Thoughts on public prayer - Miller - VIII - Chapter 3 commenced

Required reading
Thoughts on public prayer by Samuel Miller (Available from Amazon or free here) -  Commence Chapter 3 by reading up to the paragraph beginning 'So much for the arguments usually adduced in favor of liturgies'.

My summary
Today Miller explores the subject of liturgies.

Firstly he defines liturgy and gives an overview of its use in Protestant history.

Then Miller moves to answer the reasons for viewing liturgy as indispensable:
(i) the Old Testament always used liturgy;
(ii) Jesus commanded the use of liturgy;
(iii) the apostolic age used liturgy;
(iv) extemporary prayer is difficult to follow;
(v) liturgy operates as a barrier against the inroads of error;
(vi) liturgy prevents those crude, inappropriate and revolting effusions which are so apt to characterize public prayers.

What grabbed me
Miller gave a good answer to the objection that liturgy prevents error: 'Another plea often urged in favour of established liturgies, is, that when constructed upon evangelical principles, they serve to perpetuate truth in the community by which they are used, and thus operate as a barrier against the inroads of error. We have the most palpable and undeniable evidence that this argument is far from being conclusive. There is, perhaps, no church in the world in which, for the last three hundred years, there has been a more constant use, and a more sovereign sway of their church service, than in the Church of England. But has her liturgy kept that church sound and pure, in accordance with the creed of those who formed it? Far from it. In that church, the number of the clergy and others who embrace and love the principles embodied in their articles and devotional forms, is comparatively small, probably amounting to much less than a quarter, or sixth part of the whole, and all manner of opinions, from the highest Calvinism to the lowest Socinianism, may be found among those who daily repeat and laud the same liturgy.'

And I think the history of the church of England since Miller's day continues to give the same testimony.

Next week's reading
Conclude Chapter 3.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.