Selected quad for the lemma: book_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
book_n	letter_n	word_n	write_v	2,723	5	5.8370	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A59765	The irregularitie of a private prayer in a publick congregation in a letter to a friend.	Sherlock, R. (Richard), 1612-1689.	1674 (1674)	Wing S3241; ESTC R25624	14,535	24

when they are perswaded by these Enthusiasts that Common-Prayer and all the Ceremonies in that celebration are taken out of the Mass-book that they are but a dead letter and the invention of man whereas the private conceived Prayer is no less than the immediate influence of the holy Spirit of God Object At least they say That Prayers read in a Book have not that quickning vigour in them like to the Prayer Memoriter and without book The one savours of the deadness of the Letter the other of the quickning Spirit Answ But in holy Prayer it is not the words said whether written or not written whether said within or without Book but the affectionate Zeal of him that prays that gives vigor and efficacy to this holy Duty and where this is wanting the fault is not in the Prayers themselves but in the Persons that profanely slight and undervalue them the deadness they talk of lies in their own hearts which are not touched with the quickening spirit of devotion in the use of those holy and good Prayers And whosoever is more affected with a conceived than a written Prayer thinks sure That the one is more immediately by inspiration from Heaven than the other Orationis sublimitas ex parte orantis non ex sublimitate vel subtilitate verborum sed humilitate devotionis affectu ejus qui oratpensanda est Jac. Alvar. de inquis pac and so smells strong of the Heresie of Enthusiasm I am sure To speak foolishly and impertinently hath been usually accounted and called speaking without Book Object Object 3 3. There be many Episcopal Persons and such who both use and are zealous for the Liturgie of the Church do yet use Privat Prayer of their own before Sermon the which surely they would never do if they conceived it unlawful Answ Answ This is done 't is confest by many Persons of known worth and integritie some with good intentions to win upon such Persons whom no other kind of Prayers will please some that their Private Prayer may be a Pattern whereby their People may learn to pray in Private and for these reasons I conceive this practice hath been and is still over-look'd by Ecclesiastical Superiors But in the general this custom is continued through inadvertency in not considering and deeply weighing the equity or iniquity fitness or unfitness thereof Nor can the practise of this or any other custom prove the same to be lawful There is a great difference betwixt consuetudo and corruptela the one is laudable the other unlawful many persons also that are eminent in knowledge and Pietie in the general may through long custom and many examples fail in some particulars through inconsideration Object 4 Many also are induced thereunto conceiving that variety of expressions and change of Forms in Prayer do more work upon the Affections of the People and stir up their Devotions than one and the same constant standing Form Answ 1. Answ 1 This doth more tickle the itching ears of the People indeed and the itching of the ears comes from the corruption of the heart And surely their Devotion is very cold that must be warmed by variety of expressions the which in preaching may be commendable but not in praying except by way of privat ejaculations it being one design of exhortations and moving admonitions in Sermons to excite the Affections to what is taught and exhorted unto whereas holy Prayer is not the cause but the effect and issue of devout Affections and 't is then only acceptable to God when it comes from a heart replete with humility compunction fervor and divine love which do necessarily infer foreknowledg of the Prayers we use that they be such as whereby our devout Affections may be ●xpressed Answ 2. Answ 2 It is generally observed by the Masters of Mystical Theology and Spiritual Life That there is a sensible Devotion which begins in the sensitive nature producing tenderness of spirit drawing often sighs from the bosome and tears from the eyes and begets a secret delectation and sweetness in the soul with which many persons are much taken and transported as conceiving such pleasing delights in Prayer to be no other than the influences of the holy Spirit of God And yet this exterior pleasure of a sensible Devotion is not always a sign of a sound and right temper of holiness in the soul Jac. Alha de inquis pac lib. 2. par 3. cap. 3. Sancti Soph. Treat 3. serm 2. c. 5. Because First many wicked irregenerate persons may and have enjoyed the same Secondly It may proceed from the natural temper Thirdly From the vehement intention of the minde Fourthly From the mournful tone cadence of words and power of language And such sensible delights even in Prayer are sometimes the insinuations and illusions of the Evil Spirit to puff up the soul with self-love vain-glory presumption in God's favour and comempt of others I deny not but such sensible consolations are often the influences of the holy and true Spirit given us for our encouragement in holy divine Offices in the love of God and obedience but there is great discretion and humility also required in the use we make of them neither are we over-highly to esteem of them as the Casuist (a) Consolationes sensibiles quamvis non sunt despiciendae non sunt tamen supra modum aestimandae quia nec verae virtutes nec solidarum virtutum effectus nec necessaria profectus instrumenta sine quibus plurimi admagnum virtutem ac mentis puritatem ascendunt Jac. Alv. ibid. observes Because they are neither true virtues nor necessary effects of solid virtues neither are they necessary instruments of proficiency in true devotion For without such sensible consolations many holy persons have ascended to a great height of virtue and purity of minde The strongest Devotions and most effectual Prayers are seldomest attended with these sensible consolations and sweetnesses which flow in upon variety of taking expressions for a great Devotion is like a great Grief which is not so expressive in words as a less moderate passion a lesser Grief also is wasted away by tears and complaints whilst the greater is both more silent and more lasting so the less and more weak Devotion of the Soul is breathed out and wasted in variety of language not the solid strong and lasting fervor Such was the prevailing devotion of Moses when he fell down before the (b) Deut. 9.18 25. Lord and that of Hannah also when she prayed in the (c) 1 Sam. 1.10 11. Temple Their words in their prayers were few and low unheard but their desires and affections strong and prevalent as being not wasted by much speaking And such was that Devotion of our Lord in the Garden and on the Cross when he poured out his Soul in Prayers and Supplications with strong crying and (d) Heb. 5.7 tears His words were few but his devotion great and prevailing mightily which devotion