Learning from Jan à Lasko's "Form and Method"

The publication of Reformation Worship: Liturgies from the Past for the Present edited by Jonathan Gibson and Mark Earngey (New Growth Press, 2018) has caused quite a stir in Reformed circles. This wealth of 16th and 17th century liturgical sources may by God's grace help the modern Reformed Church recover some of the richness in her heritage.

In this post, I will survey some notable elements from John à Lasko's "Form and Method" published in 1555. He was a minister overseeing the French and Dutch congregations in London and proved to be influential in setting norms for Reformed worship across the continent.

1) They observed the Church calendar.

The ministry of the Word in our churches is publicly observed in sermons on the Lord's Days and other feast days... (460)

Interestingly, the Stranger congregations in England did not hold to the later Presbyterian and Puritan conviction that the Church calendar was an unlawful use of ecclesiastical authority. The Reformed tradition allows substantial breadth on this question.

2) They practiced disciplined expository preaching.

...some biblical book of the Old or New Testament is taken up to be interpreted from beginning to end. From this book only so much is read aloud in individual sermons as can conveniently be explained in a way suitable to the people in the space of one hour... (461)

Rather than topical snippets, entire segments of Scripture were to be read and exposited in sermons much longer than those to which we are accustomed. The pure preached word of God was to nourish the souls of Christ's flock.

3) They commended care for the poor at the close of every service.

Remember your poor and pray for each other (James 5; Ps. 66). Moreover, may the Lord have mercy on you and bless you. May he shine in your midst with the light of his divine countenance to the glory of his holy name, and may he keep you in his holy and saving peace. Amen. (472)

The above commendation of the poor and benediction was recited to close every service of public worship, following which a collection would be taken by deacons on behalf of those in financial need.

All things considered, this is an invaluable resource both for laypeople seeking to understand the history of the Reformed faith and for ministers seeking to craft God-glorifying and sober liturgies for the Church in our context.