him the enemy shall not exact upon him nor the son of wickedness afflict him And I will beat down his foes before his face and plague them that hate him But my faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him and in my Name shall his horne be exalted I will set his hand in the Sea and his right hand in the Rivers He shall cry unto me Thou art my Father my God and the Rock of my salvation Also I will make him my first-borne higher than the Kings of the Earth my mercy will I keep for him for evermore and my Covenant shall stand fast with him His seed also will I make to endure for ever and his throne as the days of heaven Psal. 89. 20. Let him that heareth and let him that readeth say Amen Answ. 3. This would take the practice of publick praying from the Church for the prayer of the Minister seems and doth according to this Argument stint the spirit in the people that heares Inasmuch as they are not left to their liberty but limited to his expressions which is equally a stinting of the spirit in the people as the Common Prayer is a stinting of the spirit in him and by consequence would take away the ever received Custom of praying publickly for the Churches of God Answ. 4. We that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak and for a while pray for them and with them have patience it 's but a very little while for when you are in the Pulpit you have liberty only remember that of Solomon Who so walketh uprightly shall be saved but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once Prov. 28. 18. Object 3. Your Common Prayer begets a tediousness or creates a weariness upon the people through the great number of the Prayers that are to be read and such exercises are to be made delightful and not tyresome or tedious Answ. 1. Though there be many prayers in that Book yet they are but short prayers And how much difference is there between hearing twenty prayers in one hour if so many were read and hearing one prayer an hour long the one sure is as apt to breed weariness as the other Answ. 2. As for the number of the prayers that are in that Book it is to be surmised that they are so far from tyreing that they refresh the spirits of men short prayers seeming to say as the Levites Father-in-law Comfort thine heart with a morsel of bread and afterward go your way Judg. 19. 5. Answ. 3. A great measure of that weariness may be wholly prevented by the Ministers discretion To say no more remember that Gospel-precept Be not weary in well-doing and if thou be yet I counsel thee never to complain provoke rather to love and to good works Object 4. Set forms of prayer especially as they are said in the Common Prayer seem to breed a very great confusion in the Congregation so many speaking at once from one end of the Church to the other the one as it were hindering the others devotion Answ. 1. For all to speak at one time if all did speak breeds no confusion for they speak all one and the self-same thing Were there a diversity of words or gestures there might be a disorder but here all concurs to the speaking of that thâ—…t all know will be spoken of Answ. 2. This Objection takes away the high and holy Ordinance of Singing from all the Christâ—…n Congregations of the World for there all speak out aloud and in no Ordinance doth the Church on Earth come rearer to the Church in Heaven than in this and yet there is no confusion but all things are done in decency and in order But this is nothing the singing of Psâ—…lmes having been as greâ—…t offence to some of them that make this Objection as the Common Prayer it self ever gave Object 5. There seems to be many vaine idle and it is to be feared sinful repetitions in your Common Prayer as Lord have mercy upon us Christ have mercy upon us and Glory be to the Father c. which gives cause to suspect the lawfulness of its use Answ. 1. How often would you have it done and at what number would you stand according as the Lords Prayer which is often used in our set Forms of Prayer was by you thrust out of your Houses and as farre as you were able out of our Churches so in all probability would you use Glory be to the Father But Lord have mercy upon us Christ have mercy upon us we have left undone those things that we ought to have done Answ. 2. The oftner they be said they are the likelier to be heard Our Saviours asking thrice for one thing did show the vehemency of his mind to receive the mercie he was then asking To him that knocks shall be opened and the oftner we knock we show the eagerness of our desire That Widow in the Parable Luke 18. 3. came with a blunt request Avenge me of mine Adversary a Petition without much Rhetorick to set it forth yet her continual crying made the unjust Judge at last to Answer her suit And shall not God Answer his own elect that call day and night unto him Answ. 3. If this be granted we shall lose out of the book of God one whole and entire Psalm viz. Psalm 136. for in 26 verses 26 times For his mercy endureth for ever is repeated It was well that those men were not by when the Psalmist composed that Psalm doubtless they would have been earnest to have stinted the spirit and have informed him where he had done amiss Paul was something out of the way for in writing of the first ten verses of 1 Cor. 1. he hath the Name of Iesus nine times repeated but we have not so learned Christ for if with the heart men cry often though with the same words they are like to speed as well as he that alters his expressions as he changeth other Object 6. There are several Oaths and that grievous ones too that you speak as it were blasphemously uttering in your prayers that that breaks Commandments especially in your Letany where you swear By thy Agony and bloody sweat By thy Cross and Passion By thy precious Death and Burial c. Answ. 1. It is to be wondered how the Apostle Paul hath the confidence to say Heb. 10. 39. that he is not of the number of them that draw back into perdition but of them that believe â—…o the saving of the soul since in the very next Chapters he according to this goes smoothly on in swearing a great many times together For thus he sayes By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God By Faith Abel offered up a more excellent sacrifice than Cain By Faith Enoch was translated and so fifteen times over Reader if this Objection were prosecuted as to take either that prayer away or cancel this Chapter out of the Canon
we might say with Solomon that one sinner destroys much good Answ. 2. Reader when thou desirest to be delivered from the power and rage of sin by Christs Passion and to have thy heart cleansed by the coming of the Holy Ghost as St. Paul had his Tit. 3. 5. a Christian hearing thee will charitably suppose that thou art praying however he will never suppose that thou art swearing Answ. 3. It were worth our enquiring to know if these men do desire or pray to be delivered from Christs death since they are angry with us for desiring to be saved by it and if they do so then to know unto whom they make that prayer and I shall beseech God that it may please him to forgive our enimies persecutors and slanderers and to turn their hearts Deal not with them O Lord after their sins neither reward them after their iniquities Obj. 7. Besides your Oaths that are in your Letany there is a Prayer that our hearts cannot say Amen to for it is or seems at least to be very sinful The Prayer is this That it may please thee to preserve all that travel by land or water here we pray for Thieves Robbers and Pirats which ought not to be done All Women labouring of Childe here we pray for all Whores and Strumpets All sick persons and young children and to show thy pity upon all prisoners and captives here we pray for all the damned souls they being in prison and for the devils they being captives Answ. 1. The heart of man is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked who can know it Jerem. 17. 9. T is Domine bonus ego malus tu Pius ego Impius tu sanctus ego miser tu justus ego injustus tu lux ego eoecus tu vita ego mortuus Blessed is the man that watcheth alway From all blindness of heart from pride vain glory and hypocrisie from envy hatred and malice and from all uncharitableness good Lord deliver us Answ. 2. As we are to have no communication nor communion with Devils so neither are we to make supplication for them But we are bound to remember them that are in bonds as in bond with them and them that suffer adversity as if we our selves also were in the body Heb. 13. 3. The Whore her self when she is in labour ought to be prayed for though if you had not more of the Serpent than of the Dove you would not see her at all in this prayer So is a Thief also though he were going to be hanged for stealing or a Murtherer for Murthering and if the Lord will bless all that travel by Land and Water with his grace there will be no Robbers It is the desire of the Church That all Israel both temporally and eternally be saved Why dost thou condemn her for her charity Qualis unusquisque intus est taliter judicat exterius Kemp. True Christian charity thinketh no evil 1 Cor. 13. 5. Object 8. There are according to those directions given you concerning the reading of Lessons several Chapters to be read out of the Apocrypha in the Congregation where nothing should be read but Scripture Answ. 1. Should nothing be read in Churches but Scripture where then should we read Briefs Proclamations and Pattents for Collections which are appointed to be read in publick and upon the Sabbath-day too than which nothing doth more usually occurre and nothing less spoke against And yet if men did not delight in Controversies they might perceive that the Reading of those Chapters is left to the Ministers discretion Answ. 2. Sâ—…int Paul commanding the Colossians Col. 4. 16. to let his Epistle be read to the Church of Laodicea commands them withal that they reade in their Church the Epistle from Laodicea which Epistle not being Canonical yet appointed by that unerring Apostle to be read in the Church proves the weakness of the Objection against Apocrypha for not being Scripture Answ. 3. There is a Calendar prefixed before the Book of Common Prayer and amongst the Lessons appointed for every day of the month there are some 30 Chapters out of the books of Wisdom Tobit Iudith Baruch and Ecclesiasticus to be read In the books of the Apocrypha there are many falsities much non-sence things that agree not with Scripture and many things that agree not with it self Whether the Chapters that are appointed to be read contain in them any of these I have neither purpose nor leasure to search yet since most of them are out of the books of Wisdom and Ecclesiasticus we shall suppose the best but suppose the worst there is none to be read or at least no great fear that their reading will do much hurt except the people will repair whether their Minister will or no twice every day to their Church or Chappel to hear service that which I see no great reason for Ministeâ—…s to be very much afraid of For if the people do not so come they are not obliged to heed that Calendar Answ. 4. There is a Calendar prefixed before the Book of Common Prayer wherein the Lessons that are appointed to be read every Sabbath-day throughout the year are set down and in that there is only the first Chapter of the Book of Wisdom to be read wherein there is nothing but what favours of good so that according to the Common Prayer throughout the whole year there is but one Sunday that hath Apocrypha ordained for it and that is Whitsunday unless the Sabbath fall upon a Feast and that may bring or make a small alteration Many fear that the reading or hearing of Apocrypha in their Churches may do much hurt The first Chapter of Wisdom which is all cannot do hurt There is about this a great noyse and but small cause Answ. 5. There are two things that usually Ministers do in Churches 1. To observe Doctrines and 2. To exhort to Manners for observing and confirming of Doctrines the Scriptures are only to be used Article 6. of the Church of England For exhorting to manners Poets Heathens Philosophers are frequently cited there being in such Writers excellent documents and examples perswading to goodness and to a good life and for this the Apocrypha is appointed to be read viz. for exhortation to manners not confirmation of Doctrines Art 6. of the Church of England And indeed to me it is equally a sin to cite or speak sentences out of Seneca the Heathen in a Pulpit upon a Lords day or any other moral Author which is frequently done as it is to speak or read sixteen sentences of Philo the Jew or whoever was the Author of that book of Wisdom or Ecclesiasticus albeit it were oftner done Answ. 6. When you say that Apocrypha is not to be read I suppose you mean because it is humane inventions not the Word of God It is to be known that no more are Ministers Sermons there are in Sermons mens wit or invention exercised inframing Arguments in
Treasury it being the price of blood but the guilt of blood upon their hearts they could endure Seeing in all other points they walk as other men to say no more and the thing not contrary to any Law that ever God made and enjoyned by lawful Authority and they not desiring to be informed of the lawfulness of its use It is to be feared that not their tender consciences but their stout stomacks are the cause of their disobedience Answ. 5. As for those whose consciences are really tender and are indeed afraid of sin and not satisfied as to the lawfulness of its use and really appearing to be such and desiring to be informed or taught concerning it untill that time it is hoped and desired that the Civil Magistrate will take care for them and untill their consciences be better informed will take them as Nursing Fathers their weak children into their protection In the mean time let them not judge them that use it according to the Law and to their consciences Object 11. The places of Scripture that are used in the Common-Prayer-book are not to be found in our Bibles at all and indeed are not Scripture and very dangerous particularly the very first words which are these At â—…hat time 〈◊〉 a sinner doth repent him of his sin from the bottom of his heart I will put all his wickedness out of my remembrance saith the Lord which words are not only dangerous as holding forth men may repent when they will but false there being no such words in Ezek. 18. 21 22. from which it is pretended these words are taken Answ. 1. It 's usual both in Sermons and in Books for men to deliver certain truths and name or point the Scripture in the Margin which if we strictly examine we shall not find the self-same words in Scripture but yet such as hold out the truth of that which is brought as a proof for them It is not necessary alwayes to name the very words but direct the Reader and the Hearer to that Scripture that holds it out So Saint Paul Ephes. 4. 8. having occasion to cite Psal. 68. 18. doth not tye himself to the words of the Text as is clearly to be seen Answ. 2. The words are most true for whensoever a sinner from the bottom of his heart repents him of his sin he shall be forgiven and Ezek. 18. holds it out else what needed the Doctrine of Repentance be preached to men and there is no more danger that these words will induce a man to continue in sin because of the word At what time soever than there is danger in the words of the Prophet who sayes If the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed which is of substance the same with the other and indeed equally dangerous The like may be said of divers other places cited in the Common Prayer Obj. 12. It may for it self be used but it may prove a trap-door to let in other things that are of a greater concernment it 's best to prevent evil at first Answ. 1. It is a blessed thing indeed for a Christian to fear the least evil and in matters of concernment if at any time to walk circumspectly to foresee an evil and prevent it yet let us do no evil that good may come of it Disobey not the Civil Magistrate in an open way for rebellion is as witchcraft 1 Sam. 15. 23. for fear that some evil which is but only supposed may follow after lest in some sort we justifie the Jews in murdering Christ for this was one Argument lest the Romans should come and take away their place and Nation John 11. 48. to prevent which they would contrary to all Law put and innocent man to death Let 's do no evil that good may come of it Answ. 2. Whatever follow it that is not against Scripture nor contradicted by Gods Law the Law of God enjoyns a man to obey to what purpose else were there Magistrates and why should I be commanded to obey them and to submit unto them Let all things be done in decency and order is a Text that in a great measure is left to the Civil Magistrate to expound 1 Cor. 14. 40. It is not only to say This is not in Scripture as was said before that makes a thing unlawful but This is contrary to Scripture spoke against in Scripture either in direct Text or sound reason from that Text. To instance you say That it is unlawful to marry with a Ring because it is not in Scripture I can answer with as true a consequence It is unlawful to marry with a Minister for it 's not in Scripture commanded there being neither in Law nor Gospel any direction for Priest or Apostle Pastor or Evâ—…gelist for that case of Marriage So that the marrying with or by a Minister ought as really to trouble or molest the conscience as to marry with a Ring Nay in some sort more for marriage was in all Ages God had Ministers in all Ages marriage was held a holy thing in all Ages yet God gave no directions concerning his immediate servants nor precepts to them to be assistant at that Solemnity of Marriage Abrahams servant gave to Rebecca when she by signs desired by himself was to be betrothed to his Masters Son eare-rings of Gold denoting the purity and perpetuity of that love that should be betwixt them which is signified by the Gold and the roundness of the Ring The like may be said of joyning of hands As for standing at the Creed by which 1. We declare that it is our faith 2. We hold forth that we acknowledge it to be no prayer a fond conceit of some Whosoever will not obey the Civil Magistrate in this we may suppose it is because it is not his Creed and indeed some that would be thought holy stumble at the Holy Catholick Church Touching confirmation by a Bishop which is his praying for the baptized by or with laying on of hands since the prayer of a righteous man may avail much for the sick it may as well for the sound Iames 15. 19. they may obtain the encrease of divine grace the thing prayed for and seeing Philip though he preached and baptized yet might not confirm by the laying on of hands Acts 8. 17. that being reserved for the Apostles it is therefore now left to the Bishop The same might be said of white garments if they should be enjoyned there being no Law for wearing black The Priests under the Law wore white Christ in the Vision wore white Dan. 10. 5. The Angels at the Resurrection weare white John 20. 12. The Elders in the Revelation are in white Revel 4. 4. And finding no Law for black we may conclude that white is no unlawful Garment If any say it is show the Law otherwise I may be of another judgement since sin is a transgression of the Law 1 John 3. 4. If it be said that Papists weare it
towards men but towards God in reference chiefly to Church-services Divine performances and outward Ceremonies If such Right Honourable be presented before you you may easily know them as transgressors of the Law they are to be handled with all meekness senitive medicaments had best be prescribed for the curing of their distempers Let them alone my Lords this year also and we will dig about them inform them of the nature of things and they may by beholding our Order bring forth the fruit of obedience we must behold them as if our selves were also in the body In the other case Fiat Iustitia but in this Innotescat aequitas vestra Knowing Right Honourable that Ueritas parit odium truth begets hatred and hatred begets contention I come to your Persons as Preservers of the Peace desiring that this innocent creature that lately spoke in defence of your Honours because of your Laws and set its face against that calumny which though not personally yet virtually is cast upon you for being Instrumental in so publick a way for the putting in execution those Laws that have been made touching the using of the Service-Book that it I say might be preserved from hurt and freed from abuse I put it into your hands as into the hands of its Father for indeed you begot it through the Law I bore it through the Gospel the information and instruction of that sort of people that hath been deluded by self-seeking men robbing the Ancients of all glory that alone they might have the Kingdom next your Honours Order was the sole cause of my preaching and now publishing of these sheets Praying that you may be in Counsels prosperous and in peace glorious happy Instruments of Gods glory His Majesties honour this Kingdoms prosperity and this Counties Piety I Subscribe my self Right Honourable Lords and Gentlemen Yours to command in all things lawful WILL. ANNAND From my Study at Leighton Octob. 12. 1660. To the READER Courteous and Christian Reader FOR so in charity I am bound to suppose until the contrary appear and â—…e known Thou hast here in thy hand the summe and substance of two Sermons with some alteration preached October 7. At which time the Lord knows there was nothing farther from my thoughts than that ever they should have seene the light more or to have craved thy courteous acceptance in the Land of the living but to have them had lyen perpetually buried among the rest of their brethren in a Box oâ—… Coffin but there they had not long beene when they were awakened with the sound of a Trumpet Out of thy ingenuity aske me not why I appear in the world since I am not pleased though not ashamed to discover If thou beest not one of my Parishioners they were never ordained for thee entertain them as thou hast them without farther questioning me concerning them If there be any that snarle at my doctrine yet if they answer not the Arguments never like my Book the worse nor esteeme them the wiser for their so doing I am not ignorant that there are as great diversities in mens judgments concerning Books as there are in mens pallates concerning cheese If this small Tract relish not with thee let it alone raile not at it Others possibly may close a good dinner with it and go to their work chearfully having sanctified their meat by a holy using of a set forme of Prayer For thy encouragement know that my Book tells no lyes it sayes indeed that Common Prayer is lawful yea and proves it â—…oo I have a small acquaintance with Counsels and Fathers yet they are not brought in to witnesse to the truth pleaded for from which I was kept not only by my small standing in Controversies of this nature but chiefly from the opposite parties excepting against such witnesses The Authority of a Councel being equally regarded with them to that of the Conclave and to cite a Father were to cite 〈◊〉 Antichrist himself But from Scripture and Scripture reason it 's â—…averred that it is lawful for Gods own people to call upon him for mercy in a set form of Prayer which proofs if you accept and without prejudice entertain and hereafter acknowledge them as lawful to any though necessary for none And though thou never use a set forme thy self yet if thou condemn not them that do I have my end Give God the glory and the poor members of Christs Church thy charity thou shalt have his prayers at the Throne of Almighty God who is called W. A. PANEM QUOTIDIANUM HOSEA 14. 2. Take with you words and turn to the Lord and say unto him Take away all iniquity and receive us graciously so will we render the calves of our lips THis Prophet is the first of those that are called the lesser or the smaller Prophets not from their Authority which is equally great to the other but from their bulk and quantity wherein they are much less all of them together being but one Chapter longer than the Prophet Isaiah alone Some have noted that Isaiah in his single Book hath more verses than all the twelve smaller Prophets together Hosea receiving a Message from God according to direction communicates the Lords mind to the Church of Israel in this Prophesie three ways 1. By Types representing Israels sad condition by reason of Idolatry and Israels gracious restauration by reason of mercy Chap. 1. 2 3. 2. By powerful Sermons reciting their sins against God and predicting judgements from him from Chap. 9. to the 14. 3. By gracious and soul-reviving promises touching the future happy estate of that sinful yet beloved people throughout this Chapter In which the Prophet having set before their eyes the several and particular sins of their Kings Priests Princes and people and the judgements that God was resolved to send upon each of these for their so offending comes to perswade them betimes to break off their sins and shun heavy judgements by their speedy turning from their sin and returning to their God verse 1. assuring them that he hath not so farre yet shut up his tender mercy but that if they return he will heal their back-slidings and love them freely and refreshing them with his favourable presence will be like the dew and by his power sustaining them they shall flourish as the Lilly vers 3 4. And helping their infirmities in order to their so doing or Answering the Objections that they might make fearing the issue of their returning in as much as they might not know what Sacrifice God would accept or with what words he would be intreated he prescribes them to take words and these words Take away all iniquity and receive us graciously so will we render the calves of our lips In which we have these things observable 1. The Prophets Exhortation to the people Take with you words 2. His Direction of the people Say Take away all iniquity c. In his Exhortation there are these things observable 1.
The substance of it which is To turn to the Lord. 2. The manner of it or how they must turn is by saying these words Say unto him In the Direction which is it self a Prayer instituted by the Prophet for them and given by the Prophet to them there is 1. A Supplication to be made by all for the removing the sins of all of what person or degree soever Take away all iniquity It was sin that first brought down judgments from God and therefore sin must first be removed by God 2. There is an Intercession of all for each other and of every one for all Every single person desires that God would be favourable to his Brother as he desires God to be merciful to himself Receive us graciously 3. There is a Covenant-condition or promise made of all That if God will receive them they will render to him praises called the calves of their lips so will we render the calves of our lips which is a giving thanks to his Name Heb. 13. 15. In this promise every one engageth for himself and each man becomes a Surety for his Brother so will we render and because optima poenitentia est nova vita they will trust no more to the work of their own hands but in God only as fatherless children have hope and from him only when they are in want expect mercy in the following words Ashur shall not save us c. We shall let pass many truths that might arise from the substance and method of this Prayer appointed to and given by this Holy Prophet for the people to collect and cull out one that makes for the clearing up of that truth to the obeying of which we are by Authority now commanded and from which we are by Turbulent spirits eagerly dehorted viz. Touching the lawful use of the Common-Prayer-Book established in England by all Legal Power since the Reformation A Book which hath been often Crucified among and between Thieves yet never could be put to death by them The Doctrine is this That Gods best Servants or his peculiar people may lawfully use Set Forms of Prayer in their approaches to him and begging blessings of him To him that reads this Text with understanding this observation needs no farther proof nor debate yet I shall not impose a belief of it upon any untill that I have 1. Shewed what the nature of a Set Form of Prayer is 2. Whether such a Form may lawfully be used 3. Whether such a Form is decent or comely for a Saint to use 4. Whether granting all this it be expedient for a Saint or for the Church now as it is constituted and increased to use such a Form 5. At what seasons this Form is chiefly to be used 6. In what place it is most expedient to use this kind of Form 7. Answer some Objections that are urged against such a Form All which if God permit we shall handle in these seven several Sections briefly and plainly SECT I. LET us in the first place see what the nature of a Set. Form of Prayer is and that may be done by this description It is a hearty calling upon God in the name of Christ in words prescribed by another or premeditated by our selves for the removing of judgements or receiving of mercies from or for our selves and others In all these points it agrees to and holds affinity with other prayers of what kind soever save in this that it calls upon God through Christ in using the word which have been either recommended to us as the Lords Prayer Luke 11. 2. Or 2. Prescribed by another and enjoyned to us as David required his Subjects the Levites to praise the Lord in a publick Assembly for the bringing home of the Ark in the words of that Psalm which he had composed for the same purpose It was the first Psalm as it appears that ever he publickly gave for the use of his people in the Temple or Sanctuary 1 Chron. 16. 4 6 7 3. Or 3. Such as hath been premeditated by us for our own use and as occasion served used of us And such was the prayer of the Prodigal Luke 15 he sits down and deliberates within himself what to say that his Father might again receive him I will arise saith he and go to my father and will say unto him Father I have sinned against Heaven and before thee and am no more worthy to be called thy son c. Ver. 18. And at his coming to the father used the same words before resolved upon Such a prayer was also almost that of our Saviours Father if it be thy Will let this Cup pass from Me which He â—…ttered three several times in His passion Mat. 26. 4. And all this is done for the more orderly helping of us in our calling upon God Now some there are that say this is not to be done That Christians in this clear Sun-shine of the Gospel are not to give themselves or limit themselves this day or this week or this year to that kind of prayer framed or composed by or for our selves or others last week or last year but hold it altogether sinful and unlawful Others there are that suppose such prayers at some times for none that ever I heard of maintain them in all points places or in all times necessary but neveâ—… unlawful to be good and helps against their speaking any thing rashly before God and unadvisedly with their lips before him who will be worshipped in spirit and in truth fearing lest they offering strange fire from the censers of their deceitful hearts might bring fire from the Almighty to consume their souls Supposing and upon good grounds that to come every day to Heaven in the same suit may make us at last to be known for good Subjects though not for great Gallants And this opinion from the Text is the substance of our observation which to confirm take these three substantial Witnesses The first where of shall be 1. Ioel a Prophet of God he commanding the people of Iudah that grievously had fallen by their iniquity to turn unto God will have a Trumpet blown in Zion Ioel 2. 1. enjoyning all to come to mourning and weeping for their sins and offences makes a Set Form of prayer for and prescribes a prayer to the Priests themselves who are especially excited and enjoyned to weep between the Porch and the Altar and are commanded to say Spare thy people O Lord and give not thy heritage to reproach c. Ioel 2. 17. The second Witness is 2. Moses a man of God Exod. 15. where after the peoples delivery from Egypts slavery and Phardohs bondage and after they had seen the Egyptians dead upon the shore not one of theâ—… being killed by them Moses and Israel sing a Psalm of Thanksgiving ver 1. If it were enquired Who made or composed that Song it must be answered Moses by Revel 15. 3. and as a set Form used by the people To
say that the Spirit came at once upon all in one way and prompted them all to one kind of words were to affirm That all the people were or had been Prophets a thing hard to be proved and harder to be believed It was certainly a set Form composed by Moses and sung in parts by all the people as in our Congregations now It was also sung by Miriam and the Women and that in Dances too which is an evident token or sign that a set Form is lawful for Miriam was a Prophetesse Uerse 20. The third Witness is 3. David a Saint of God in that forementioned place 1 Chron. 16. where after that godly King and Kingly Prophet had brought to his own House or City the Ark of God and put the Church in Order he composed a prayer to be used by the people which he put into the hands of Asaph Uerse 15. and in the close of it enjoyns by Divine instinct and Royal Prerogative the people to say Save us O God of our salvation and gather us together and deliver us from among the Heathen Uerse 36. In the mouth of these three Witnesses let this Truth be justified SECT II. HAving seen this kind of prayer briefly stated we come now to the lawfulness and reasonableness of its use In all our actions there are that would have us answer these three questions to our selves and then to proceed according as the answer is made The Questions are these 1. An liceat whether it be lawful for the substance 2. An deceat whether it be proper or becoming the party that performes it And 3. An expediat whether the thing to be done be expedient for him that goeth about to do it We shall ask these questions concerning this kind of Form It 's clear that we are bound to pray but whether in this or that gesture in this or that habit or in this or that kind is not so clear but that a set form is lawful appears by these following Arguments Argum. 1. From that competent and sufficient supply which it brings in against those general infirmities that are generally incident to the Common sort of Christians in their approaches and addresses unto God The Church of Christ was never nor is not now without them that were weak and without them that were infirme and acording to the Churches infirmity the Almighty suits his power his love his grace and bounty to babes he allows milk to men of age he affords strong meat All Christians cannot swim through the turbulent sea of their inward corruptions nor outward temptations without the help and assistance of such soul-saving bladders neither are all able to runne some must have crutches even to sustaine them in walking in those wayes that are called holy At all times the heart of man is unwilling to do good and like the wild Asses colt strives most when it is held in by the bit and bridle of good and wholsome Lawes but most desperately deceitful when it is brought before God in prayer then the best men are aptest to be distracted and the weak Christian hath his hopes of being heard almost extinguished before he be upon his knees through that inability and unfitnesse that he knows to be in himself at all times and especially in that time which makes God oftentimes go without his service and it is to be feared the poor creature without his blessing There are three common infirmities attending the common sort of Christians and a set forme of Prayer brings in and furnishes him with sutable helps against them as 1. It furnishes him with elocution against his barrennesse There are that have rational souls within them and yet in a common discourse appear as it were without reason not being able though in things within their own sphere to frame or find out words to cause their minds to be understood to the eares of him with whom they so discourse How shall they then be able to speak to the Lord or for to cause the Almighty I speak after their thoughts who is a wise God to understand what they would have of him being confused within and remaining mute without Now a set forme of Prayer puts words in their mouths layes them before his eye whereby he is able in all humility to let God know the wants of his soul at least in the lump or in grosse knowing that God is able to explain to himself the particulars of his misery and in his good time to give a happy answer to those very words which in sincerity be put up unto him 2. It furnishes him with promptnesse against his dulnesse There are many Christians even out of love with their own prayers through the often breaking and dis-joynting of their most servent Petitions because they cannot pray smoothly and readily they are apt to neglect prayer wilfully and constantly Now a set forme brings a sutable help to this malady giving them such light that promptly and readily it causes them to make their requests known to him who without a hearty asking hath not promised to give and without this help they would not have boldnesse to ase supposing that because they love not such prayers neither from themselves nor others that God loves them not when he hears them from others or themselves 3. It furnishes him with knowledge against his ignorance The members of the Church are not only at a losse in not knowing how to pray but sometimes what to pray for they are ignorant possibly of the necessity of asking the Kingdom of heaven first if they would be answered in those things that concern the Kingdom of this world Matth. 6. 33. They may forget or do not reckon of the afflictions of Ioseph they know not how to frame or methodize their prayers and because they were never learned suppose they shall never be heard so in a slothful way sitting down ceasing from duty concluding that ignorance will excuse them at the last and therefore it may excuse them at the present Now a set form teaches them distinctly how to pray for all men for Kings and what blessings they want for Ministers for all Governours for all that are in affliction when to call for the graces of the spirit how to enlarge upon sin original how and by what circumstances to aggravate sin actual all which being known may make them delight in that duty which by reason of ignorance they are afraid of lest a curse and not a blessing follow and attend their imperfect and ignorant supplications which fear is taken away by their taking with them words 2. Arg. Set forms of Prayer appear to be lawful from those general mercies which commonly and generally are craved by the Saints and members of the Church of God Sometimes upon special occasions and sudden and unexpected providences the Saints with all diligence betake themselves to Gods throne as the Lords promise to David concerning the building his house made him presently to go and
it can as easily be replyed they wear black To conclude the Cross in baptism is a sign at that Sacrament yet not Sacramental but Historical not of our Covenant with God but of our profession towards men all that belongs to that Ceremony being spoken unto the Witnesses as is clear from the words in the Liturgy Answ. 3. It is to be hoped and desired that the Governors of our Church by their meekness and careful respect to tender consciences really such will in establishing Laws make their moderation to be known to all men As touching the use of God-fathers or witnesses at Baptisme something may be said for them if the Common Prayer should bring them in Not to insist upon those two faithful witnesses chosen by the Prophet at the naming of his son Maher-shalal-hash-baz Isâ—… 8. 2. from which practice some have concluded the Antiquity of witnesses he seeming to practice that as done by others in the like case in regard he gets no Commission from the Lord so to do when by Anticipation Maher-shalal-hash-baz was named Neither shall we speak of the Primitive persecutions which caused the first Christians to baptize their Infants by Witnesses undertaking or promising for the Child upon the supposition of its Parents death or banishment by the Heathenish Tyrants Witnesses may be kept up 1. For the upholding of Charity Peace and Concord among Christians it may be a means to keep three or four Families in unity 2. To make every one careful for the good of each other for besides the care that God and nature lays upon the Parent the witness hath upon him a necessity of doing good according to his power and by passing a promise for him as Guardians for their Wards become a father in God 3. We know not what persecution or affliction may befall the Parent and in that regard Witnesses may be of good use as in the Primitive times If it be objected That the promise is made but never cared for and made often but impossible to be kept if that should be enjoyned that is in the Common Prayer for who can promise that the Child shall forsake the devil and all his works c. It may be replyed 1. That if they make it and make no conscience of it they are worthily to be blamed yet some may be the more râ—…miss in regard of the Parents care and it is often known that many times the Child is better for its Witnesses both outwardly and inwardly blame them that fail but blame not the thing since to many it is a cause of much good and might be to all 2. There is in this promise a limitation tacitely implyed as well as in all other promises of this nature the limitation is quoad possum i. e. as far as I am able which must and is necessarily to be understood If it be present with us admonition if it be poor and we able in some sort education if absent from us hearty supplication may be made for it and given by us upon the account of that relation that it is to us 3. I have heard and am prone to believe that the duty is incumbent on the God-father no longer than the Child comes to the years of discretion or at furthest no longer than the party is unmarried If it be a woman her husband is then to dwell with her according to knowledge and she forsakes Father and Mother If a man being educated and brought up in the Christian faith he himself is bound to keep in it and the Surety or Witness hath performed his condition Yea the natural Father hath a clear conscience if he doth this whatever falls out after so that there is not so great cause to fear the coming again of this practice as some would make and suppose And whereas it is said that the Minister may make and cause the Witness to lye at Baptism when he makes him to affirm that for himself he forsakes the devil and his works when the contrary by the Witnesses life appears We say that there is a twofold forsaking of Satan first by outward profession and by holy conversation if the latter be not performed blame him there shall be none received as a Witness that denyes not the former and in that sence it is no lye but a truth themselves that make this Objection being Witnesses As for that Ancient Ordinance of the Church called Confirmation or Imposition of hands by a Bishop upon the heads of such young Children as are trained up in the rudiments of the most Holy Faith how shall it be spoke against For as in the first times of the Gospel Christians received the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands of the Apostles which miraculous gift ceasing Christians came to the Bishops as their Successors by whom after they had given testimony of their faith and knowledge they had prayers made unto God for them with the laying on of their hands that he would more and more bless them and confirm them in that faith whereof before him as his servant they had made profession and that they might stand out against all opposition they meet withal in this life and in the end of their dayes they might obtain the end of their faith the salvation of their soul. Let me never fear that the Common Prayer will bring in this in the least since the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much Jam. 5. 16. The practice or injunction again of Holy-dayes fears some surely to set apart dayes for the Members of Gods Holy Church to meet and hear Gods holy Word and receive if so ordered his most holy Sacraments cannot be spoken against by any that knows what it is to fear God That of the Apostle Ye observe dayes and months and times and years Gal. 4. 10. makes nothing against the observing of the Feast of Simon and Iude nor the 5th of November since we lay no necessity of Salvation upon either We may be brought to keep those dayes in Commemoration of the Saints names that we may be taught the imitation of their vertues Three things we owe the Saints departed 1. A keeping a memorial of them in a godly manner 2. A giving thanks to God for them and the benefits we received by them 3. An imitation of their graces meekness patience perseverance c. with which they came to the glorious inheritance and therefore we keep their dayes as the Epistles and Gospels appointed to be read in their days do plainly show Not to speak of that Relaxation and Liberty which to Servants is Granted by Law when perhaps their Churlish Masters would Deny them Liberty without Reason And if any think that the observing of such dayes as the fifth of November be a superstitious observing of times they must blame good 〈◊〉 for instituting of Purim and the Generations after him for observing of them Esther 9. 26 27. As for the bowing at the Name of Jesus if Authority command