Deuteronomy 11:32

Observe to do.

Obedience to the Divine commands

I. It is a breach of the injunction in the text for any man to substitute any contrivance or invention of his own, in the room of that which God hath prescribed in His worship, when such prescription is plain and express.

II. By virtue of the injunction in the text, we are bound to take heed, that we do not interpret any portion of Scripture, to such a sense as to pervert it from its true meaning and intention.

III. By these words we are strictly prohibited from pretending that anything is a Divine command, which is really not so.

IV. But though we must not add anything to the Word of God, or detract anything from it, pretending that any such alteration is of Divine appointment, yet where the Lord hath not spoken, I mean in such things as may be left to human prudence and discretion, the lawful magistrates, and the governors of the Church lawfully appointed, have an undoubted right to order and appoint such observances as are necessary and convenient for edification and external decorum in the public worship; and to take care that everything be done decently and in order; and so far as their commands are not in opposition or contrary to the Word of God, it becomes the duty of their people to comply with them. (Alex. Grant, D. D.).