Selected quad for the lemma: prayer_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
prayer_n	form_n	pray_v	set_a	5,316	5	11.1216	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A42270	A short defence of the church and clergy of England wherein some of the common objections against both are answered, and the means of union briefly considered.	Grove, Robert, 1634-1696.	1681 (1681)	Wing G2160; ESTC R21438	56,753	96

be_v not_o govern_v by_o the_o mystery_n of_o iniquity_n if_o episcopacy_n be_v suppose_v to_o be_v so_o clement_n ignatius_n polycarp_n and_o other_o holy_a man_n and_o martyr_n that_o have_v see_v and_o converse_v with_o some_o of_o the_o apostle_n be_v all_o bishop_n and_o it_o will_v be_v hard_a and_o uncharitable_a to_o think_v that_o such_o as_o they_o do_v not_o only_o not_o oppose_v but_o that_o they_o be_v great_a manager_n and_o promoter_n of_o the_o mystery_n of_o iniquity_n nay_o i_o do_v not_o see_v if_o it_o shall_v be_v thus_o how_o timothy_n and_o titus_n can_v be_v whole_o excuse_v for_o that_o they_o have_v a_o episcopal_a power_n will_v be_v ready_o confess_v and_o therefore_o they_o must_v be_v real_a bishop_n and_o though_o the_o apostle_n bid_v 5._o timothy_n do_v the_o work_n of_o a_o evangelist_n that_o be_v a_o thing_n very_o consistent_a with_o the_o episcopal_a office_n with_o which_o they_o be_v invest_v as_o it_o be_v confirm_v to_o we_o by_o the_o ancient_n who_o have_v better_a opportunity_n than_o we_o of_o know_v the_o truth_n and_o who_o do_v account_v they_o the_o first_o 4._o bishop_n of_o their_o respective_a see_v the_o one_o of_o ephesus_n the_o other_o of_o crete_n so_o that_o if_o we_o will_v not_o involve_v these_o and_o the_o other_o most_o holy_a man_n in_o one_o common_a guilt_n episcopacy_n can_v be_v that_o mystery_n of_o iniquity_n that_o begin_v to_o work_v so_o very_o soon_o it_o will_v be_v grant_v that_o the_o extent_n of_o the_o several_a bishopric_n may_v be_v various_a in_o some_o place_n of_o a_o wide_a and_o in_o some_o of_o a_o narrow_a compass_n and_o the_o number_n of_o presbyter_n may_v be_v augment_v as_o the_o number_n of_o convert_v do_v increase_v but_o that_o one_o bishop_n shall_v have_v the_o authority_n over_o many_o presbyter_n be_v a_o thing_n practise_v in_o the_o apostolical_a time_n and_o universal_o receive_v in_o the_o church_n and_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o mention_n to_o be_v find_v that_o this_o be_v ever_o to_o cease_v and_o any_o other_o government_n or_o none_o to_o be_v establish_v in_o its_o room_n so_o that_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v very_o excusable_a if_o she_o still_o retain_v the_o primitive_a form_n and_o it_o may_v be_v the_o high_a presumption_n if_o no_o worse_o if_o she_o shall_v attempt_v to_o make_v any_o substantial_a alteration_n in_o it_o sect_n iii_o the_o next_o thing_n in_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n which_o be_v dislike_v by_o many_o be_v the_o liturgy_n or_o usual_a form_n of_o prayer_n prescribe_v by_o authority_n as_o the_o ordinary_a office_n of_o our_o public_a devotion_n but_o it_o can_v be_v esteem_v any_o blemish_n to_o the_o english_a reformation_n that_o the_o use_n of_o these_o have_v be_v enjoin_v much_o less_o shall_v it_o be_v account_v as_o a_o thing_n unlawful_a before_o our_o saviour_n appearance_n in_o the_o flesh_n there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o that_o set_a form_n of_o prayer_n be_v lawful_o use_v in_o the_o jewish_a church_n some_o be_v appoint_v in_o the_o law_n and_o the_o whole_a book_n of_o psalm_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o collection_n of_o such_o compose_v by_o david_n and_o other_o holy_a man_n upon_o several_a occasion_n and_o fit_v for_o the_o public_a service_n of_o the_o temple_n beside_o these_o they_o have_v other_o form_n some_o of_o which_o they_o pretend_v to_o have_v be_v make_v by_o esdras_n and_o some_o they_o say_v as_o old_a as_o moses_n however_o that_o be_v prayer_n be_v none_o of_o those_o ceremony_n that_o be_v to_o be_v abolish_v but_o a_o principal_a part_n of_o that_o natural_a worship_n which_o all_o man_n owe_v to_o almighty_a god_n it_o may_v as_o well_o be_v offer_v up_o in_o a_o set_a form_n now_o as_o it_o be_v then_o for_o that_o which_o be_v once_o lawful_a will_v always_o continue_v to_o be_v so_o unless_o there_o be_v some_o command_n forbid_v that_o to_o we_o which_o be_v allow_v unto_o they_o i_o do_v not_o find_v any_o such_o prohibition_n as_o this_o in_o the_o gospel_n but_o of_o so_o much_o we_o be_v sure_a that_o there_o be_v a_o prayer_n recommend_v unto_o we_o by_o our_o bless_a saviour_n in_o which_o it_o be_v true_a all_o thing_n be_v comprise_v which_o it_o may_v be_v necessary_a at_o any_o time_n for_o a_o christian_n to_o ask_v but_o yet_o we_o may_v not_o therefore_o think_v that_o this_o be_v not_o to_o be_v use_v by_o we_o as_o a_o form_n of_o prayer_n because_o it_o be_v the_o most_o excellent_a one_o that_o be_v ever_o make_v and_o may_v be_v propose_v as_o the_o most_o admirable_a pattern_n by_o which_o we_o may_v direct_v ourselves_o and_o be_v still_o furnish_v with_o suitable_a matter_n in_o all_o our_o address_n at_o the_o throne_n of_o grace_n this_o be_v no_o good_a reason_n why_o it_o shall_v be_v lay_v aside_o because_o it_o be_v more_o exact_a and_o perfect_a than_o any_o other_o form_n and_o that_o our_o saviour_n intend_v it_o shall_v be_v use_v as_o such_o a_o one_o it_o may_v appear_v in_o that_o it_o consist_v of_o several_a distinct_a petition_n and_o most_o of_o these_o as_o it_o have_v be_v observe_v by_o learned_a man_n be_v such_o as_o be_v then_o familiar_o know_v among_o the_o jew_n and_o be_v still_o to_o be_v find_v in_o some_o of_o their_o devotional_a book_n and_o this_o prayer_n be_v deliver_v to_o the_o disciple_n at_o two_o several_a time_n in_o the_o same_o word_n once_o in_o the_o sermon_n upon_o the_o mount_n and_o again_o when_o they_o come_v unto_o he_o and_o desire_v etc._n he_o to_o teach_v they_o to_o pray_v as_o john_n have_v teach_v his_o disciple_n and_o this_o methinks_v may_v be_v enough_o to_o convince_v etc._n we_o that_o it_o be_v a_o form_n which_o they_o be_v to_o use_v but_o to_o put_v it_o out_o of_o all_o question_n our_o bless_a lord_n express_o command_v it_o after_o this_o manner_n or_o thus_o therefore_o pray_v you_o when_o he_o bid_v they_o pray_v thus_o and_o then_o immediate_o set_v down_o a_o certain_a form_n who_o can_v doubt_v but_o that_o he_o plain_o command_v they_o to_o use_v that_o form_n but_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v possible_a for_o any_o one_o to_o conceive_v that_o when_o it_o be_v say_v pray_v thus_o or_o after_o this_o manner_n no_o more_o shall_v be_v employ_v but_o only_o that_o this_o be_v to_o be_v a_o pattern_n to_o make_v other_o prayer_n by_o and_o that_o the_o follow_a form_n be_v not_o to_o be_v use_v to_o any_o other_o purpose_n than_o this_o to_o avoid_v that_o when_o the_o same_o prayer_n be_v repeat_v by_o another_o evangelist_n upon_o a_o different_a occasion_n as_o if_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v design_v to_o prevent_v this_o exception_n it_o be_v not_o say_v thus_o or_o after_o this_o manner_n but_o only_o when_o you_o pray_v say_v our_o father_n etc._n etc._n a_o command_n so_o positive_a and_o absolute_a that_o if_o it_o may_v be_v evade_v i_o do_v not_o see_v but_o that_o all_o the_o precept_n of_o the_o gospel_n may_v be_v cancel_v upon_o the_o same_o ground_n that_o can_v be_v pretend_v for_o the_o dissolve_v the_o obligation_n of_o this_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v say_v to_o have_v be_v no_o more_o than_o a_o temporary_a command_n lay_v upon_o the_o disciple_n at_o that_o time_n and_o that_o it_o be_v to_o endure_v no_o long_o in_o force_n but_o till_o they_o have_v attain_v some_o high_a degree_n of_o perfection_n which_o they_o have_v not_o then_o arrive_v unto_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o this_o command_n have_v no_o such_o restriction_n annex_v and_o it_o be_v exceed_o dangerous_a to_o make_v any_o where_o the_o scripture_n have_v express_v none_o for_o suppose_v we_o shall_v allow_v it_o but_o in_o this_o instance_n first_o that_o the_o command_n be_v but_o temporary_a man_n extravagant_a fancy_n will_v present_o extend_v it_o to_o as_o many_o more_o as_o they_o please_v and_o when_o they_o begin_v to_o dislike_v any_o command_n that_o seem_v to_o contradict_v their_o fond_a opinion_n they_o will_v immediate_o decry_v it_o as_o a_o thing_n wherein_o they_o be_v not_o concern_v that_o it_o be_v only_o intend_v as_o a_o help_n to_o novice_n and_o beginner_n but_o do_v not_o oblige_v such_o great_a proficient_o and_o person_n of_o such_o mighty_a attainment_n as_o all_o bold_a and_o ignorant_a enthusiast_n be_v apt_a to_o imagine_v themselves_o to_o be_v and_o thus_o by_o yield_v it_o in_o one_o particular_a we_o shall_v lay_v the_o way_n open_a to_o the_o make_v void_a of_o the_o whole_a gospel_n and_o so_o it_o have_v be_v know_v by_o experience_n that_o some_o by_o the_o natural_a improvement_n of_o this_o principle_n have_v lay_v aside_o the_o use_n of_o baptism_n and_o the_o lord_n supper_n and_o think_v themselves_o above_o

ordinance_n and_o despise_v they_o all_o as_o beggarly_a element_n but_o not_o to_o insist_v upon_o these_o inconvenience_n that_o will_v follow_v it_o must_v be_v grant_v that_o our_o saviour_n give_v his_o disciple_n a_o form_n and_o command_v they_o to_o use_v it_o and_o what_o he_o command_v they_o can_v be_v unlawful_a for_o we_o it_o be_v plain_a what_o opinion_n the_o primitive_a christian_n have_v of_o prescribe_a form_n of_o prayer_n since_o they_o be_v very_o ancient_o receive_v in_o the_o church_n probable_o as_o soon_o as_o christianity_n itself_o but_o this_o we_o be_v sure_a of_o that_o 2._o justin_n martyr_n towards_o the_o middle_n and_o apo●oget_n tertullian_n about_o the_o end_n of_o the_o second_o century_n do_v both_o of_o they_o in_o their_o several_a apology_n declare_v to_o the_o heathen_a emperor_n in_o divers_a particular_n what_o the_o christian_n of_o those_o time_n be_v wont_a to_o pray_v for_o in_o their_o solemn_a assembly_n and_o where_o the_o matter_n of_o their_o prayer_n be_v constant_o the_o same_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o think_v but_o that_o the_o expression_n may_v be_v so_o too_o for_o why_o shall_v not_o a_o liturgy_n be_v altogether_o as_o lawful_a as_o a_o directory_n and_o if_o they_o be_v ordinary_o limit_v as_o to_o the_o subject_n of_o their_o prayer_n why_o shall_v we_o believe_v that_o they_o be_v always_o bind_v to_o vary_v the_o phrase_n if_o this_o will_v not_o amount_v to_o a_o proof_n it_o be_v otherwise_o certain_a that_o the_o use_n of_o liturgy_n have_v be_v very_o ancient_a and_o never_o that_o i_o know_v of_o except_v against_o till_o of_o late_a year_n for_o the_o lawfulness_n and_o expediency_n of_o these_o i_o shall_v only_o produce_v the_o testimony_n of_o mr_n calvin_n a_o man_n for_o who_o many_o of_o our_o dissent_v brethren_n have_v just_o entertain_v a_o very_a high_a esteem_n he_o in_o that_o know_a epistle_n of_o he_o to_o the_o duke_n of_o somerset_n that_o be_v protector_n here_o in_o the_o minority_n of_o king_n edward_n the_o six_o deliver_v his_o angliae_fw-la judgement_n in_o this_o manner_n as_o for_o a_o form_n of_o prayer_n and_o ecclesiastical_a rite_n i_o do_v high_o approve_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o certain_a one_o from_o which_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v lawful_a for_o the_o pastor_n in_o his_o office_n to_o depart_v he_o give_v some_o reason_n for_o it_o afterward_o but_o by_o this_o it_o may_v be_v see_v that_o he_o do_v not_o only_o allow_v of_o it_o as_o a_o thing_n that_o may_v be_v do_v without_o offence_n but_o that_o he_o think_v a_o set_a form_n of_o public_a prayer_n so_o extreme_o convenient_a that_o it_o be_v very_o fit_a to_o have_v it_o strict_o enjoin_v and_o that_o in_o such_o a_o case_n no_o minister_n shall_v be_v permit_v to_o use_v his_o own_o expression_n but_o keep_v close_o to_o those_o that_o shall_v be_v prescribe_v and_o the_o practice_n of_o all_o the_o reform_a church_n beyond_o the_o sea_n have_v be_v agreeable_a to_o this_o opinion_n for_o though_o some_o of_o they_o do_v sometime_o leave_v the_o minister_n to_o his_o discretion_n to_o suit_v his_o prayer_n to_o the_o particular_a occasion_n yet_o they_o have_v some_o receive_v form_n from_o which_o they_o do_v not_o suffer_v they_o to_o vary_v and_o this_o indeed_o have_v be_v the_o custom_n of_o all_o christendom_n some_o very_a few_o place_n except_v where_o another_o have_v be_v but_o late_o introduce_v and_o there_o be_v no_o precise_a time_n that_o can_v be_v assign_v when_o this_o universal_a custom_n first_o begin_v it_o be_v a_o very_a strong_a presumption_n that_o it_o may_v be_v a_o thing_n of_o apostolical_a institution_n but_o whether_o that_o be_v so_o or_o not_o it_o have_v be_v a_o thing_n general_o submit_v unto_o and_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o it_o be_v never_o controvert_v in_o former_a age_n for_o how_o can_v that_o be_v call_v in_o question_n that_o may_v be_v easy_o justify_v by_o the_o example_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o disciple_n and_o the_o whole_a christian_a world_n or_o what_o can_v make_v that_o unlawful_a which_o have_v be_v approve_v by_o all_o these_o but_o some_o subsequent_a divine_a command_n express_o forbid_v it_o and_o i_o think_v there_o be_v not_o such_o a_o one_o to_o be_v find_v in_o all_o the_o holy_a scripture_n if_o it_o shall_v be_v imagine_v that_o it_o may_v not_o be_v sufficient_a that_o it_o be_v not_o forbid_v but_o that_o to_o make_v a_o thing_n lawful_a in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n it_o be_v necessary_a that_o it_o shall_v be_v positive_o command_v to_o this_o it_o may_v be_v answer_v that_o it_o seem_v very_o clear_a that_o that_o which_o be_v no_o where_o forbid_v be_v not_o contrary_a to_o any_o law_n and_o therefore_o may_v be_v innocent_o do_v for_o there_o can_v be_v no_o sin_n nor_o disobedience_n where_o there_o be_v not_o the_o violation_n of_o some_o law_n and_o if_o we_o shall_v admit_v of_o the_o forego_n assertion_n that_o a_o positive_a command_n be_v requisite_a to_o make_v the_o thing_n lawful_a it_o will_v lead_v we_o into_o inextricable_a difficulty_n in_o this_o case_n and_o many_o other_o that_o may_v frequent_o occur_v for_o if_o we_o may_v suppose_v that_o a_o form_n of_o prayer_n be_v unlawful_a because_o it_o be_v not_o command_v then_o a_o conceive_a or_o extempore_o prayer_n must_v be_v unlawful_a too_o because_o it_o be_v no_o more_o command_v than_o the_o other_o and_o then_o all_o manner_n of_o prayer_n will_v be_v equal_o unlawful_a and_o this_o opinion_n instead_o of_o teach_v we_o to_o pray_v better_a will_v absolute_o hinder_v we_o from_o pray_v at_o all_o but_o to_o put_v this_o matter_n out_o of_o doubt_n our_o bless_a lord_n do_v command_v the_o use_n of_o a_o form_n in_o one_o instance_n at_o the_o least_o as_o have_v be_v show_v and_o what_o he_o do_v but_o once_o command_v can_v never_o be_v unlawful_a unless_o he_o himself_o be_v please_v to_o make_v it_o so_o by_o reverse_v of_o his_o former_a command_n which_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o he_o ever_o do_v but_o it_o may_v possible_o be_v think_v by_o some_o that_o a_o form_n be_v unlawful_a because_o it_o be_v prophesy_v that_o god_n will_v pour_v out_o the_o spirit_n of_o grace_n and_o of_o supplication_n 10._o this_o prophecy_n may_v have_v some_o immediate_a reference_n to_o some_o extraordinary_a time_n and_o may_v be_v fulfil_v as_o that_o of_o the_o prophet_n joel_n be_v at_o the_o miraculous_a effusion_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n but_o if_o it_o shall_v have_v a_o respect_n to_o all_o age_n of_o christianity_n as_o i_o will_v not_o deny_v yet_o this_o spirit_n of_o supplication_n may_v be_v very_o consistent_a with_o pray_v by_o a_o form_n because_o it_o be_v give_v we_o to_o excite_v a_o great_a fervency_n of_o devotion_n in_o we_o and_o not_o to_o furnish_v we_o with_o some_o pretty_a variety_n of_o word_n and_o this_o may_v be_v not_o unfit_o gather_v from_o that_o passage_n of_o st_n paul_n the_o spirit_n also_o help_v our_o infirmity_n 26._o for_o we_o know_v not_o what_o we_o shall_v pray_v for_o as_o we_o ought_v but_o the_o spirit_n itself_o make_v intercession_n for_o we_o with_o groan_n that_o can_v be_v utter_v groan_n be_v inarticulate_a sound_n that_o do_v natural_o signify_v the_o mind_n to_o be_v very_o deep_o affect_v with_o something_o but_o they_o do_v not_o particular_o declare_v what_o it_o be_v and_o with_o these_o the_o spirit_n help_v our_o infirmity_n the_o assistance_n it_o give_v we_o be_v not_o such_o as_o a_o voluble_a tongue_n and_o a_o great_a fluency_n of_o expression_n but_o certain_a inward_a affection_n and_o emotion_n of_o the_o soul_n which_o it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o power_n of_o any_o tongue_n to_o express_v and_o these_o sincere_a fervent_a and_o passionate_a desire_n may_v be_v raise_v in_o we_o by_o the_o spirit_n at_o the_o repeat_n of_o a_o know_a form_n as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o conceive_n of_o the_o word_n of_o a_o prayer_n but_o other_o may_v be_v ready_a to_o say_v that_o those_o that_o have_v the_o gift_n of_o prayer_n can_v be_v lawful_o hinder_v of_o the_o exercise_n of_o such_o a_o gift_n if_o by_o the_o gift_n of_o prayer_n they_o understand_v no_o more_o than_o a_o faculty_n of_o express_v themselves_o free_o upon_o all_o occasion_n they_o may_v have_v to_o pray_v this_o be_v but_o what_o some_o may_v have_v a_o natural_a disposition_n unto_o which_o may_v be_v much_o improve_v by_o art_n and_o other_o may_v acquire_v the_o same_o by_o frequent_a use_n and_o repeat_v act_n as_o all_o habit_n be_v general_o produce_v and_o no_o man_n will_v deny_v but_o that_o such_o a_o gift_n may_v be_v restrain_v as_o authority_n think_v fit_a but_o if_o by_o the_o gift_n of_o prayer_n they_o mean_v a_o extraordinary_a