church_n of_o england_n way_n of_o worship_n do_v not_o think_v fit_a to_o separate_a from_o it_o upon_o that_o account_n or_o to_o endeavour_v too_o hasty_o the_o reform_n of_o it_o for_o dr._n burnet_n in_o his_o book_n of_o travel_n tell_v we_o that_o in_o switzerland_n he_o meet_v with_o several_a letter_n from_o some_o of_o our_o english_a clergy_n to_o bullinger_n who_o have_v procure_v a_o kind_a reception_n to_o be_v give_v to_o several_a of_o they_o in_o switzerland_n during_o the_o persecution_n of_o queen_n mary_n by_o which_o letter_n it_o appear_v that_o several_a of_o the_o clergy_n who_o have_v be_v beyond_o sea_n upon_o their_o return_n home_o do_v endeavour_v to_o persuade_v queen_n elizabeth_n to_o let_v the_o matter_n of_o the_o habit_n for_o the_o clergy_n etc._n etc._n fall_n particular_o sand_n afterward_o archbishop_n of_o york_n horn_n afterward_o bishop_n of_o winchester_n jewel_n and_o grindal_n but_o grindal_n in_o one_o of_o his_o letter_n to_o bullinger_n say_v they_o be_v all_o resolve_v to_o submit_v to_o the_o law_n and_o to_o wait_v for_o a_o fit_a opportunity_n to_o reverse_v they_o and_o he_o lament_v the_o ill_a effect_n of_o the_o opposition_n that_o some_o have_v make_v to_o they_o he_o also_o thank_v bullinger_n for_o the_o letter_n he_o write_v to_o justify_v the_o lawful_a use_n of_o the_o habit_n etc._n etc._n and_o in_o fine_a they_o all_o allow_v the_o lawfulness_n but_o not_o the_o fitness_n of_o they_o and_o that_o they_o ought_v to_o submit_v to_o the_o law_n till_o it_o shall_v please_v god_n to_o reverse_v it_o lawful_o see_v burnet_n travel_n p._n 51_o 52._o but_o though_o the_o wise_a sort_n among_o they_o do_v not_o think_v fit_a to_o proceed_v to_o actual_a separation_n from_o the_o church_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o those_o indifferent_a thing_n yet_o some_o there_o be_v of_o a_o more_o fierce_a and_o turbulent_a spirit_n who_o have_v not_o patience_n to_o wait_v god_n leisure_n but_o either_o a_o reformation_n must_v be_v make_v present_o according_a to_o their_o wild_a notion_n and_o the_o queen_n and_o parliament_n must_v tack_n about_o immediate_o to_o their_o pleasure_n or_o else_o to_o your_o tent_n o_o israel_n they_o will_v set_v up_o church_n of_o their_o own_o and_o forsake_v we_o utter_o as_o a_o superstitious_a and_o idolatrous_a church_n not_o fit_a to_o be_v communicate_v with_o and_o thus_o begin_v our_o unhappy_a division_n in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n i_o shall_v not_o trouble_v myself_o to_o trace_v this_o matter_n through_o the_o reign_v of_o queen_n elizabeth_n king_n james_z the_o first_o and_z king_n charles_n the_o first_o nor_o to_o show_v how_o they_o daily_o increase_v and_o grow_v wide_o nor_o the_o many_o sub-division_n and_o scandalous_a breach_n that_o be_v daily_o make_v among_o themselves_o ever_o since_o the_o begin_n of_o separation_n as_o between_o brown_n and_o barrow_n brown_n and_o harrison_n barrow_n and_o johnson_n johnson_n and_o ainsworth_n who_o all_o left_a england_n to_o gather_v separate_a church_n to_o themselves_o in_o the_o low-countries_n but_o scarce_o have_v be_v well_o there_o till_o they_o fall_v out_o all_o among_o themselves_o one_o man_n and_o his_o company_n be_v accurse_v and_o avoid_v by_o the_o other_o and_o his_o follower_n and_o the_o one_o church_n receive_v the_o person_n excommunicate_v by_o the_o other_o till_o they_o become_v ridiculous_a to_o spectator_n and_o at_o last_o some_o of_o they_o be_v glad_a to_o return_v into_o england_n this_o matter_n have_v be_v so_o full_o relate_v by_o dr._n stillingfleet_n in_o his_o mischief_n of_o separation_n p._n 51_o 52_o etc._n etc._n that_o it_o be_v needless_a here_o to_o repeat_v it_o i_o shall_v only_o take_v notice_n that_o ever_o since_o king_n james_n the_o second_v accession_n to_o the_o crown_n the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v lay_v aside_o all_o thought_n of_o controversy_n with_o the_o dissenter_n in_o hope_n that_o they_o will_v have_v join_v for_o their_o common_a safety_n with_o they_o in_o stop_v the_o inundation_n of_o popery_n that_o be_v ready_a to_o break_v in_o upon_o these_o nation_n and_o swallow_v they_o both_o up_o but_o while_o most_o of_o our_o eminent_a divine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o dr._n tillotson_n dr._n stillingfleet_n dr._n burnet_n dr._n comber_n dr._n sherlock_n and_o the_o rest_n be_v employ_v in_o write_v against_o the_o incendiary_n of_o rome_n the_o dissenter_n our_o brethren_n instead_o of_o assist_v we_o be_v make_v themselves_o ready_a for_o war_n with_o we_o as_o appear_v soon_o after_o for_o when_o god_n almighty_n have_v happy_o place_v king_n william_n in_o the_o throne_n a_o convocation_n be_v immediate_o call_v in_o hope_n that_o some_o term_n of_o accommodation_n may_v have_v be_v agree_v upon_o between_o we_o and_o which_o in_o all_o probability_n will_v have_v take_v effect_n if_o the_o dissent_v minister_n have_v be_v as_o forward_o as_o we_o for_o how_o much_o incline_v our_o clergy_n be_v to_o a_o reconciliation_n notwithstanding_o the_o aspersion_n lay_v on_o they_o by_o the_o dissenter_n of_o their_o have_a no_o such_o design_n do_v sufficient_o appear_v by_o several_a of_o their_o write_n see_v dr._n tillotson_n sermon_n preach_v at_o the_o yorkshire_n feast_n anno_fw-la 1679._o pag._n 28._o and_o dr._n sherlock_n sermon_n before_o the_o lord_n mayor_n nou._n 1688._o see_v likewise_o the_o petition_n of_o the_o archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n and_o the_o other_o bishop_n for_o which_o they_o be_v commit_v to_o the_o tower_n and_o see_v the_o article_n recommend_v by_o the_o archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n to_o all_o the_o bishop_n within_o his_o province_n and_o dr._n stillingfleet_n preface_n to_o his_o mischief_n of_o separation_n by_o all_o which_o it_o sufficient_o appear_v how_o desirous_a they_o be_v for_o a_o reconoiliation_n but_o instead_o of_o listen_v to_o any_o such_o thing_n do_v our_o dissenter_n break_v forth_o into_o open_a act_n of_o hostility_n and_o at_o that_o very_a time_n when_o we_o be_v actual_o treat_v of_o accommodation_n with_o they_o do_v they_o publish_v several_a of_o their_o book_n one_o upon_o the_o back_n of_o another_o in_o which_o they_o endeavour_v nothing_o less_o than_o the_o total_a overthrow_n of_o our_o church_n by_o pretend_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o constitution_n of_o our_o church_n be_v new_a and_o unlawful_a and_o that_o our_o worship_n be_v idolatrous_a and_o sinful_a have_v this_o be_v at_o a_o time_n when_o their_o way_n of_o worship_n be_v not_o tolerate_v or_o we_o impose_v on_o they_o with_o penalty_n they_o have_v be_v the_o more_o excusable_a or_o have_v we_o begin_v to_o expose_v their_o extempore_o way_n of_o pray_v as_o we_o may_v easy_o have_v do_v but_o at_o such_o a_o time_n as_o that_o be_v to_o become_v the_o aggressor_n be_v ungrateful_a as_o well_o as_o unseasonable_a but_o now_o since_o the_o dissenter_n have_v think_v fit_a to_o revive_v the_o controversy_n between_o we_o i_o hope_v they_o can_v take_v it_o unkind_o of_o we_o if_o we_o endeavour_v to_o vindicate_v our_o church_n and_o to_o remove_v those_o aspersion_n that_o they_o have_v groundless_o cast_v upon_o she_o but_o this_o have_v be_v do_v so_o learned_o and_o full_o by_o so_o many_o of_o our_o learned_a divine_n already_o that_o i_o will_v not_o prâ—â—end_v to_o do_v it_o better_o or_o to_o say_v much_o more_o than_o what_o they_o have_v say_v before_o i_o i_o shall_v only_o here_o lie_v down_o brief_o the_o substance_n of_o what_o i_o have_v collect_v out_o of_o the_o best_a author_n on_o both_o side_n that_o have_v write_v lare_o on_o this_o subject_a for_o there_o may_v be_v some_o who_o will_v be_v willing_a to_o be_v satisfy_v in_o this_o matter_n and_o yet_o can_v neither_o bestow_v the_o time_n nor_o pain_n to_o read_v all_o the_o book_n of_o controversy_n over_o which_o have_v be_v write_v on_o this_o subject_a first_o then_o we_o will_v examine_v the_o plea_n which_o the_o dissenter_n use_v for_o separation_n and_o show_v the_o insufficiency_n of_o they_o and_o that_o they_o do_v not_o justify_v separation_n according_a to_o their_o own_o principle_n all_o the_o plea_n at_o this_o time_n make_v use_v of_o for_o separation_n may_v be_v reduce_v to_o these_o three_o head_n first_o such_o as_o relate_v to_o the_o constitution_n of_o our_o church_n second_o to_o the_o term_n of_o communion_n with_o it_o three_o to_o the_o conscience_n of_o dissenter_n as_o to_o the_o first_o to_o wit_n such_o as_o relate_v to_o the_o constitution_n of_o our_o church_n they_o say_v first_o that_o our_o parochial_a church_n be_v not_o according_a to_o christ_n institution_n as_o be_v different_a from_o those_o of_o the_o congregational_a way_n second_o that_o our_o diocesan_n bishop_n be_v unlawful_a three_o that_o our_o national_a church_n have_v no_o foundation_n and_o want_v discipline_n all_o be_v
be_v set_v up_o new_a part_n of_o worship_n as_o our_o dissenter_n seem_v to_o do_v when_o they_o charge_v we_o with_o set_v up_o new_a part_n of_o worship_n and_o make_v the_o scripture_n insufficient_a adoration_n we_o all_o agree_v be_v a_o substantial_a and_o proper_a act_n of_o divine_a worship_n but_o whether_o this_o adoration_n be_v perform_v by_o prostration_n or_o by_o bow_v or_o by_o kneel_v be_v a_o circumstance_n in_o itself_o indifferent_a and_o therefore_o they_o who_o differ_v in_o these_o circumstance_n do_v not_o differ_v in_o the_o act_n of_o worship_n but_o in_o the_o manner_n see_v the_o harmony_n of_o confession_n where_o you_o will_v find_v what_o the_o opinion_n of_o other_o reform_a church_n be_v concern_v the_o lawfulness_n and_o usefulness_n of_o ceremony_n the_o latter_a helvetian_a confession_n say_v that_o there_o be_v different_a rite_n and_o ceremony_n find_v in_o the_o church_n let_v no_o man_n judge_v hereby_o that_o the_o church_n dissent_n and_o the_o confession_n of_o bohemia_n have_v wherefore_o those_o rite_n and_o those_o good_a ceremony_n ought_v only_o to_o be_v keep_v which_o among_o the_o people_n of_o christ_n do_v edify_v therefore_o whether_o they_o be_v extent_n or_o bring_v in_o by_o the_o bishop_n or_o by_o the_o council_n ecclesiastical_a or_o by_o other_o author_n whatsoever_o the_o simple_a sort_n be_v not_o to_o trouble_v themselves_o about_o that_o but_o must_v use_v they_o to_o that_o which_o be_v good_a and_o a_o little_a after_o although_o our_o man_n do_v not_o equal_o observe_v all_o ceremony_n with_o other_o church_n which_o be_v not_o a_o thing_n necessary_a to_o be_v do_v yet_o be_v they_o not_o so_o mind_v as_o to_o move_v any_o dissension_n for_o the_o cause_n of_o ceremony_n although_o they_o be_v not_o judge_v to_o be_v altogether_o necessary_a so_o that_o they_o be_v not_o find_v contrary_a to_o god_n word_n and_o the_o augustine_n confession_n have_v some_o man_n than_o may_v ask_v whether_o we_o will_v have_v this_o life_n of_o man_n to_o be_v without_o order_n without_o ceremony_n in_o no_o wise_a but_o we_o teach_v that_o the_o true_a pastor_n in_o their_o church_n may_v ordain_v public_a rite_n or_o ceremony_n and_o beza_n in_o his_o 24_o epist_n agree_v herein_o as_o have_v be_v say_v before_o and_o calvin_n in_o his_o book_n of_o the_o true_a way_n of_o reformation_n ch._n 16._o say_v he_o will_v not_o contend_v about_o ceremony_n not_o only_o those_o which_o be_v for_o decency_n but_o those_o which_o be_v symbolical_a let_v all_o thing_n s_o be_v do_v decent_o and_o in_o order_n say_v the_o scripture_n and_o st._n paul_n tell_v we_o 1_o cor._n 14._o 33._o god_n be_v not_o the_o author_n of_o confusion_n but_o of_o peace_n as_o in_o all_o the_o church_n of_o the_o saint_n but_o to_o come_v home_o to_o our_o dissenter_n mr._n baxter_n in_o his_o poor_a man_n family_n book_n p._n 337._o speak_v of_o our_o public_a worship_n in_o our_o parish_n church_n say_v in_o all_o the_o lawful_a order_n gesture_n and_o manner_n of_o behaviour_n in_o god_n worship_n affect_v not_o to_o differ_v from_o the_o rest_n but_o conform_v yourself_o to_o the_o use_n of_o the_o church_n for_o in_o the_o church_n singularity_n be_v a_o discord_n etc._n etc._n see_v vine_n on_o the_o sacrament_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n p._n 39_o and_o many_o more_o instance_n of_o this_o kind_n may_v be_v give_v but_o what_o have_v be_v say_v be_v sufficient_a to_o show_v that_o such_o ceremony_n as_o serve_v for_o order_n or_o edification_n and_o be_v not_o direct_o contrary_a to_o god_n law_n be_v to_o be_v use_v according_a to_o the_o opinion_n of_o all_o the_o reform_a church_n and_o most_o eminent_a man_n both_o at_o home_n and_o abroad_o now_o how_o shall_v we_o know_v what_o ceremony_n be_v lawful_a and_o what_o not_o it_o be_v to_o be_v note_v that_o the_o nature_n of_o ceremony_n be_v to_o be_v take_v from_o the_o doctrine_n which_o go_v along_o with_o it_o and_o may_v be_v lawful_a and_o not_o lawful_a as_o that_o be_v if_o a_o ceremony_n be_v make_v a_o substantial_a part_n of_o god_n worship_n and_o unalterable_a or_o be_v suppose_v so_o necessary_a as_o that_o the_o do_v of_o it_o will_v be_v a_o thing_n meritorious_a or_o please_a to_o god_n and_o the_o not_o do_v of_o it_o sinful_a though_o there_o be_v no_o human_a law_n which_o require_v the_o do_v of_o it_o then_o it_o become_v sinful_a because_o it_o make_v the_o scripture_n insufficient_a and_o this_o it_o be_v that_o make_v the_o jewish_a ceremony_n of_o wash_v before_o meat_n sinful_a and_o so_o it_o be_v in_o many_o of_o the_o ceremony_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n but_o when_o ceremony_n be_v enjoin_v for_o the_o sake_n of_o order_n and_o uniformity_n in_o god_n worship_n according_a to_o the_o general_a rule_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o to_o prevent_v the_o great_a mischief_n which_o we_o shall_v inevitable_o fall_v into_o if_o every_o pastor_n and_o people_n be_v suffer_v to_o follow_v their_o several_a different_a judgement_n in_o the_o manner_n of_o god_n worship_n than_o they_o be_v lawful_a and_o good_a but_o say_v they_o if_o these_o ceremony_n do_v not_o bind_v the_o conscience_n of_o man_n why_o do_v the_o discipline_n and_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n force_n man_n to_o use_v they_o i_o answer_v the_o church_n do_v not_o oblige_v man_n to_o the_o observance_n of_o these_o ceremony_n as_o thing_n that_o bound_v the_o conscience_n or_o which_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v do_v or_o not_o do_v in_o themselves_o but_o the_o reason_n why_o man_n be_v force_v to_o observe_v they_o and_o punish_v if_o they_o refuse_v be_v because_o they_o be_v appoint_v by_o the_o church_n and_o disobedience_n to_o the_o law_n of_o church_n or_o state_n make_v not_o contrary_a to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n be_v sinful_a rom._n 13._o 5._o and_o 2._o and_o for_o this_o they_o be_v punish_v and_o also_o for_o disturb_v the_o public_a peace_n and_o thus_o we_o justify_v our_o bow_n at_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n at_o seasonable_a time_n and_o all_o our_o ceremony_n since_o the_o church_n have_v appoint_v they_o we_o ought_v to_o obey_v unless_o we_o can_v prove_v they_o to_o be_v sinful_a which_o no_o man_n can_v do_v so_o long_o as_o the_o worship_n be_v direct_v to_o a_o true_a object_n to_o wit_n the_o person_n of_o christ_n as_o for_o the_o ceremony_n of_o bow_v towards_o the_o altar_n note_v the_o canon_n that_o appoint_v it_o do_v not_o oblige_v any_o to_o the_o observance_n of_o it_o but_o leave_v they_o to_o their_o liberty_n as_o to_o the_o posture_n appoint_v by_o the_o church_n of_o england_n for_o receive_v the_o lord_n supper_n to_o wit_n kneel_v it_o be_v a_o circumstance_n which_o may_v be_v vary_v according_a to_o the_o discretion_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n it_o be_v always_o take_v in_o the_o posture_n of_o adoration_n which_o posture_n vary_v according_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o country_n now_o kneel_v be_v the_o posture_n of_o adoration_n in_o these_o kingdom_n the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v therefore_o appoint_v that_o it_o be_v take_v kneel_v and_o indeed_o it_o be_v but_o very_o reasonable_a that_o so_o sacred_a a_o ordinance_n and_o so_o great_a a_o benefit_n shall_v be_v receive_v in_o the_o most_o thankful_a and_o humble_a posture_n that_o may_v be_v and_o that_o sure_o be_v on_o our_o knee_n which_o be_v also_o the_o fit_a posture_n for_o those_o high_a strain_n of_o devotion_n with_o which_o so_o sacred_a a_o work_n ought_v to_o be_v attend_v at_o the_o very_a instant_n of_o take_v it_o the_o only_a objection_n that_o i_o know_v be_v make_v against_o this_o posture_n of_o kneel_v at_o the_o sacrament_n be_v because_o it_o be_v idolatrous_a and_o contrary_a to_o christ_n own_o practice_n it_o be_v strange_a that_o they_o will_v make_v we_o and_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n all_o idolater_n whether_o we_o will_v or_o no_o do_v not_o our_o book_n of_o common_a prayer_n at_o the_o end_n of_o the_o communion_n service_n tell_v they_o as_o plain_a as_o word_n can_v express_v it_o that_o we_o pay_v no_o adoration_n to_o any_o thing_n in_o the_o sacrament_n but_o christ_n himself_o which_o be_v in_o heaven_n and_o yet_o will_v they_o make_v we_o idolater_n for_o all_o this_o have_v any_o of_o they_o ever_o write_v so_o strong_a against_o idolize_v the_o element_n of_o bread_n and_o wine_n in_o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n as_o our_o divine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v do_v and_o yet_o will_v they_o persuade_v we_o we_o be_v idolater_n they_o may_v as_o well_o believe_v that_o we_o worship_v the_o stone_n in_o the_o church-wall_n when_o we_o kneel_v down_o to_o pray_v in_o they_o and_o true_o i_o
so_o go_v on_o and_o then_o he_o prove_v at_o large_a that_o form_n of_o prayer_n be_v not_o only_o necessary_a for_o the_o unlearned_a but_o the_o learned_a also_o and_o show_v the_o insufficiency_n of_o their_o directory_n and_o how_o ridiculous_a it_o be_v to_o suppose_v that_o we_o have_v that_o extraordinary_a gift_n of_o prayer_n that_o they_o have_v in_o the_o apostle_n day_n and_o some_o little_a time_n after_o it_o be_v too_o long_o to_o put_v it_o all_o down_o here_o i_o will_v refer_v you_o to_o dr._n comber_n defence_n of_o liturgy_n ii_o part_n pag._n 325._o and_o will_v go_v on_o to_o show_v the_o opinion_n of_o some_o of_o the_o most_o eminent_a of_o our_o own_o dissenter_n concern_v our_o common-prayer_n mr._n baxter_n in_o his_o poor_a man_n family_n book_n pag._n 336._o say_v do_v not_o peevish_o pick_v quarrel_n with_o the_o prayer_n of_o the_o church_n nor_o come_v to_o they_o with_o humoursome_a prejudice_n etc._n etc._n and_o in_o his_o preface_n to_o the_o same_o book_n he_o say_v he_o mighty_o approve_v of_o form_n of_o prayer_n see_v dr._n owen_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n his_o evangelical_n love_n pag._n 54._o and_o mr._n baxter_n in_o his_o dispute_n of_o liturgy_n prop._n 10._o say_v far_a that_o the_o constant_a disuse_n of_o form_n be_v apt_a to_o breed_v a_o giddiness_n in_o religion_n and_o may_v make_v man_n hypocrite_n who_o delude_v themselves_o with_o conceit_n that_o they_o delight_v in_o god_n when_o it_o be_v but_o in_o those_o novelty_n and_o variety_n of_o expression_n that_o they_o be_v delight_v see_v also_o gifford_n a_o nonconformist_a his_o answer_n to_o greenwood_n he_o write_v a_o whole_a treatise_n prove_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o read_v prayer_n and_o now_o i_o have_v show_v that_o pray_v by_o form_n have_v be_v use_v by_o the_o saint_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n enjoin_v by_o christ_n in_o the_o new_a practise_v by_o all_o the_o holy_a father_n and_o devout_a christian_n who_o live_v ever_o since_o the_o first_o settle_v of_o the_o church_n and_o be_v now_o allow_v and_o practise_v in_o all_o the_o regular_a protestant_a church_n and_o approve_v by_o some_o of_o the_o most_o eminent_a of_o our_o own_o dissenter_n let_v any_o man_n now_o in_o his_o right_a reason_n judge_n whether_o pray_v by_o form_n be_v so_o wicked_a and_o abominable_a a_o thing_n as_o most_o of_o our_o dissenter_n make_v it_o one_o of_o the_o nonconformist_a minister_n in_o a_o book_n which_o he_o publish_a not_o many_o year_n since_o speak_v of_o form_n of_o prayer_n call_v it_o that_o pitiful_a contemptible_a thing_n call_v uniformity_n in_o word_n and_o syllable_n and_o phrase_n which_o be_v never_o desire_v of_o god_n nor_o ever_o enter_v into_o his_o or_o his_o son_n heart_n let_v the_o world_n judge_v now_o whether_o use_v form_n of_o prayer_n etc._n etc._n be_v this_o pitiful_a contemptible_a thing_n they_o be_v please_v to_o make_v it_o or_o the_o book_n that_o contain_v they_o deserve_v no_o better_o usage_n from_o christian_n than_o to_o be_v burn_v in_o the_o street_n by_o the_o common_a hangman_n in_o the_o day_n of_o julian_n there_o be_v never_o any_o thing_n do_v more_o wicked_a than_o to_o burn_v the_o holy_a bible_n but_o even_o to_o that_o height_n be_v those_o who_o call_v themselves_o christians_o arrive_v already_o in_o our_o neighbour_a kingdom_n if_o these_o thing_n be_v suffer_v what_o must_v we_o think_v will_v follow_v but_o the_o main_a text_n of_o scripture_n which_o our_o dissenter_n rely_v on_o for_o to_o defend_v their_o extempore_o prayer_n be_v rom._n viij_o 26._o where_o st._n paul_n say_v the_o spirit_n help_v your_o infirmity_n and_o therefore_o they_o conclude_v they_o ought_v to_o use_v no_o outward_a help_n but_o i_o have_v show_v before_o that_o outward_a help_n be_v to_o be_v use_v as_o kneel_v lift_v up_o the_o hand_n and_o eye_n etc._n etc._n so_o that_o it_o be_v plain_a they_o mistake_v this_o text_n of_o scripture_n and_o it_o be_v evident_a they_o do_v so_o for_o that_o all_o the_o father_n and_o the_o most_o eminent_a man_n of_o the_o church_n as_o calvin_n luther_n etc._n etc._n whenever_o they_o recommend_v the_o use_n of_o liturgy_n they_o give_v this_o reason_n for_o it_o among_o other_o to_o prevent_v the_o inconvenience_n which_o some_o man_n folly_n will_v betray_v they_o to_o in_o their_o use_v rash_a and_o unpremeditated_a prayer_n now_o if_o the_o spirit_n help_v our_o infirmity_n in_o the_o sense_n that_o our_o dissenter_n will_v have_v it_o how_o come_v all_o these_o learned_a man_n yea_o and_o mr._n baxter_n himself_o etc._n etc._n to_o recommend_v form_n as_o necessary_a for_o the_o help_a of_o our_o infirmity_n and_o so_o make_v the_o holy_a spirit_n insufficient_a shall_v we_o believe_v that_o all_o these_o learned_a man_n do_v not_o understand_v the_o meaning_n of_o that_o text_n so_o well_o as_o some_o of_o our_o dissenter_n do_v it_o be_v very_o likely_a that_o st._n augustine_n and_o st._n chrysostom_n who_o live_v near_o the_o apostle_n day_n by_o above_o twelve_o hundred_o year_n than_o any_o of_o our_o nonconformist_n may_v have_v understand_v the_o apostle_n meaning_n better_a than_o any_o of_o they_o now_o let_v we_o hear_v what_o their_o sense_n be_v of_o these_o word_n of_o st._n paul_n we_o know_v not_o what_o to_o pray_v for_o as_o we_o ought_v but_o the_o spirit_n help_v our_o infirmity_n st._n aug._n ad_fw-la prob._n ep._n 121._o p._n 129._o will_v not_o grant_v that_o any_o christian_n want_v the_o spirit_n to_o help_v they_o with_o word_n and_o expression_n for_o he_o say_v it_o be_v not_o credible_a that_o the_o apostle_n or_o they_o to_o who_o he_o write_v be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o lord_n prayer_n and_o therefore_o they_o must_v necessary_o have_v know_v what_o to_o have_v pyrae_v for_o therefore_o these_o word_n the_o spirit_n help_v our_o infirmity_n he_o tell_v we_o must_v be_v expound_v of_o the_o spirit_n be_v give_v we_o patience_n not_o to_o pray_v absolute_o to_o be_v deliver_v out_o of_o our_o affliction_n but_o in_o god_n due_a time_n and_o st._n chrysostom_n in_o his_o hom._n 14._o in_o 8._o rom._n p._n 120._o say_v that_o there_o be_v a_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o prayer_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n to_o which_o st._n paul_n allude_v in_o those_o word_n the_o spirit_n help_v our_o infirmity_n but_o he_o tell_v we_o there_o that_o it_o be_v cease_v long_o since_o that_o be_v before_o his_o day_n though_o he_o live_v in_o the_o four_o century_n so_o that_o whatever_o the_o apostle_n meaning_n be_v then_o it_o can_v no_o way_n be_v take_v in_o the_o sense_n our_o dissenter_n will_v have_v it_o nor_o do_v it_o condemn_v prescribe_v form_n now_o that_o that_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o prayer_n be_v cease_v but_o be_v there_o no_o other_o argument_n against_o the_o use_n of_o extempore_o prayer_n in_o public_a assembly_n than_o the_o inconveniency_n of_o they_o it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o reject_v they_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o order_n or_o unity_n can_v be_v preserve_v in_o any_o church_n where_o every_o congregation_n have_v liberty_n to_o worship_n god_n in_o a_o different_a way_n from_o all_o the_o rest_n one_o minister_n pray_v for_o one_o thing_n and_o another_o perhaps_o for_o the_o quite_o contrary_a at_o the_o same_o time_n according_a to_o their_o different_a judgement_n and_o interest_n as_o be_v usual_a in_o the_o late_a time_n when_o that_o extempore_o way_n be_v use_v beside_o in_o great_a congregation_n it_o be_v impossible_a that_o all_o the_o people_n shall_v keep_v their_o attention_n so_o well_o fix_v on_o a_o extempore_o prayer_n to_o which_o they_o be_v utter_a stranger_n as_o on_o a_o prayer_n to_o which_o they_o have_v be_v accustom_a for_o how_o can_v they_o join_v with_o the_o minister_n in_o every_o petition_n as_o they_o ought_v to_o do_v till_o they_o have_v reflect_v a_o little_a upon_o what_o it_o be_v he_o say_v for_o when_o the_o minister_n be_v leave_v to_o his_o own_o fancy_n in_o his_o prayer_n it_o be_v very_o like_a he_o may_v either_o through_o mistake_n or_o wilful_o come_v out_o with_o some_o petition_n that_o all_o his_o hearer_n can_v join_v with_o he_o in_o so_o that_o it_o be_v necessary_a for_o every_o one_o of_o the_o congregation_n to_o watch_v every_o expression_n and_o reflect_v a_o little_a on_o it_o before_o he_o consent_v to_o it_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n the_o eloquent_a pastor_n to_o show_v his_o extraordinary_a gift_n of_o prayer_n run_v away_o with_o the_o business_n as_o if_o his_o tongue_n be_v indeed_o the_o pen_n of_o a_o ready_a writer_n thus_o the_o poor_a people_n must_v either_o be_v leave_v behind_o or_o join_v with_o he_o at_o random_n another_o inconveniency_n which_o attend_v extempore_o prayer_n be_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o a_o man_n who_o trust_v to_o
my_o conscience_n that_o there_o be_v nothing_o at_o all_o enjoin_v by_o the_o church_n of_o england_n but_o what_o be_v agreeable_a to_o god_n word_n and_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o wise_a man_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n and_o what_o the_o most_o tender_a conscience_n may_v satisfy_v themselves_o in_o if_o they_o will_v but_o make_v use_n of_o the_o proper_a mean_n yet_o i_o can_v hearty_o wish_v that_o many_o thing_n be_v lay_v aside_o if_o that_o will_v purchase_v a_o union_n between_o we_o if_o thing_n which_o be_v allow_v to_o be_v in_o themselves_o indifferent_a as_o posture_n and_o ceremony_n and_o such_o like_a be_v neither_o impose_v nor_o abolish_v but_o leave_v to_o the_o discretion_n of_o every_o christian_n to_o use_v or_o not_o to_o use_v as_o he_o think_v best_o and_o as_o the_o ceremony_n of_o bow_v towards_o the_o altar_n be_v and_o some_o other_o alteration_n make_v such_o as_o you_o may_v see_v in_o the_o proposal_n offer_v to_o the_o parliament_n for_o the_o unite_n of_o protestant_a dissenter_n by_o dr._n s._n dean_n of_o st._n paul_n there_o can_v then_o be_v no_o reasonable_a pretence_n leave_v for_o separation_n but_o if_o nothing_o else_o must_v purchase_v our_o peace_n but_o the_o overthrow_v the_o whole_a constitution_n of_o this_o church_n it_o be_v too_o dear_a a_o purchase_n till_o we_o have_v find_v another_o to_o exchange_v for_o more_o agreeable_a to_o god_n word_n and_o more_o consistent_a with_o the_o peace_n and_o tranquillity_n of_o this_o nation_n but_o that_o we_o have_v not_o find_v yet_o i_o be_o sure_a as_o be_v sufficient_o evident_a by_o a_o plain_a experimental_a proof_n which_o these_o nation_n late_o have_v it_o be_v very_o well_o know_v that_o in_o the_o late_a unhappy_a time_n when_o the_o church_n of_o england_n liturgy_n etc._n etc._n be_v take_v away_o the_o presbyterian_o independent_n and_o other_o party_n pray_v one_o against_o the_o other_o and_o against_o establish_v that_o way_n of_o government_n which_o other_o of_o they_o pray_v for_o divers_a person_n make_v their_o own_o passion_n singular_a opinion_n and_o error_n great_a part_n of_o their_o prayer_n other_o reject_v all_o confession_n of_o sin_n as_o no_o part_n of_o their_o devotion_n in_o many_o place_n of_o england_n the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n be_v lay_v aside_o for_o 12_o or_o 15_o year_n together_o so_o be_v infant_n baptism_n some_o will_v pray_v for_o the_o king_n one_o way_n some_o another_o other_o not_o at_o all_o and_o in_o that_o time_n that_o the_o church_n of_o england_n way_n of_o worship_n be_v lay_v aside_o there_o be_v more_o error_n sect_n heresy_n and_o blasphemy_n broach_v and_o vent_v than_o ever_o before_o or_o since_o this_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o the_o dissenter_n themselves_o see_v a_o book_n call_v gangrena_fw-la part_n 1_o st_z p._n 175._o writ_n about_o the_o year_n 1646._o where_o many_o of_o they_o do_v acknowledge_v that_o we_o say_v they_o in_o these_o four_o last_o year_n for_o so_o long_o have_v presbytery_n be_v uppermost_a have_v overpass_v the_o deed_n of_o the_o prelate_n in_o who_o time_n never_o so_o great_a nor_o so_o many_o error_n be_v hear_v of_o much_o less_o such_o blasphemy_n and_o confusion_n we_o have_v worse_a thing_n among_o we_o more_o corrupt_a doctrine_n and_o practice_n than_o in_o 80._o year_n before_o etc._n etc._n so_o that_o if_o nothing_o must_v purchase_v peace_n between_o we_o but_o the_o part_n with_o our_o religion_n and_o overthrow_v our_o whole_a constitution_n to_o set_v up_o another_o which_o experience_n have_v teach_v we_o be_v neither_o so_o consistent_a with_o god_n glory_n nor_o the_o peace_n of_o these_o nation_n they_o must_v excuse_v we_o beside_o let_v i_o tell_v they_o their_o late_a carriage_n in_o scotland_n have_v give_v we_o great_a reason_n to_o fear_v that_o the_o religion_n they_o so_o much_o boast_v of_o and_o with_o so_o much_o zeal_n endeavour_v to_o set_v up_o in_o this_o nation_n in_o the_o place_n of_o that_o which_o by_o god_n good_a providence_n be_v now_o establish_v be_v not_o the_o true_a religion_n of_o christ_n for_o that_o never_o teach_v any_o to_o affront_n and_o revile_v his_o lawful_a minister_n and_o to_o burn_v the_o holy_a scripture_n as_o they_o have_v do_v now_o more_o than_o once_o i_o pray_v god_n open_v their_o eye_n and_o soften_v their_o heart_n and_o give_v they_o grace_n to_o repent_v finis_fw-la