Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
cause_n	ability_n	able_a	author_n	15	3	5.8904	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A54945	A discourse of prayer wherein this great duty is stated, so as to oppose some principles and practices of Papists and fanaticks; as they are contrary to the publick forms of the Church of England, established by her ecclesiastical canons, and confirmed by acts of Parliament. By Thomas Pittis, D.D. one of His Majesties chaplains in ordinary. Wherefore, that way and profession in religion, which gives the best directions for it, (viz. prayer) with the most effectual motives to it, and most aboundeth in its observance, hath therein the advantage of all others. Dr. Owen in his preface to his late discourse of the work of the Holy SPirit in prayer, &c.	Pittis, Thomas, 1636-1687.	1683 (1683)	Wing P2314; ESTC R220541	149,431	404

pray_v to_o that_o which_o they_o think_v to_o be_v none_o at_o all_o and_o therefore_o when_o they_o supplicate_v such_o image_n which_o they_o can_v not_o choose_v but_o know_v be_v nothing_o but_o the_o carve_a work_n of_o man_n hand_n yet_o they_o therefore_o pray_v to_o they_o because_o they_o think_v they_o to_o be_v inspire_v with_o divinity_n and_o that_o the_o deity_n itself_o be_v confine_v to_o some_o residence_n in_o they_o and_o so_o they_o pretend_v to_o address_v themselves_o to_o their_o god_n within_o the_o image_n and_o not_o unto_o the_o block_n or_o stone_n itself_o but_o through_o the_o case_n they_o pass_v to_o the_o divinity_n such_o little_a shift_n do_v other_o also_o who_o shall_v understand_v religion_n better_o use_v to_o shelter_v themselves_o under_o the_o shadow_n of_o their_o idol_n be_v so_o well_o instruct_v by_o the_o pagan_n who_o be_v more_o ancient_a than_o themselves_o but_o to_o give_v the_o honour_n of_o god_n to_o a_o creature_n must_v needs_o appear_v unreasonable_a in_o religion_n since_o no_o subject_n can_v with_o loyalty_n pay_v the_o homage_n due_a only_o to_o the_o king_n to_o any_o though_o the_o most_o noble_a peer_n when_o it_o be_v referve_v to_o the_o king_n alone_o and_o therefore_o god_n have_v reserve_v divine_a worship_n such_o as_o solemn_a prayer_n of_o which_o i_o treat_v only_o to_o himself_o no_o man_n can_v lawful_o give_v it_o to_o another_o and_o think_v it_o to_o consist_v with_o true_a religion_n but_o of_o this_o more_o in_o my_o last_o argument_n for_o prayer_n to_o be_v make_v to_o god_n only_o three_o god_n alone_o be_v to_o be_v the_o object_n of_o our_o prayer_n because_o none_o but_o he_o can_v answer_v the_o end_n and_o design_n of_o our_o petition_n who_o among_o all_o the_o glory_n of_o the_o creation_n be_v so_o capable_a of_o understanding_n or_o bestow_v the_o thing_n we_o petition_v for_o or_o endow_v with_o such_o qualification_n as_o may_v render_v he_o fit_a for_o rational_a creature_n in_o all_o their_o exigency_n to_o become_v devout_a petitioner_n unto_o can_v any_o give_v we_o the_o pardon_n of_o our_o sin_n by_o his_o own_o authority_n or_o dispense_v with_o the_o breach_n of_o god_n law_n but_o himself_o when_o he_o convey_v this_o by_o the_o ministration_n of_o other_o they_o be_v only_o his_o substitute_v delegate_n and_o he_o no_o more_o give_v his_o glory_n to_o they_o than_o he_o will_v part_v with_o his_o praise_n to_o a_o grave_a image_n who_o can_v bestow_v grace_n or_o glory_n but_o he_o who_o have_v a_o infinite_a fullness_n of_o both_o who_o treasure_n be_v inexhaustible_a who_o spirit_n from_o whence_o our_o grace_n be_v convey_v be_v compare_v in_o scripture_n not_o only_o to_o the_o wind_n which_o blow_v where_o it_o list_v but_o also_o to_o a_o fountain_n of_o live_a water_n always_o spring_v up_o unto_o eternal_a life_n and_o who_o can_v bestow_v the_o glory_n above_o but_o he_o who_o presence_n make_v it_o so_o who_o right_a hand_n hold_v star_n and_o have_v all_o crown_n at_o his_o own_o disposal_n who_o can_v rid_v we_o of_o many_o trouble_n especial_o those_o that_o disquiet_v our_o mind_n but_o he_o that_o can_v rebuke_v tempest_n and_o storm_n dispel_v the_o cloud_n that_o hang_v over_o they_o and_o deliver_v the_o righteous_a out_o of_o all_o their_o affliction_n there_o be_v three_o thing_n necessary_o suppose_v in_o a_o person_n qualify_v for_o rational_a creature_n to_o make_v their_o religious_a address_n to_o 1._o that_o he_o be_v capable_a of_o hear_v and_o understand_v our_o petition_n 2._o that_o he_o be_v able_a to_o bestow_v what_o we_o supplicate_v he_o for_o and_o 3._o that_o he_o be_v willing_a to_o give_v what_o we_o beg_v if_o it_o may_v be_v consistent_a with_o his_o prudence_n and_o our_o welfare_n and_o who_o can_v we_o find_v thus_o qualify_v but_o the_o great_a god_n who_o we_o adore_v and_o worship_v who_o be_v omniscient_a and_o can_v understand_v our_o petition_n and_o know_v our_o want_n omnipotent_a and_o therefore_o can_v answer_v our_o desire_n and_o of_o infinite_a goodness_n and_o so_o willing_a to_o relieve_v we_o in_o such_o thing_n as_o may_v consist_v with_o his_o providence_n and_o our_o advantage_n if_o these_o thing_n be_v want_v in_o the_o object_n of_o our_o prayer_n all_o our_o address_n will_v be_v render_v fruitless_a if_o he_o can_v hear_v or_o be_v not_o able_a to_o relieve_v or_o be_v very_o hard_a and_o not_o willing_a to_o be_v kind_a to_o we_o to_o what_o purpose_n then_o do_v we_o utter_v our_o want_n and_o earnest_o beg_v relief_n from_o he_o if_o beggar_n know_v such_o man_n among_o ourselves_o they_o will_v spare_v their_o breath_n whilst_o these_o pass_v by_o so_o that_o i_o may_v now_o propose_v eliphaz'_v question_n in_o the_o book_n of_o job_n with_o better_a reason_n than_o that_o in_o which_o the_o papist_n urge_v it_o call_v now_o if_o there_o be_v any_o that_o will_v answer_v thou_o and_o to_o which_o of_o the_o saint_n will_v thou_o turn_v job_n 5.1_o angel_n themselves_o will_v be_v charge_v with_o folly_n shall_v they_o attempt_v a_o answer_n to_o our_o religious_a petition_n without_o a_o declare_a permission_n or_o command_v from_o their_o maker_n how_o much_o more_o those_o who_o have_v dwell_v in_o house_n of_o clay_n who_o foundation_n be_v in_o the_o dust_n who_o have_v be_v crush_v before_o the_o moth_n and_o all_o their_o excellency_n and_o glory_n which_o we_o admire_v here_o go_v away_o when_o they_o be_v destroy_v from_o morning_n to_o evening_n the_o dead_a for_o aught_o i_o can_v ever_o yet_o understand_v can_v no_o more_o hear_v we_o than_o baal_n can_v his_o prophet_n when_o they_o cry_v to_o he_o from_o morning_n till_o noon_n they_o can_v no_o more_o answer_n to_o our_o call_n than_o they_o can_v praise_v god_n with_o the_o instrument_n of_o speech_n when_o their_o defer_a carcase_n lay_v rot_v in_o a_o grave_a but_o god_n himself_o have_v give_v testimony_n of_o his_o audience_n and_o several_a way_n converse_v with_o man_n he_o hear_v our_o prayer_n and_o understand_v our_o thought_n afar_o off_o he_o have_v three_o attribute_n that_o render_v he_o fit_a for_o our_o religious_a address_n for_o 1._o he_o be_v omnipotent_a and_o therefore_o there_o be_v nothing_o we_o can_v petition_v from_o he_o but_o he_o be_v able_a to_o grant_v and_o to_o bestow_v it_o for_o power_n be_v only_o a_o ability_n so_o to_o exercise_v causality_n as_o to_o influence_n cause_v to_o produce_v their_o effect_n he_o that_o be_v the_o author_n of_o cause_n be_v the_o origin_n of_o all_o thing_n must_v needs_o be_v the_o fountain_n of_o all_o power_n and_o he_o that_o be_v so_o must_v be_v omnipotent_a and_o therefore_o be_v able_a to_o fullfil_v our_o desire_n 2._o he_o be_v omniscient_a too_o and_o therefore_o certain_o know_v our_o want_n for_o knowledge_n consist_v in_o a_o exertion_n of_o power_n as_o all_o action_n proceed_v from_o a_o ability_n and_o be_v the_o exercise_n of_o some_o power_n he_o therefore_o that_o be_v omnipotent_a must_v needs_o be_v omniscient_a also_o for_o be_v there_o any_o thing_n that_o he_o can_v not_o know_v there_o will_v be_v something_o out_o of_o the_o compass_n of_o his_o power_n and_o the_o attribute_n of_o his_o omnipotence_n will_v be_v weaken_v and_o destroy_v nor_o do_v the_o not_o know_v or_o effect_v impossibility_n or_o contradiction_n at_o all_o invalidate_n these_o glorious_a attribute_n because_o those_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v thing_n in_o act_n that_o they_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o be_v such_o in_o power_n nor_o can_v any_o futurity_n give_v they_o be_v and_o what_o be_v and_o must_v remain_v nothing_o can_v neither_o be_v the_o proper_a object_n of_o strength_n or_o knowledge_n 3._o god_n have_v infinite_a goodness_n essential_a to_o his_o be_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n proceed_v from_o it_o and_o that_o he_o now_o support_v it_o be_v owe_v to_o his_o grace_n and_o favour_n and_o his_o goodness_n beside_o particular_a example_n be_v visible_a to_o we_o in_o his_o daily_a providence_n without_o the_o two_o former_a attribute_n he_o can_v neither_o have_v make_v nor_o can_v he_o order_v and_o govern_v the_o world_n and_o to_o make_v he_o a_o be_v with_o infinite_a knowledge_n and_o almighty_a power_n without_o any_o goodness_n to_o allay_v the_o exercise_n of_o it_o surppose_v he_o to_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o omnipotent_a devil_n for_o what_o being_n be_v that_o have_v sufficient_a power_n without_o any_o good_a nature_n to_o restrain_v it_o they_o that_o be_v frequent_o oppress_v by_o other_o know_v by_o too_o woeful_a and_o melancholy_a experience_n these_o glorious_a attribute_n therefore_o of_o power_n knowledge_n and_o goodness_n be_v thus_o rational_o fix_v in_o the_o god_n who_o we_o adore_v he_o become_v a_o fit_a

well_o act_v as_o they_o who_o pretend_v to_o the_o most_o magnify_a inspiration_n and_o as_o the_o swan_n be_v never_o use_v in_o sacrifice_n under_o the_o law_n so_o will_v a_o hypocrite_n though_o he_o be_v never_o so_o subtle_a be_v reject_v by_o god_n in_o the_o service_n of_o the_o gospel_n because_o like_o the_o swan_n under_o the_o white_a plume_n and_o pleasant_a voice_n their_o lie_n hide_v a_o black_a skin_n but_o notwithstanding_o this_o the_o hypocrite_n in_o a_o seem_a zeal_n and_o devotion_n may_v frequent_o exceed_v in_o external_a sweat_n and_o gesture_n too_o him_z that_o be_v most_o serious_a and_o cordial_a in_o his_o prayer_n though_o when_o we_o see_v so_o much_o smoke_n we_o easy_o perceive_v that_o the_o flame_n do_v not_o ascend_v for_o although_o art_n may_v vie_v with_o nature_n itself_o and_o the_o cunning_a hypocrite_n who_o trade_v in_o religion_n may_v enable_v himself_o or_o his_o customer_n may_v inform_v he_o how_o he_o may_v outdo_v the_o rational_a act_n of_o true_a devotion_n so_o as_o to_o entrap_v the_o multitude_n yet_o in_o this_o the_o cheat_n will_v be_v plain_o discover_v and_o his_o design_n will_v be_v write_v in_o open_a character_n on_o the_o matter_n he_o utter_v with_o a_o fervency_n beyond_o the_o modesty_n of_o devotion_n and_o appear_v also_o to_o the_o most_o vulgar_a eye_n if_o the_o head_n in_o which_o it_o be_v fix_v be_v considerate_a themistocles_n be_v discern_v to_o be_v no_o right_a athenian_a even_o by_o a_o plain_a and_o simple_a woman_n of_o the_o city_n because_o the_o great_a care_n he_o have_v in_o the_o pronunciation_n of_o his_o word_n cause_v she_o to_o perceive_v that_o he_o affect_v only_o but_o have_v not_o the_o proper_a phrase_n and_o accent_n of_o athens_n and_o indeed_o unless_o extempore_o man_n worship_v one_o god_n and_o we_o another_o it_o will_v not_o be_v either_o a_o formal_a head_n exact_o adorn_v nor_o a_o grave_a aspect_n nor_o either_o hard_a or_o soft_a expression_n although_o attend_v with_o a_o affect_a tone_n no_o nor_o zeal_n transport_v into_o frenzy_n and_o madness_n nor_o all_o the_o effect_n of_o subtlety_n or_o art_n or_o the_o easy_a endowment_n even_o of_o nature_n itself_o that_o can_v be_v able_a to_o recommend_v our_o prayer_n to_o that_o god_n who_o search_v the_o heart_n and_o tri_v the_o reins_o of_o the_o child_n of_o man_n for_o he_o if_o we_o have_v true_a notion_n of_o he_o love_v a_o honest_a and_o good_a mind_n beyond_o either_o the_o compliment_n of_o the_o formalist_n or_o the_o cheat_v of_o the_o hypocrite_n we_o know_v that_o the_o pharisee_n be_v excellent_a scourer_n of_o the_o outside_n of_o themselves_o and_o very_o pry_v into_o the_o inside_n of_o other_o that_o they_o can_v make_v clean_o the_o outside_n of_o the_o cup_n and_o of_o the_o platter_n when_o yet_o their_o own_o inward_a part_n be_v full_a of_o raven_a and_o all_o manner_n of_o wickedness_n these_o can_v be_v very_o precise_a and_o strict_a in_o small_a matter_n to_o the_o pay_a tithe_n of_o mint_n and_o rue_v and_o all_o manner_n of_o herb_n but_o pass_v over_o judgement_n and_o the_o love_n of_o god_n luke_o 11._o and_o the_o epicure_n notwithstanding_o the_o luxury_n and_o irregularity_n of_o their_o life_n can_v speak_v of_o god_n in_o the_o public_a school_n of_o athens_n with_o great_a reverence_n than_o any_o other_o sect_n of_o philosopher_n and_o yet_o we_o find_v in_o tully_n at_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o his_o first_o book_n de_fw-fr naturâ_fw-la deorum_fw-la that_o epicurus_n retollit_fw-la oratione_fw-la relinquit_fw-la deos_fw-la that_o he_o can_v allow_v those_o god_n in_o his_o speech_n which_o in_o reality_n he_o deny_v and_o whilst_o there_o be_v such_o a_o thing_n as_o falsehood_n in_o the_o world_n and_o man_n may_v make_v profession_n with_o their_o tongue_n of_o what_o their_o mind_n do_v not_o hearty_o assent_v to_o there_o can_v be_v no_o certain_a and_o infallible_a judgement_n make_v from_o wordy_a expression_n or_o external_a gesture_n nor_o yet_o from_o seem_a transport_n of_o devotion_n tacitus_n inform_v we_o that_o the_o malcontent_n in_o galba_n time_n tristitiam_fw-la simulabant_fw-la propiores_fw-la contumaciae_fw-la that_o they_o counterfeit_v sorrow_n when_o their_o mind_n be_v stubborn_a and_o although_o many_o man_n among_o ourselves_o may_v have_v steady_a brow_n and_o fix_v eye_n and_o walk_v with_o a_o grave_n and_o upright_a deportment_n yet_o privacy_n may_v discover_v to_o one_o who_o observant_o converse_v with_o they_o that_o they_o be_v either_o empty_a or_o else_o frothy_a and_o vain_a far_o too_o many_o be_v guilty_a of_o that_o fault_n which_o cicero_n pretend_v against_o verres_n frontem_fw-la atque_fw-la oculos_fw-la mentiri_fw-la their_o forehead_n and_o their_o eye_n speak_v falsehood_n boldness_n be_v a_o common_a shelter_n to_o these_o thing_n and_o confidence_n be_v almost_o characteristical_a to_o those_o that_o be_v adversary_n to_o our_o church_n prayer_n so_o great_a and_o large_a that_o it_o be_v a_o rare_a thing_n to_o find_v modesty_n enough_o to_o hold_v the_o tongue_n of_o those_o who_o have_v be_v apparent_o baffle_v much_o less_o to_o make_v their_o face_n blush_v when_o their_o hand_n be_v all_o smear_v with_o blood_n nay_o so_o much_o as_o to_o ascend_v to_o the_o throne_n with_o sword_n and_o staff_n not_o to_o mention_v what_o they_o take_v thence_o and_o most_o barbarous_o butcher_v and_o after_o all_o a_o hue_n and_o cry_n be_v perpetual_o send_v out_o after_o their_o repentance_n and_o yet_o they_o hide_v it_o that_o it_o can_v be_v find_v but_o instead_o of_o a_o acknowledgement_n of_o their_o own_o guilt_n they_o will_v in_o despite_n of_o the_o experience_n of_o mankind_n aver_v their_o piety_n to_o exceed_v the_o religion_n of_o other_o man_n and_o from_o their_o fondness_n to_o themselves_o infer_v the_o kindness_n of_o god_n to_o they_o like_o that_o bloody_a and_o cruel_a tyrant_n domitian_n who_o paint_v jupiter_n in_o the_o market_n place_n with_o pleasant_a colour_n and_o himself_o in_o his_o bosom_n though_o he_o shall_v have_v be_v represent_v tread_v under_o his_o foot_n strabo_n indeed_o tell_v we_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o persuade_v woman_n and_o the_o promiscuous_a multitude_n to_o religion_n by_o mere_a reason_n and_o dry_a philosophy_n but_o that_o for_o this_o there_o be_v need_n of_o superstition_n and_o this_o can_v be_v advance_v without_o fable_n and_o wonder_n geor._n lib._n 1._o yet_o the_o great_a god_n who_o all_o christian_n pretend_v to_o adore_v never_o usher_v in_o his_o religion_n into_o the_o world_n but_o by_o such_o miracle_n as_o be_v real_a and_o true_a but_o when_o such_o a_o religion_n as_o we_o be_v become_v plant_v and_o sufficient_o by_o miracle_n beyond_o all_o the_o ability_n of_o natural_a cause_n that_o we_o be_v acquaint_v with_o prove_v to_o be_v divine_a the_o rational_a account_n that_o may_v be_v give_v of_o it_o it_o not_o wise_a contradict_v natural_a religion_n will_v sufficient_o enforce_v its_o esteem_n and_o exercise_n without_o the_o addition_n of_o any_o new_a juggle_v or_o device_n of_o our_o own_o and_o therefore_o the_o roman_n that_o the_o religion_n which_o they_o embrace_v though_o false_a in_o its_o self_n may_v neither_o suffer_v by_o flattery_n or_o fraud_n when_o the_o soothsayer_n increase_v so_o fast_o in_o their_o city_n make_v a_o order_n of_o senate_n that_o none_o but_o gentleman_n shall_v practice_v these_o matter_n leave_v so_o exalt_v and_o divine_a a_o art_n shall_v be_v degrade_v from_o the_o majesty_n of_o religion_n to_o a_o base_a trade_n of_o fraud_n and_o cozenage_n as_o tully_n tell_v we_o in_o his_o first_o book_n of_o divinat_fw-la and_o indeed_o it_o hold_v good_a and_o rational_a under_o the_o profession_n of_o a_o true_a religion_n more_o than_o it_o can_v possible_o under_o a_o false_a for_o where_o as_o in_o the_o day_n of_o jeroboam_n the_o priesthood_n be_v form_v out_o of_o the_o mean_a of_o the_o people_n they_o will_v not_o scruple_n to_o carry_v wisp_n of_o hay_n to_o feed_v calf_n at_o dan_n and_o bethel_n but_o far_o and_o beside_o all_o this_o we_o now_o find_v secular_a interest_n a_o most_o prevail_a principle_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n and_o therefore_o be_v it_o that_o upon_o a_o late_a and_o more_o particular_a scrutiny_n we_o find_v man_n particular_a religion_n stoop_v to_o their_o own_o personal_a advantage_n and_o the_o rite_n and_o devotion_n which_o they_o ought_v to_o exercise_v in_o the_o true_a profession_n to_o be_v countermand_v when_o enjoin_v by_o lawful_a authority_n by_o the_o profit_n which_o attend_v man_n particular_a trade_n and_o occupation_n as_o if_o because_o demetrius_n and_o other_o make_v silver_n shrine_v for_o diana_n it_o must_v present_o be_v conclude_v that_o great_a be_v diana_n of_o the_o ephesian_n this_o be_v the_o main_a reason_n why_o our_o sectary_n

the_o conception_n of_o their_o mind_n to_o a_o utterance_n of_o our_o petition_n in_o a_o unknown_a tongue_n and_o it_o conclude_v indeed_o against_o the_o public_a service_n of_o the_o papist_n in_o latin_a and_o justify_v our_o own_o in_o english_a as_o i_o have_v already_o show_v but_o it_o can_v neither_o strengthen_v the_o enthusiast_n nor_o detract_v from_o the_o worth_n or_o reputation_n of_o a_o well_o compose_v liturgy_n and_o that_o this_o be_v the_o true_a meaning_n of_o this_o scripture_n and_o the_o real_a opposition_n which_o be_v here_o make_v of_o spirit_n to_o understanding_n and_o the_o difference_n betwixt_o they_o appear_v plain_o from_o the_o naked_a word_n of_o the_o nineteenth_o verse_n without_o any_o paraphrase_n upon_o they_o for_o say_v the_o apostle_n i_o have_v rather_o speak_v five_o word_n with_o my_o understanding_n that_o by_o my_o voice_n i_o may_v teach_v other_o also_o than_o ten_o thousand_o word_n in_o a_o unknown_a tongue_n and_o though_o st._n chrysostom_n interpretation_n of_o the_o whole_a do_v not_o in_o every_o part_n agree_v with_o this_o yet_o he_o expound_v spirit_n by_o the_o gift_n of_o tongue_n but_o if_o man_n will_v still_o evidence_n their_o vanity_n by_o defend_v their_o extravagancy_n by_o text_n of_o scripture_n which_o have_v be_v win_v from_o they_o as_o often_o as_o they_o have_v trump_v they_o up_o to_o the_o world_n and_o urge_v that_o in_o the_o twelve_o of_o zechariah_n where_o god_n promise_v to_o pour_v upon_o the_o house_n of_o david_n and_o upon_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o jerusalem_n the_o spirit_n of_o grace_n and_o of_o supplication_n etc._n etc._n they_o will_v gain_v but_o little_a countenance_n from_o hence_o for_o their_o irrational_a and_o loose_a way_n of_o worship_n though_o as_o a_o neat_a commentator_n of_o their_o own_o descant_n upon_o it_o it_o shall_v be_v pour_v out_o as_o by_o whole_a pailful_n trapp_n in_o loc_n for_o nothing_o can_v be_v conclude_v from_o this_o text_n but_o that_o the_o time_n shall_v come_v in_o which_o god_n will_v by_o his_o benign_a operation_n confer_v so_o much_o favour_n to_o the_o jew_n that_o they_o who_o be_v harden_v through_o their_o own_o infidelity_n to_o the_o affront_a and_o crucify_a the_o blessed_a jesus_n shall_v so_o relent_v for_o their_o former_a wickedness_n that_o they_o will_v pray_v to_o god_n and_o petition_n for_o their_o pardon_n when_o they_o come_v to_o be_v convince_v that_o the_o very_a person_n who_o they_o put_v so_o death_n under_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o impostor_n be_v indeed_o the_o promise_a messiah_n and_o so_o it_o no_o more_o conclude_v that_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v promise_v under_o the_o gospel_n to_o dictate_v matter_n and_o expression_n to_o all_o those_o who_o devout_o pray_v than_o it_o prove_v all_o saint_n under_o this_o dispensation_n to_o be_v perfect_a jew_n that_o crucify_v their_o saviour_n nor_o can_v all_o the_o hebrew_n and_o greek_a and_o latin_a in_o the_o world_n make_v either_o out_o from_o this_o text._n nay_o such_o doctrine_n can_v no_o more_o be_v found_v on_o this_o prophecy_n of_o zechariah_n than_o that_o the_o holy_a ghost_n shall_v also_o dictate_v matter_n and_o word_n in_o preach_v too_o and_o render_v all_o sanctify_a man_n sermon_n as_o much_o the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o the_o scripture_n can_v be_v infer_v from_o that_o promise_n in_o the_o second_o of_o joel_n where_o god_n say_v i_o will_v pour_v out_o my_o spirit_n upon_o all_o flesh_n and_o your_o son_n and_o your_o daughter_n shall_v prophesy_v since_o this_o be_v fulfil_v on_o that_o eminent_a day_n of_o pentecost_n when_o the_o holy_a ghost_n visible_o descend_v on_o the_o apostle_n to_o enable_v they_o to_o speak_v divers_a language_n and_o to_o work_v miracle_n etc._n etc._n for_o the_o propagation_n and_o confirmation_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o according_o it_o be_v limit_v by_o st._n peter_n act_n 2.16_o if_o man_n will_v still_o trifle_v with_o the_o scripture_n let_v they_o allow_v also_o woman_n to_o be_v preacher_n as_o well_o as_o man_n because_o in_o the_o promise_n it_o be_v say_v that_o daughter_n as_o well_o as_o son_n shall_v prophesy_v it_o will_v only_o as_o it_o be_v usual_a with_o some_o man_n prefer_v the_o old_a testament_n to_o the_o new_a and_o set_v a_o prophet_n and_o a_o apostle_n together_o by_o the_o ear_n that_o we_o may_v judge_v the_o advantage_n to_o which_o we_o please_v as_o he_o gratify_v either_o our_o humour_n or_o our_o interest_n but_o suppose_v our_o extempore_o man_n shall_v fly_v from_o scripture_n to_o the_o succeed_a writer_n among_o the_o christian_n as_o i_o know_v not_o but_o they_o may_v when_o they_o find_v any_o thing_n that_o make_v for_o they_o and_o tell_v we_o that_o all_o this_o worship_n which_o we_o declaim_v against_o be_v justifiable_a by_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n who_o live_v near_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n must_v needs_o understand_v their_o doctrine_n and_o their_o practice_n better_o than_o we_o who_o live_v in_o a_o age_n so_o far_o off_o and_o quote_v some_o passage_n from_o the_o ancient_a father_n to_o justify_v their_o extravagant_a devotion_n now_o i_o only_o reply_v 1._o we_o grant_v that_o in_o the_o first_o time_n of_o miraculous_a operation_n before_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v well_o settle_v in_o the_o world_n the_o spirit_n do_v as_o well_o dictate_v prayer_n to_o some_o for_o the_o help_n of_o other_o as_o it_o inspire_v some_o to_o deliver_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n and_o faith_n that_o they_o may_v be_v derive_v downward_o to_o posterity_n but_o all_o this_o cease_v afterward_o when_o the_o reason_n of_o it_o cease_v when_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o new_a law_n be_v complete_v and_o knowledge_n and_o part_n become_v the_o fruit_n of_o liberal_a education_n and_o the_o spirit_n co-operation_n with_o human_a industry_n 2._o that_o the_o father_n give_v no_o countenance_n to_o this_o extempore_o wild_a way_n of_o prayer_n and_o the_o late_a patron_n of_o this_o conceive_a method_n when_o they_o urge_v any_o expression_n from_o they_o be_v fain_o to_o squeeze_v a_o few_o particular_a passage_n hard_o either_o by_o a_o false_a rehearsal_n or_o else_o by_o criticise_v and_o large_a interpretation_n they_o draw_v their_o word_n off_o from_o the_o sense_n which_o the_o subject_a matter_n and_o coherence_n of_o the_o place_n do_v willing_o afford_v they_o 3._o that_o this_o way_n of_o argue_v in_o this_o affair_n be_v disclaim_v by_o a_o late_a nonconformist_a writer_n who_o be_v eminent_a both_o in_o vent_v and_o darken_n too_o these_o extempore_o prayer_n and_o almost_o as_o ancient_a as_o any_o now_o live_v in_o defend_v they_o nay_o and_o he_o have_v reason_n too_o when_o the_o contrary_a opinion_n as_o he_o say_v become_v opposite_a to_o his_o own_o experience_n but_o to_o give_v he_o his_o due_n he_o admit_v scripture_n in_o this_o controversy_n and_o will_v have_v man_n to_o believe_v that_o all_o the_o command_n for_o prayer_n in_o the_o sacred_a writing_n be_v so_o many_o law_n to_o enjoin_v their_o own_o extempore_o way_n and_o method_n yet_o though_o he_o adventure_n at_o some_o promise_n i_o can_v find_v that_o he_o meddle_v with_o the_o command_n so_o as_o to_o appropriate_v any_o one_o to_o extempore_o prayer_n though_o he_o be_v very_o good_a at_o criticism_n and_o inference_n but_o natural_a enthusiasm_n when_o rivet_v by_o custom_n skulk_v so_o within_o a_o man_n that_o though_o possess_v with_o it_o he_o do_v not_o know_v it_o and_o it_o be_v such_o another_o thing_n as_o what_o the_o vulgar_a call_v arminianism_n which_o a_o man_n may_v sometime_o be_v charge_v with_o when_o he_o yet_o plead_v not_o guilty_a as_o i_o have_v hear_v of_o another_o great_a writer_n who_o aphorism_n when_o dr._n hammond_n have_v peruse_v present_o reply_v this_o man_n be_v a_o arminian_n but_o he_o do_v not_o know_v it_o 4._o if_o any_o will_v defend_v these_o conceive_a public_a prayer_n from_o antiquity_n i_o wish_v they_o will_v also_o put_v other_o matter_n in_o controversy_n betwixt_o they_o and_o the_o church_n of_o england_n upon_o the_o same_o trial_n and_o permit_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n to_o be_v also_o determine_v this_o way_n yet_o last_o these_o thing_n be_v here_o set_v down_o not_o because_o we_o have_v any_o cause_n of_o fear_n from_o what_o can_v fair_o be_v urge_v for_o extempore_o prayer_n out_o of_o any_o ancient_a author_n of_o undoubted_a credit_n the_o quotation_n have_v frequent_o be_v answer_v but_o more_o especial_o because_o they_o be_v just_a now_o explain_v in_o the_o second_o part_n of_o certain_a case_n of_o conscience_n resold_v concern_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o join_v with_o form_n of_o prayer_n in_o public_a worship_n the_o view_n of_o which_o since_o the_o composure_n of_o this_o small_a discourse_n