effectuall with his members reading old conceptions in any Divine Service 2. The censuring of read prayers is an indirect disallowing of reading the Scriptures except the Lords Prayer which expresseth all our wants and that for the same reasons which they use against read prayers viz. They are read They expresse not all our wants Men know them before they read them They are often repeated They are not their conceptions who read them 3. Thus thou disallowest that aged men sing psalms which is more barnelie then reading of prayers for children delight more in musick But except we be humble like bairnes in submitting our selves to the simplicitie of Gods word we shall not enter into the kingdome of Heaven 4. Reading and conceiving prayers without feeling is both bairnly and manly for it is naturall to young and old to pagans and Pharisaicall professours but if there be a sense and feeling Gods Spirit worketh it above nature 5. If few conceptions maâ—â— prayers bairnly then our set forms are more manly then almost all the prayers in Scripture of any form for we expresse mo conceptions in them Thus our Novators will seem to have more of the working and presence of Gods Spirit then all Gods Saints in Scripture and out of Scripture who follow not their errours because they have longer prayers God grant that they devour not widows houses under pretence of long prayers and that they think not to be heard by much speaking as Christ speaketh of the Heathen Matth. 6. Shall Christ and his Saints in Scripture be esteemed lesse zealous lesse religious and of lesse perfection because their prayers were shorter and because many of their prayers did not expresse all their wants Quest Why hath Gods Spirit mixed prayers with the praising of God in the Psalmes Answ That in our mirth and singing we should not be exalted out of measure but in the midst of our mirth we should remember our miserie in seeking iuccour and relief 2. Because the prayers include in themselfs a confession of his praise for when we seek good things it is an acknowledging that God is able and willing to give them this is a great praise 3. Christ in the Lords prayer did joine praise with prayer to stir up our courage in the assurance that God will hear us when we say For thine is the kingdome power and glory c. And in the psalms prayer is joyned with praise for the same end also thus we pray in a cheerfull manner and praise God in a modest gravitie Adde these following to the Chap. 5. Of formall and materiall praise in the psalms Quest WHat is divine praise formally Answ It is a serious and loving commemoration of any good thing that is in God or from God which is done to the setting foorth of his excellencie and worthinesse Thus if the words expresse directly his properties and noble acts to be in him or from him whether in a proper or figurative speach it is a formall divine praise It is acted two wayes first without melodie and in prose as when Job said The Lord hath given and the Lord hath taken blessed be the Name of the Lord Job 1. and David said Let us fall into the hands of the LORD for his mercies are great 2 Sam. 24. Secondly or with melodie vocall or instrumentall If it was vocall only the Hebrews called it Shir a song if instruments were added to it then it was called Mizmor a psalme Quest What is divine praise materially when this formalitie is not expressed Answ When the good things which procure praise unto God or prove Him to be praise-worthie are mentioned not expressing any confession that they belong unto God as the first five verses of the first psalm prove by way of consequent that God is good and bountifull in that they are blessed who sit not with scorners but meditate continually on Gods lavv c. If God were not good and bountifull they could not be blessed nor prosper for as wicked tyrants afflict the godly rather than others so would God do if he were unmercifull and cruell 2. When the wicked deeds of Doeg and Achitophell and others are mentioned it commendeth the long suffering patience of God in that they lived on the earth a moment his justice is more manifested in punishing them 3. In the psalmes 6.51 and 143. in their prayers by way of consequent God is acknowledged to bee Almighty and mercifull otherwise men would not seek such things from him 4. All formall praise consisteth in an expressed confession and acknowledgement that the good things are in God or from God The materiall praise hath not this confession and acknowledgement expressed but understood and included in the words and may be proven to be procured and merited by the things mentioned in the words 5. The materiall praise is as true and reall as the formall as true praise is included in this prayer Leave not my soul in hell as when we say Thou hast not left or dost not or shall not leave my soul in hell by way of confession but the praise included in the prayer is not so conspicuous Quest Why is the book of divine praise called the book of the psalmes seeing many prayers are also in it Answ Because these prayers are also divine praises materiallie though not formallie for divine praise is included in them 2. Many works are named from the things in them which are of greatest moment or manyest in number a book of Jeremy is called the Lamentations for it is full of mourning speeches yet divine praises and prayers are also in it the books of the Kings have also histories of some priests and prophets the Lords prayer hath also some formall praise in it viz. For thine is kingdome power and glory c. but mo formald petitions and prayers are in it praise is included in them in the first three for things that concern Gods glory in the last three for things that concerns mans necessitie Quest Can we in one sentence and in the same words both praise God and pray unto him at once Answ Many sentences have formall praise which include no prayer in them as when we say God is Almighty and Eternall God dwelleth in heaven Christ is the only begotten Son of God he is God and Man in one person but no sincere prayer wanteth divine praise included in it the formall prayers of the psalmes have materiall praises included in them and so he that singeth the prayer doth also praise 2. Two contraries in extreme degrees can not be in one subject as they may be in their remitted degrees prayer and praise are diverse things but not contrary then as the Sun in one beame of light may send down both heat and illumination at once so we may send up unto God prayer and praise in one sentence whether the prayer be formall and the praise materiall as O Lord rebuke me not in thine anger for it redoundeth to Gods praise
more substantiall and true prayers then the outward expressions alone though both severally be called prayers 2. These images in a lively way teach us how to form our prayers but the holy Ghost inableth us effectually to pray whether we use the means of hearing or seeing these images so the most substantiall prayers can not bee born in a pocket or gotten from men though the expressions may be gotten from men it is only the expressions which men receive from ministers as they concur but the holy Ghost addeth true prayer to the expressions heard or seene Quest Christ after his ascension gave gifts unto men to bee faithfully used should we then by reading neglect our conceptions Ans You need not neglect them seeing you may conceive as much as ever you did before or after reading 2. True grace is more known in using the basest means as Christ and his servants used then to use the most glorious means that our loftie nature affecteth most Q. The Scripture biddeth us pray it biddeth not read the words Ans Neither biddeth it conceive the words 2. We are bidden drink wine in a cup at the Lords supper we are not bidden drink in a cup of mettall or timber shall we therefore use only cups of gold rejecting silver cups saying they are not Gods ordinance because they are not expresly commanded to be used at the Sacrament and shall we say that cups of gold are Gods ordinance because we esteeme most of them when as God warrandeth not the one more than the other So we are commanded to pray without naming any form yet we should rather use both the forms then both these cups for examples of both the forms but not of the mater of sacramentall cups is mentioned in Scripture Then when generals are commanded in Scripture we should obey in such particulars as wherein true obedience may bee seene So we may pray truely in any form read or not read if we do otherwise the cause is not in the form but in our corrupt naturs that can not use the formes which the dearest Saints used Quest Is it not idolatrie in Gods worship to direct our faces towards a book we should look up to heaven where God sitteth in glory Answ If thou canst read turning thy back to the book thy speach would seeme to have some reason But thou canst not read without looking on the words the book is not a religious object of adoration but an object of necessitie 2. The words are images of the things signified if it be idolatrie to direct thy face towards them at prayer so should it be at the singing of Psalmes and at the reading of scriptures for it is Divine Service to read GODS word for edification 3. Elias upon mount Carmel and our Saviour in the garden without idolatrie prayed with their faces towards the earth Quest How many wayes doth Gods word warrand us to exercise spirituall dueties in particular circumstances Answ Three wayes 1. When Gods word expreslie commandeth the duety with the circumstances as when the Lord forbad his disciples to fast like the hypocrits he bade them wash their faces and anoint their heads 2. When scriptures bring exampls of the godly practising these duties in their circumstances as when Steven prayed kneeling Act 7. 3. It warrandeth by way of consequent that is it commandeth the general duety not showing the particular circumstances But none can obey except in circumstances which inable them to obey Then Gods word which commandeth the duety expresly consequently commandeth to use the same circumstances because without them they can not do the duety Wee have a threefold warrand of setformes of prayer in scripture 1. It is commanded as in Math. 6. Luk. 11. He sets down the manner and forme of prayer 2. We have examples of set formes in scripture as the blessing of the Priests it was also commanded Numb 6. And Christ prayed thrise in the same words in the garden So did the Psalmest in the Psal 80.3 By of consequent the scripture proveth that such as can not understand nor imitat new conceptions must use often repeated conceptions or else they can not pray at all And learned men though they can conceive by the same consequent they must use set formes or else they can not teach the weak ones to pray neither can they be free of the contempt of the practise of Christ and of his servants and of the simplicitie of GODS word except they use also set formes They should not seeme wiser but esteeme it great wisdome to imitat them in things lawfull which are neither cerimoniall rites that are abrogat nor miracles that can not be imitat Then as Christ commanded to give almes to the poor consequently he commanded Peter to cure a creple because he had no other riches He commanded to baptise with water consequently biddeth that in cold regions infants should be sprinkled least dipping in water kill or hurt them So in commanding us to pray he willeth us to use formes fittest for our habilitie Quest Commandeth he such as can not make use of conceived formes consequently to read or hear them read Answ He willeth 1. that they pray in set formes and concur with them 2. And if they can not read they should get some set formes perquier by hearing them often repeated by reading without reading 3. And for that purpose ministers should read them for the best memories through cold and other deseases will forget words unawares and they say other words of the same sense for them yet it confoundeth weak memories who are forced to forget the words in whose place they hear new words repeated A book is an artificiall memory ordained to help the weaknes of naturall memories for this end God did writ his law on two tables caused his prophets write the scriptures Gods Spirit worketh holy motions in mens hearts at the hearing of his word read and also of read prayers which the enemies of read prayers confesse were dyted by Gods Spirit at the first conception and what hindereth him to be still effectuall with his own work Quest Is it not a shinting of prayers if the weak ones use set formes only Answ It is rather a stinting when the strong ones use conceived formes only they stint the forme though not the words men stint their prayers when they use only a part and not the full liberty which God hath granted in his word when they are able to use the rest also which the weak ones cannot do God hath given them liberty only to use a set form for he hath not made them capable of any further so that without miracle they can not conceive 2. They who urge them to conceive because others can conceive they tempt God as if they urged them to speak all languages because the apostles spake them If God enlarge their gifts none hindereth them also to conceive 3. Neither are they so stinred but they have liberty to concur with
c. They act his materiall praise also in that themselves are the excellent works of God a matter of great praise and therefore they should take notise of themselves to be stirred up to praise God formally as they are alwayes his praise materially 2. All other creatures act only his materiall praises that is They are a matter of his praise in that they show forth in themselves admirable effects of his power wisdome love bountifulnesse justice and holinesse c. which things prove procure most great praise and glory And therefore in the psalme 148. all creatures are exhorted to praise God that is They should show forth the excellent things that God placed in them that the great creator of all may be taken notise of thereby and praised The psalmest speaketh to dumb creaturs who can not make answer but in that God inableth them to hold out show to the world his excellent gifts it is in stead of an answer for it is a materiall praising of God And also his speach to creatures void of understanding provoketh men to take notise of Gods gifts in the creatures to be stirred up to praise God formallie lest they prove worse then the creatures Quest Our Psalms in meeter are they a translation or a paraphrase of the Hebrew text You call them paraphrases as the set forms of prayer are of the Lords prayer Answ The miter showeth them to be paraphrases for it hath the meaning of the text in mo words then a translation requireth 2. When translators adde mo words then the just interpretation requireth it is because the meaning of the text can not otherwise be understood and yet the text that hath these words added if with these words all be considered as parts of one sentence they are a short paraphrase because more then the text is added to explicat the text But when all the words or sentences of the book are explicat and illustrat by other words there the whole work is a paraphrase 3. The most learned Latine Poets call their psalms turned mirer a paraphrase Buchanan calleth his psalms Paraphrasis Poetica because sometimes sentences figurative speaches and other illustrations and words are added to the text sometimes the words of the text are turned into other words and sentences of the same sense these things are done in the whole work that the Poet may have choose of words to make the miter agree with the text so is it with our psalms in miter for no Scriptures can bee turned into miter by a naked translation Qu. If our psalms in miter be a paraphrase then we may make paraphrases of all the Scripturs and so read them publictly A. That is not needful for many scripturs are understood at the reading without a paraphrase 2. If our psalms in meeter were only the translated text then Preachers should make sermons on them and readers should read them publictly as they do other scripturs the verses in miter cited to prove matters of divine verity 3. It were not hurtfull but profitable for the hearers sometimes to read paraphrases of all scriptures but this is supplied by preaching catechising by the plainnes of many scripturs at the reading then these paraphrases are not so needfull Quest Seeing the translators of other Scripturs adde some vvords to the text vvhy may not the translations be called paraphrases Ans If the whole scripturs had illustrations other helps forsaid in every sētence as the book of the psalms hath then might it be so called but such helps are few seldom foūd in other scripturs Adde these following to the chap. 6. viz. GIve some example in the book of the Psalms where the vvhole sentence Gloris to the Father and to the Son c. is said in substance Answ In Psal 110.1 The Lord said to my Lord c. that is The Father said to the Son sit thou at my right hand c. and vers 2. the holy Ghost is called The rod of thy strength He is a golden scepter holden out to comfort the godly but an yron rod to bruise the wicked thus glory is given to all the three persons the Father is glorified in subduing the enemies of Christ the Son is glorified in sitting at the right hand of God and that his enemies shall be his footstool the holy Ghost is glorified in that he is the effectuall rod of Gods power ruling in the mids of Christs enemies and subduing them and in verse 4. the Eternitie of the three persons is expressed in that the Lord made Christ a Priest for ever without beginning and without ending because He is after the order of Melchisedeck Heb. 7. He can not be a priest for ever except God his Father continue for ever for none can be a priest without a God unto whom he must offer sacrifice and with whom he must interceed for people the holy Ghost must also continue for ever for if the anoynting whereby Christ is effectuall shall cease at any time then Christ could no longer remain a priest nor doe that office So in this psalm God is glorified according to the full sentence wherewith we conclude our psalmes Quest Pope Damasus caused first that sentence be sung in Gods Kirk should we not reiect it because papists first practised it Answ Shall no man make use of cities tents harps and musicall instruments because cursed Cain builded the first city and his children invented the rest Balaam the false prophet fist said Let me die the death of the righteous Palladius sent from pope Celestine brought the gospel first into Scotland and one Augustine sent from pope Gregorie brought it into England when popish superstition was greater then in the dayes of Damasus who lived in the 400 year Palladius in the 500. and this Augustine in the 600 year of Christ The builders of Babel first spake all languages shall wee therefore absteene from all these things 2. Therefore let us embrace the good things agreeable to Gods word which they made use of but cast away the infidelitie of Balaam the vain confidence of the builders of Babel the superstition of papists who used this sentence at the masse and at the end of every psalm read or sung 3. Pope Damasus said not first the substance of that sentence neither used he it first in musicall praise the substance of it was said in Revel 4.8 and it was sung when the psalm 100. was first sung and other passages of the psames have the sentence included in them as the psalm 45. vers 7. psalm 2. and salm 136. Quest Is it comely at one exercise of divine praise to sing parts of diverse psalmes together as if they were parts of one psalm or song and that in publict meetings Answ Gods Spirit approveth it by the like practise in 1 Chron. 16 7. When David gave a psalm to thank the Dord into the hands of Asaph and his brethren this song or psalm was made up thus to wit from the verse eight of the chapter unto the end of the verse 23. are written fifteene verses of the psalme 105. and from the 23 verse unto the end of the verse 33. are written the words of the whole psalme 96. and in the verse 34. is the first verse of the psalm 107. all is one song Item the first five verses of the psal 108. are the last five verses of the psal 57. and the rest of the psal 108. are the last eight vers of the psal 60. Quest. Is it not good to practise some of these erroneous novations for eschewing of shisme and for keeping of union and conformitie with some religious persons who in great Zeal defend them Zeal in defending error is not a godly but a blind zeal it is thus known in that they defend these errors as carefully as they do the clearest principals of divine veritie and they persecute such as embrace them not as if they were hereticks 2. Would thou keep union with them in their errours rather than with Christ and his apostles who were immediatly taught by Gods Spirit in divine veritie which admitteth not such novations By so doing you eschew not but you entertaine a most dangerous schisme dividing your selves from the puritie of the most loyal and infallible preachers of the truth 3. If for to make you strong with humane friendship you so despise Gods truth that you make errors equall unto it professing both together as if they were both but one truth then it will be a just reward if God suffer you to fall by degrees into palpable antichristian darknesse and if God kindle unquenchable hatred and discord between you and your affected societie wo shall be to him that maketh flesh his arme Jerem. 17.5 FINIS
as if you would say I am not sufficiently sensible nor cōforted in the assurance that my former words were accepted therefore I pray again for the same things No man hath power and authoritie from GOD to abrogate or despise any form which GODS word approveth Quest If we use set formes we should only use the Lords prayer for no other forme is enjoined to us Answ The apostles also used other set forms and so do we they spake by the Spirit in using them also Quest In Numb 6. the Lord said Thus shalt thou blesse that is in this manner Hee said not Vse the same words Ergo the Priests used not a set form of blessing If thus import the same sense then it is a set form of sense why may not the same sense have the same words seeing the words are a manner of speaking as the sense is a manner of signification no words can better expresse the same sense then the words that Gods Spirit hath dited 3. The text showeth that the priests should have used the same words for the Lord saith Thus shalt thou blesse saying The Lord blesse thee they are bidden say The Lord blesse thee this is the manner how they shall blesse 4. Albeit the priests had used only conceived words yet the despisers of set formes blesse only in a set forme Quest What call you stinted prayers Are they lawfull Ans Both prayers and divine praise are stinted when men willingly reject the ful libertie of using them which GOD hath granted GOD in his word hath given us alike warrand and libertie to use both conceived and set forms of prayer hee that rejecteth any of the two stinteth to himself the form which he useth and restraineth the libertie which GODS Spirit hath granted in rejecting the other form The papists in their service book have stinted set formes others stint unto themselves conceived forms though they alter the words yet they stint the form but we stint neither the form nor the words because 1. we use both the forms 2. we sometimes change the formes a set form into a conceived form or we use diversitie of set forms in the same purpose and so we stint not the words of a set form 3. At the end of a conceived prayer wee sometimes say a set form as the LORDS prayer or the blessing sometimes we conceive words at the end of a set form 4. Sometimes we mixe words of a set forme among conceived words Quest Do not many through envie complaine that we absteine from set forms because themselves want eloquence Ans It is as true in some who want it as it is true in others who have it that they despise such as want it 2. But it is not true in many both private and publict persons who have as much eloquence as you have and yet they use set forms not onely to countenance the lawfull practise of Christ his prophets and apostles but also because GODS Spirit worketh by it and warrandeth it in his word as he doth conceived formes Quest Should not all men conceive at all times for Gods word proveth that all men can conceive as Ioel 2.18 I will poure out my Spirit upon all flesh and Zacharie 12. I will poure out upon the house of David and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication Answ Thus you prove that both private and publict persons can conceive which we deny not of some but negligent pastours know not that others can never conceive nor yet understand mens conceptions they know not pastorall dueties who know not this both of young and aged persons 2. But you make a false glesse on these texts as if the pouring out of the Spirit in Joel were only a giving of the gift of conceiving prayers Peter Act. 2. interprets it to be the extraordinarie gifts of the Spirit given unto GODS servants in a greater measure then was usuall as diversities of tongues prophesies visions working of miracles c. and also the ordinarie gifts as faith hope charitie humilie temperance c. were given more largely and you interpret the Spirit of grace and supplication in Zacharie to be only the gift of conceiving prayers as if Christ his prophets and apostles wanted the spirit of grace and supplication when they used set forms Quest Are not conceived formes of greater dignitie and therefore wee should not use set formes Answ Doth GOD abolish the Moon and Stars because the Sun is of greater dignitie Shall a man cut off his little finger because the other fingers are stronger Shall the Sacraments bee neglected because the Word edifieth more 2. The two forms of prayer are of equall dignitie in these respects viz. they have one author the holy SPIRIT who dyted them in his Word they are both in one language they both signifie alike excellent and spirituall things both alike able to stir up our devotion otherwise the LORD would not have used set formes in his greatest extremitie it is out corruption that hindereth us to make such use of them Eloquence and varietie of words are much admired by Pagans and naturall men like Agrippa who was almost perswaded to be a Christian and yet was void of sanctification Our corruption doth still dote too much upon the same though we be Christians so that we contemn the other form which Christ and his Saints made use of 3. All the prerogative of a conceived form is that it expresseth mo meditations than a set form but it neither maketh our prayer more acceptable unto GOD neither can it expresse more excellent things The examples foresaid of Christ and his Saints do show that GOD accepteth the one as well as the other and if he make a difference it is his custome oftimes to respect more of the things which the world esteeme least of so CHRIST in his greatest extremitie choosed a set form as was said before see the rest in the next chapter CHAP. IIII. They forbid all reading of prayers Qu. SHould not set formes be said from the memorie or from the heart that is they should be said perqueer seeing reading of prayers is not commanded in Scripture Answ Neither repeating from the memorie nor conceiving of prayers nor singing of psalmes on a book nor off the book are commanded in Scriptures should they therefore not be used The dueties of prayer and praise are commanded and these circumstances are lawfull usefull and no wayes hurtfull to these exercises 2. Whether you read them out of the invisible book of your memorit or from the visible book of paper the words are alike heard by the people and the devotion of both reader and hearer is alike stirred up thereby if the corruption of our unruly hearts and itching ears hinder not Qu. Is it not ridicolous if a child ask from his father bread or a fish on paper so is it to read prayers unto God Answ It is as comely thus to seek benefits from God as to
sometimes true prayer may come from the heart alone Quest No Apocrypha should be brought into publict assemblies but onely Gods word and the lively voites of his owne graces mens writings are Apocrypha Answ Mens sermons the psalmes in meeter and conceived prayers are not Canonick more then read prayers 2. If they be the lively voices of GODS graces so are read prayers for godly men gifted with GODS graces first conceived them and they still signifie the same things and men having saving grace use them as the first conceivers did in earnest prayer assisted by GODS Spirit so that they make use of them as if themselves had conceived them Quest Mens writings are not without errour they carie not such majestie as the pen of the holy Ghost they are not so authentick confirmed by signes and wonders Answ Neither are mens unwritten conceptions so authentick Quest Doe not read prayers restraine the libertie of GODS Spirit who inableth men to conceive Answ Not for neverthelesse of them men may conceive as much as ever they did 2. Did Christ his Prophets and Apostles restrain this libertie when they said set forms 3. Seing GODS Spirit in his word indited both the forms they restrain his libertie who abolish any of the forms from GODS publict worship seeing GODS word which alloweth these forms is made publict to the world Quest Is it not a quenching of the Spirit to read other mens words when I should poure forth mine owne heart Answ If you have the same wants the words of a read prayer are yours as well as these who first conceived them GOD doth not appropriat words and speeches to particular men Thou wouldst have people to concur with thy conceived words which are no more theirs then read words if the one be a quenching of the SPIRIT so is the other for both are the words of other men and both are set formes to the people that conceived them not 2. It is not a quenching but a cherishing of the Spirit to use reverently the gifts which he made usefull to others it is a quenching to despise these gifts 3. Some being in stranger churches were much moved with set formes thinking them to be newly conceived because they never heard them before but at the next hearing of them they become loathsome So it is not the form but the noveltie of the words which pleaseth mens itching ears GODS word it self often tepeated is loathsome to our corrupt nature Some judge GODS SPIRIT to be like themselves delighting only in noveltie of words and therefore they make idols of new conceptions affirming that GODS SPIRIT speaketh only when men use new conceptions The papists banish away conceived forms others discharge set forms True grace should make us strive against both these extremities in the battell between the flesh and the SPIRIT for GODS Spirit indited both the forms in his word 4. A set form at the first hearing is esteemed a work of the SPIRIT but afterwards unconstant people despise the same words as a work of Satan Quest Ministers are called to preach and not to do the office of Readers Answ Then neither should they read the psalmes when they sing nor text when they preach as did the LORD out of Esay 61 1 in Luke 4. 2. Prayer is not preaching if they be only called to preach they should not pray in any form 3. Thus some confesse against themselves that a set form may be used for they say it belongeth to Readers 4. If Ministers be called to preach then they may do the office of Readers and they should do it when they want Readers for all GODS word are canonick preachings of GODS truth his mercies judgements power and wisdome and of his properties works and wonders c. Ministeriall preachings serve for a further explication clearing of the sense and application of the canonick preachings Quest Is not the reading of a prayer a neglect of conception and a shamefull prostrating of our selves to be ruled by men even to the shame of our heavenly Father who giveth unto us better gifts Ans There is no such neglect seeing you may conceive before or after the reading 2. If you concur with a conceived prayer the shame is as great you are no lesse ruled by men whose conceptions are no more thine then the conceptions of read prayers 3. It shameth not but it honoureth GOD if you reverently use the work of his SPIRIT in others but when thou despisest that which he approveth in his word on thy part thou procurest his shame Quest To read a prayer when men may conceive it is to bring the weak and the lame when they have a male in the flock Malac. 1.14 Answ But if I conceive before or after the read prayer I offer the male also 2. If I read a prayer with faith with fervent desires and humble expressions it is a male without blemish before GOD through Christ the Lord and his apostles and prophets offered such males reading set forms from the invisible book of their memorie So wee may read from the visible booke of paper which is an artificiall memorie A book is a rich treasure of conceptions an artificiall memorie a wonderfull providence of God to help such as are weak both of understanding and memorie Quest Should not Christians studie to perfection and grow in godly exercises Answ The grouth of Christians is not in multitude and varietie of words and conceptions for Tullius and Demosthenes might then have been Christians who could be eloquent in any subject even in Christian maters if they had midled with them albeit they had been but hypocrits 2. Neither consisteth this grouth in forsaking the form of prayer which Christ the fulnesse of all perfection used and approved in others but it is a grouth in holinesse of life heavenly knowledge faith hope charitie fervencie in prayer of any form and in other spirituall graces and in doing good works Our Lord in his greatest perfection ended his life saying a few words first conceived by David in psal 31.5 Into thy hands I commit my Spirit and Steven said Lord Jesus receive my Spirit Quest If any that can walk perfectly come to his father creeping or desiring to be born by others will it not offend his father and procure a refusall rather than the benefits which be seeketh So he that can conceive cloquently if be read a prayer or say a set form and so is born up by other mens speaches be offendeth God and procureth a refusall of his benefits Answ Hee that concurreth with conceived prayers is as much born up with other mens speaches 2. Thus the high Priests using the words of the blessing which Aaron first said and the Prophets and Apostles using such set forms as are mentioned in the preceeding chapter are here reproached as born up by these speaches or that they offend GOD using set forms when they may conceive and CHRIST is blasphemed as an offender of GOD and so is
a sinner in repeating his owne words againe in the garden and the words of the psalme 22.1 and psal 31.5 if he might conceive or he is blasphemed if they say he used set forms because he could not conceive 3. Men walk uprightly both unto GOD and with GOD by true faith in whatsoever form they pray though blind zeale knoweth no walking but by varietie of conceptions and eloquence 4. Whether we read words or say them from the memorie expressing the same wants the words belong to him that prayeth as much as to the first conceivers As the light of the Sun is no more proper to them that first used it then to such as used it afterwards so is it with words and languages which are the gifts of the holy GHOST whether men acquire them immediatly as the apostles did on the Pentecost or by studies and education as all others doe Quest Is it not sufficient that set forms be committed to Readers for publict reading Answ When prelats did commit baptisme and the LORDS Supper to the inferiour Clergie and themselves did minister confirmation it made the people despise the LORDS ordinances and magnifie humane confirmation So when Preachers commit the reading of prayers only to Readers the people despise them because the Preachers despise them Quest I acknowledge the set forms in Scripture for Gods Spirit did indite them but the set formes out of Scripture have not such authoritie Answ Neither have the conceived forms out of Scripture such authoritie 2. But GOD to whom we speak hath as great authoritie when wee read our own set formes as when we read GODS word it self then our reverence to GOD should be no lesse 3. Seeing GODS Spirit was effectuall with both the formes in Scripture what restraineth his operation from the one more than from the other out of Scripture Quest The books of Discipline show that our first Reformers purposed not that set forms should continue for ever in the church of Scotland but only untill that God send sufficient able men but who can blame giftlesse old and failed men to plead for a stoffe helping themselves to walk Answ This reproach redoundeth to our blessed Saviour and to his servants foresaid as if they wanted spirituall gifts when they used set formes 2. Few or no preachers since the first reformation were so unable but they also used conceived prayers 3. Therefore it should be insert in the books of Discipline that set forms must continue in the church for these causes 1. For people that can not conceive that by frequent hearing of them they may remember some words for their private use rather then to pray nothing at all 2. For preachers diseased in the head whereby their conception is troubled 3. For other preachers least afterwards they be diseased that then the suddain change of the form seeme not strange unto the people 4. Both to countenance their infirme brethren and to countenance the LORD his prophets and apostles who used set forms not through infirmitie but because the words were sanctified and directed by Gods Spirit and were as acceptable to God and as able to expresse their desires as new conceived words They who love Christ should countenance himself and his members and their religious exercises chiefly when they are in contempt as set forms are at this time this is a confession of Christ and of his word before men 5. For repressing the insolencie of such as are puft up with eloquence doting so upon it as if Gods Spirit were not effectuall without it Quest Should any pray for the space of dayes moneths and years untill that Gods Spirit come and assist them Answ They who want faith can not pray though they use the words of prayer yet no man should be hindered to pray for none knoweth what is in man but his own Spirit the Lord suffered babes to come to him though they understood not the word which worketh faith 2. They who have faith may pray at all times for Gods Spirit never leaveth his owne work though sometimes hee bee more or lesse effectuall in them Quest Should not these novations be received seeing their defenders are of a godly life and conversation Answ The danger is so much the greater for as a godly life helpeth to edifie when men preach Gods truth so the blamelesse life of the pharisies and of hereticks did procure great respect unto their heresies and errours which a profain life could never do 2. When Paul persecuted the truth he was blamelesse touching the righteousnesse of the law Phil. 3.6 3. If they be godly in life and of a sound judgement when they consider these things more deeply they will glorifie God in forsaking them It proceedeth not from Gods Spirit to despise the form of worship which Hee approved and commanded in his word such were the Lords prayer the blessing of the priests and the praying for the coming of Christ Revel 22. 4. None are more godly then Christ and his apostles who used both the forms Quest If people concur with any prayer before the sentence be ended take they not Gods name in vain not knowing what they pray for Answ So they do if they concur by assenting or saying Amen before they know the full sentence it is a mocking of God to seek the thing they know not 2. If the preacher pray for one that was sick and the people are informed that he is dead it is superstition if they concur So is it if hee pray that people may show their humilitie by kneeling to sacraments or idols or that they thankfully remember Christs doings and sufferings by keeping superstitious dayes but they may concur with set formes before the sentence bee ended if they have them in their memorie because they know the matter CHAP. V. Some interrupt Gods worship continually reading the lines of the psalme by intermissions in the time of singing Quest HOW is it that many despise set formes of prayer and yet they praise God is set formes of muter When did Gods Spirit choose the one and refuse the other both are paraphrases and not texts of Scripture to vvit of the Lords prayer and of the psalmes Some use a double set form to vvit the miter and the proclaiming of linese this vvas never practised nor commanded in Scripture as vvere the single set forms of prayer and praise A. Blind zeal proclameth the lines that such as can not read may sing but they neglect to repeat a set form which is more needfull that they may learn to pray privatly rather than to pray nothing at all 2 The miseries of this life and happines of the life to come do show that prayer is more requisit now and praising of God in the next life we have dayly motives of praise but much more of prayer Quest. What errours are committed in repeating the lines at singing Answ There is a continuall abusing of Gods name in it for men oftimes sing divine praise not knowing
what they speak of God as in psal 8.1 O God our Lord how wonderfull One that hath not the psalm in their memory knoweth not if the works or mercies or fearfull judgements of God or the great power and cruelty of the enemies be called wonderfull untill that the line be sung out and the next line read In psal 84.1 O Lord since vengeance doth to thee c. three lines are sung out and the fourth read before they know the sentence and weak memories forget what they sing before the second or third line be read some can not repeat the first line after the reading They abuse Gods name also when the last line is read albeit they understand it for it is a none sense to sing only apart viz. the last line not the whole sentence with understanding and many understand not the sentence even at the hearing of the last line because they forget the former lines before the last be read so God is rather mocked than praised by this blind implicit faith modest silence hath more true devotion 2. They say that learned men themselves understand not many words which they both read and sing Ignorance is tolerable when God revealeth not the mater but not when men procure it by a rash practise nor yet when they will seem wise in the thing they understand not Will not a king be offended if his servants speak to him as drunken men not knowing what they say but more justly may God be offended at such contempt 3. The proclaimer of lines of times forgetteth the words of his book and he speaketh other words for them 4. Sometimes his book is wrong printed and he bableth as he findeth it 5. Sometimes people distant from him hear not his voice because he heareth his own voice he believeth that all the rest hear it 6. It is a great contempt of Gods worship at every line to interrupt and mar it giving place to a reader Will any interrupt the shearing of corn by tilling so much ground as is shorn at the shearing of every sheaf this interruption is more uncomely 7. Musick orderly used stirreth up mens hearts to praise God cheerfully this interruption diminitheth cheerfulnesse and hindereth attention unto the matter Quest It is comely in the church that one part of the people shall sing and nes all the rest Ans It is as comely as when some read the word with the Reader and the text with the Preacher and as when some use ejaculations at preaching and not all the rest 2. It is more comely than that all the people shall so often interrupt Gods worship giving place unto a Reader 3. Gods Spirit thought it comely that twelve men only should sing at once in the temple not all the rest Chron. 25. the rest may praise God in a vocall manner saying with Iob Blessed be the name of the Lord Or For thine is the kingdome power and glory for Christ in the Lords prayer did conjoin praise with prayer 4. The Lord in Math. 11.25 said I thank thee O heavenly Father Lord of Heaven and Earth c. this was as true praise as when after his last supper he sung a psalme 5. At the Lords birth the sheepheards heard the Angels praised God without reading of lines for concurrance of the sheepheards this angelicall praise may suffice all the world if the musicall praise be not rightly used 6. If men have in their hearts the substantiall praise of the love reverence and of an high estimation of God the matter is little though all their lifetime they want the shaddow of musicall praise 7. The ignorant may be taught a more comely musicall praise without abusing of Gods Name Quest How shall it bee done Answ Teach them to get in their memories short and materiall psalmes for they are capable of badrie songs that once or twise every Sabboth they may sing some of them with the people they may also sing them in their houses and they may sing the conclusion Glory to the Father c. It were better in the Sabboths after publict service to cause them learn to read then interrupt Gods worship with reading Quest Why do sundrie godlie men cause proclame the lines Answ The blind zeal of some thinketh it the best custome 2 Others do it only till they find a fitter occasion to draw unruly people to a better custome as the apostles did permit some I gall rites Act. 15. which in themselves were become dead untill the estate of the church were better satled Quest May we not thus sing to gain such as cannot read as Paul gained the weak ones 1 Cor. 9. Answ Blind zeal neglecteth that which is more needfull viz. by repeating prayers to gain such as can not pray when as men may be good Christians without musicall praise all their lifetime 2. Paul might not be an idolater a drunkard nor a blasphemer to gain others from these vices but he might use or not use the legall rites which in his dayes should end and be buried honestly without sudden violence he gained people from superstition you teach them to be superstitious making them so esteem of musicall praise as if God could not be praised and themselves could not be Christians without it you teach them to abuse Gods name and to be hypocrites in singing words that they understand not so their words mind agree not together Qu. We thus keep them from idle thoughts vvhen others are in a holy exercise Ans You draw them rather both upon idle thoughts idle words when they sing that which they know not 2. Good Christians do confesse that oftimes in their best exercises of prayer and divine praise when they understand the mater they are assaulted with evill thoughts Satan so hateth Gods worship what then can be expected of such as know not what they speak 3 When twelve persons only did sing at once 1 Chron. 29. the Lord knew that their musicall praise did stir up holy reverend thoughts of God in the hearers rather then if the hearers had sung without understanding So Elisha prophesied not being cheared up by his own musick but by a ministrel 2 King 3. when David danced and leaped before the ark rejoising that God was present with his people his joy was stirred up by the musick of others as well as if it were his own musick 1 Chron. 15.28 29. Qu. Do not these Words pertain to all Christians to vvit that they should speak to them selve in psalmes and hymnes and make melodie in their hearts to the Lord Eph. 5.22 Ans None can rejoice to the Lord not knowing a reason of their joy as they do who sing without understāding if the sound of singers stir up their mirth and cheerfulnesse they not knowing the mater it is a melodie in their hearts but not to the Lord except some holy meditations of their own minde concur with the sound 2. If they rejoice in the assurance of
guilty through practising or countenancing them but if their sins be hid their societie are not guilty thereof 3. Knowest thou the secrets of the heart better then CHRIST and his apostles who served GOD and preached dayly among infidels for their conversion 4. If thou be sincere and void of pharisaicall pride thou will rather condemn thy self than others as did the Publican and Paul called himself the greatest of all sinners 5. Some at the LORDS supper did abhor to take the elements from the hands of laicks as they said least they had beene wiches warlocks or profain For the same causes also they might refuse to take them from ministers for neither can they know their hearts and the ministers might abhor to take back againe the cup from the people or to give them the elements Notable apostats should be eschewed apostasie it self excommunicateth them from true professors except they repent 6. How shall infidels bee converted if the faithfull converse not with them chiefly at Divine service CHAP. XII Some forbid Preachers to read the books of learned men for understanding Gods Word Quest SHould Preachers read the Commentars of godly fathers and learned men for inabling them to preach Gods word for the Lord in Matth. 10.19 saith Take no thought how or what you shall speak for it is not you that speak but the Spirit of your heavenly Father that speaketh in you Answ Hee forbiddeth only excessive care and feare when they are accused before judges for the testimonie of the truth but not when they preach though at preaching also they should not exceed in fear 2. The like speach is in Matthew 6.25 Take no thought what you eat or drink or put on Did they therefore alwayes go fasting and naked not using the means 3. In Matth. 10. vers 7.23 he telleth what they should speak 4. He bad them hear corrupt teachers viz. the Scribes and Pharisees when they sit in Moses seat that is when they teach conform to his doctrine 5. The Spirit brought to their memories the things that CHRIST taught them and so helped them that used the means John 14.26 6. The Lord himself made use of the learning of the Doctors hearing them and asking them questions Luke 3.46 Hee made use of their speaches Matth. 16. viz. When it is evening you say it will be fair weather c. the like is in Luke 12.5 Matth. 23.16 In his doctrine and parables he made use of the customes and doings of the people 7. Some speak of morall things with a mourning accent calling it a preaching from the heart and from the Spirit thogh they never interpret GODS word which is the chief intention of the Spirit in preaching and the chief duety of the ministeriall calling practised by the LORD and his apostles Luke 4.21 and 24.27 Act. 6.4 and 8.3 and Act. 7. GODS word it self clearly opened is the most powerfull meane to enlighten the minde to move the heart and to waken the conscience 9. Why should Timothie give himself to reading and meditation and commit the things hee heard of Paul to such as should teach others 1 Tim. 4.13.19 2 Tim. 2.9 And why desired Paul the books and parchments left at Troas 2 Tim. 4.13 if they were taught only immediatly by the Spirit at preaching 10. Paul maketh use of the speach of Epimenides Cretensis a pagan Tit. 2.12 viz. The Cretians are alwayes lyars evill beasts slow bellies And of a speech of Aratus the Athenian poet Act. 17.28 Wee are also his of spring that is the ofspring or creatures of GOD and of the inscription which the Pagans wrot upon the altar at Athens Act. 17. To the unknown God and of the speach of Menander 1 Cor. 15.33 Evill speaches corrupt good manners Quest We interpret Scriptures by other Scriptures and so we show the meaning of the Spirit in his word Answ That is good to such as know the other Scripturs already but to others it is like words of an unknown language 2. The illustration of obscure Scriptures by other scripturs is no interpretation except the words be plainer nor the obscure scripturs the words that are most in themselves cannot be interpret by other scripture because there are no plainer words in scripturs Item things that are but once written in scripturs cannot be explained by other scripturs as the speach of Lomech Genes 4.23 I would slay am in in my wound c. and the decree of Augustus taxing all the world c. Luke 2. 3. The LORD did interpret Scriptures by things which were not in Scriptures as in Luke 4.21 Matth. 11.5 9 14 and 27.43.46 verses Act. 8.33 4. To repeat the same things from diverse Scriptures helpeth our faith in showing the agreement of the writers but it interpreteth not except the words repeated be plainer therefore use also for the ignorant literall expositions and illustrations used by learned men and amplifie them for their capacitie Quest Men should not read nor preach any thing but Scriptures for Paul said 1 Cor. 2. I determined not to know any thing but Christ and Him crucified Answ That is Hee would know nothing as principally belonging to his calling but the doctrine of our salvation procured by CHRIST and his sufferings all other sciences and learning should be servants unto this otherwise how did Paul know the means of learning foresaid 2. Some affirm that themselves speak nothing but the texts of Scripture which they never did nor can doe except they only do the office of readers for neither the speeches of their method analysis and division of the text nor their doctrine application and uses nor the numbers of chapters and verses are in the text Quest In using the works of learned men you seeme to allow their errours who alledge the church or counsels or fathers or popes to be supreme judges of contraversies and infallible interpreters of Gods word Answ Then CHRIST and his apostles should also seeme to do the same for we imitate their practise 2. If a king or his deputies make people understand his laws by the manner of speaches and words of the people are the people therefore interpreters of the laws So is it if we interpret GODS word using the speaches of men Qu. How hath Christ interpret Gods word in the Scriptures Answ By making some Scriptures so evident that they need no other interpretation from the Scriptures if the reader understand only the language Such are these Are they not twelve hours in the day The servant is not greater than his master c. This evidencie and plainnesse is in stead of an interpretation 2. By providing other plainer Scriptures for opening up of obscure scritures 3. Though wee finde not the meaning of some Scriptures yet we finde sufficient for our edification CHAP. XIII Some forbide the Scriptures to be read without interpretation Quest IS it not lip-labour and idle words to read the Scriptures publictly without interpretation Answ All the Scriptures can not
we have no sin we deceive our selves John numbreth himself among them he being a father of perfect age in grace he calleth GODS people My little children 1 John 2.1 Things that make sin compleet and perfect are finall impenitencie and a full resolution to sinne and a full desire and delectation in sinning without reluctation they that are born of GOD sin not in this kinde their sins come not to a full grouth for before they sin they studie to eschew it in the act it self of sinning they strive and wrestle against it when it is committed they cut the threat of sin by speedie repentance the seed of GOD by repentance choaketh this wicked grouth 2. Our union with Christ taketh not away all inherent sin in this life but it worketh in us a hatred of all sin a sorrow for sins committed a thirst for righteousnesse and it freeth us from the imputation guilt and punishment of sin Answere to the third reason That the joy of Christians is interrupted See the answeres to the fourth proposition The seventh proposition CHristians effectually called are oblidged to sing the psalms of praise as a part of their task in heaven yet it is unlawfull for them to sing the penitentiall psalms for so men make themselves lyars not being under the sense of Gods wrath Answ No Scripture showeth that any did sing these psalms when they were under the fearfull fense of Gods wrath or under a fearfull judgement but at these times they prayed for succour and relief all singing importeth mirth though sometimes sorrow be mixed with it The sentence of James was evermore true that in trouble men should pray and in mirth sing psalmes Jam. 5.13 2. When Gods heavy hand was on David his roaring and crying was fittest Psal 32.3 4. When he confessed his sins and had gotten assurance of remission he might cheerfully sing the same words which he used in his prayer in his agonie He made not the 51. psalme in the time of his murther and adulterie his forewardnesse and resolution to sin would not suffer him nor yet when his conscience was fore troubled for sin the extremitie of his grief and sorrow would not suffer him but afterwards he made this psalm that in the midst of his mirth he might glorifie God by confession of his sins and by calling to remembrance the fearfull estate that sin brought him into 3. As Christ after his resurrection and begin glorification receined some remembrance of his sufferings and humiliation to wit the marks of his wounds so in our mirth we should remember our sin and miserie using the same words of the penitentiall psalms which we might also have used in our prayers 4. Thus the most sanctified men are not lyars in singing the penitentiall psalms because partly they were under such dangers which now they remember in their mirth or they are now under the like dangers which if they have any confort they may confesse in their mirth or they deserve the like evils because of sin which dayly provocketh Gods wrath but his sparing of them is equivalent to a deliverance from such dangers for albeit God loveth his children he loveth not their sin but correcteth them for it because he loveth them Prover 3.12 Qu. May we sing psalmes in time of great trouble or sense of Gods wrath Ans We may if in the mean time we have any comfort or assurance of our deliverance but if all things seeme bitter or fearfull we should rather pray So Christ that night he was betrayed after supper he knew what troubles were at hand but he was conforted in the affurance of a joyfull deliverance and therefore he sung a psalme but in the gardein when his confort was abatted and his agonie great he only prayed Thus Paul and Silas did sing praises to God in the prison Act. 16. thus the holy martyrs praised God in the mids of the fire and of other torments looking that God will turn all to the best The eighth proposition CHristians effectually called whether they pray or praise in the immediat worship of God they so constantly fixe their mindes upon GOD and upon the divine purposes betwixt GOD and them that though they praise or pray so long as the body is able without wearying the minde wandereth not for a minut Answ 1. That is to say the minde can not be long upon a good purpose for they measure the constancy of the minde with the strength of the body saying So long as the body is able c. The Lord showeth that the body is not able to continue long upon a good purpose without wearying speaking to his disciples that could not continue with him in watching and praying viz. The Spirit is ready but the flesh is weak Mat. 26.41 2. Paul in Rom. 7.18 saith That in his flesh dwelleth no good thing and of his minde he saith To will is present with me but how to performe that which is good I finde not And in vers 23. I see a law in my members warring against the law of my minde Thus the flesh in Christians disquieteth the Spirit chiefly at divine service which the flesh abhorreth and the body hateth The conformitie of these Novations with peprie 1. Papists use alwayes privie meetings and night meetings in places where true religion is professed so do the defenders of these novations 2. The hindering of the interpretation of GODS word in private families as well as in publict assemblies strengthneth antichristian ignorance and darknesse 3. They diminish GODS word who leave out the words of the text as the papists left out the second command and they diminish it who make the text but a cipher and of no effect as if it were left out so doe the papists unto all texts that warrand conceived prayers when they stint the set forms of the service book only unto the people so do others unto all texts that warrand set forms when they stint conceived forms only unto the people they use varietie of words but they stint their prayers unto conceived forms both doe restraine the libertie of GODS Spirit who allowed both the forms All men may make use of set forms if their itching ears hinder not but many weak Christians are debarred from accesse unto their heavenly Father by prayer because they understand not and can not make use of conceived forms and set forms are taken from them except that some say the LORDS prayer but no further GODS word alloweth further in that CHRIST and his apostles used also set forms 4. They who hinder the reading of prayers on paper restraine the liberty of set formes as they do who hinder the reading from the invisible book of the memory 5. The singing of the psalms at the reading of every line is like praying in an unknown language as the papists do for both take Gods name in vaine speaking without understanding 6. The continuall all use of the words Glory to the Father c. is a popish
conceived formes so far as they can 4. But thou condemnest thy self in judging others who read prayers when thou readest either prayers or praise unto God at the singing of psalmes Gods Spirit worketh at the reading of both Quest Do any despise set formes altogether Answ Yea for some affirme that Gods spirit helpeth no mans infirmities but at the first conception of prayers but they fight against themselves unawars admitting sundry prayers in a set forme 1. They conclude the divine service saying the blessing in a set forme 2. Their conceived prayers are set formes to the people that concurre with them It is a second rehearsing of their prayers for the people conceive them not 3. They stint them to say Amen at the end of every prayer Amen is a short summe of the prayer 4. The preachers conclud their conceived prayers with a set form like to this To the Son with the Father and with the boly Spirit be glory c. 5. At singing of psalms which is a set form of praise they say also many prayers among them Quest Is it not sluggishnesse to use set formes neglecting varietie of meditations Answ We neglect them not for we conceive also 2. If the use of set forms be sluggishnesse then the contemners of se forms are sluggish in using these set formes foresaid and the people which concur are sluggish 3. It is a greater sluggishnes when men apply not set forms unto their hearts when their conscience can not deny but they signifie their wants they can not pray without noveltie of words Some were moved to pray with set forms taking them to be new conceptions because they heard not these prayers before but afterwards they loathed them also They knew not the working of Gods Spirit whereof they brag so much they think Gods Spirit be like themselves delighting only in novelty of words and abhorring his own words which himself dyted unto Christians before so that he worketh no more by his own words as they imagine but they who grow in grace despise not to use them also afterwards as did Christ and his dearest Saints Quest Can book prayers be steadable at our departing from this life Ans The last prayer that Christ said upon the crosse was a book prayer written in the book of the psalms He rehearseth it from the book of his memorie Into thy bands I commit my Spirit Psal 31 2. Oftentimes at death God holdeth before men the book of his judgements wherein all their senses may read sufficient matter for meditation and prayer 3. A well formed prayer for their present condition may be read to the great confort of distressed souls who cannot read by themselfs Quest How know you if the words of set formes be dyted by Gods Spirit Answ If they expresse things agreeable to Gods revealed will in his word Quest How know you if Gods Spirit teacheth us effectually to use them rightly Answ Every man knoweth best what is in himself if Gods Spirit work in his heart hee prayeth expressing the words with faith with fervent desires and bumilitie intending Gods glory his own salvation and the good of others though his expression be weak his desires may be fervent no otherwise are conceived prayers known to be dyted and made usefull by Gods Spirit then as the reading of a supplication hindereth it not to be a supplication unto a King and the reading of a psalm hindereth it not to be a praise unto God so the reading of prayers hindereth them not to be prayers but it furthereth us being ready to supplie the defects of our memory and it keepeth our mindes from wandring when our eyes and memories are fixed upon the same matter for diverse objects of the sight oftimes perturbeth the memorie and if we have not the words in our memorie a well formed prayer in the book of things perpetually needfull will surnish unto us matter and words for our expression and it bringeth our wants to remembrance Gods Spirit assisteth all who use the lawfull meanes and confide not in their own strength Quest Do you match two or three read lines with Gods Spirit as if they could inable us to pray Answ Neither can two or three new conceptions inable us to pray 2. By what spirit do you calumniat us as contemners of Gods Spirit unto whom we never matched the Canonick Scriptures much lesse conceived and set forms all which profit nothing if Gods Spirit work not by them 3. In the psalme fourth in miter O Lord grant us thy countenance thy favour and thy grace all such prayers of the psalms in miter are paraphrases of the text as the read prayers are of some petitions of the Lords prayer Thou by reading them at singing condemnest thy self in judging others who read prayers which is more needfull then singing of psalms in this life if at the reading the words of prayer in the psalms thou prayest not in thy heart if the words expresse thy wants thou playest the hypocrite and if thou pray then thou readest a set form of prayer as well as of praise for they are not new conceptions You confesse that men speak by the Spirit in their new conceptions our set forms at the first expression were new conceptions then who bindeth the Spirit to the set forms of prayer in miter more then without miter or who bindeth him to a read praise more then to a read prayer The Spirit inableth us to both 1 Cor. 14. and Ephes 5.18 4. Naturally all men abhor prayer more then singing of psalms because of the melody in singing if they pray without singing they supplie the melody with novelty of words which is admired by Pagans as well as by Christians it proceedeth not from Gods Spirit in christians but from satan and from their naturall part to abhor any forme of worship which was in request with Christ and his dearest saints and was dyted by Gods Spirit in his word if Gods Spirit work not with him that readeth because the conceptions are not his so is it with him him that concurreth for the conceptions are not his but if both apply the words to their hearts the conceptions are theirs as truely as they were unto the first expressours neither can any now living be the first expressour for many have had the same conceptions before Quest Reading seemeth more barnly and therefore it is fitter for children then for aged men it seemeth barnly because the words are few and often repeated c. Answ Seeing Christ the ancient of dayes and his Prophets and Apostles did read from the book of memory it becometh men if they were older then Methusalem and wiser then Salomon to read upon the artificiall memorie of books At Divine Service Christ did read on the book of Esay Luk. 4. vers 16. The apostles did read also on visible bookes for Paul had bookes and parchments 2 Tim 4. Gods Spirit who was effectuall with Christ reading a text of old conceptions will also be
that his reproof should be feared or the praise formall and the prayer included in it materiall as a leper said unto Christ If thou wilt thou canst make me clean Item A broken and contrite bea rt O GOD thou wilt not despise Psal 51. Or whether a formall prayer and a formall praise be together in one sentence as Give ear O sheepbeard of Israel thou that leadest Joseph like a flock Psal 80. 3. Ioy and sadnesse are contrarie Christians may have them together in their remitted degrees in this life but in the next world the Elect shall have joy and the reprobat sadnesse in their extreme degrees In this life if the joy of Christians be greater then their sadnesse they should sing formall or materiall praises or prayers if their sadnesse be greater they should not sing at all as James sayeth but rather pray without singing though praise be included in the prayer they should expresse lesse mirth when their sadnesse exceedeth their joy Quest When we sing a psalme which hath prayers in it we sing to the praise of God is this singing a formall or materiall praise Answ Both materiall and formall praise may be sung to the praise of God 2. In respect of the musick our praise should be formal keeping the right manner of the tune and herein they transgresse who interrupt musical praise giving place to a reader at the end of every line by reading the line following The pauses used between lines is a comely ornament unto singing and is as necessar to distinguish the lines or principall parts of the tunes as it is necessar that shorter pauses should divide every note from another without distinctions and pauses all the tune should be but one note Musick without number and division is not musick but musicall praise is deformed by a non musical interruption of reading and Gods ordinance ordeined to chear up men for divine praise is deformed and rent and so it abaiteth chearfulnesse they do evill that good may come of it choosing a deformed musicall praise when they may have a rightly formed praise They do it that ignorant people may sing with them But humane will-worship can not take a good effect for Gods Spirit never taught it Therefore in stead of praise they abuse Gods name because they sing oftimes many lines not knowing what they say of God even when the sentence is ended Their blind zeal do not read sentences of prayer that the ignorant may learn to pray which is more needfull in this life It were better to sing perquier but one verse of a psalme all our lifetime then to deforme Gods worship thus singing all the psalms Some use this deformitie because niggardnesse hindereth them to buy a number of psalme books and slugishnesse hindreth them to teach their domesticks to read 3. Where there are two or four or six or mo lines in a sentence before the last line be heard the ignorant know not what they have sung and so they play the hypocrit and abuse Gods name seeming to praise GOD when they know not what they say of God and when the last line is read many know not the sense because they have forgotten what was sung and so still they abuse Gods name And such as know the sense also abuse Gods name for they have but sung the last line only with understanding It is a none sense to sing a part and not the whole fentence with understanding And though some have the psalme in their memorie yet they deforme Gods worship interrupting it with reading When ignorant papists pray in Latine not knowing what they say it is as true Divine worship as when we sing words of praise in our own language not knowing what we say If any sing reading on a book not taking heed what he saith it is but his own fault and hee may amend it at other times but when a multitude is forced by a law or custom to do it this is more antichristian like the ignorant might praise God in their hearts with a hundreth fold more true devotiō with understanding if only the psalme were read to them in prose or in verse But the pride of the obstinat will not amend thogh they know their errours In respect of the transcendent condition of all the psalms the praise of every psalm may be called formall for every psalm hath some formall praise in it even the penitentiall psalms as Psal 6.8 9. Psal 51.16 17 4. Materiall praise in singing may be made formall by adding to it and concluding it with a sentence of formall praise as Glory to the Father and to the Son c importing that not only the glory of all things but particularly of the things mentioned in the words presently sung belongeth to the Father c. If the ignorant get these words with the last verse of the psalm 28. viz. Thy people and thine heritage c. they may sing them orderly albeit they sing no more with the rest at all occasions for these words of prayer and praise are as substantiall and plain as any words in the book of the the psalms 5. When men sing words which have no formall confession they may make the praise formall in their hearts if they consider and acknowledge what work God hath in the things mentioned by these words 6. When formall prayers and other speaches are equivolent to formall praises they may also bee called formall praises Quest How are they equivalent to formall praises Answ If a formall praise be added to a formall prayer in the same sentence as in the third petition of the Lords prayer Thy will be done in earth c. and Psal 51.1 Have mercy on me O God according to thy loving kindnesse c. 2. If in the prayer Gods name be expressed with epithites of praise as Give ear O sheepheard of Israel Psal 80 3. If the matter and purpose of the prayer concerne the manifesting of GODS glory in expresse words as in the first two petitions of the Lords prayer In Psal 115 Not unto us O Lord but unto thy name give the glory The third petition of the Lords prayer is a formall praise both in this respect and in the respect forsaid 4. Speaches that are not formall praises by expressed confession if they attribute unto God honourable and divine things by insinuation they are formall praises by insinuation as in Psal 2. Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice in trembling for it is a direct formall praise that God should be served and feared Quest Who are actors of Gods praises Answ The elect men and angels act his formall praises when they consider his excellent works and the good things in them and the good things of God manifested in his word and works And they ascribe all the honour and glory thereof unto God by confessing him to be the Author Conserver and Ruler of all more Excellent then all void of all imperfections and wants that are in all