of Christ, are not found so exactly and minutely given in the New Testament as they are with regard to the Jewish Church in the Old Testament. Nevertheless, there are certain principles set forth in the New Testament, either by way of commandment, of counsel, or of Apostolic use, which trace the course that ought to be followed, and by due adjustment to them, the exaggerated or defective ritual that finds place in some Churches may be avoided. When through ignorance or of purpose, during the lapse of centuries, the unauthorized traditions and doctrines of men-which always tend to make void the Word and Commandment-are introduced into a Church, reformation becomes necessary. And at the commencement of this task it is constantly observed that not only such Doctrines have to be reformed, but also the Discipline or Order of Government, and the Form of Public Worship. To reform is not to introduce a new religion, but to return to the primitive purity of early Christianity, disembarrassing and clearing it from the thorns and noxious weeds which have been wilfully sown, or, from ignorance, allowed to spring up in the midst of it. Hence, while we cannot disregard the times, nor the men, that have gone before us, we must re B |