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reason_n answer_n answer_v objection_n 2,644 5 9.4165 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A27392 An answer to the dissenters pleas for separation, or, An abridgment of the London cases wherein the substance of those books is digested into one short and plain discourse. Bennet, Thomas, 1673-1728. 1700 (1700) Wing B1888; ESTC R16887 202,270 335

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of_o grace_n and_o receive_v a_o right_a to_o eternal_a life_n i_o can_v deny_v but_o they_o may_v be_v save_v without_o baptism_n by_o the_o uncovenant_v mercy_n of_o god_n but_o then_o the_o hope_n of_o god_n mercy_n in_o extraordinary_a case_n ought_v not_o to_o make_v we_o less_o regardful_a of_o his_o sure_a ordinary_a and_o covenant_v mercy_n and_o the_o appoint_a mean_n to_o which_o they_o be_v annex_v nay_o infant_n do_v by_o baptism_n acquire_v a_o present_a right_n unto_o all_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o particular_o to_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v assistance_n which_o they_o shall_v certain_o receive_v as_o soon_o and_o as_o fast_o as_o their_o natural_a incapacity_n remove_v now_o since_o these_o be_v the_o benefit_n of_o baptism_n and_o since_o infant_n be_v capable_a of_o they_o let_v any_o impartial_a man_n judge_n whether_o it_o be_v more_o for_o their_o benefit_n that_o they_o shall_v receive_v they_o by_o be_v baptise_a in_o their_o infancy_n or_o stay_v for_o they_o till_o they_o come_v to_o year_n of_o discretion_n be_v it_o better_o for_o a_o child_n that_o have_v the_o evil_a to_o be_v touch_v for_o it_o while_o he_o be_v a_o child_n or_o to_o wait_v till_o he_o be_v of_o sufficient_a age_n to_o be_v sensible_a of_o the_o benefit_n or_o be_v it_o best_o for_o a_o traitor_n be_v child_n to_o be_v present_o restore_v to_o his_o blood_n and_o estate_n and_o his_o prince_n favour_n or_o to_o be_v keep_v in_o a_o mere_a capacity_n of_o be_v restore_v till_o he_o be_v a_o man_n i_o must_v add_v that_o baptism_n lay_v such_o a_o early_a pre-engagement_n upon_o child_n as_o without_o the_o high_a baseness_n and_o ingratitude_n they_o can_v afterward_o retract_v for_o there_o be_v no_o person_n of_o common_a ingenuity_n honour_n or_o conscience_n but_o will_v think_v himself_o bind_v to_o stand_v to_o the_o obligation_n which_o he_o contract_v in_o his_o infancy_n when_o he_o be_v so_o gracious_o admit_v to_o so_o 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the_o church_n but_o most_o expedient_a in_o itself_o and_o most_o agreeable_a to_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o primitive_a christian_n and_o to_o the_o will_n of_o christ_n it_o must_v needs_o be_v conclude_v that_o there_o lie_v the_o same_o obligation_n upon_o parent_n to_o desire_v baptism_n for_o their_o child_n as_o there_o do_v upon_o grow_v person_n to_o desire_v it_o for_o themselves_o for_o what_o authority_n soever_o exact_v any_o thing_n concern_v child_n or_o person_n under_o the_o year_n of_o discretion_n lay_v at_o least_o a_o implicit_a obligation_n upon_o parent_n to_o see_v that_o it_o be_v perform_v for_o if_o in_o the_o time_n of_o a_o general_a contagion_n the_o supreme_a power_n shall_v command_v that_o all_o man_n woman_n and_o child_n shall_v every_o morning_n take_v such_o a_o antidote_n that_o command_n will_v oblige_v parent_n to_o give_v it_o to_o their_o child_n as_o well_o as_o to_o take_v it_o themselves_o just_o so_o the_o ordinance_n 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to_o be_v such_o nothing_o now_o remain_v but_o that_o i_o take_v off_o two_o objection_n first_o it_o be_v say_v that_o infant-communion_n may_v be_v practise_v as_o well_o as_o infant-baptism_n but_o i_o answer_v 1._o there_o be_v not_o equal_a evidence_n for_o the_o practice_n of_o infant-communion_n because_o st._n cyprian_n be_v the_o first_o author_n which_o they_o can_v produce_v for_o it_o and_o then_o the_o author_n of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a hierarchy_n and_o cyril_n of_o jerusalem_n mention_v it_o towards_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o the_o four_o century_n and_o st._n austin_n in_o the_o five_o whereas_o for_o infant-baptism_n we_o have_v the_o authority_n of_o st._n cyprian_a and_o a_o whole_a council_n of_o father_n over_o which_o he_o preside_v of_o origen_n tertullian_n irenaeus_n st._n jerom_n st._n ambrose_n st._n chrysostom_n st._n athanasius_n gregory_n nazianzen_n and_o the_o three_o council_n of_o carthage_n who_o all_o speak_v of_o it_o as_o a_o thing_n general_o practise_v and_o most_o of_o they_o as_o of_o a_o thing_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v practise_v in_o the_o church_n i_o may_v add_v that_o none_o of_o the_o four_o testimony_n for_o infant-communion_n speak_v of_o it_o as_o of_o a_o apostolical_a tradition_n as_o origen_n do_v of_o infant-baptism_n 2._o there_o be_v not_o equal_a reason_n for_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o for_o person_n of_o all_o age_n be_v capable_a of_o baptism_n but_o the_o holy_a eucharist_n be_v the_o sacrament_n of_o perfection_n institute_v for_o the_o remembrance_n of_o christ_n death_n and_o passion_n which_o be_v a_o act_n of_o great_a knowledge_n and_o piety_n child_n be_v not_o capable_a to_o perform_v nor_o be_v there_o a_o equal_a concurrence_n of_o tradition_n or_o the_o authority_n of_o so_o many_o text_n of_o scripture_n for_o infant-communion_n it_o be_v ground_v only_o upon_o john_n 6.53_o except_o you_o eat_v the_o flesh_n of_o the_o son_n of_o man_n and_o drink_v his_o blood_n you_o have_v no_o life_n in_o you_o now_o it_o be_v doubtful_a whether_o this_o be_v mean_v of_o the_o eucharist_n or_o no_o because_o it_o be_v not_o as_o yet_o institute_v but_o if_o it_o be_v so_o to_o be_v understand_v yet_o the_o sense_n of_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v regulate_v by_o the_o chief_a end_n of_o its_o institution_n do_v this_o in_o remembrance_n of_o i_o nay_o the_o western_a church_n discern_v the_o mistake_n upon_o which_o infant-communion_n be_v ground_v have_v long_o since_o lay_v it_o aside_o though_o they_o still_o continue_v the_o practice_n of_o infant-baptism_n but_o in_o truth_n the_o practice_n of_o infant-communion_n be_v so_o far_o from_o prejudice_v the_o cause_n of_o infant-baptism_n that_o it_o mighty_o confirm_v it_o because_o none_o be_v or_o can_v be_v admit_v to_o partake_v of_o the_o holy_a communion_n till_o they_o be_v valid_o baptise_a and_o therefore_o the_o practice_n of_o infant-communion_n full_o prove_v that_o all_o the_o church_n wherein_o it_o ever_o be_v or_o still_o indies_n still_o as_o in_o the_o greek_a russian_a and_o abyssin_n church_n and_o among_o the_o christian_n of_o st._n thomas_n in_o the_o indies_n be_v practise_v be_v of_o opinion_n that_o the_o baptism_n of_o infant_n be_v as_o valid_a and_o lawful_a as_o that_o of_o grow_v person_n second_o it_o be_v object_v that_o child_n who_o have_v not_o the_o use_n of_o reason_n can_v know_v what_o a_o covenant_n mean_n and_o therefore_o they_o can_v contract_v and_o stipulate_v though_o st._n peter_n say_v the_o baptism_n which_o save_v we_o must_v have_v the_o answer_n or_o restipulation_n of_o a_o good_a conscience_n towards_o god_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v 1._o that_o this_o objection_n be_v as_o strong_a against_o infant-circumcision_n as_o against_o infant-baptism_n 2._o that_o god_n be_v please_v to_o seal_v the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n unto_o circumcise_a infant_n upon_o a_o implicit_a and_o imputative_a
the_o act_n of_o receive_v as_o be_v before_o note_v and_o that_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n say_v a_o 4._o a_o alex._n hales_n de_fw-fr miss●_n p._n 2._o quest_n 10._o p._n 4._o popish_a author_n which_o our_o dissenter_n urge_v for_o sit_v viz._n because_o the_o apostle_n sit_v at_o the_o first_o institution_n of_o the_o sacrament_n and_o every_o priest_n by_o the_o order_n of_o the_o mass-book_n be_v to_o partake_v stand_v at_o the_o altar_n and_o not_o kneel_v there_o nay_o if_o kneel_v be_v unlawful_a because_o it_o have_v be_v abuse_v to_o idolatry_n then_o we_o must_v never_o receive_v the_o holy_a sacrament_n for_o we_o must_v receive_v in_o some_o convenient_a posture_n such_o as_o kneel_v sit_v discumb_a stand_v and_o yet_o every_o one_o of_o these_o either_o have_v be_v or_o be_v notorious_o abuse_v by_o heathen_n and_o papist_n to_o idolatrous_a end_n i_o hope_v i_o need_v not_o add_v that_o it_o will_v be_v very_o unjust_a to_o say_v that_o our_o kneel_v be_v a_o act_n of_o worship_n to_o the_o outward_a element_n when_o the_o church_n have_v declare_v this_o to_o be_v idolatry_n to_o be_v abhor_v of_o all_o faithful_a christian_n i_o shall_v conclude_v this_o chapter_n with_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o dissent_v writer_n mr._n tomb_n have_v undertake_v to_o show_v that_o whatever_o the_o gesture_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v yet_o we_o be_v not_o oblige_v to_o it_o theod._n p._n 168._o it_o be_v grant_v by_o mr._n bains_n christian_n lett._n 24._o and_o mr._n bayly_n disswas_n c._n 2_o 6._o that_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o ordinance_n do_v not_o make_v sit_v necessary_a or_o forbid_v kneel_v and_z mr._n bains_n ibid._n grant_v that_o kneel_v be_v not_o idolatrous_a and_o mr._n cartwright_n who_o think_v it_o inconvenient_a yet_o do_v not_o think_v it_o unlawful_a harmon_n on_o luke_n 22.14_o last_o mr._n baxter_n christian_n dir._n part_n 2._o p._n 111._o quest_n 3._o sect_n 40._o say_v for_o kneel_v i_o never_o hear_v any_o thing_n yet_o to_o prove_v it_o unlawful_a if_o there_o be_v any_o thing_n it_o must_v be_v either_o some_o word_n of_o god_n or_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o ordinance_n which_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v contradict_v but_o 1._o there_o be_v no_o word_n of_o god_n for_o any_o gesture_n nor_o against_o any_o christ_n be_v example_n can_v never_o be_v prove_v to_o oblige_v we_o more_o in_o this_o than_o in_o many_o circumstance_n that_o be_v confess_v not_o obligatory_a as_o that_o he_o deliver_v but_o to_o minister_n and_o but_o to_o a_o family_n to_o twelve_o and_o after_o supper_n and_o on_o a_o thursday_n night_n and_o in_o a_o upper-room_n etc._n etc._n and_o his_o gesture_n be_v not_o such_o a_o sit_v as_o we_o and_o 2._o for_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o ordinance_n it_o be_v mix_v and_o if_o it_o be_v lawful_a to_o take_v a_o pardon_n from_o the_o king_n upon_o our_o knee_n i_o know_v not_o what_o can_v make_v it_o unlawful_a to_o take_v a_o seal_v pardon_n from_o christ_n by_o his_o ambassador_n upon_o our_o knee_n chap._n viii_o the_o objection_n of_o our_o symbolise_n or_o agree_v with_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n answer_v but_o say_v the_o dissenter_n there_o be_v so_o great_a a_o agreement_n between_o your_o church_n and_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n that_o we_o can_v think_v communion_n with_o your_o church_n to_o be_v lawful_a they_o tell_v we_o that_o our_o first_o reformer_n be_v indeed_o excellent_a and_o worthy_a person_n for_o the_o time_n they_o live_v in_o that_o what_o they_o do_v be_v very_o commendable_a and_o a_o good_a beginning_n but_o they_o be_v force_v to_o comply_v with_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o age_n which_o will_v not_o bear_v a_o complete_a reformation_n they_o leave_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o popish_a trash_n in_o the_o church_n hope_v by_o degree_n to_o reconcile_v the_o papist_n to_o it_o or_o at_o least_o that_o they_o may_v not_o make_v the_o breach_n too_o wide_o and_o too_o much_o prejudice_n or_o estrange_v they_o from_o it_o but_o we_o now_o live_v under_o better_a mean_n have_v great_a light_n and_o knowledge_n and_o so_o a_o further_o and_o more_o perfect_a amendment_n be_v now_o necessary_a now_o i_o can_v but_o inward_o reverence_v the_o judgement_n as_o well_o as_o love_v the_o temper_n of_o our_o first_o reformer_n who_o in_o their_o first_o separation_n from_o rome_n be_v not_o nice_a or_o scrupulous_a beyond_o the_o just_a reason_n of_o thing_n doubtless_o they_o be_v in_o earnest_n enough_o as_o to_o all_o true_a zeal_n against_o the_o corruption_n of_o that_o church_n when_o they_o seal_v the_o well-grounded_n offence_n they_o take_v at_o they_o with_o their_o warm_a blood_n and_o cheerful_o undergo_v all_o the_o hardship_n that_o the_o primitive_a christian_n signalise_v their_o profession_n with_o rather_o than_o they_o will_v intermix_v with_o rome_n in_o any_o usage_n of_o worship_n or_o article_n of_o faith_n that_o have_v the_o least_o favour_n of_o idolatry_n superstition_n or_o false_a religion_n at_o all_o in_o it_o and_o yet_o these_o holy_a and_o wise_a man_n when_o they_o have_v the_o power_n and_o opportunity_n of_o reform_v whole_o in_o their_o hand_n be_v equal_o jealous_a of_o enthusiasm_n as_o they_o be_v of_o superstition_n will_v not_o give_v themselves_o up_o to_o those_o fantastic_a antipathy_n as_o to_o abolish_v this_o or_o that_o ceremony_n mere_o because_o it_o have_v be_v in_o use_n among_o the_o papist_n if_o some_o other_o very_o substantial_a reason_n do_v not_o plead_v against_o it_o and_o very_o have_v they_o not_o always_o use_v these_o temperate_a and_o unbiased_a method_n of_o reformation_n they_o will_v not_o so_o easy_o have_v justify_v themselves_o to_o their_o adversary_n or_o the_o world_n or_o have_v make_v it_o so_o evident_a as_o by_o their_o wise_a management_n they_o do_v that_o what_o be_v do_v by_o they_o be_v from_o the_o mere_a urgency_n of_o conscience_n and_o reason_n and_o not_o the_o wantonness_n of_o change_n and_o innovation_n so_o that_o where_o any_o mean_v honest_o as_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o many_o of_o those_o do_v that_o dissent_n from_o we_o they_o ought_v to_o have_v their_o reason_n very_o well_o awake_v that_o the_o mere_a charge_n of_o popery_n upon_o any_o dispute_v point_n may_v not_o so_o prejudice_v they_o in_o their_o inquiry_n into_o thing_n as_o to_o leave_v no_o room_n for_o mature_a consideration_n however_o that_o i_o may_v full_o answer_v this_o objection_n draw_v from_o our_o agreement_n with_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o show_v 1._o that_o there_o be_v a_o vast_a distance_n between_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o rome_n 2._o that_o a_o church_n symbolise_v or_o agree_v in_o some_o thing_n with_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v no_o warrant_n for_o separation_n from_o the_o church_n so_o agree_v 3._o that_o the_o agreement_n between_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o rome_n be_v in_o no_o wise_a such_o as_o will_v make_v communion_n with_o the_o church_n of_o england_n unlawful_a i._o then_o i_o shall_v show_v that_o there_o be_v a_o vast_a distance_n between_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o rome_n as_o appear_v by_o our_o church_n have_v renounce_v all_o communion_n with_o rome_n and_o utter_o cast_v off_o the_o pope_n power_n but_o i_o shall_v descend_v to_o particular_n and_o show_v the_o vast_a distance_n between_o they_o first_o in_o all_o those_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n whereby_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n deprive_v her_o member_n of_o their_o due_a liberty_n and_o miserable_o enslave_v they_o for_o 1._o she_o deny_v they_o all_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n and_o bind_v they_o all_o under_o pain_n of_o damnation_n to_o believe_v her_o infallible_a but_o our_o church_n permit_v we_o to_o prove_v all_o thing_n that_o we_o may_v hold_v fast_o that_o which_o be_v good_a she_o disclaim_v all_o pretence_n to_o infallibility_n and_o own_v herself_o to_o be_v obnoxious_a to_o error_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n 2._o the_o church_n of_o rome_n impose_v a_o most_o slavish_a drudgery_n in_o the_o vast_a multitude_n of_o vain_a and_o childish_a odd_a and_o uncouth_a rite_n and_o ceremony_n which_o a_o man_n will_v wonder_v how_o they_o can_v invent_v the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v of_o their_o cruel_a penance_n in_o impose_v of_o which_o the_o priest_n be_v arbitrary_a but_o our_o rite_n be_v exceed_v few_o plain_a easy_a grave_a and_o manly_a found_v on_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n long_o before_o popery_n appear_v in_o the_o world_n our_o sacrament_n be_v but_o two_o and_o consequent_o we_o be_v not_o burden_v with_o the_o superstitious_a foppery_n of_o the_o other_o five_o popish_a one_o in_o short_a our_o rite_n be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o do_v thing_n decent_o and_o in_o order_n and_o do_v all_o thing_n to_o
more_o general_a confession_n of_o sin_n which_o we_o make_v with_o the_o whole_a congregation_n and_o we_o shall_v then_o have_v less_o reason_n to_o complain_v that_o those_o confession_n be_v too_o general_a and_o not_o apt_a to_o move_v we_o because_o this_o will_v cure_v the_o deadness_n of_o our_o heart_n which_o be_v common_o most_o to_o blame_v when_o we_o find_v fault_n with_o the_o mean_n that_o god_n have_v provide_v for_o we_o 2._o the_o next_o objection_n be_v the_o shortness_n of_o our_o collect_v by_o reason_n of_o which_o it_o be_v pretend_v that_o the_o prayer_n be_v often_o sudden_o break_v off_o and_o then_o begin_v again_o and_o this_o be_v think_v not_o so_o agreeable_a to_o the_o gravity_n wherewith_o this_o duty_n ought_v to_o be_v perform_v nor_o so_o likely_a a_o mean_n of_o exciting_a reverence_n and_o devotion_n in_o the_o people_n as_o one_o continue_a form_n of_o prayer_n that_o may_v be_v as_o long_o as_o all_o those_o put_v together_o to_o this_o i_o answer_v 1._o that_o the_o mere_a shortness_n of_o a_o prayer_n be_v not_o to_o be_v blame_v since_o that_o will_v disparage_v the_o form_n which_o christ_n teach_v his_o disciple_n 2._o that_o it_o will_v be_v hard_a to_o prove_v that_o many_o of_o these_o short_a prayer_n be_v offer_v up_o to_o god_n one_o immediate_o after_o another_o be_v either_o not_o so_o grave_a or_o not_o so_o edify_v as_o one_o continue_v form_n for_o the_o work_n of_o pray_v be_v as_o much_o continue_v all_o the_o while_n as_o if_o there_o be_v but_o one_o continue_a form_n because_o we_o pass_v from_o one_o petition_n to_o another_o or_o from_o one_o matter_n of_o invocation_n to_o another_o as_o immediate_o as_o if_o the_o distinct_a form_n be_v all_o bring_v into_o the_o compass_n of_o one_o nay_o the_o attention_n of_o the_o people_n be_v rather_o help_v by_o the_o frequency_n of_o say_v amen_o and_o their_o godly_a disposition_n of_o mind_n which_o be_v the_o best_a thing_n in_o prayer_n may_v be_v keep_v alive_a and_o more_o effectual_o secure_v by_o call_v upon_o the_o name_n of_o god_n and_o plead_v the_o merit_n of_o christ_n so_o often_o as_o we_o do_v beside_o the_o invocation_n of_o god_n somewhat_o often_o by_o his_o attribute_n maintain_v in_o our_o mind_n a_o reverend_a sense_n of_o his_o majestic_a presence_n which_o we_o all_o know_v be_v needful_a to_o make_v we_o pray_v as_o we_o ought_v and_o the_o frequency_n of_o mention_v christ_n merit_n and_o mediation_n strengthen_v our_o faith_n and_o assurance_n that_o we_o shall_v be_v hear_v it_o be_v also_o the_o peculiar_a character_n of_o christian_a devotion_n and_o distinguish_v we_o from_o the_o papist_n in_o declare_v our_o detestation_n of_o call_v upon_o god_n in_o the_o name_n of_o saint_n or_o any_o other_o but_o that_o of_o christ_n if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o we_o say_v amen_o and_o break_v off_o our_o prayer_n too_o often_o i_o reply_v that_o all_o wise_a and_o humble_a man_n will_v submit_v themselves_o in_o that_o case_n to_o the_o judgement_n of_o their_o superior_n 3._o some_z except_z against_o the_o repetition_n of_o the_o lord_n prayer_n and_o of_o glory_n be_v to_o the_o father_n etc._n etc._n and_o of_o lord_n have_v mercy_n upon_o we_o and_o the_o like_a because_o they_o think_v our_o saviour_n forbid_v it_o by_o say_v when_o you_o pray_v use_v not_o vain_a repetition_n but_o it_o appear_v by_o our_o saviour_n caution_n against_o vain_a repetition_n that_o some_o repetition_n be_v not_o vain_a and_o consequent_o not_o forbid_v this_o must_v be_v suppose_v because_o he_o himself_o when_o in_o his_o agony_n pray_v thrice_o in_o the_o same_o word_n now_o christ_n forbid_v the_o fault_n of_o the_o heathen_n who_o vain_a repetition_n proceed_v from_o a_o affectation_n of_o speak_v much_o or_o from_o a_o belief_n that_o god_n will_v not_o help_v they_o unless_o they_o repeat_v the_o same_o thing_n over_o in_o a_o tedious_a manner_n but_o the_o repetition_n of_o good_a prayer_n be_v nothing_o like_o their_o practice_n repetition_n be_v not_o vain_a if_o two_o thing_n be_v regard_v 1._o that_o the_o matter_n be_v very_o weighty_a and_o apt_a to_o move_v those_o pious_a affection_n which_o god_n be_v most_o please_v with_o in_o our_o address_n to_o he_o and_o in_o this_o respect_n i_o dare_v say_v our_o repetition_n be_v secure_v from_o vanity_n 2._o that_o they_o be_v frame_v with_o judgement_n that_o they_o come_v in_o fit_o and_o in_o due_a place_n and_o not_o too_o often_o and_o these_o rule_n be_v observe_v in_o our_o liturgy_n for_o as_o none_o do_v ever_o blame_v the_o disposal_n of_o our_o repetition_n so_o none_o can_v just_o blame_v the_o sequency_n of_o they_o for_o our_o repetition_n be_v very_o few_o but_o if_o our_o number_n be_v too_o great_a what_o shall_v we_o think_v of_o the_o 136_o psalm_n where_o his_o mercy_n endure_v forever_o be_v repeat_v 26_o time_n to_o conclude_v this_o matter_n i_o desire_v those_o who_o do_v not_o yet_o approve_v our_o repetition_n of_o the_o lord_n prayer_n etc._n etc._n to_o consider_v whether_o it_o be_v so_o easy_a to_o spend_v the_o time_n it_o take_v up_o more_o profitable_o than_o by_o join_v in_o good_a earnest_n with_o the_o congregation_n in_o these_o prayer_n .._o 4._o some_o person_n dislike_v the_o responsal_n of_o the_o congregation_n and_o the_o people_n say_v the_o confession_n and_o the_o lord_n prayer_n after_o the_o minister_n and_o their_o alternate_a recite_v the_o psalm_n and_o hymn_n and_o some_o petition_n in_o the_o daily_a service_n now_o i_o beg_v these_o man_n to_o consider_v what_o have_v be_v often_o say_v viz._n that_o this_o way_n be_v apt_a to_o check_v a_o wander_a spirit_n to_o help_v attention_n and_o quicken_v a_o lively_a zeal_n in_o god_n service_n whilst_o we_o invite_v and_o provoke_v one_o another_o to_o pray_v and_o give_v thanks_o they_o say_v indeed_o that_o the_o minister_n be_v appoint_v to_o be_v the_o mouth_n of_o the_o people_n in_o god_n public_a service_n but_o to_o this_o i_o answer_v 1._o that_o grant_v the_o minister_n to_o be_v appoint_v for_o the_o mouth_n of_o the_o people_n yet_o it_o must_v not_o be_v so_o interpret_v as_o to_o make_v all_o vocal_a prayer_n and_o thanksgiving_n in_o religious_a assembly_n unlawful_a to_o the_o people_n for_o then_o the_o people_n must_v not_o say_v amen_o which_o be_v a_o short_a responsal_n to_o the_o minister_n nor_o must_v they_o join_v in_o sing_v psalm_n which_o oftentimes_o contain_v matter_n of_o prayer_n 2._o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o say_v that_o the_o minister_n be_v the_o mouth_n of_o the_o people_n to_o god_n or_o that_o no_o prayer_n must_v be_v offer_v up_o in_o religious_a assembly_n otherwise_o than_o by_o the_o mouth_n of_o the_o minister_n it_o be_v true_a the_o minister_n be_v the_o mouth_n of_o the_o people_n in_o all_o those_o prayer_n which_o he_o utter_v for_o they_o and_o because_o these_o be_v many_o more_o than_o what_o the_o people_n themselves_o utter_v he_o may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v their_o mouth_n to_o god_n comparative_o but_o not_o absolute_o it_o be_v true_a also_o that_o the_o minister_n be_v appoint_v for_o the_o people_n in_o all_o public_a service_n appertain_v to_o god_n if_o this_o be_v understand_v for_o the_o most_o part_n or_o of_o all_o with_o little_a exception_n some_o public_a service_n be_v pronounce_v by_o he_o only_o and_o as_o for_o the_o rest_n it_o be_v fit_a he_o shall_v ever_o utter_v most_o of_o they_o and_o that_o in_o those_o wherein_o the_o people_n have_v their_o part_n he_o shall_v ever_o go_v before_o and_o lead_v they_o and_o guide_v the_o whole_a performance_n which_o be_v all_o take_a care_n for_o in_o our_o liturgy_n nay_o the_o dissenter_n themselves_o do_v not_o utter_o debar_v the_o people_n from_o all_o vocal_a prayer_n and_o thanksgiving_n of_o their_o own_o in_o god_n solemn_a worship_n for_o they_o allow_v the_o people_n to_o sing_v psalm_n and_o why_o then_o may_v they_o not_o bear_v a_o part_n in_o the_o hymn_n and_o psalm_n by_o alternate_a response_n i_o can_v see_v why_o sing_v or_o not_o sing_v shall_v make_v such_o a_o difference_n it_o be_v better_o if_o they_o be_v every_o where_o sing_v because_o it_o be_v more_o suitable_a to_o the_o design_n of_o they_o than_o bear_v recite_v be_v but_o if_o they_o be_v not_o sing_v the_o next_o use_n of_o they_o that_o be_v most_o agreeable_a to_o their_o nature_n and_o design_n be_v recite_v they_o by_o answer_v in_o turn_n as_o the_o custom_n be_v with_o we_o for_o this_o be_v much_o near_a to_o sing_v than_o the_o minister_n recite_v all_o himself_o but_o say_v they_o the_o people_n verse_n be_v in_o a_o manner_n lose_v to_o some_o of_o the_o congregation_n since_o in_o the_o confuse_a murmur_n of_o so_o many_o voice_n
nothing_o can_v be_v distinct_o hear_v to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o those_o who_o can_v read_v may_v bring_v book_n and_o those_o that_o can_v may_v attend_v to_o those_o that_o be_v near_o nay_o i_o have_v be_v credible_o inform_v that_o some_o devout_a people_n that_o can_v never_o read_v have_v attain_v to_o a_o ability_n of_o recite_v most_o of_o the_o psalm_n without_o book_n by_o often_o hear_v they_o in_o those_o church_n where_o they_o be_v alternate_o recite_v i_o shall_v add_v that_o for_o the_o most_o part_n the_o psalm_n be_v recite_v alternate_o in_o those_o church_n only_o where_o it_o may_v be_v reasonable_o presume_v that_o the_o whole_a congregation_n can_v read_v very_o few_o except_v now_o if_o the_o people_n may_v join_v in_o vocal_a praise_n why_o may_v they_o not_o also_o join_v in_o vocal_a prayer_n if_o it_o be_v say_v there_o be_v some_o example_n or_o warrant_n in_o scripture_n for_o the_o one_o but_o not_o for_o the_o other_o it_o seem_v to_o be_v a_o good_a answer_n that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o parity_n of_o reason_n as_o that_o the_o express_a warrant_n of_o scripture_n for_o the_o one_o be_v a_o imply_v warrant_v for_o the_o other_o i_o have_v already_o show_v chap._n 3._o that_o the_o people_n join_v in_o vocal_a prayer_n be_v very_o ancient_o practise_v and_o if_o this_o be_v the_o primitive_a way_n it_o be_v probable_a that_o it_o be_v the_o way_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n i_o know_v it_o be_v object_v that_o the_o people_n speak_v to_o god_n in_o the_o church_n be_v disorderly_a and_o a_o break_n in_o upon_o the_o minister_n office_n but_o will_v they_o say_v that_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n entrench_v upon_o the_o priest_n when_o they_o all_o bow_v themselves_o upon_o the_o pavement_n and_o worship_v the_o lord_n and_o praise_v he_o say_v for_o he_o be_v good_a for_o his_o mercy_n endure_v for_o ever_o 2_o chron._n 7.3_o ecclesiastical_a order_n be_v secure_v by_o the_o minister_n preside_v in_o god_n public_a worship_n and_o guide_v the_o performance_n of_o it_o but_o not_o to_o allow_v the_o people_n to_o make_v a_o audible_a confession_n of_o sin_n after_o the_o minister_n nor_o to_o utter_v some_o few_o affectionate_a petition_n and_o those_o very_a short_a to_o which_o they_o be_v also_o invite_v and_o ●●ted_v by_o he_o seem_v rather_o to_o favour_v of_o a_o affectation_n of_o undue_a superiority_n over_o the_o people_n than_o to_o proceed_v from_o any_o fear_n of_o the_o minister_n office_n be_v invade_v some_o urge_v that_o woman_n be_v forbid_v to_o speak_v in_o the_o church_n 1_o cor._n 14.34_o but_o this_o be_v strange_o misapply_v to_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n for_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o speak_v mention_v by_o the_o apostle_n signify_v nothing_o but_o prophesy_v interpret_n preach_v and_o instruct_v and_o that_o the_o reason_n why_o he_o will_v not_o allow_v this_o to_o the_o woman_n be_v because_o preach_v imply_v authority_n whereas_o the_o woman_n part_n be_v obedience_n and_o subjection_n they_o that_o will_v read_v the_o whole_a chapter_n will_v find_v that_o this_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o st._n paul_n 5._o i_o proceed_v in_o the_o next_o place_n to_o consider_v whether_o there_o be_v any_o just_a cause_n to_o find_v fault_n with_o the_o read_n of_o the_o apocryphal_a lesson_n in_o our_o church_n now_o if_o sermon_n and_o catechise_v be_v allowable_a beside_o the_o word_n of_o god_n why_o may_v not_o some_o apocryphal_a lesson_n be_v read_v which_o contain_v excellent_a rule_n of_o life_n especial_o since_o those_o write_n be_v great_o esteem_v by_o the_o church_n in_o its_o pure_a age_n when_o they_o and_o other_o human_a writing_n also_o be_v public_o read_v as_o well_o as_o the_o scripture_n and_o those_o chapter_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o be_v omit_v do_v either_o recite_v genealogy_n or_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o levitical_a service_n or_o matter_n of_o fact_n deliver_v in_o other_o chapter_n that_o be_v read_v or_o which_o be_v hard_a to_o be_v understand_v if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o because_o the_o scripture_n be_v all_o of_o divine_a authority_n it_o be_v more_o profitable_a to_o read_v any_o part_n of_o that_o than_o any_o other_o good_a lesson_n i_o answer_v that_o then_o no_o place_n will_v be_v leave_v for_o sermon_n which_o be_v no_o more_o of_o divine_a authority_n than_o the_o apocryphal_a lesson_n there_o be_v no_o danger_n of_o any_o person_n be_v mistake_v the_o apocryphal_a lesson_n for_o canonical_a scripture_n because_o the_o church_n speak_v so_o plain_o in_o her_o six_o article_n nor_o do_v we_o read_v they_o otherwise_o than_o the_o ancient_a church_n do_v i_o shall_v only_o add_v that_o no_o apocryphal_a lesson_n be_v read_v upon_o any_o lord_n day_n in_o the_o year_n and_o as_o for_o other_o exception_n i_o refer_v the_o reader_n to_o dr._n falkener_n libertas_n eccles_n p._n 164_o etc._n etc._n 6._o if_o any_o object_n against_o our_o stand_v at_o the_o creed_n mr._n baxter_n say_v his_o judgement_n be_v for_o it_o where_o it_o be_v require_v and_o where_o not_o do_v it_o will_v be_v aivisive_a and_o scandalous_a nay_o elsewhere_o he_o say_v that_o it_o be_v a_o convenient_a praise_v gesture_n etc._n etc._n see_v his_o christ_n direct_v p._n 858._o i_o proceed_v now_o to_o the_o vindication_n of_o the_o litany_n against_o which_o it_o be_v plead_v 1._o that_o the_o people_n utter_v the_o word_n of_o invocation_n in_o the_o litany_n for_o the_o most_o part_n the_o minister_n all_o the_o while_n suggest_v the_o matter_n of_o it_o to_o they_o but_o this_o objection_n be_v of_o no_o force_n if_o what_o i_o have_v say_v concern_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o allow_v the_o people_n a_o interest_n in_o vocal_a prayer_n be_v admit_v if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o people_n bear_v too_o considerable_a a_o part_n to_o the_o disparagement_n of_o the_o minister_n office_n i_o answer_v that_o it_o be_v a_o great_a mistake_n for_o 1._o though_o the_o people_n say_v good_a lord_n deliver_v we_o and_o we_o beseech_v thou_o to_o hear_v we_o good_a lord_n yet_o the_o minister_n say_v the_o other_o and_o the_o far_o great_a part_n of_o the_o prayer_n 2._o they_o be_v but_o these_o two_o short_a and_o know_v petition_n which_o be_v except_v against_o and_o if_o the_o people_n may_v be_v allow_v any_o part_n in_o vocal_a prayer_n i_o know_v of_o nothing_o more_o proper_a than_o these_o nor_o be_v they_o repeat_v but_o when_o they_o be_v apply_v to_o new_a and_o distinct_a matter_n beside_o they_o relieve_v our_o attention_n and_o cherish_v our_o warm_a affection_n in_o prayer_n and_o i_o can_v almost_o appeal_v to_o the_o keen_a of_o our_o adversary_n whether_o if_o good_a lord_n deliver_v we_o be_v apply_v but_o once_o in_o gross_a to_o that_o part_n of_o the_o litany_n we_o shall_v not_o be_v more_o apt_a to_o languish_v in_o the_o offering_n it_o up_o than_o as_o it_o be_v now_o order_v but_o 3._o it_o be_v plain_a that_o in_o those_o prayer_n the_o minister_n have_v the_o principal_a and_o guide_a part_n in_o that_o he_o utter_v all_o the_o distinct_a matter_n of_o the_o prayer_n which_o the_o people_n do_v not_o whereas_o he_o utter_v word_n of_o invocation_n as_o well_o as_o they_o and_o consider_v i_o pray_v whether_o if_o the_o people_n be_v to_o utter_v that_o which_o be_v the_o minister_n part_n now_o and_o the_o minister_n to_o say_v that_o only_o which_o be_v they_o we_o shall_v not_o have_v more_o grievous_a complaint_n that_o the_o minister_n authority_n be_v slight_v in_o the_o whole_a design_n since_o he_o seem_v only_o to_o learn_v from_o the_o people_n what_o the_o congregation_n be_v to_o pray_v for_o 2._o it_o be_v object_v that_o we_o pray_v to_o be_v deliver_v from_o all_o deadly_a sin_n which_o seem_v to_o imply_v that_o there_o be_v some_o sin_n which_o be_v not_o deadly_a now_o in_o answer_n to_o this_o it_o be_v by_o some_o true_o enough_o say_v that_o these_o word_n do_v not_o necessary_o imply_v a_o distinction_n between_o sin_n that_o be_v and_o sin_n that_o be_v not_o deadly_a but_o admit_v that_o such_o a_o distinction_n be_v intend_v yet_o we_o must_v observe_v that_o though_o all_o sin_n be_v in_o its_o own_o nature_n deadly_a or_o damnable_a yet_o through_o the_o mercy_n of_o god_n and_o the_o merit_n of_o christ_n sin_n of_o mere_a infirmity_n be_v not_o impute_v and_o therefore_o not_o deadly_a to_o we_o but_o there_o be_v some_o sin_n so_o heinous_a that_o he_o who_o commit_v they_o be_v thereby_o put_v into_o a_o damnable_a state_n and_o it_o be_v of_o such_o sin_n as_o these_o that_o this_o passage_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v as_o appear_v by_o deadly_a sin_n be_v add_v to_o fornication_n from_o fornication_n and_o all_o other_o deadly_a sin_n good_a lord_n deliver_v we_o