may_v well_o be_v count_v a_o idolater_n but_o as_o long_o as_o it_o be_v use_v as_o a_o indifferent_a ceremony_n according_a to_o the_o direction_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n none_o ought_v to_o be_v offend_v for_o it_o be_v borrow_v from_o the_o primitive_a christian_n who_o glory_v in_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o cross_n but_o we_o have_v yet_o a_o high_a example_n of_o conformity_n and_o compliance_n in_o the_o apostle_n which_o he_o do_v not_o out_o of_o his_o single_a judgement_n but_o with_o the_o advice_n of_o a_o assembly_n of_o apostle_n and_o elder_n as_o in_o the_o act_n 21.18_o 19_o 20_o 21_o 22_o 23_o 24_o 25._o where_o we_o see_v that_o though_o the_o elder_n receive_v with_o much_o joy_n the_o news_n concern_v the_o conversion_n of_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o faith_n yet_o consider_v how_o many_o jew_n there_o be_v who_o believe_v and_o yet_o be_v also_o zealous_a for_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n and_o that_o they_o be_v offend_v with_o paul_n for_o preach_v among_o the_o gentile_n against_o moses_n and_o his_o ceremonial_a law_n and_o that_o therefore_o his_o person_n will_v not_o be_v acceptable_a to_o they_o they_o advise_v he_o by_o all_o mean_n to_o show_v his_o compliance_n with_o they_o in_o his_o conformity_n to_o their_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n as_o do_v there_o appear_v now_o v._n 26._o we_o find_v the_o apostle_n follow_v and_o obey_v their_o counsel_n he_o do_v not_o only_o comply_v with_o they_o in_o show_v reverence_n to_o the_o temple_n observe_v rite_n about_o vow_n and_o purification_n but_o likewise_o in_o their_o offering_n and_o typical_a oblation_n certain_o shall_v any_o man_n do_v half_a so_o much_o now_o as_o st._n paul_n do_v then_o some_o furious_a zealot_n who_o place_n their_o religion_n as_o much_o in_o oppose_a ceremony_n as_o the_o jew_n do_v in_o observe_v they_o will_v cry_v out_o against_o he_o as_o they_o do_v against_o st._n paul_n on_o another_o occasion_n act_v 22.22_o away_o with_o such_o a_o fellow_n from_o the_o earth_n for_o it_o be_v not_o fit_a he_o shall_v live_v and_o here_o farther_z we_o can_v imagine_v that_o this_o be_v ill_o do_v by_o the_o apople_n because_o he_o be_v never_o guilty_a of_o sinful_a compliance_n in_o the_o great_a danger_n and_o because_o it_o be_v agreeable_a to_o his_o precept_n and_o course_n of_o life_n all_o along_o and_o because_o this_o counsel_n proceed_v from_o the_o joint_a consent_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n in_o who_o assembly_n the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v always_o present_a wherefore_o it_o follow_v that_o the_o jewish_a ceremony_n liable_a to_o so_o many_o exception_n be_v not_o however_o so_o odious_a and_o sinful_a absolute_o consider_v but_o that_o as_o occasion_v require_v they_o may_v be_v observe_v and_o lawful_o use_v even_o by_o those_o who_o know_v they_o abolish_v by_o the_o death_n of_o christ_n and_o therefore_o sure_o the_o ceremony_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n which_o be_v harmless_a and_o innocent_a if_o not_o pious_a which_o be_v as_o no-way_n burdensome_a in_o themselves_o so_o institute_v only_o for_o decency_n and_o uniformity_n aught_o to_o be_v observe_v for_o by_o thus_o do_v faction_n and_o schism_n will_v be_v avoid_v brotherly_a love_n maintaintain_v peace_n and_o unity_n the_o glory_n of_o our_o profession_n preserve_v of_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o use_n of_o common-prayer_n in_o public_a the_o apostle_n st._n paul_n lay_v down_o two_o rule_n to_o guide_v our_o prayer_n by_o 1_o cor._n 14.15_o what_o be_v it_o then_o i_o will_v pray_v with_o the_o spirit_n and_o i_o will_v pray_v with_o the_o understanding_n also_o i_o will_v sing_v with_o the_o spirit_n and_o i_o will_v sing_v with_o the_o understanding_n also_o and_o in_o the_o 16._o and_o 17._o verse_n press_v the_o pray_n with_o the_o understanding_n also_o because_o otherwise_o he_o that_o occupi_v the_o place_n of_o the_o unlearned_a can_v not_o say_v amen_o at_o his_o give_v of_o thanks_o see_v he_o understand_v not_o what_o be_v say_v and_o be_v not_o at_o all_o edify_v thereby_o and_o v._o 19_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o he_o have_v rather_o speak_v five_o word_n with_o understanding_n that_o the_o church_n may_v be_v edify_v than_o ten_o thousand_o word_n in_o a_o unknown_a tongue_n it_o seem_v the_o corinthian_n do_v much_o affect_v pray_v with_o the_o spirit_n as_o they_o think_v it_o to_o be_v though_o they_o regard_v not_o the_o understanding_n and_o edification_n of_o their_o hearer_n i_o wish_v the_o like_a may_v not_o be_v say_v of_o many_o among_o ourselves_o who_o cry_v up_o extemporary_a pray_v for_o the_o only_o pray_v with_o the_o spirit_n and_o condemn_a common-prayer_n as_o carnal_a and_o formal_a but_o if_o we_o will_v examine_v these_o two_o sort_n of_o prayer_n with_o the_o rule_v lay_v down_o by_o the_o apostle_n we_o shall_v find_v that_o common-prayer_n or_o form_n of_o prayer_n be_v every_o way_n as_o consistent_a with_o pray_v by_o the_o spirit_n and_o be_v best_a for_o edification_n and_o the_o understanding_n of_o the_o hearer_n it_o be_v true_a our_o understanding_n and_o invention_n too_o both_o of_o speaker_n and_o people_n aught_o to_o be_v under_o the_o guidance_n direction_n and_o assistence_n of_o the_o spirit_n as_o well_o as_o our_o affection_n the_o former_a be_v the_o noble_a and_o the_o latter_a the_o more_o ignoble_a and_o low_a faculty_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o therefore_o as_o to_o pray_v with_o the_o spirit_n it_o be_v requisite_a that_o these_o too_o be_v sanctify_v that_o we_o may_v clear_o discern_v apprehend_v and_o find_v out_o those_o truth_n which_o god_n have_v reveal_v and_o those_o sin_n which_o be_v apt_a to_o beset_v we_o and_o those_o mercy_n we_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o but_o however_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v expect_v that_o in_o all_o our_o prayer_n the_o spirit_n shall_v help_v our_o invention_n in_o find_v out_o new_a matter_n much_o less_o new_a word_n for_o the_o sanctification_n of_o the_o understanding_n do_v not_o consist_v in_o these_o we_o ought_v to_o judge_v the_o quite_o contrary_a for_o the_o same_o judgement_n we_o pray_v against_o the_o same_o mercy_n we_o pray_v for_o in_o one_o prayer_n we_o must_v pray_v for_o often_o and_o though_o god_n spirit_n may_v discover_v more_o and_o more_o our_o sinfulness_n to_o we_o yet_o the_o same_o sinfulness_n on_o one_o hand_n and_o grace_n on_o the_o other_o which_o afford_v matter_n for_o prayer_n now_o may_v afford_v we_o matter_n to_o our_o life_n end_v as_o for_o particular_a occasion_n they_o have_v their_o particular_a prayer_n but_o he_o be_v in_o a_o very_a sad_a and_o strange_a condition_n that_o when_o he_o come_v to_o pray_v to_o almighty_a god_n know_v nothing_o at_o all_o beforehand_o what_o he_o shall_v pray_v for_o nor_o what_o he_o shall_v pray_v against_a but_o expect_v that_o the_o spirit_n shall_v furnish_v he_o with_o new_a matter_n for_o his_o prayer_n or_o else_o he_o will_v be_v at_o a_o loss_n for_o it_o be_v to_o be_v suppose_v that_o we_o be_v acquaint_v with_o our_o own_o want_n beforehand_o and_o the_o sense_n of_o our_o misery_n and_o wretchedness_n in_o ourselves_o be_v usual_o the_o first_o motive_n and_o inducement_n to_o prayer_n and_o therefore_o the_o assistence_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o operation_n on_o the_o understanding_n and_o invention_n be_v not_o to_o furnish_v we_o with_o new_a matter_n and_o word_n at_o prayer_n but_o in_o keep_v alive_a a_o serious_a and_o constant_a apprehension_n of_o our_o condition_n which_o shall_v remain_v with_o we_o not_o only_o in_o time_n of_o our_o devotion_n but_o also_o be_v a_o continual_a gâ—ide_n throughout_o the_o course_n of_o our_o life_n he_o be_v to_o be_v account_v rather_o a_o infidel_n heathen_a or_o unbeliever_n than_o a_o true_a christian_a a_o man_n altogether_o unacquainted_a with_o his_o spiritual_a estate_n and_o condition_n that_o know_v no_o attribute_n of_o god_n to_o be_v celebrate_v no_o sin_n he_o be_v guilty_a of_o no_o judgement_n he_o be_v afraid_a of_o no_o grace_n in_o which_o he_o be_v deficient_a no_o mercy_n he_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o but_o all_o of_o these_o be_v the_o matter_n of_o prayer_n and_o all_o of_o these_o every_o one_o that_o know_v any_o thing_n of_o christianity_n must_v be_v in_o some_o measure_n acquaint_v with_o before_o he_o perform_v the_o duty_n of_o prayer_n the_o knowledge_n of_o they_o be_v not_o only_o requisite_a to_o that_o duty_n but_o necessary_a to_o constitute_v and_o denominate_v he_o a_o christian_n and_o though_o some_o may_v think_v they_o have_v new_a discovery_n in_o time_n of_o prayer_n which_o i_o shall_v not_o now_o dispute_v of_o what_o nature_n they_o be_v yet_o the_o general_a ground_n and_o foundation_n of_o their_o prayer_n be_v no_o new-invented_n matter_n but_o such_o which_o beforehand_o they_o must_v
be_v acquaint_v with_o and_o so_o invention_n of_o new_a matter_n be_v not_o requisite_a to_o the_o spiritual_a performance_n of_o the_o duty_n and_o as_o for_o new_a word_n to_o think_v the_o change_n of_o these_o so_o needful_a will_v be_v to_o place_v the_o excellency_n of_o this_o divine_a duty_n in_o a_o tone_n and_o to_o turn_v this_o spiritual_a into_o formal_a and_o lip-service_n beside_o if_o the_o spirit_n shall_v dictate_v every_o new_a word_n to_o we_o all_o these_o prayer_n may_v pass_v for_o canonical_a and_o be_v account_v the_o word_n of_o god_n indeed_o and_o yet_o most_o people_n through_o their_o ignorance_n have_v place_v the_o spiritual_a performance_n of_o this_o duty_n in_o invention_n of_o new_a matter_n and_o word_n which_o be_v quite_o otherwise_o and_o consist_v in_o the_o sanctification_n of_o the_o whole_a man_n as_o to_o body_n soul_n and_o spirit_n in_o the_o sanctification_n of_o the_o understanding_n memory_n will_n and_o affection_n by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o yet_o far_o that_o we_o may_v pray_v with_o the_o spirit_n use_v a_o form_n of_o word_n may_v appear_v from_o that_o prayer_n which_o christ_n teach_v his_o disciple_n luke_n 11.2_o when_o you_o pray_v say_v thus_o which_o be_v speak_v in_o answer_n to_o the_o desire_n of_o one_o of_o christ_n disciple_n to_o teach_v they_o to_o pray_v second_o that_o in_o sing_v of_o psalm_n we_o sing_v with_o the_o spirit_n and_o yet_o almost_o all_o the_o psalm_n be_v petition_n or_o thanksgiving_n to_o god_n that_o be_v also_o prayer_n which_o comprehend_v both_o petition_n and_o thanksgiving_n and_o the_o apostle_n join_v both_o together_o pray_v with_o the_o spirit_n and_o sing_v with_o the_o spirit_n no_o sect_n yet_o however_o have_v be_v so_o distract_v as_o to_o venture_v on_o sing_v extempore_o and_o it_o be_v the_o practice_n of_o those_o who_o condemn_v form_n of_o prayer_n to_o use_v notwithstanding_o psalm_n which_o although_o they_o owe_v their_o matter_n to_o divine_a inspiration_n yet_o their_o composition_n afterward_o to_o the_o art_n of_o man_n and_o very_o good_a reason_n for_o if_o they_o undertake_v to_o sing_v extempore_o every_o body_n will_v present_o perceive_v that_o they_o be_v out_o of_o tune_n or_o rather_o never_o in_o it_o and_o that_o their_o song_n be_v as_o void_a of_o rhyme_n as_o reason_n and_o therefore_o if_o verse_n and_o metre_n though_o compose_v form_n by_o humane_a invention_n be_v fit_a for_o and_o consistent_a with_o the_o spiritual_a elevation_n of_o our_o heart_n to_o god_n by_o way_n of_o thanksgiving_n why_o be_v not_o prose_n in_o elevation_n of_o our_o heart_n by_o way_n of_o petition_n not_o to_o say_v that_o some_o psalm_n be_v perfect_a petition_n as_o the_o 51_o psalm_n three_o i_o will_v willing_o be_v resolve_v by_o those_o who_o be_v altogether_o for_o extempore-praying_a minister_n because_o those_o minister_n pray_v by_o the_o spirit_n whether_o they_o themselves_o when_o they_o hear_v they_o pray_v with_o the_o spirit_n or_o no._n and_o i_o suppose_v that_o they_o have_v a_o better_a esteem_n of_o themselves_o than_o to_o think_v otherwise_o or_o to_o deny_v that_o they_o pray_v with_o the_o spirit_n pray_v by_o or_o with_o the_o spirit_n as_o it_o respect_v the_o spiritual_a performance_n of_o the_o duty_n be_v actual_o incumbent_a on_o the_o people_n as_o well_o as_o the_o minister_n but_o yet_o they_o themselves_o have_v no_o extemporary_a expression_n nor_o will_v be_v allow_v to_o have_v extemporary_a enlargement_n of_o heart_n their_o spirit_n be_v bind_v up_o by_o the_o spirit_n of_o their_o minister_n who_o if_o they_o shall_v not_o diligent_o heed_n his_o word_n and_o give_v their_o full_a assent_n and_o consent_n and_o go_v along_o with_o he_o in_o every_o sentence_n will_v doubtless_o accuse_v they_o of_o negligence_n profaneness_n or_o hypocrisy_n because_o they_o do_v not_o mind_v the_o ordinance_n of_o the_o lord_n that_o be_v that_o prayer_n which_o he_o dictate_v to_o they_o and_o ti_v up_o their_o spirit_n and_o thought_n that_o they_o keep_v close_o to_o it_o without_o wander_v shall_v any_o of_o his_o congregation_n pretend_v that_o god_n have_v put_v holy_a thought_n into_o his_o heart_n that_o he_o can_v not_o attend_v to_o all_o that_o he_o say_v this_o pretence_n will_v be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v make_v a_o note_n of_o the_o spirit_n that_o it_o will_v be_v think_v some_o diabolical_a suggestion_n which_o withdraw_v his_o heart_n from_o give_v attention_n to_o his_o prayer_n so_o this_o people_n by_o the_o same_o breath_n they_o cry_v up_o their_o minister_n condemn_v themselves_o for_o if_o it_o be_v legal_a and_o carnal_a to_o be_v tie_v to_o a_o form_n of_o sound_a work_n which_o other_o have_v compose_v for_o we_o without_o enlargement_n of_o our_o own_o if_o it_o be_v carnal_a not_o to_o make_v use_n of_o our_o own_o part_n and_o invention_n in_o offer_v up_o our_o petition_n if_o it_o be_v carnal_a to_o have_v our_o spirit_n bind_v up_o limit_v and_o confine_v by_o word_n which_o other_o have_v dictate_v to_o we_o then_o be_v all_o the_o congregation_n carnal_a no_o spiritual_a person_n not_o only_o in_o respect_n of_o office_n but_o also_o of_o real_a qualification_n beside_o the_o minister_n who_o be_v their_o mouth_n and_o spokesman_n for_o dare_v any_o of_o his_o hearer_n pretend_v to_o other_o revelation_n be_v not_o their_o spirit_n confine_v to_o his_o spirit_n word_n and_o sentence_n for_o enlargement_n of_o matter_n be_v deny_v only_o that_o of_o affection_n in_o admiration_n of_o his_o matter_n allow_v deviation_n from_o it_o or_o digression_n will_v be_v a_o note_n of_o profaneness_n and_o irreligion_n the_o sow_v of_o tare_n among_o the_o wheat_n but_o if_o their_o minister_n be_v not_o partial_a they_o shall_v by_o their_o own_o principle_n allow_v every_o member_n of_o their_o congregation_n that_o liberty_n at_o the_o same_o time_n which_o they_o challenge_v to_o themselves_o leave_v every_o man_n to_o his_o particular_a enlargement_n and_o not_o confine_v they_o to_o his_o own_o prayer_n lest_o the_o spirit_n be_v stint_v in_o his_o brethren_n who_o may_v have_v at_o the_o same_o time_n several_a motion_n rapture_n and_o illumination_n much_o like_o the_o corinthian_a church_n 1_o cor._n 14.26_o how_o be_v it_o brethren_n when_o you_o come_v together_o every_o man_n have_v a_o psalm_n have_v a_o tongue_n have_v a_o doctrine_n have_v a_o revelation_n have_v a_o interpretation_n but_o see_v we_o must_v join_v in_o prayer_n or_o else_o the_o congregation_n be_v leave_v distract_v it_o follow_v even_o hence_o that_o pray_v with_o the_o spirit_n consist_v not_o in_o new_a invention_n of_o matter_n and_o word_n i_o now_o come_v to_o consider_v the_o second_o qualification_n of_o public_a prayer_n by_o which_o all_o our_o spiritual_a gift_n in_o their_o use_n and_o exercise_v aught_o to_o be_v direct_v and_o regulate_v that_o be_v the_o good_a and_o edification_n of_o the_o hearer_n this_o be_v that_o which_o the_o apostle_n 1_o cor._n 14.15_o etc._n etc._n and_o throughout_o the_o whole_a chapter_n aim_v at_o that_o let_v man_n pretence_n to_o the_o spirit_n be_v what_o they_o will_v yet_o neither_o they_o nâ—â—_n their_o pretence_n be_v to_o be_v regard_v if_o they_o intend_v not_o edification_n the_o great_a care_n of_o the_o minister_n shall_v be_v that_o the_o people_n may_v understand_v he_o and_o be_v profit_v by_o he_o this_o be_v also_o far_a evident_a from_o the_o 16_o verse_n which_o do_v explain_v the_o former_a else_o when_o thou_o shall_v bless_v with_o the_o spirit_n how_o shall_v he_o that_o occupi_v the_o room_n of_o the_o unlearned_a say_n amen_o at_o thy_o give_v of_o thanks_o see_v he_o understand_v not_o what_o thou_o say_v this_o be_v also_o evident_a from_o the_o protestation_n of_o st._n paul_n in_o the_o 19_o v._o to_o speak_v five_o intelligible_a word_n in_o the_o church_n than_o a_o multitude_n unintelligible_a this_o be_v also_o evident_a out_o of_o the_o precedent_a verse_n the_o design_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v that_o by_o plain_a preach_n and_o pray_v they_o shall_v edify_v the_o church_n of_o god_n so_o v._n 9_o so_o likewise_o you_o except_o you_o utter_v by_o the_o tongue_n word_n easy_a to_o be_v understand_v how_o shall_v it_o be_v know_v what_o be_v speak_v for_o you_o shall_v speak_v into_o the_o air_n now_o that_o form_n of_o prayer_n as_o they_o be_v compose_v may_v best_o be_v understand_v by_o all_o sort_n of_o people_n be_v so_o evident_a that_o it_o need_v no_o demonstration_n it_o be_v true_a man_n may_v if_o they_o please_v compose_v such_o form_n which_o be_v unintelligible_a as_o the_o popish_a prayer_n which_o be_v in_o a_o unknown_a tongue_n and_o not_o understand_v by_o the_o generality_n or_o we_o may_v compose_v such_o intricate_a form_n in_o our_o own_o tongue_n which_o few_o can_v understand_v
but_o whatsoever_o qualification_n be_v desire_v for_o clearness_n of_o understanding_n may_v better_o be_v do_v in_o a_o set_a form_n which_o be_v make_v upon_o mature_a deliberation_n than_o in_o extempore_o prayer_n which_o be_v compose_v on_o a_o sudden_a whether_o we_o respect_v the_o propriety_n of_o word_n the_o easiness_n and_o significancy_n of_o the_o phrase_n the_o plainness_n of_o the_o style_n the_o distinction_n of_o the_o sentence_n and_o the_o methodical_a disposition_n of_o the_o whole_a and_o beside_o set_v form_n public_o and_o constant_o read_v in_o the_o church_n have_v this_o advantage_n that_o though_o some_o expression_n shall_v not_o be_v very_o clear_a in_o themselves_o yet_o long_o use_v whereby_o people_n become_v acquaint_v with_o they_o will_v render_v they_o intelligible_a but_o there_o be_v but_o few_o that_o can_v speak_v on_o a_o sudden_a so_o pertinent_o and_o clear_o to_o any_o business_n as_o they_o can_v upon_o mature_a deliberation_n and_o in_o this_o case_n as_o set_v form_n be_v likely_a to_o go_v beyond_o unstudy_v prayer_n so_o those_o allow_v and_o compose_v by_o the_o father_n of_o the_o church_n be_v likely_a to_o excel_v the_o composition_n of_o any_o single_a person_n and_o if_o we_o serious_o consider_v the_o composition_n of_o our_o own_o public_a prayer_n there_o can_v well_o be_v any_o better_o frame_v for_o perspicuity_n and_o information_n of_o the_o judgement_n or_o move_v the_o affection_n the_o word_n be_v plain_a familiar_a and_o easy_a to_o be_v understand_v the_o method_n be_v distinct_a and_o perspicuous_a the_o prayer_n be_v digest_v into_o several_a collect_v so_o that_o we_o know_v when_o we_o be_v to_o confess_v our_o sin_n when_o to_o give_v thanks_o when_o to_o pray_v for_o grace_n and_o when_o for_o peace_n and_o when_o for_o the_o king_n and_o state_n etc._n etc._n and_o qui_fw-la bene_fw-la distinguit_fw-la bene_fw-la docet_fw-la in_o the_o litany_n we_o have_v a_o brief_a and_o pathetical_a enumeration_n of_o those_o sin_n and_o judgement_n we_o shall_v pray_v against_o of_o those_o mercy_n spiritual_a and_o temporal_a we_o shall_v pray_v for_o and_o this_o in_o plain_a term_n not_o obscure_a to_o those_o who_o understand_v their_o mother-tongue_n in_o the_o second_o service_n we_o have_v the_o command_v of_o god_n the_o sum_n of_o what_o we_o have_v to_o do_v and_o throughout_o a_o frequent_a intermixture_n of_o the_o creed_n epistle_n and_o gospel_n by_o which_o in_o all_o point_v we_o may_v be_v sufficient_o instruct_v but_o now_o for_o other_o prayer_n which_o man_n make_v without_o premeditation_n although_o this_o shall_v be_v grant_v that_o every_o prayer_n be_v coherent_a and_o that_o every_o word_n and_o sentence_n in_o the_o prayer_n may_v be_v understand_v by_o judicious_a auditor_n yet_o if_o we_o consider_v how_o hard_o it_o be_v to_o make_v the_o generality_n of_o people_n to_o understand_v those_o truth_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n what_o can_v we_o expect_v from_o they_o when_o beside_o the_o thing_n themselves_o their_o memory_n must_v be_v burden_a with_o variety_n of_o expression_n and_o they_o must_v be_v more_o perplex_a to_o understand_v variety_n of_o word_n than_o variety_n of_o matter_n every_o new_a prayer_n more_o and_o more_o amaze_a their_o thought_n and_o confound_v their_o apprehension_n in_o which_o notwithstanding_o its_o requisite_a that_o every_o member_n of_o the_o congregation_n shall_v join_v whereas_o one_o comprehensive_a prayer_n which_o shall_v be_v use_v in_o all_o our_o solemn_a assembly_n significant_o express_v may_v by_o care_n and_o study_v in_o time_n be_v understand_v of_o all_o nay_o though_o variety_n may_v delight_v the_o fancy_n and_o draw_v the_o affection_n the_o more_o to_o the_o speaker_n yet_o it_o will_v be_v apt_a to_o distract_v the_o thought_n and_o a_o little_a disturb_v the_o affection_n as_o to_o the_o matter_n even_o in_o those_o who_o be_v understanding_n for_o it_o be_v not_o in_o hear_v prayer_n as_o in_o hear_v sermon_n when_o we_o come_v to_o learn_v and_o be_v instruct_v in_o the_o will_n of_o god_n where_o if_o any_o thing_n be_v not_o true_o and_o clear_o deliver_v we_o may_v leisurely_o consider_v of_o it_o without_o offence_n to_o god_n or_o ill_a performance_n of_o the_o duty_n but_o in_o prayer_n we_o be_v to_o offer_v up_o our_o petition_n which_o if_o not_o clear_o express_v and_o our_o apprehension_n be_v not_o easy_a so_o that_o the_o thing_n deliver_v be_v no_o soon_o hear_v but_o understand_v and_o assent_v to_o and_o pass_v immediate_o to_o the_o affection_n we_o shall_v be_v at_o a_o loss_n for_o join_v now_o these_o thing_n can_v be_v so_o well_o attain_v to_o even_o by_o those_o of_o competent_a understanding_n in_o extempore_o prayer_n as_o in_o set_v form_n for_o in_o these_o latter_a we_o may_v understand_v thing_n beforehand_o and_o so_o have_v nothing_o to_o do_v but_o to_o join_v in_o put_v up_o our_o petition_n which_o be_v the_o proper_a work_n of_o prayer_n but_o extempore_o prayer_n be_v obnoxious_a to_o several_a impediment_n which_o arise_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o prayer_n themselves_o for_o here_o be_v a_o necessity_n of_o a_o instantaneous_a weigh_v and_o judge_v the_o several_a expression_n continual_o follow_v each_o other_o together_o with_o the_o application_n of_o they_o to_o the_o will_n for_o the_o stir_v up_o the_o affection_n to_o embrace_v they_o which_o be_v not_o easy_o do_v unless_o by_o those_o who_o have_v their_o faculty_n well_o exercise_v as_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o auditor_n usual_o have_v not_o for_o whilst_o the_o understanding_n be_v consider_v and_o estimate_v the_o truth_n of_o thing_n the_o goodness_n be_v not_o represent_v to_o the_o will_n as_o desirable_a and_o beside_o the_o due_a understanding_n of_o a_o prayer_n depend_v on_o the_o connexion_n of_o one_o part_n and_o one_o sentence_n with_o another_o there_o will_v be_v need_n of_o ready_a animadversion_n to_o take_v notice_n of_o it_o and_o a_o competency_n of_o memory_n to_o retain_v it_o which_o qualification_n many_o person_n otherwise_o godly_a and_o intelligent_a may_v be_v destitute_a of_o and_o yet_o far_o the_o error_n to_o which_o such_o prayer_n may_v be_v liable_a and_o obnoxious_a from_o the_o defect_n of_o the_o person_n pray_v be_v manifold_a but_o i_o shall_v not_o now_o instance_n in_o any_o and_o therefore_o i_o conclude_v that_o set_v form_n be_v such_o which_o the_o best_a may_v join_v hearty_o with_o and_o without_o which_o the_o generality_n can_v come_v to_o knowledge_n very_o well_o and_o that_o they_o be_v the_o sure_a ground_n for_o the_o understanding_n to_o proceed_v upon_o but_o yet_o there_o remain_v a_o objection_n to_o be_v resolve_v which_o must_v be_v if_o they_o understand_v themselves_o the_o foundation_n both_o of_o their_o minister_n plea_n and_o of_o the_o people_n admiration_n of_o they_o which_o be_v thus_o though_o the_o use_n of_o set_a form_n may_v consist_v with_o pray_v with_o the_o spirit_n formalitèr_fw-la yet_o it_o do_v not_o effectiuè_a so_o much_o as_o extempore_o prayer_n it_o be_v according_a to_o the_o know_a rule_n of_o oratory_n that_o speech_n read_v out_o of_o a_o book_n be_v not_o apt_a to_o affect_v so_o much_o as_o when_o retain_v memoriter_fw-la and_o deliver_v with_o a_o lively_a and_o grateful_a pronunciation_n that_o which_o seem_v to_o flow_v from_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o speaker_n work_v the_o more_o effectual_o on_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o hearer_n now_o forasmuch_o as_o god_n work_v by_o mean_n in_o our_o conversion_n and_o edification_n which_o be_v suit_v and_o accommodate_v to_o our_o capacity_n and_o nature_n we_o ought_v to_o make_v use_n of_o those_o which_o be_v most_o apt_a to_o excite_v our_o devotion_n our_o inferior_a faculty_n have_v need_n of_o assistence_n and_o a_o meet_a help_n as_o well_o as_o our_o superior_a and_o who_o will_v not_o condemn_v on_o this_o account_n a_o careless_a and_o supine_n read_v of_o common-prayer_n itself_o as_o a_o thing_n tend_v to_o alienate_v man_n affection_n from_o it_o and_o to_o quench_v their_o devotion_n and_o therefore_o such_o minister_n who_o suppose_v themselves_o thus_o gift_v as_o to_o be_v able_a to_o excite_v man_n affection_n by_o their_o rhetorical_a prayer_n and_o lively_a pronunciation_n and_o action_n conclude_v it_o necessary_a that_o they_o shall_v make_v use_n of_o their_o talon_n and_o not_o lay_v it_o up_o in_o a_o napkin_n this_o argument_n or_o objection_n at_o first_o sight_n may_v seem_v specious_a and_o plausible_a but_o if_o thorough_o examine_v will_v appear_v as_o a_o rot_a fabric_n build_v on_o a_o sandy_a foundation_n or_o as_o a_o paint_a sepulchre_n which_o though_o beautiful_a to_o look_v on_o yet_o within_o be_v full_a of_o dead-men_n bone_n i_o confess_v if_o we_o compare_v read_v prayer_n and_o a_o delivery_n of_o a_o eloquent_a prayer_n without-book_a abstract_o and_o absolute_o