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church_n from_o which_o they_o have_v ignorant_o swerve_v i_o be_o you_o in_o all_o true_a affection_n m._n h._n july_n 24_o 1697._o letter_n ii_o sir_n i_o considere_v in_o my_o last_o the_o letter_n relate_v to_o the_o gift_n of_o prayer_n and_o find_v nothing_o of_o moment_n object_v against_o they_o that_o may_v need_v or_o deserve_v a_o far_a answer_n i_o proceed_v to_o the_o letter_n that_o relate_v to_o form_n of_o prayer_n about_o which_o two_o thing_n be_v chief_o to_o be_v consider_v viz._n one_a their_o lawfulness_n and_o two_o their_o expediency_n and_o that_o we_o may_v bring_v thing_n to_o some_o good_a issue_n i_o will_v show_v how_o far_o we_o be_v agree_v that_o we_o may_v the_o better_o compromize_v matter_n where_o we_o differ_v 1._o first_o then_o we_o be_v agree_v about_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o
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show_v you_o the_o different_a nature_n and_o place_n of_o both_o and_o this_o be_v the_o more_o careful_o to_o be_v distinguish_v and_o attend_v to_o because_o the_o want_n of_o it_o have_v lead_v many_o into_o great_a and_o dangerous_a mistake_v for_o he_o that_o can_v use_v most_o new_a word_n and_o have_v the_o best_a faculty_n of_o change_v and_o vary_v phrase_n be_v by_o too_o many_o think_v to_o pray_v best_a and_o the_o ordinary_a gift_n of_o prayer_n which_o you_o talk_v so_o much_o of_o and_o will_v have_v study_v and_o practise_v by_o minister_n and_o people_n be_v nothing_o else_o than_o this_o faculty_n of_o variation_n which_o be_v rather_o a_o hindrance_n than_o furtherance_n of_o true_a devotion_n and_o yet_o you_o seem_v to_o put_v the_o life_n and_o spirit_n of_o prayer_n chief_o in_o it_o for_o you_o tell_v i_o that_o the_o same_o word_n be_v apt_a to_o deaden_a and_o cloy_v and_o that_o all_o man_n be_v delight_v with_o variety_n and_o new_a thing_n and_o to_o 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if_o we_o can_v pray_v as_o well_o or_o better_a without_o it_o when_o it_o be_v main_o give_v because_o we_o can_v pray_v at_o all_o now_o here_o you_o ask_v again_o for_o you_o so_o far_o suspect_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o you_o write_v that_o you_o lay_v it_o down_o by_o query_n rather_o than_o position_n i_o say_v you_o ask_v far_o whether_o the_o lord_n prayer_n as_o a_o prescribe_v form_n be_v to_o last_o beyond_o his_o resurrection_n and_o the_o effusion_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n why_o not_o be_v there_o any_o show_n of_o reason_n or_o authority_n to_o limit_v it_o only_o to_o that_o time_n do_v not_o our_o saviour_n say_v absolute_o when_o you_o pray_v say_v our_o father_n etc._n etc._n and_o when_o he_o have_v not_o give_v the_o least_o intimation_n of_o its_o be_v temporary_a what_o presumption_n be_v it_o to_o pretend_v the_o precept_n of_o christ_n to_o be_v out_o of_o date_n may_v not_o this_o artifice_n make_v void_a all_o the_o commandment_n of_o god_n by_o fix_v 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prayer_n or_o of_o one_o common_a prayer_n compose_v by_o it_o for_o if_o their_o prayer_n be_v vary_v every_o day_n they_o can_v not_o proper_o be_v call_v one_o prayer_n and_o against_o this_o i_o do_v not_o find_v any_o objection_n in_o the_o second_o century_n when_o i_o cite_v the_o testimony_n of_o lucian_n for_o the_o use_n of_o the_o lord_n prayer_n you_o except_v against_o he_o because_o he_o be_v a_o scoff_v pagan_a but_o sir_n may_v not_o a_o scoffer_n be_v a_o good_a witness_n for_o the_o use_n of_o the_o thing_n which_o he_o scoff_v at_o be_v not_o the_o atheist_n and_o the_o deist_n good_a witness_n of_o the_o general_a belief_n of_o a_o god_n and_o the_o holy_a scripture_n in_o the_o present_a age_n though_o themselves_o be_v too_o apt_a to_o deny_v the_o one_o and_o deride_v the_o other_o to_o the_o testimony_n of_o tertullian_n st._n cyprian_n and_o other_o father_n in_o the_o follow_a age_n for_o the_o use_n of_o the_o lord_n prayer_n though_o you_o struggle_v and_o labour_v hard_a to_o say_v something_o yet_o it_o be_v with_o so_o little_a appearance_n of_o reason_n or_o truth_n that_o it_o need_v no_o answer_n and_o you_o be_v so_o choke_v with_o the_o testimony_n of_o calvin_n and_o other_o divine_n abroad_o and_o likewise_o with_o the_o assembly_n of_o divine_n at_o home_o who_o both_o use_v the_o lord_n prayer_n themselves_o and_o recommend_v the_o use_n of_o it_o as_o a_o form_n to_o other_o that_o you_o wise_o enough_o let_v it_o pass_v without_o say_v much_o to_o it_o and_o therefore_o if_o you_o will_v take_v the_o advice_n of_o a_o friend_n i_o think_v you_o be_v better_o yield_v this_o point_n than_o wrangle_v any_o more_o about_o it_o and_o thus_o have_v i_o hope_v pretty_a well_o clear_v the_o use_n of_o the_o lord_n prayer_n in_o the_o same_o word_n i_o shall_v next_o consider_v what_o you_o have_v to_o say_v against_o the_o antiquity_n and_o use_n of_o liturgy_n compose_v by_o it_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n i_o be_o sir_n you_o m._n h._n aug._n 19_o 1697._o letter_n xii_o sir_n i_o show_v in_o my_o last_o the_o lord_n prayer_n to_o be_v intend_v as_o a_o form_n and_o so_o use_v by_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o likewise_o vindicate_v it_o from_o the_o disuse_n and_o contempt_n which_o some_o have_v cast_v upon_o it_o though_o it_o be_v sad_a that_o our_o unhappy_a and_o divide_a age_n shall_v make_v such_o a_o task_n necessary_a in_o the_o next_o place_n then_o i_o be_o to_o consider_v what_o you_o say_v against_o the_o antiquity_n of_o liturgy_n and_o other_o form_n of_o prayer_n compose_v by_o it_o and_o here_o i_o can_v but_o take_v notice_n of_o a_o pretty_a conceit_n of_o you_o concern_v liturgy_n in_o your_o letter_n of_o july_n the_o 6_o for_o find_v they_o often_o mention_v in_o the_o ancient_a father_n you_o think_v fit_a to_o put_v in_o your_o claim_n to_o they_o and_o will_v have_v they_o understand_v not_o so_o much_o of_o a_o book_n of_o prescribe_v stint_a form_n as_o of_o unwritten_a and_o extempore_o prayer_n in_o the_o public_a ministration_n alas_o what_o will_v not_o some_o man_n say_v or_o do_v to_o help_v out_o a_o bad_a cause_n but_o where_o sir_n in_o any_o of_o the_o father_n be_v extempore_o prayer_n so_o much_o as_o mention_v much_o less_o style_v a_o liturgy_n or_o make_v any_o part_n of_o it_o and_o indeed_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a it_o shall_v be_v when_o it_o consist_v only_o of_o present_a and_o sudden_a conception_n be_v not_o the_o ancient_a liturgy_n the_o set_v and_o stand_a office_n of_o public_a and_o solemn_a devotion_n that_o be_v well_o know_v to_o the_o people_n who_o bear_v a_o part_n in_o they_o and_o have_v often_o recourse_n to_o they_o and_o how_o can_v this_o be_v say_v of_o extempore_o prayer_n where_o neither_o minister_n nor_o people_n know_v any_o thing_n of_o it_o before_o nor_o scarce_o remember_v any_o thing_n of_o it_o after_o but_o in_o this_o and_o likewise_o in_o what_o follow_v concern_v the_o liturgy_n of_o st._n peter_n st._n mark_n and_o st._n james_n though_o you_o vain_o think_v you_o have_v do_v great_a feat_n and_o make_v some_o new_a discovery_n to_o the_o utter_a confound_v of_o liturgy_n yet_o it_o be_v all_o take_v out_o of_o a_o book_n entitle_v a_o reasonable_a account_n why_o some_o nonconforming_a minister_n refuse_v to_o perform_v their_o ministerial_a act_n of_o solemn_a and_o public_a worship_n by_o the_o prescribe_v form_n of_o other_o and_o likewise_o out_o of_o a_o posthumous_n piece_n of_o mr._n david_n clarkson_n both_o which_o book_n be_v so_o full_o answer_v and_o refute_v the_o one_o by_o dr._n falkner_n in_o his_o vindication_n of_o liturgy_n the_o other_o by_o dr._n comber_n in_o his_o original_a and_o use_v of_o they_o i_o shall_v not_o need_v to_o add_v any_o thing_n to_o the_o labour_n of_o those_o learned_a man_n and_o therefore_o shall_v only_o refer_v you_o to_o they_o but_o there_o be_v no_o valuable_a antiquity_n say_v you_o but_o the_o three_o first_o century_n and_o 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through_o all_o the_o age_n of_o the_o church_n 10._o pliny_n lib._n 10._o pliny_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o christian_n sing_v their_o hymn_n secum_fw-la inuicem_fw-la alternate_o and_o by_o part_n ignatius_n be_v say_v to_o have_v bring_v in_o this_o usage_n in_o the_o church_n of_o amioch_n and_o many_o of_o the_o father_n make_v mention_n of_o the_o use_n of_o antiphones_n and_o response_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n which_o plain_o prove_v not_o only_o the_o ancient_n use_v of_o liturgy_n but_o that_o the_o people_n bear_v a_o part_n in_o they_o but_o my_o sermon_n say_v you_o style_v the_o minister_n the_o mouth_n of_o the_o people_n to_o make_v know_v their_o request_n unto_o god_n and_o how_o be_v it_o agreeable_a with_o this_o and_o the_o holy_a scripture_n for_o the_o people_n to_o say_v half_a the_o prayer_n when_o we_o read_v ordinary_o of_o no_o more_o than_o amen_o to_o be_v say_v by_o they_o sir_n though_o the_o minister_n be_v true_o say_v to_o be_v the_o mouth_n of_o the_o people_n to_o offer_v up_o their_o prayer_n unto_o god_n yet_o the_o people_n be_v require_v to_o join_v with_o he_o and_o with_o one_o mind_n and_o one_o mouth_n to_o glorify_v their_o maker_n and_o how_o can_v this_o be_v do_v if_o their_o lip_n may_v not_o be_v open_v nor_o their_o mouth_n show_v forth_o his_o praise_n and_o though_o we_o read_v that_o he_o that_o occupi_v the_o room_n of_o the_o unlearned_a say_v only_o amen_o at_o the_o priest_n blessing_n or_o give_v of_o thanks_o that_o be_v at_o the_o consecration_n of_o the_o holy_a eucharist_n yet_o st._n jerom_n tell_v we_o that_o populus_fw-la cum_fw-la sacerdote_fw-la loquor_fw-la in_o precibus_fw-la the_o people_n speak_v with_o the_o priest_n in_o the_o other_o prayer_n but_o the_o woman_n say_v a_o brother_n of_o you_o be_v forbid_v to_o speak_v in_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o that_o part_n of_o the_o congregation_n at_o least_o be_v debar_v from_o the_o antiâ—…'s_v and_o response_n sir_n for_o the_o compose_n and_o direct_v of_o prayer_n for_o public_a worship_n and_o likewise_o the_o teach_n and_o instruct_v the_o people_n this_o way_n of_o speak_v be_v a_o act_n of_o authority_n be_v peculiar_a to_o the_o minister_n and_o be_v forbid_v to_o woman_n in_o the_o church_n but_o for_o join_v in_o the_o word_n of_o confession_n and_o supplication_n this_o be_v a_o act_n of_o humility_n and_o subjection_n be_v allow_v to_o the_o female_a sex_n who_o have_v sin_n to_o confess_v and_o soul_n to_o save_v as_o well_o as_o men._n thus_o i_o have_v consider_v the_o stroke_n add_v to_o the_o picture_n of_o the_o pharisee_fw-mi if_o they_o have_v rather_o mar_v than_o mend_v the_o matter_n and_o only_o serve_v to_o show_v you_o the_o spot_n and_o deformity_n of_o your_o worship_n you_o may_v thank_v yourself_o i_o be_o sir_n you_o m._n h._n oct._n 22th_o 1697._o letter_n xix_o sir_n your_o answer_n to_o i_o of_o june_n 17_o bring_v you_o you_o say_v to_o the_o very_a dregs_o of_o my_o sermon_n but_o why_o be_v that_o unsavoury_a word_n to_o be_v give_v to_o a_o sermon_n especial_o by_o one_o that_o be_v so_o great_a a_o admirer_n of_o preach_v why_o it_o be_v for_o bring_v extempore-prayer_n from_o the_o very_a dregs_o of_o popery_n which_o yet_o will_v not_o make_v it_o unsavoury_a in_o some_o man_n nostril_n though_o it_o come_v from_o the_o bottomless_a pit_n when_o to_o show_v it_o a_o late_a invention_n i_o tell_v you_o that_o antiquity_n make_v mention_v only_o of_o two_o way_n of_o pray_v the_o one_o by_o immediate_a inspiration_n and_o the_o other_o by_o the_o use_n of_o public_a form_n you_o cry_v out_o this_o be_v unparalleled_a what_o be_v there_o no_o way_n of_o secret_a ejaculatory_a family_n prayer_n make_v mention_n of_o in_o scripture_n or_o antiquity_n beside_o these_o but_o sir_n you_o forget_v that_o it_o be_v the_o solemn_a prayer_n of_o public_a worship_n that_o be_v the_o subject_n of_o our_o debate_n which_o as_o st._n chrysostom_n tell_v we_o be_v in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o some_o age_n after_o perform_v by_o inspiration_n and_o when_o that_o cease_v the_o use_n of_o public_a form_n have_v be_v prove_v and_o derive_v down_o ever_o since_o so_o that_o what_o you_o say_v of_o secret_a ejaculatory_a family_n prayer_n in_o which_o a_o great_a freedom_n have_v be_v ever_o allow_v be_v nothing_o to_o our_o purpose_n and_o all_o your_o out_o cry_n thereupon_o be_v both_o frivolous_a and_o impertinent_a in_o your_o grant_v the_o preliminary_n you_o own_o the_o create_v and_o continue_v division_n to_o be_v one_o of_o the_o principal_a wiles_n of_o romish_a emissary_n but_o to_o salve_v the_o credit_n of_o free_a prayer_n you_o will_v have_v uniformity_n one_o of_o the_o main_a tool_n they_o act_v by_o sir_n those_o subtle_a agent_n be_v too_o cunning_a to_o act_v with_o tool_n that_o be_v not_o fit_a and_o proper_a for_o the_o work_n they_o know_v well_o enough_o that_o join_v together_o in_o the_o same_o form_n and_o way_n of_o worship_n be_v the_o best_a mean_n to_o promote_v peace_n and_o unity_n which_o be_v none_o of_o their_o business_n and_o they_o never_o hope_v to_o make_v that_o a_o instrument_n of_o division_n any_o other_o way_n than_o by_o disparage_v and_o destroy_v it_o they_o have_v find_v by_o experience_n that_o free_a prayer_n be_v the_o proper_a tool_n for_o their_o work_n and_o therefore_o have_v be_v whet_v that_o and_o their_o wit_n too_o to_o promote_v it_o as_o the_o best_a engine_n they_o can_v work_v by_o but_o be_v not_o the_o new_a uniformity_n say_v you_o a_o stand_a evidence_n and_o occasion_n of_o our_o dissension_n yes_o but_o how_o why_o just_a as_o our_o bless_a saviour_n be_v say_v to_o bring_v not_o peace_n on_o earth_n but_o a_o sword_n which_o must_v not_o be_v understand_v as_o if_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n have_v any_o natural_a tendency_n to_o war_n and_o disturbance_n but_o that_o man_n corrupt_a nature_n and_o design_n will_v take_v occasion_n from_o 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that_o end_n and_o this_o be_v that_o one_o catholic_n church_n or_o body_n of_o christ_n which_o himself_o and_o his_o apostle_n will_v have_v keep_v entire_a without_o any_o schism_n or_o division_n in_o it_o to_o which_o end_n they_o have_v leave_v a_o strict_a charge_n upon_o all_o the_o member_n of_o it_o to_o keep_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o the_o bond_n of_o peace_n which_o can_v only_o be_v by_o join_v together_o in_o one_o fellowship_n and_o communion_n and_o now_o what_o think_v you_o sir_n be_v christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n to_o be_v reckon_v in_o the_o number_n of_o dissenter_n and_o nonconformist_n nay_o have_v they_o not_o leave_v a_o example_n of_o strict_a conformity_n to_o the_o jewish_a church_n of_o which_o they_o be_v member_n and_o show_v a_o exact_a compliance_n with_o all_o the_o right_n and_o ceremony_n not_o only_o of_o divine_a but_o humane_a and_o ecclesiastical_a appointment_n use_v in_o it_o and_o will_v our_o saviour_n think_v you_o approve_v of_o rent_n and_o dâ—ssâ—â—â—ions_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n which_o he_o have_v 〈◊〉_d his_o own_o body_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o these_o thing_n no_o certain_o the_o precept_n to_o unity_n and_o the_o prohibition_n of_o division_n be_v far_o more_o urgent_a under_o the_o gospel_n than_o ever_o they_o be_v under_o the_o law_n and_o how_o can_v you_o conceive_v schism_n and_o separation_n to_o be_v sign_n of_o grace_n and_o pure_a christianity_n when_o they_o be_v so_o direct_o contrary_a to_o the_o rule_n and_o precept_n of_o both_o thus_o you_o see_v sir_n that_o your_o additional_a stroke_n serve_v but_o to_o add_v to_o the_o resemblance_n and_o your_o complete_n the_o character_n of_o the_o pharisee_n only_o show_v you_o the_o more_o complete_o like_o they_o but_o you_o have_v something_o far_a to_o say_v of_o the_o pharisee_n prayer_n and_o ask_v whether_o they_o be_v by_o a_o liturgy_n or_o not_o which_o must_v be_v examine_v and_o answer_v in_o my_o next_o i_o be_o sir_n you_o m._n h._n letter_n xviii_o to_o j._n m._n sir_n i_o show_v in_o my_o last_o that_o the_o additional_a stroke_n you_o give_v to_o the_o picture_n of_o the_o pharisee_n do_v but_o increase_v the_o resemblance_n and_o what_o you_o add_v to_o complete_a their_o character_n serve_v only_o to_o make_v it_o look_v so_o much_o the_o hard_a upon_o you_o i_o proceed_v in_o this_o to_o consider_v what_o you_o have_v far_o to_o say_v concern_v your_o prayer_n and_o here_o when_o i_o tell_v that_o the_o pharisee_n prayer_n be_v remarkable_a for_o two_o thing_n viz._n their_o length_n and_o their_o loudness_n you_o very_o fair_o quarrel_v with_o both_o for_o your_o cavil_a humour_n will_v scarce_o let_v any_o thing_n pass_v and_o therefore_o something_o must_v be_v add_v for_o the_o illustration_n of_o both_o as_o for_o their_o length_n our_o saviour_n have_v record_v it_o for_o a_o piece_n of_o their_o hypocrisy_n 23.14_o matt._n 23.14_o that_o they_o make_v long_a prayer_n no_o say_v 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father_n if_o this_o cup_n may_v not_o pass_v away_o from_o i_o except_o i_o drink_v it_o thy_o will_n be_v do_v after_o which_o he_o pray_v again_o the_o three_o time_n without_o any_o variation_n say_v the_o same_o word_n and_o with_o these_o few_o unvaried_a word_n together_o with_o many_o inward_a sigh_n and_o groan_n that_o can_v be_v utter_v he_o pass_v that_o night_n before_o his_o suffering_n with_o great_a devotion_n and_o hereunto_o the_o apostle_n allude_v when_o he_o tell_v we_o of_o christ_n pray_v to_o his_o father_n with_o strong_a cry_n and_o tear_n beside_o our_o saviour_n have_v blame_v the_o heathen_n for_o their_o much_o speak_n and_o the_o pharisee_n for_o their_o long_a prayer_n he_o be_v careful_a not_o to_o leave_v behind_o he_o a_o example_n or_o encouragement_n of_o either_o as_o for_o what_o you_o say_v of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n spend_v many_o hour_n and_o sometime_o whole_a night_n in_o prayer_n and_o fast_v you_o must_v not_o think_v that_o this_o 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of_o the_o jew_n have_v a_o public_a service_n that_o be_v use_v in_o the_o temple_n and_o the_o synagogue_n be_v so_o plain_o and_o full_o prove_v by_o the_o learned_a dr._n lightfoot_n that_o i_o shall_v need_v only_o to_o refer_v you_o to_o he_o where_o you_o may_v read_v some_o of_o the_o set_a form_n that_o compose_v their_o liturgy_n together_o with_o the_o order_n and_o method_n of_o their_o whole_a service_n collect_v from_o the_o best_a and_o ancient_a of_o the_o jewish_a writer_n there_o you_o may_v learn_v likewise_o that_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o pharisee_n and_o sadducee_n be_v not_o the_o national_a religion_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o which_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n join_v but_o sect_n and_o excrescence_n from_o it_o and_o be_v such_o we_o find_v our_o saviour_n often_o reprove_v but_o never_o communicate_v with_o they_o and_o yet_o you_o will_v believe_v that_o in_o those_o day_n there_o be_v no_o other_o common-prayer-book_n but_o the_o bible_n that_o be_v you_o 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the_o same_o may_v be_v say_v of_o that_o form_n of_o supplication_n we_o beseech_v thou_o to_o hear_v we_o good_a lord_n which_o be_v put_v up_o every_o time_n for_o some_o distinct_a grace_n or_o mercy_n can_v be_v reckon_v a_o vain_a repetition_n thus_o have_v show_v you_o what_o be_v not_o vain_a repetition_n and_o likewise_o free_v our_o church-service_n from_o they_o let_v we_o see_v what_o be_v such_o and_o how_o you_o can_v clear_v extempore-prayer_n from_o they_o battology_n then_o or_o vain_a repetition_n be_v when_o man_n think_v to_o be_v hear_v for_o their_o much_o speak_n when_o too_o great_a a_o stress_n be_v lay_v upon_o the_o multitude_n and_o variety_n of_o word_n and_o this_o be_v occaon_v by_o a_o vain_a opinion_n that_o god_n be_v more_o please_v with_o long_a prayer_n than_o short_a which_o put_v man_n upon_o lengthen_v their_o prayer_n by_o vary_a phrase_n to_o run_v out_o their_o petition_n into_o many_o word_n and_o to_o ask_v the_o same_o thing_n in_o new_a 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be_v it_o consistent_a say_v you_o to_o commend_v free_a prayer_n in_o private_a and_o yet_o too_o affirm_v that_o upon_o the_o cease_n of_o inspiration_n godly_a form_n be_v appoint_v both_o for_o public_a and_o private_a devotion_n very_o well_o sir_n for_o in_o the_o public_a assembly_n form_n be_v necessary_a that_o all_o people_n may_v know_v their_o prayer_n and_o so_o pray_v with_o the_o understanding_n and_o likewise_o in_o private_a family_n where_o many_o be_v to_o join_v form_n be_v expedient_a for_o the_o same_o reason_n and_o both_o these_o since_o the_o cease_n of_o inspiration_n be_v best_a perform_v this_o way_n but_o in_o the_o more_o private_a and_o secret_a devotion_n of_o the_o closet_n free_a prayer_n may_v be_v convenient_o use_v because_o thereby_o every_o one_o may_v better_o descend_v to_o his_o own_o particular_a want_n and_o fail_n than_o by_o any_o form_n compose_v by_o other_o who_o can_v be_v so_o well_o acquaint_v with_o these_o thing_n as_o themselves_o 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