Selected quad for the lemma: prayer_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
prayer_n	affection_n	form_n	word_n	2,073	5	4.8584	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A42261	A perswasive to communion with the Church of England	Grove, Robert, 1634-1696.	1682 (1682)	Wing G2152; ESTC R13941	28,017	46

therefore_o they_o will_v admit_v of_o occasional_a and_o if_o so_o i_o can_v see_v what_o can_v withhold_v they_o from_o a_o full_a and_o constant_a communion_n with_o we_o certain_o that_o which_o be_v lawful_a once_o or_o twice_o must_v be_v lawful_a always_o however_o we_o may_v take_v some_o delight_n to_o see_v the_o old_a heat_n in_o any_o measure_n abate_v and_o that_o the_o least_o advance_n be_v make_v towards_o peace_n god_n grant_v that_o this_o concession_n may_v prove_v a_o step_n to_o a_o happy_a and_o perfect_a reconcilement_n and_o so_o i_o hope_v it_o may_v for_o our_o brethren_n can_v be_v any_o long_o offend_v with_o those_o form_n in_o which_o they_o do_v sometime_o join_v themselves_o nay_o those_o that_o have_v not_o yet_o proceed_v so_o far_o but_o be_v still_o afraid_a of_o be_v defile_v in_o our_o way_n of_o worship_n can_v have_v any_o colour_n to_o condemn_v it_o for_o be_v a_o form_n the_o jew_n have_v form_n in_o their_o public_a assembly_n which_o this_o notwithstanding_o be_v due_o frequent_v by_o our_o bless_a saviour_n he_o deliver_v a_o form_n himself_o in_o his_o sermon_n on_o the_o etc._n mount_n and_o teach_v the_o same_o again_o to_o his_o disciple_n afterward_o 2._o and_o command_v they_o to_o use_v it_o some_o form_n be_v receive_v very_o early_o among_o the_o ancient_a christian_n who_o have_v be_v follow_v in_o this_o by_o all_o the_o protestant_a church_n but_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o they_o be_v never_o call_v in_o question_n heretofore_o for_o how_o can_v it_o since_o they_o be_v no_o where_o forbid_v or_o if_o a_o command_n be_v think_v requisite_a to_o make_v they_o lawful_a the_o other_o way_n be_v no_o more_o command_v than_o this_o and_o therefore_o upon_o that_o principle_n they_o must_v be_v both_o equal_o lawful_a or_o unlawful_a so_o that_o if_o any_o prayer_n be_v lawful_a a_o for●_n must_v be_v confess_v to_o be_v so_o the_o argument_n in_o thi●_n case_n be_v so_o convince_v that_o there_o be_v few_o now_o but_o th●●_n will_v ready_o agree_v that_o a_o form_n may_v be_v lawful_a in_o itself_o but_o then_o they_o think_v it_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v impose_v because_o of_o some_o inconvenience_n which_o they_o conceive_v d●_n attend_v it_o and_o they_o be_v principal_o these_o two_o th●_n one_o that_o there_o may_v be_v some_o particular_a emergencie_n which_o can_v be_v provide_v for_o by_o a_o set_v form_n th●_n other_o that_o it_o be_v a_o hindrance_n to_o the_o spirit_n of_o prayer_n the_o first_o of_o these_o have_v very_o little_a difficulty_n in_o it_o the_o ordinary_a want_n and_o necessity_n of_o christian_n be_v always_o the_o same_o and_o we_o may_v petition_v to_o have_v they_o supply_v in_o the_o same_o word_n and_o for_o other_o thing_n it_o may_v general_o be_v foresee_v that_o they_o may_v happen_v sometime_o and_o suitable_a form_n may_v be_v compose_v to_o be_v use_v upon_o such_o occasion_n where_o these_o can_v be_v fit_o apply_v peculiar_a office_n may_v be_v set_v forth_o as_o have_v be_v usual_a in_o such_o case_n where_o the_o exigency_n be_v great_a and_o will_v not_o admit_v of_o so_o much_o delay_n as_o be_v necessary_a for_o that_o the_o minister_n be_v at_o liberty_n to_o use_v his_o own_o conception_n but_o this_o can_v be_v urge_v for_o the_o exclusion_n of_o a_o liturgy_n it_o be_v very_o unreasonable_a to_o deprive_v the_o church_n of_o know_a and_o approve_a form_n and_o leave_v she_o to_o the_o mercy_n of_o extemporary_a effusion_n only_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o a_o few_o contingency_n which_o may_v happen_v but_o very_o rare_o if_o at_o all_o in_o a_o whole_a age._n the_o other_o thing_n that_o be_v allege_v will_v be_v more_o considerable_a if_o it_o be_v real_o true_a that_o form_n do_v indeed_o hinder_v the_o spirit_n of_o prayer_n but_o this_o they_o do_v not_o for_o it_o be_v a_o gross_a and_o carnal_a mistake_n to_o imagine_v that_o the_o spirit_n of_o prayer_n can_v consist_v in_o a_o readiness_n of_o expression_n and_o a_o natural_a or_o acquire_v volubility_n of_o tongue_n art_n and_o accomplishment_n whereof_o many_o wicked_a man_n have_v be_v great_a master_n and_o wherein_o as_o many_o good_a one_o may_v be_v very_o deficient_a the_o spirit_n of_o prayer_n must_v be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o inward_a good_a and_o pious_a disposition_n of_o the_o soul_n wrought_v in_o we_o by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n a_o unfeigned_a humility_n and_o abhorrence_n of_o ourselves_o when_o we_o confess_v our_o sin_n and_o beg_v for_o pardon_n a_o affectionate_a sense_n of_o our_o want_n when_o we_o ask_v for_o all_o thing_n necessary_a both_o for_o this_o and_o the_o other_o life_n a_o holy_a exultation_n of_o mind_n when_o we_o offer_v up_o our_o praise_n and_o thanks_o for_o the_o blessing_n we_o have_v receive_v a_o full_a resignation_n of_o our_o concern_v to_o god_n disposal_n and_o a_o dependence_n upon_o his_o promise_n for_o the_o grant_v our_o request_n when_o we_o have_v make_v our_o address_n unto_o he_o these_o be_v the_o great_a indication_n of_o the_o true_a spirit_n of_o prayer_n and_o these_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v hinder_v that_o they_o may_v be_v very_o much_o help_v and_o advantage_v by_o a_o form_n a_o man_n questionless_a may_v be_v more_o serious_o affect_v in_o all_o these_o respect_n and_o say_v amen_o more_o hearty_o to_o a_o form_n of_o sound_a word_n which_o he_o have_v know_v and_o consider_v before_o than_o he_o can_v to_o some_o uncertain_a expression_n which_o he_o never_o hear_v nor_o think_v on_o and_o possible_o may_v not_o so_o well_o understand_v nor_o be_v satisfy_v in_o when_o he_o hear_v they_o the_o perplexity_n and_o doubtfulness_n of_o thought_n which_o must_v often_o arise_v when_o we_o will_v join_v in_o prayer_n we_o be_v unacquainted_a with_o be_v direct_o opposite_a to_o that_o faith_n and_o assurance_n with_o which_o we_o shall_v pray_v and_o can_v scarce_o be_v prevent_v but_o by_o a_o well_o digest_v and_o study_v form_n that_o may_v be_v weigh_v and_o sober_o assent_v to_o by_o those_o that_o be_v require_v to_o join_v in_o it_o but_o some_o think_v that_o it_o may_v be_v manifest_a from_o experience_n that_o form_n be_v a_o hindrance_n to_o the_o very_a inward_a spirit_n of_o devotion_n they_o have_v find_v their_o affection_n very_o cold_a and_o slat_n at_o our_o usual_a state_v form_n of_o prayer_n but_o when_o they_o hear_v a_o man_n pray_v without_o a_o form_n they_o be_v mighty_o ravish_v and_o almost_o transport_v and_o this_o difference_n of_o temper_n they_o observe_v in_o themselves_o have_v prevail_v with_o many_o of_o the_o more_o undiscerning_a sort_n especial_o to_o forsake_v our_o communion_n but_o it_o be_v always_o very_o dangerous_a to_o judge_v of_o thing_n not_o by_o our_o understanding_n but_o by_o the_o various_a impulse_n and_o motion_n of_o our_o affection_n when_o we_o have_v scripture_n and_o reason_n on_o our_o side_n we_o can_v be_v deceive_v but_o when_o we_o determine_v as_o we_o be_v sway_v by_o the_o present_a bias_n of_o our_o passion_n these_o may_v be_v charm_v or_o raise_v or_o flatten_v by_o several_a sort_n of_o spirit_n and_o quick_o betray_v we_o into_o strong_a delusion_n therefore_o if_o any_o one_o shall_v be_v tempt_v as_o some_o have_v be_v to_o leave_v the_o church_n on_o this_o account_n that_o he_o think_v he_o may_v be_v more_o affect_v in_o another_o place_n before_o he_o go_v i_o will_v desire_v he_o to_o consider_v what_o it_o be_v that_o do_v thus_o affect_v he_o if_o it_o be_v the_o matter_n and_o substance_n of_o the_o prayer_n i_o suppose_v that_o may_v be_v usual_o the_o same_o at_o least_o as_o good_a in_o our_o ordinary_a office_n as_o it_o be_v in_o their_o unpremeditated_a petition_n and_o so_o it_o will_v not_o be_v necessary_a to_o make_v a_o separation_n for_o this_o if_o it_o be_v only_o the_o chime_a and_o harmony_n of_o the_o word_n he_o be_v take_v with_o this_o be_v no_o more_o but_o a_o kind_n of_o sensitive_a delight_n and_o to_o apply_v the_o prophet_n expression_n here_o it_o be_v but_o like_o a_o very_a lovely_a song_n of_o one_o 32._o that_o have_v a_o pleasant_a voice_n and_o can_v play_v well_o on_o a_o instrument_n this_o will_n by_o no_o mean_n excuse_v our_o depart_n from_o the_o public_a assembly_n this_o will_v be_v in_o effect_n to_o say_v that_o we_o may_v make_v division_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n to_o gratify_v our_o own_o private_a and_o it_o may_v be_v mistake_v fancy_n but_o if_o any_o one_o have_v leave_v we_o for_o a_o time_n upon_o this_o pretence_n and_o make_v some_o trial_n of_o both_o way_n than_o i_o will_v desire_v he_o strict_o to_o examine_v his_o own_o conscience_n whether_o he_o have_v not_o often_o be_v as_o dull_a and_o

indifferent_a at_o a_o conceive_a prayer_n as_o ever_o he_o be_v at_o the_o service_n of_o the_o church_n and_o then_o on_o the_o other_o side_n let_v he_o consider_v whether_o he_o do_v not_o believe_v that_o very_o many_o may_v be_v as_o serious_a and_o devout_a at_o the_o common_a prayer_n as_o ever_o he_o be_v at_o any_o in_o the_o other_o way_n he_o be_v please_v to_o prefer_v and_o after_o he_o have_v thus_o inquire_v if_o he_o see_v reason_n to_o acknowledge_v both_o as_o doubtless_o he_o will_v than_o the_o scale_n will_v be_v even_o at_o the_o least_o experience_n will_v show_v that_o man_n may_v be_v fervent_a and_o affectionate_a with_o a_o form_n and_o cold_a and_o inattentive_a without_o one_o and_o therefore_o when_o we_o be_v heavy_a listless_a and_o unaffected_a at_o a_o prayer_n by_o a_o form_n this_o defect_n can_v proceed_v from_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o devotion_n but_o from_o the_o indisposition_n of_o the_o person_n that_o use_v it_o and_o when_o we_o separate_a upon_o this_o occasion_n we_o be_v guilty_a of_o a_o double_a iniquity_n in_o divide_v the_o church_n without_o sufficient_a cause_n and_o charge_v our_o own_o formality_n upon_o a_o good_a and_o wholesome_a constitution_n my_o intend_a brevity_n will_v not_o permit_v i_o to_o give_v a_o particular_a answer_n to_o all_o the_o exception_n that_o have_v be_v take_v at_o our_o liturgy_n only_o in_o the_o general_n i_o say_v i_o know_v nothing_o in_o it_o that_o can_v be_v pretend_v to_o be_v sinful_a in_o itself_o the_o most_o that_o be_v urge_v be_v some_o suppose_a inconvenience_n which_o if_o we_o shall_v grant_v to_o be_v real_a they_o can_v make_v our_o communion_n unlawful_a and_o then_o as_o i_o have_v often_o intimate_v it_o must_v be_v a_o sin_n to_o separate_a from_o it_o and_o we_o may_v not_o commit_v a_o sin_n to_o decline_v a_o inconvenience_n this_o will_v be_v to_o do_v evil_a that_o good_a may_v come_v of_o it_o they_o that_o be_v willing_a to_o improve_v every_o slight_a exception_n into_o a_o cause_n of_o separation_n shall_v beware_v of_o this_o the_o question_n be_v not_o whether_o there_o be_v not_o any_o thing_n in_o the_o order_n of_o our_o divine_a service_n which_o a_o man_n can_v wish_v to_o be_v alter_v for_o that_o can_v never_o be_v expect_v under_o any_o constitution_n the_o main_a inquiry_n be_v this_o whether_o any_o thing_n unlawful_a be_v appoint_v to_o be_v use_v which_o will_v make_v a_o alteration_n not_o only_o desirable_a but_o necessary_a and_o whether_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o withdraw_v till_o such_o alteration_n be_v make_v which_o have_v never_o be_v prove_v man_n general_o forbear_v our_o public_a worship_n without_o ever_o examine_v into_o it_o upon_o no_o other_o ground_n but_o because_o they_o prefer_v their_o own_o arbitrary_a way_n before_o it_o which_o i_o do_v not_o admire_v but_o this_o be_v very_o strange_a and_o unreasonable_a that_o they_o shall_v take_v such_o a_o disgust_n at_o our_o liturgy_n and_o fly_v away_o from_o it_o as_o if_o it_o be_v popish_a and_o antichristian_a when_o they_o never_o have_v so_o much_o as_o read_v it_o at_o least_o consider_v it_o as_o they_o ought_v and_o here_o i_o shall_v take_v the_o confidence_n to_o affirm_v that_o the_o liturgy_n some_o abhor_v so_o much_o be_v make_v and_o review_v with_o that_o prudence_n and_o moderation_n that_o care_n and_o circumspection_n that_o there_o be_v not_o any_o thing_n now_o extant_a in_o that_o kind_n that_o have_v be_v compose_v with_o great_a wisdom_n and_o piety_n if_o we_o shall_v take_v the_o liberty_n to_o compare_v it_o with_o the_o performance_n in_o the_o other_o way_n not_o to_o mention_v the_o many_o undecent_a incoherent_a irreverent_a expression_n to_o say_v no_o worse_o that_o may_v be_v collect_v let_v any_o prayer_n make_v occasional_o and_o extempore_o by_o the_o able_a and_o most_o cautious_a of_o those_o that_o magnify_v that_o way_n and_o despise_v we_o be_v take_v exact_o in_o write_v and_o publish_v to_o the_o world_n and_o i_o be_o very_o confident_a that_o one_o man_n without_o any_o great_a pain_n may_v find_v more_o thing_n real_o exceptionable_a in_o that_o single_a prayer_n in_o a_o short_a time_n than_o the_o several_a party_n of_o dissenter_n with_o all_o the_o diligence_n they_o have_v hitherto_o use_v have_v be_v able_a to_o discover_v in_o the_o whole_a service_n of_o our_o church_n in_o more_o than_o a_o hundred_o year_n and_o yet_o some_o of_o our_o brethren_n that_o seek_v industrious_o for_o scruple_n in_o the_o common_a prayer_n will_v ready_o join_v in_o other_o sudden_a conceive_a prayer_n without_o any_o scruple_n when_o they_o can_v tell_v but_o that_o there_o may_v be_v some_o dangerous_a heresy_n in_o every_o sentence_n and_o some_o great_a indecency_n and_o absurdity_n in_o every_o word_n this_o be_v such_o partiality_n and_o unequal_a deal_n as_o can_v be_v easy_o excuse_v but_o if_o they_o shall_v allow_v of_o the_o form_n of_o prayer_n in_o our_o liturgy_n there_o be_v certain_a ceremony_n enjoin_v which_o they_o think_v give_v they_o occasion_n enough_o to_o depart_v from_o our_o communion_n a_o man_n that_o be_v unacquainted_a with_o the_o true_a state_n of_o our_o case_n that_o shall_v stand_v by_o and_o only_o hear_v the_o bitter_a cry_n and_o invective_n that_o have_v be_v make_v against_o ceremony_n will_v be_v ready_a to_o imagine_v that_o sure_a our_o church_n be_v nothing_o else_o almost_o but_o ceremony_n but_o he_o will_v be_v mighty_o surprise_v when_o upon_o inquiry_n he_o shall_v find_v that_o these_o ceremony_n which_o have_v occasion_v all_o this_o noise_n shall_v be_v no_o more_o than_o three_o the_o surplice_n the_o cross_n after_o baptism_n and_o kneel_v at_o the_o sacrament_n he_o will_v be_v amaze_v to_o think_v that_o these_o shall_v be_v the_o thing_n about_o which_o so_o many_o massy_a book_n have_v be_v write_v so_o great_a discord_n and_o animosity_n raise_v such_o a_o flourish_a church_n once_o quite_o destroy_v and_o now_o most_o miserable_o divide_v after_o it_o have_v be_v so_o happy_o restore_v and_o his_o wonder_n must_v be_v increase_v when_o he_o shall_v perceive_v that_o of_o these_o three_o there_o be_v but_o one_o and_o no_o more_o in_o which_o the_o people_n be_v any_o way_n concern_v the_o cross_n and_o the_o surplice_n be_v to_o be_v use_v only_o by_o the_o minister_n and_o if_o his_o conscience_n be_v satisfy_v no_o man_n else_o need_v to_o be_v disturb_v about_o they_o to_o kneel_v at_o the_o lord_n supper_n all_o indeed_o be_v command_v but_o suppose_v this_o to_o be_v unlawful_a it_o can_v hinder_v we_o only_o from_o partake_v in_o that_o ordinance_n and_o not_o in_o the_o rest_n but_o of_o that_o far_o by_o and_o by_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n i_o do_v not_o understand_v but_o that_o some_o ceremony_n and_o particular_a determination_n of_o circumstance_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n since_o it_o can_v be_v perform_v without_o they_o they_o that_o will_v have_v no_o ceremony_n can_v have_v no_o external_a worship_n this_o i_o think_v will_v not_o be_v deny_v but_o the_o ceremony_n that_o be_v appoint_v in_o our_o church_n be_v think_v by_o some_o to_o be_v significant_a superstitious_a and_o breach_n of_o our_o christian_a liberty_n and_o therefore_o not_o to_o be_v endure_v these_o be_v the_o great_a objection_n against_o the_o few_o ceremony_n that_o be_v in_o use_n among_o we_o and_o these_o i_o shall_v brief_o consider_v first_o we_o be_v tell_v our_o ceremony_n be_v significant_a and_o why_o may_v not_o a_o significant_a ceremony_n be_v lawful_a be_v not_o kneel_v and_o lift_v up_o the_o eye_n and_o hand_n to_o heaven_n signification_n of_o the_o reverence_n we_o owe_v to_o the_o divine_a majesty_n yes_o but_o ceremony_n that_o signify_v something_o natural_o may_v be_v permit_v but_o not_o those_o that_o signify_v by_o institution_n there_o shall_v be_v some_o solid_a reason_n or_o some_o plain_a scripture_n authority_n bring_v to_o to_o make_v this_o difference_n good_a and_o here_o it_o be_v plead_v that_o every_o significant_a ceremony_n be_v a_o sacrament_n and_o it_o be_v downright_a popery_n to_o make_v more_o sacrament_n than_o god_n have_v make_v this_o i_o confess_v be_v very_o material_a if_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v but_o we_o acknowledge_v nothing_o to_o be_v a_o sacrament_n but_o what_o be_v a_o outward_a and_o visible_a sign_n of_o catech._n a_o inward_a and_o spiritual_a grace_n give_v unto_o we_o ordain_v by_o christ_n himself_o as_o a_o mean_n whereby_o we_o receive_v the_o same_o and_o a_o pledge_n to_o assure_v we_o thereof_o now_o if_o this_o be_v a_o true_a definition_n as_o it_o be_v own_v by_o we_o and_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v by_o our_o dissent_v brethren_n that_o talk_v so_o much_o of_o their_o approve_v the_o doctrine_n of_o our_o church_n