I understand how difficult it is to challenge the establishment. The "prescribed manner" issued forth by scholars in the matter of religious observations and practices.

The matter most paramount in all this, is to continue to strive for perfection. Continue to be Bereans in the diligence of studying the Scriptures and not just taking someone else's word for it simply because they may be respected in academic circles or have a massive following.

The Puritans were the closest to the Apostles in their navigation of the Word and the application of it in their lives. But they were not perfect.

Case in point; Martin Luther.

While Luther is credited with kicking off the Reformation against Popery, he only kicked it off. He was not infallible in the effort. He did bring to light the dangers of indulgences, relics, and even the blind obedience to Leo X.

He did not address the entire infrastructure of Roman Catholicism. He did not renounce Maryism (to my knowledge). He did not renounce the physical presence of Christ in the wafer. He did not renounce the idolatry of the Mass nor did he have the foresight to distinguish the origins of the Christian religion as not being of Roman origin.

The point I'm attempting to make, is to not put your practices and faith lock, stock, and barrel, in men and the traditions that follow them, unverified.

The Reformation against Popery was only the beginning of the deliverance from the oppressive tyranny of the Roman Catholic Church. What the Refirmers failed to realize, is that the entire Roman infrastructure and culture is corrupted; from the pit of hell (where it originated) to the third Heaven.

We MUST destroy the whole system. To do that, we must discipline ourselves by devouring the only antidote to the disease of Rome; the Word of God.

We must strive as if our lives depend on it; because they do depend on it.

May the Lord Jesus Christ bless and preserve you.