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address_n unto_o god_n and_o indeed_o so_o it_o do_v and_o i_o hearty_o wish_v you_o will_v as_o much_o abhor_v the_o thing_n as_o you_o do_v the_o name_n and_o then_o there_o may_v be_v some_o hope_n in_o time_n of_o have_v such_o prayer_n from_o you_o as_o be_v fit_a for_o wise_a man_n to_o hear_v and_o good_a man_n to_o join_v in_o but_o you_o will_v have_v it_o call_v by_o the_o name_n of_o conceive_a prayer_n or_o conceive_v of_o prayer_n with_o all_o my_o heart_n if_o that_o will_v please_v you_o though_o you_o must_v own_v it_o a_o preposterous_a course_n to_o conceive_v and_o bring_v forth_o together_o and_o that_o great_a care_n shall_v be_v take_v to_o prevent_v abortion_n in_o public_a congregation_n but_o i_o perceive_v by_o a_o paper_n that_o i_o receive_v this_o day_n that_o the_o term_n of_o free_a prayer_n seem_v to_o carry_v it_o from_o all_o the_o rest_n by_o which_o i_o suppose_v you_o mean_v a_o freedom_n of_o your_o own_o conception_n and_o expression_n in_o 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thing_n or_o nothing_o as_o you_o shall_v see_v occasion_n but_o i_o suppose_v you_o take_v the_o gift_n of_o prayer_n to_o consist_v in_o the_o change_n and_o novelty_n of_o word_n or_o a_o faculty_n of_o talk_v to_o god_n every_o day_n in_o new_a and_o vary_a phrase_n now_o this_o be_v that_o i_o expose_v and_o think_v it_o just_o deserve_v it_o too_o as_o you_o shall_v sin_v more_o at_o large_a when_o i_o know_v your_o mind_n about_o it_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n i_o recommend_v to_o you_o a_o book_n entitle_v the_o scotch_a presbyterian_a eloquence_n where_o you_o may_v sin_v the_o admirable_a elegancy_n and_o rarity_n of_o such_o prayer_n as_o they_o be_v take_v in_o shorthand_n from_o the_o most_o celebrate_a preacher_n in_o scotland_n whereas_o the_o gift_n of_o prayer_n right_o understand_v lie_v principal_o in_o the_o heart_n and_o consist_v not_o in_o pour_v out_o many_o and_o new_a word_n but_o in_o pour_v out_o the_o soul_n unto_o god_n and_o lift_v up_o the_o heart_n to_o he_o and_o this_o i_o be_o so_o far_o from_o disparage_v that_o i_o esteem_v it_o a_o high_o valuable_a and_o desirable_a gift_n now_o because_o the_o hinge_v of_o the_o controversy_n between_o we_o be_v like_a to_o turn_v upon_o this_o point_n i_o will_v try_v for_o once_o whether_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o prevent_v excursion_n and_o to_o keep_v you_o close_o to_o it_o and_o to_o that_o end_n i_o will_v first_o propound_v the_o matter_n in_o debate_n between_o we_o and_o then_o give_v you_o some_o argument_n to_o confirm_v my_o sense_n and_o opinion_n about_o it_o the_o question_n than_o be_v whether_o the_o gift_n of_o prayer_n do_v proper_o consist_v in_o a_o faculty_n of_o vary_a phrase_n and_o express_v ourselves_o to_o god_n in_o our_o own_o word_n or_o whether_o it_o consist_v in_o the_o pious_a motion_n and_o good_a affection_n of_o the_o heart_n your_o paper_n run_v plain_o on_o the_o former_a and_o my_o sermon_n affirm_v the_o latter_a here_o than_o we_o be_v to_o engage_v and_o enter_v the_o list_n and_o i_o warn_v you_o once_o more_o beforehand_o to_o keep_v close_o for_o i_o shall_v look_v on_o all_o excursion_n as_o a_o downright_a run_v away_o which_o you_o know_v be_v the_o loss_n of_o a_o battle_n first_o then_o i_o shall_v prove_v to_o you_o that_o the_o â—ift_n of_o prayer_n consist_v not_o in_o word_n or_o expression_n and_o much_o less_o in_o the_o change_n and_o variety_n of_o they_o which_o i_o shall_v do_v by_o this_o argument_n if_o neither_o word_n in_o general_a nor_o our_o own_o word_n in_o particular_a be_v absolute_o necessary_a and_o essential_a to_o the_o duty_n of_o prayer_n than_o the_o gift_n of_o prayer_n can_v be_v say_v to_o consist_v in_o they_o but_o neither_o word_n in_o general_a nor_o our_o own_o word_n in_o particular_a be_v absolute_o necessary_a and_o essential_a to_o the_o duty_n of_o prayer_n therefore_o the_o gift_n of_o it_o can_v consist_v in_o they_o the_o major_n be_v evident_a because_o the_o gift_n or_o 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which_o be_v the_o soul_n be_v sigh_v out_o its_o desire_n unto_o god_n own_o that_o the_o duty_n may_v be_v perform_v by_o the_o inward_a motion_n and_o operation_n of_o the_o mind_n without_o the_o use_n of_o the_o voice_n or_o utter_v any_o thing_n with_o the_o tongue_n the_o prophet_n zachary_n describe_v the_o spirit_n of_o grace_n and_o supplication_n 12.10_o zech._n 12.10_o by_o look_v upon_o he_o who_o they_o have_v pierce_v and_o mourn_v over_o he_o which_o import_v the_o inward_a compunction_n of_o the_o soul_n but_o have_v no_o relation_n to_o word_n and_o outward_a expression_n and_o s._n paul_n set_v forth_o the_o assistance_n which_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n give_v in_o prayer_n not_o by_o help_v we_o to_o utter_v and_o express_v any_o thing_n with_o the_o tongue_n 8.26_o rom._n 8.26_o but_o by_o sigh_n and_o groan_n that_o can_v be_v utter_v so_o that_o prayer_n may_v be_v perform_v without_o any_o word_n and_o that_o it_o may_v be_v without_o our_o own_o word_n be_v evident_a by_o the_o experience_n of_o many_o good_a christian_n who_o daily_o serve_v god_n in_o the_o use_n of_o form_n which_o be_v not_o their_o own_o but_o the_o word_n of_o other_o so_o that_o neither_o word_n in_o general_a nor_o our_o own_o in_o particular_a be_v absolute_o necessary_a or_o essential_a to_o the_o duty_n of_o prayer_n and_o consequent_o the_o gift_n of_o prayer_n can_v be_v proper_o say_v to_o consist_v in_o they_o which_o be_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v prove_v sir_n i_o be_o force_v to_o break_v off_o here_o intend_v god_n willing_a to_o give_v you_o a_o far_a account_n of_o this_o matter_n in_o my_o next_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n when_o you_o have_v chew_v the_o cud_n upon_o this_o
come_v prepare_v with_o suitable_a affection_n to_o join_v in_o it_o in_o the_o latter_a man_n be_v uncertain_a what_o will_v be_v ask_v or_o offer_v up_o they_o must_v be_v uncertain_a too_o whether_o they_o may_v safe_o join_v or_o say_v amen_o to_o it_o again_o by_o man_n join_v together_o in_o public_a well_o compose_v term_n unity_n and_o order_n may_v be_v preserve_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o decency_n and_o harmony_n of_o public_a worship_n may_v be_v secure_v 1.10_o 1_o cor._n 1.10_o for_o hereby_o according_a to_o the_o apostle_n direction_n they_o may_v be_v enable_v to_o mind_n and_o speak_v the_o same_o thing_n 3.16_o phil._n 3.16_o whereas_o by_o the_o liberty_n of_o free_a prayer_n man_n may_v vent_v what_o they_o please_v they_o may_v and_o often_o do_v pray_v one_o against_o another_o and_o mingle_v their_o passion_n and_o error_n with_o their_o prayer_n by_o which_o mean_v confusion_n must_v necessary_o break_v in_o and_o sect_n and_o schism_n be_v unavoidable_o multiply_v and_o increase_v again_o by_o the_o join_n together_o in_o public_a establish_a form_n we_o show_v that_o duty_n and_o reverence_n that_o be_v owe_v to_o our_o superior_n to_o who_o the_o care_n of_o the_o church_n be_v commit_v we_o pay_v that_o obedience_n 13.17_o heb._n 13.17_o that_o be_v due_a to_o they_o that_o rule_n over_o we_o in_o the_o lord_n and_o manifest_v our_o subjection_n 5._o rom._n 13.1_o 5._o and_o that_o not_o only_o for_o wrath_n or_o for_o fear_n of_o punishment_n but_o for_o conscience_n sake_n which_o thing_n be_v frequent_o teach_v and_o inculcate_v in_o holy_a scripture_n whereas_o by_o indulge_v this_o gift_n of_o free_a prayer_n in_o opposition_n to_o public_a establishment_n man_n throw_v off_o the_o duty_n of_o obedience_n to_o the_o lawful_a command_n of_o their_o superior_n 8._o judas_n 8._o they_o come_v to_o despise_v wholesome_a law_n and_o to_o speak_v evil_a of_o dignity_n and_o this_o prepare_v they_o for_o sedition_n and_o all_o manner_n of_o disobedience_n once_o more_o the_o join_v together_o in_o the_o same_o prayer_n in_o public_a worship_n be_v a_o good_a mean_n to_o preserve_v love_n and_o charity_n among_o neighbour_n for_o man_n religion_n have_v a_o great_a influence_n on_o their_o manner_n and_o conversation_n with_o each_o other_o they_o that_o go_v to_o the_o house_n of_o god_n together_o as_o friend_n common_o continue_v so_o and_o maintain_v a_o amicable_a and_o friendly_a correspondence_n whereas_o they_o that_o break_v into_o different_a party_n and_o communion_n soon_o become_v stranger_n and_o very_o often_o enemy_n to_o one_o another_o different_a way_n of_o worship_n necessary_o breed_v difference_n among_o man_n and_o they_o that_o divide_v in_o opinion_n general_o do_v in_o affection_n too_o sad_a experience_n show_v this_o both_o in_o family_n town_n and_o country_n and_o he_o that_o will_v consider_v the_o hearty_a love_n and_o amity_n that_o be_v find_v in_o this_o kingdom_n before_o the_o civil_a war_n when_o all_o man_n resort_v to_o the_o same_o place_n and_o way_n of_o worship_n and_o compare_v it_o to_o that_o hatred_n falsehood_n division_n and_o contention_n that_o reign_v in_o these_o present_a day_n will_v easy_o see_v the_o miserable_a effect_n that_o have_v proceed_v from_o your_o gift_n of_o free_a prayer_n which_o as_o it_o first_o cause_v our_o division_n so_o be_v still_o the_o main_a tool_n to_o uphold_v and_o increase_v they_o sir_n these_o be_v serious_a and_o weighty_a truth_n and_o very_o well_o deserve_v your_o deep_a and_o impartial_a consideration_n which_o if_o you_o please_v to_o bestow_v upon_o they_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o you_o will_v see_v cause_n to_o believe_v that_o to_o bring_v ardent_a desire_n and_o good_a affection_n to_o the_o public_a prayer_n of_o the_o church_n whereby_o the_o inward_a piety_n of_o the_o heart_n towards_o god_n the_o outward_a duty_n of_o subjection_n to_o superior_n and_o the_o mutual_a office_n of_o love_n and_o charity_n to_o our_o neighbour_n be_v best_a promote_v be_v far_o to_o be_v prefer_v before_o the_o gift_n of_o free_a prayer_n which_o be_v chief_o exercise_v about_o word_n and_o expression_n be_v apt_a to_o disturb_v the_o devotion_n of_o the_o mind_n to_o give_v offence_n to_o our_o governor_n and_o to_o create_v feud_n and_o animosity_n among_o neighbour_n call_v to_o mind_n sir_n the_o many_o affectionate_a exhortation_n to_o unity_n and_o order_n 1.10_o 1_o cor._n 1.10_o with_o which_o the_o holy_a scripture_n do_v abound_v how_o hearty_o our_o saviour_n pray_v for_o it_o at_o his_o leave_v the_o world_n etc._n john_n 17.20.21_o 22_o 23._o eph._n 4_o 3_o 4._o etc._n etc._n that_o they_o all_o may_v be_v one_o and_o how_o earnest_o the_o apostle_n press_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o the_o bond_n of_o peace_n and_o how_o sharp_o he_o rebuke_v all_o that_o cause_n and_o foment_n division_n etc._n 1_o cor._n 3.3_o 4_o etc._n etc._n and_o consider_v whether_o join_v together_o in_o the_o same_o pious_a and_o public_a prayer_n appoint_v by_o the_o church_n be_v not_o a_o better_a mean_n to_o preserve_v this_o unity_n and_o order_n than_o to_o leave_v man_n to_o the_o freedom_n of_o vent_v and_o hear_v what_o prayer_n they_o please_v which_o must_v necessary_o distract_v their_o mind_n and_o lead_v they_o into_o great_a confusion_n and_o disorder_n but_o i_o find_v two_o objection_n in_o your_o letter_n against_o public_a establish_v form_n and_o for_o the_o exercise_n of_o free_a prayer_n the_o one_o be_v take_v from_o the_o variety_n of_o emergent_a accident_n and_o occasion_n of_o humane_a life_n which_o can_v be_v so_o well_o provide_v for_o by_o form_n as_o by_o free_a prayet_n the_o other_o be_v take_v from_o the_o tendency_n of_o the_o constant_a use_n of_o form_n to_o flatten_a and_o dull_a the_o devotion_n which_o must_v therefore_o be_v quicken_v by_o the_o help_n of_o new_a and_o vary_a prayer_n i_o shall_v show_v both_o these_o to_o be_v popular_a mistake_v and_o bring_v on_o great_a mischief_n than_o they_o pretend_v to_o remedy_n and_o when_o that_o be_v do_v i_o shall_v consider_v what_o you_o offer_v from_o bishop_n hall_n and_o bishop_n wilkins_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n i_o be_o sir_n your_o hearty_a friend_n and_o wellwisher_n m._n h._n apr._n 15_o 1697._o letter_n viii_o to_o j._n m._n sir_n i_o promise_v in_o my_o last_o a_o answer_n to_o two_o popular_a objection_n against_o form_n of_o prayer_n which_o i_o find_v you_o make_v use_n of_o as_o argument_n for_o your_o free_a prayer_n the_o first_o whereof_o be_v take_v from_o the_o variety_n of_o emergent_a accident_n and_o occasion_n which_o you_o say_v can_v be_v so_o well_o provide_v for_o by_o form_n as_o by_o free_a prayer_n now_o i_o will_v not_o have_v you_o be_v too_o positive_a and_o confident_a in_o this_o matter_n till_o you_o have_v well_o weigh_v these_o follow_a consideration_n viz._n first_o the_o daily_a and_o ordinary_a matter_n of_o public_a prayer_n be_v still_o the_o same_o and_o therefore_o that_o may_v well_o be_v provide_v for_o by_o state_v and_o useful_a form_n now_o the_o daily_a and_o ordinary_a matter_n of_o public_a prayer_n be_v confession_n of_o sin_n petition_v for_o pardon_n with_o other_o temporal_a and_o spiritual_a blessing_n thanksgiving_n for_o mercy_n receive_v and_o intercession_n for_o all_o man_n whether_o friend_n or_o foe_n and_o more_o especial_o for_o those_o who_o we_o be_v more_o particular_o direct_v to_o pray_v for_o all_o which_o may_v be_v and_o be_v provide_v for_o by_o stand_v prescribe_v form_n and_o those_o so_o wise_o order_v and_o compose_v too_o that_o as_o all_o man_n may_v know_v and_o satisfy_v themselves_o in_o they_o beforehand_o so_o they_o may_v come_v prepare_v to_o join_v in_o they_o to_o instance_n in_o particular_n for_o confession_n of_o sin_n we_o have_v two_o excellent_a form_n of_o it_o in_o the_o public_a liturgy_n the_o one_o in_o the_o daily_a the_o other_o in_o the_o communion_n service_n of_o the_o church_n where_o the_o general_a aberration_n of_o humane_a life_n in_o thought_n word_n and_o deed_n be_v so_o pious_o and_o pithy_o express_v that_o every_o true_a penitent_a christian_a may_v and_o aught_o with_o one_o heart_n and_o one_o mouth_n to_o join_v in_o they_o but_o these_o you_o say_v float_v too_o much_o in_o generality_n but_o must_v not_o the_o public_a confession_n be_v so_o general_n that_o all_o man_n may_v be_v able_a to_o make_v it_o will_v you_o have_v it_o descend_v to_o those_o particular_a sin_n which_o many_o be_v not_o guilty_a of_o and_o so_o make_v they_o confess_v that_o to_o god_n with_o which_o they_o can_v charge_v themselves_o there_o be_v many_o not_o doubt_n in_o every_o congregation_n that_o never_o commit_v murder_n or_o adultery_n by_o take_v away_o the_o life_n or_o chastity_n of_o any_o person_n and_o will_v
may_v be_v and_o be_v very_o well_o provide_v for_o by_o well-composed_a form_n for_o solomon_n tell_v we_o there_o be_v nothing_o new_a under_o the_o sun_n but_o if_o any_o such_o new_a and_o unheard_a of_o occurrence_n shall_v happen_v that_o authority_n neither_o have_v nor_o can_v well_o make_v provision_n for_o there_o be_v none_o will_v blame_v you_o if_o you_o either_o compose_v a_o form_n or_o use_v your_o free_a prayer_n upon_o such_o a_o occasion_n provide_v it_o be_v do_v with_o modesty_n and_o due_a respect_n to_o the_o authority_n of_o your_o superior_n so_o that_o these_o thing_n well_o consider_v neither_o be_v the_o case_n of_o public_a form_n weaken_v nor_o the_o necessity_n of_o free_a prayer_n confirm_v by_o your_o frequent_a talk_n of_o providential_a event_n and_o occurrence_n your_o other_o objection_n shall_v be_v answer_v in_o my_o next_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n i_o be_o sir_n your_o affectionate_a friend_n and_o servant_n m._n h._n april_n 9_o 1697._o letter_n 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a_o natural_a heat_n reside_v in_o the_o heart_n which_o convey_v warm_a blood_n and_o spirit_n to_o all_o the_o member_n and_o in_o this_o the_o health_n and_o sound_a constitution_n of_o the_o body_n main_o consist_v so_o there_o be_v sometime_o the_o preternatural_a heat_n of_o fever_n and_o other_o distemper_n which_o too_o much_o inflame_v the_o blood_n and_o put_v the_o spirit_n into_o a_o violent_a and_o disorderly_a motion_n and_o this_o be_v a_o evil_a habit_n and_o indisposition_n of_o the_o body_n just_o so_o likewise_o it_o be_v with_o the_o soul_n there_o be_v a_o pious_a fervency_n of_o spirit_n which_o reside_v in_o the_o heart_n and_o fill_v it_o with_o strong_a desire_n after_o god_n and_o a_o inward_a delight_n in_o he_o and_o in_o this_o consist_v sound_a and_o
they_o i_o can_v doubt_v your_o acceptance_n and_o shall_v therefore_o rest_v sir_n your_o assure_a friend_n and_o wellwisher_n m._n h._n june_n 10._o 1697._o letter_n xviii_o to_o j._n m._n sir_n i_o come_v now_o to_o what_o you_o have_v often_o call_v for_o and_o that_o be_v to_o prove_v extempore_o or_o free_a prayer_n to_o be_v a_o late_a invention_n bring_v into_o these_o kingdom_n by_o the_o subtlety_n of_o popish_a emissary_n which_o you_o say_v be_v assert_v in_o my_o sermon_n and_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o with_o very_o good_a reason_n and_o truth_n that_o it_o be_v a_o late_a invention_n have_v be_v prove_v in_o some_o measure_n already_o because_o antiquity_n make_v mention_v only_o of_o two_o way_n of_o pray_v sc_n by_o the_o immediate_a inspiration_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o by_o the_o use_n of_o public_a form_n when_o our_o saviour_n call_v his_o disciple_n and_o apostle_n he_o endow_v they_o with_o extraordinary_a gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n by_o which_o 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secular_a purpose_n now_o to_o remedy_v those_o evil_n this_o great_a man_n write_v this_o book_n to_o direct_v man_n in_o this_o duty_n when_o they_o be_v deprive_v of_o the_o assistance_n of_o form_n and_o to_o preserve_v if_o possible_a some_o sense_n in_o their_o prayer_n at_o a_o time_n when_o there_o be_v so_o little_a of_o it_o to_o be_v hear_v moreover_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o manner_n and_o model_n draw_v up_o by_o this_o reverend_a person_n for_o this_o purpose_n we_o shall_v find_v it_o in_o effect_n to_o be_v this._n when_o one_o sort_n of_o form_n be_v cry_v down_o he_o endeavour_v to_o bring_v up_o another_o that_o be_v when_o book-form_n be_v remove_v by_o the_o subtlety_n of_o design_v man_n 11._o p._n 11._o he_o endeavour_v to_o set_v up_o mental-form_n or_o repeat_v their_o prayer_n by_o memory_n which_o he_o style_v a_o invisible_a book_n for_o the_o register_n of_o our_o thought_n hope_v thereby_o to_o keep_v up_o that_o sense_n and_o seriousness_n that_o be_v 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