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timothy_n that_o prayer_n and_o supplication_n and_o intercession_n and_o give_v of_o thanks_o be_v make_v for_o all_o man_n for_o king_n and_o all_o that_o be_v in_o authority_n 1_o tim._n 2.1_o 2_o 3._o which_o be_v suppose_v by_o learned_a man_n to_o be_v a_o direction_n give_v to_o timothy_n for_o the_o compose_v some_o pious_a form_n for_o the_o use_n of_o those_o christian_n that_o be_v commit_v to_o his_o charge_n and_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v so_o full_a and_o comprehensive_a as_o to_o take_v in_o all_o part_n of_o prayer_n and_o extend_v to_o all_o sort_n of_o person_n but_o for_o your_o ordinary_a gift_n of_o pray_v extempore_o or_o by_o sudden_a conception_n there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o foot-step_n of_o it_o either_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n or_o in_o any_o history_n of_o the_o primitive_a time_n i_o hope_v this_o may_v serve_v to_o clear_v up_o some_o of_o those_o obscure_a and_o confuse_a notion_n you_o seem_v to_o have_v of_o this_o gift_n which_o be_v 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and_o constant_a use_n of_o they_o from_o the_o day_n of_o the_o apostle_n to_o the_o present_a time_n but_o 1._o you_o ask_v i_o where_o those_o inspire_a person_n who_o be_v best_a able_a have_v make_v or_o leave_v any_o public_a prayer_n upon_o the_o complete_n of_o the_o sacred_a canon_n now_o sir_n you_o must_v know_v that_o the_o knowledge_n of_o this_o be_v matter_n of_o fact_n and_o at_o such_o a_o distance_n too_o can_v not_o otherwise_o come_v to_o we_o but_o by_o tradition_n and_o the_o testimony_n of_o able_a and_o competent_a witness_n who_o have_v record_v and_o convey_v it_o down_o through_o every_o age._n and_o if_o you_o will_v take_v their_o word_n they_o tell_v we_o that_o about_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o the_o apostle_n day_n when_o the_o christian_a church_n begin_v to_o be_v settle_v st._n peter_n who_o be_v the_o first_o bishop_n of_o rome_n compose_v a_o liturgy_n for_o the_o use_n of_o those_o who_o he_o have_v convert_v to_o the_o faith_n and_o that_o st._n james_n the_o first_o bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n do_v the_o like_a for_o those_o commit_v to_o his_o charge_n and_o that_o the_o same_o be_v do_v by_o st._n mark_n for_o his_o charge_n at_o alexandria_n which_o liturgy_n be_v all_o extant_a at_o this_o day_n and_o though_o as_o may_v easy_o be_v suppose_v of_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n they_o have_v undergo_v some_o alteration_n in_o so_o long_a a_o tract_n of_o time_n yet_o they_o be_v by_o learned_a man_n think_v to_o be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n the_o genuine_a work_n of_o those_o apostle_n and_o your_o friend_n mr._n beza_n plain_o intimate_v so_o much_o for_o he_o say_v 11.34_o 1_o cor._n 11.34_o quae_fw-la ad_fw-la ordinem_fw-la spectant_fw-la ut_fw-la precum_fw-la formulae_fw-la et_fw-la cetera_fw-la ejusmodi_fw-la disposuit_fw-la apostolus_fw-la in_o
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 ix_o to_o j._n m._n sir_n i_o come_v now_o according_a to_o promise_n to_o consider_v the_o second_o objection_n against_o form_n which_o you_o likewise_o make_v use_n of_o as_o a_o argument_n for_o free_a prayer_n and_o that_o be_v take_v from_o the_o tendency_n of_o form_n to_o cloy_v and_o dull_v your_o devotion_n and_o the_o aptness_n of_o free_a prayer_n to_o quicken_v and_o enliven_v the_o same_o a_o great_a fault_n indeed_o in_o the_o one_o and_o a_o great_a convenience_n in_o the_o other_o if_o both_o be_v true_a but_o i_o think_v we_o shall_v find_v upon_o examination_n that_o neither_o be_v first_o than_o you_o say_v public_a form_n be_v apt_a to_o deaden_a and_o dull_a your_o devotion_n but_o why_o so_o why_o for_o two_o reason_n viz._n 1._o because_o they_o be_v constant_o the_o same_o old_a word_n and_o likewise_o 2ly_a because_o they_o be_v red_a out_o of_o a_o book_n too_o now_o if_o these_o be_v good_a reason_n you_o must_v be_v as_o dull_a as_o a_o beetle_n in_o read_v the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o stark_o dead_a at_o the_o lord_n prayer_n for_o these_o be_v always_o the_o same_o word_n and_o read_v out_o of_o a_o book_n too_o and_o he_o that_o can_v find_v no_o life_n or_o spirit_n in_o read_v of_o these_o can_v be_v edifyed_a by_o any_o prayer_n our_o saviour_n exhort_v to_o the_o frequent_a read_n of_o the_o scripture_n 4.13_o 1_o tim._n 4.13_o and_o the_o apostle_n to_o give_v attendance_n to_o read_v which_o be_v do_v by_o the_o primitive_a christian_n with_o that_o intention_n and_o fervency_n that_o as_o origen_n tell_v we_o the_o devout_a reader_n seem_v to_o be_v in_o a_o manner_n inspire_v but_o you_o be_v dull_v it_o seem_v with_o read_v old_a thing_n and_o nothing_o can_v please_v you_o but_o what_o be_v new_a and_o speak_v without_o book_n may_v not_o this_o sir_n be_v the_o occasion_n of_o set_v up_o new_a light_n above_o the_o scripture_n to_o please_v such_o new-fangled_a humour_n and_o enlighten_v such_o dull_a understanding_n yea_o have_v not_o this_o occasion_v the_o lay_v aside_o the_o lord_n prayer_n and_o the_o apostle_n creed_n because_o they_o be_v still_o the_o same_o old_a word_n and_o read_v out_o of_o a_o book_n too_o but_o tell_v i_o sir_n do_v christ_n prescribe_v a_o form_n of_o prayer_n to_o deaden_a or_o help_v the_o devotion_n of_o his_o follower_n or_o do_v the_o holy_a ghost_n destroy_v all_o the_o life_n and_o vigour_n of_o it_o by_o put_v it_o into_o write_v that_o it_o may_v be_v read_v and_o use_v by_o christian_n in_o all_o age_n if_o this_o be_v true_a oral_a tradition_n will_v be_v a_o great_a help_n to_o devotion_n than_o the_o oracle_n of_o god_n for_o these_o be_v old_a write_v truth_n and_o the_o other_o the_o various_a and_o changeable_a invention_n of_o men._n do_v not_o the_o apostle_n bid_v we_o to_o hold_v fast_o the_o form_n of_o sound_a word_n which_o we_o can_v neither_o hold_v fast_o 1.13_o 2_o tim._n 1.13_o nor_o keep_v sound_n long_o if_o it_o be_v subject_a to_o daily_a variation_n must_v we_o be_v always_o child_n to_o be_v please_v only_o with_o new_a thing_n 14.20_o ephes_n 4.14_o 1_o cor._n 14.20_o and_o like_o they_o to_o be_v carry_v about_o with_o every_o wind_n of_o doctrine_n or_o must_v we_o not_o in_o understanding_n be_v man_n by_o stand_v firm_a to_o the_o ancient_a faith_n and_o keep_v close_o to_o the_o receive_a and_o well-ordered_a model_n of_o devotion_n but_o why_o sir_n shall_v grave_n and_o well-ordered_a word_n in_o prayer_n put_v such_o a_o damp_n upon_o your_o spirit_n and_o dull_a your_o devotion_n one_o will_v think_v that_o few_o and_o well-weighed_a expression_n shall_v better_a tend_v to_o make_v man_n sober_o and_o religious_o devout_a than_o pour_v out_o many_o new_a raw_a and_o indigested_a one_o and_o that_o the_o heart_n shall_v be_v more_o at_o leisure_n to_o attend_v the_o great_a business_n of_o prayer_n when_o matter_n and_o word_n be_v well_o prepare_v for_o it_o than_o when_o it_o be_v call_v off_o and_o hinder_v by_o the_o study_n and_o invention_n of_o both_o a_o wise_a man_n will_v think_v it_o a_o great_a quicken_a of_o devotion_n to_o consider_v that_o he_o be_v join_v with_o the_o whole_a church_n at_o the_o same_o time_n and_o in_o the_o same_o prayer_n and_o will_v thereby_o be_v encourage_v with_o great_a hope_n of_o success_n from_o the_o harmony_n and_o agreement_n of_o our_o petition_n which_o our_o saviour_n have_v make_v necessary_a and_o effectual_a to_o that_o end_n 18._o mat._n 18._o but_o i_o fear_v sir_n the_o dulness_n you_o speak_v of_o will_v be_v find_v more_o the_o fault_n of_o the_o person_n than_o the_o prayer_n for_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a that_o the_o well-ordered_a matter_n and_o word_n of_o a_o pious_a form_n shall_v so_o disorder_v the_o spirit_n and_o dull_a your_o affection_n if_o there_o be_v not_o something_o else_o in_o the_o matter_n have_v you_o not_o sir_n some_o other_o game_n to_o play_v upon_o the_o people_n which_o be_v better_o carry_v on_o by_o new_a word_n than_o old_a then_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o that_o be_v account_v dull_a which_o do_v not_o move_v forward_o and_o advance_v the_o design_n have_v you_o not_o entertain_v some_o prejudices_fw-la yourself_o or_o infuse_v prejudices_fw-la into_o other_o against_o form_n as_o that_o they_o can_v provide_v for_o all_o emergency_n and_o that_o the_o constant_a use_n and_o repetition_n of_o they_o be_v apt_a to_o cloy_v and_o surfeit_v and_o so_o have_v put_v people_n out_o of_o love_n with_o plain_a wholesome_a food_n by_o treat_v they_o with_o kickshaw_n and_o variety_n it_o be_v ten_o to_o one_o but_o there_o be_v something_o of_o this_o in_o the_o matter_n your_o unjust_a censure_n outcry_n and_o declamation_n against_o pious_a and_o public_a form_n have_v cause_v many_o to_o neglect_v the_o public_a worship_n and_o make_v other_o careless_a and_o irreverent_a in_o it_o and_o if_o so_o you_o must_v answer_v for_o your_o own_o and_o other_o dulness_n which_o you_o have_v unhappy_o occasion_v second_o you_o say_v that_o old_a and_o frequent_o repeat_v form_n be_v not_o more_o apt_a to_o dull_a than_o new_a and_o vary_a prayer_n be_v to_o quicken_v and_o enliven_v you_o for_o you_o find_v a_o different_a heat_n and_o flame_n in_o such_o prayer_n but_o pray_v sir_n what_o kind_n of_o heat_n be_v that_o you_o feel_v in_o such_o prayer_n be_v it_o not_o rather_o the_o warmth_n and_o heat_n of_o fancy_n than_o any_o real_a fervency_n of_o spirit_n this_o be_v a_o frequent_a and_o dangerous_a mistake_n and_o have_v impose_v upon_o many_o who_o have_v take_v some_o false_a heat_n for_o true_a zeal_n and_o the_o delusion_n of_o the_o imagination_n for_o the_o true_a devotion_n of_o the_o heart_n but_o because_o this_o be_v not_o easy_o discern_v or_o understand_v by_o vulgar_a mind_n i_o will_v endeavour_v as_o clear_o as_o i_o can_v to_o discover_v the_o delusion_n to_o this_o end_n we_o may_v observe_v that_o as_o in_o the_o body_n there_o be_v 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
true_a devotion_n but_o beside_o this_o there_o be_v feverish_a heat_n of_o fancy_n and_o enthusiasm_n which_o inflame_v and_o disorder_v the_o spirit_n and_o in_o man_n of_o hot_a brain_n and_o strong_a imagination_n raise_v they_o to_o some_o degree_n of_o ecstasy_n and_o spiritual_a frenzy_n this_o be_v a_o disease_n of_o the_o mind_n and_o be_v very_o far_o from_o the_o temper_n of_o true_a devotion_n and_o the_o want_n of_o know_v and_o distinguish_v between_o these_o have_v lead_v man_n into_o many_o mistake_v about_o the_o duty_n of_o prayer_n and_o other_o part_n of_o religion_n for_o find_v themselves_o somewhat_o warm_a and_o earnest_a at_o a_o religious_a exercise_n they_o present_o conclude_v themselves_o fire_v with_o true_a zeal_n and_o piety_n towards_o god_n when_o all_o the_o while_o it_o prove_v no_o better_a than_o false_a fire_n and_o a_o plain_a mistake_n of_o the_o heat_n of_o fancy_n for_o the_o fervor_n of_o true_a devotion_n but_o how_o may_v we_o discern_v the_o one_o from_o the_o other_o why_o chief_o by_o observe_v these_o three_o thing_n viz._n 1_o what_o be_v it_o that_o create_v this_o warmth_n 2_o how_o long_o do_v it_o continue_v 3_o and_o what_o fruit_n do_v it_o produce_v first_o then_o let_v i_o ask_v you_o what_o be_v it_o that_o heat_v you_o in_o such_o prayer_n be_v it_o the_o matter_n or_o only_o the_o newness_n and_o variety_n of_o the_o phrase_n and_o expression_n in_o which_o it_o be_v deliver_v if_o it_o be_v the_o soundness_n of_o the_o matter_n that_o thus_o affect_v you_o than_o the_o same_o matter_n deliver_v in_o a_o well-composed_a form_n will_v have_v the_o same_o effect_n and_o this_o will_v show_v it_o a_o sincere_a fit_a of_o devotion_n but_o if_o it_o be_v only_o a_o new_a conceive_a prayer_n that_o do_v this_o feat_n then_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o it_o be_v not_o the_o matter_n but_o the_o mere_a novelty_n of_o the_o word_n that_o thus_o tickle_v and_o warm_v you_o such_o sudden_a transport_v be_v occasion_v only_o by_o new_a and_o surprise_a word_n which_o strike_v brisk_o upon_o the_o fancy_n be_v apt_a to_o move_v and_o enliven_v it_o but_o this_o do_v not_o go_v deep_a enough_o to_o reach_v or_o warm_v the_o heart_n but_o be_v only_o the_o fallacy_n and_o false_a heat_n of_o imagination_n again_o second_o let_v i_o ask_v you_o how_o long_o do_v the_o warmth_n you_o feel_v at_o such_o prayer_n continue_v do_v it_o abide_v with_o you_o and_o keep_v up_o a_o constant_a heat_n of_o love_n and_o desire_n towards_o god_n be_v it_o like_o the_o vestal_a flame_n that_o never_o go_v out_o or_o be_v it_o only_o like_o the_o fit_a of_o a_o ague_n that_o come_v and_o go_v again_o and_o where_o the_o hot_a fit_a be_v soon_o follow_v with_o a_o cold_a one_o if_o it_o be_v only_o so_o be_v not_o deceive_v this_o be_v not_o the_o inward_a flame_n or_o heat_n of_o a_o devout_a heart_n for_o that_o be_v permanent_a and_o last_a but_o either_o a_o feverish_a fit_a of_o hypocrisy_n or_o a_o delusion_n of_o imagination_n true_a zeal_n be_v uniform_a and_o constant_a and_o though_o it_o may_v admit_v of_o some_o intermission_n yet_o like_o the_o natural_a heat_n of_o the_o heart_n it_o will_v abide_v as_o long_o as_o life_n continue_v but_o if_o it_o grow_v cold_a again_o and_o wear_v off_o this_o pretend_a warmth_n be_v no_o other_o than_o the_o transient_a and_o preternatural_a heat_n of_o fancy_n three_o and_o last_o let_v i_o ask_v you_o what_o fruit_n do_v this_o warmth_n you_o speak_v of_o produce_v do_v it_o enkindle_v and_o cherish_v in_o your_o breast_n the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o your_o neighbour_n if_o so_o it_o be_v a_o good_a sign_n of_o a_o kindly_a heat_n and_o spiritual_a life_n in_o the_o soul_n but_o if_o as_o it_o too_o often_o happen_v it_o enkindle_v the_o flame_n of_o wrath_n and_o contention_n if_o it_o lead_v you_o into_o way_n of_o division_n and_o separation_n by_o which_o you_o become_v undutiful_a to_o your_o superior_n proud_a censorious_a and_o void_a of_o charity_n to_o your_o equal_n this_o heat_n be_v but_o a_o ignis_fw-la fatuus_fw-la that_o have_v lead_v you_o out_o of_o the_o way_n of_o truth_n and_o peace_n such_o a_o zeal_n be_v no_o better_a than_o wildfire_n and_o have_v more_o than_o once_o set_v whole_a kingdom_n in_o a_o combustion_n in_o a_o word_n if_o this_o be_v the_o best_a fruit_n that_o grow_v upon_o this_o stock_n it_o be_v evident_a it_o spring_v from_o a_o rot_a and_o corrupt_a tree_n all_o this_o pretend_a warmth_n that_o arise_v from_o the_o novelty_n and_o change_n of_o word_n be_v only_o the_o gratification_n and_o amusement_n of_o fancy_n and_o not_o the_o fervour_n of_o true_a devotion_n so_o that_o what_o our_o saviour_n say_v of_o false_a prophet_n may_v be_v say_v of_o false_a light_n by_o their_o fruit_n you_o shall_v know_v they_o the_o sum_n be_v this_o deadness_n and_o dulness_n man_n complain_v of_o be_v not_o in_o the_o prayer_n which_o be_v admirable_o fit_v to_o enkindle_v and_o excite_v holy_a desire_n and_o affection_n but_o in_o their_o own_o prejudices_fw-la which_o lie_v as_o a_o clog_n on_o the_o soul_n and_o hinder_v both_o its_o fervency_n and_o flight_n unto_o heaven_n and_o therefore_o these_o must_v be_v remove_v that_o they_o may_v the_o better_o lift_v up_o their_o heart_n unto_o god_n and_o if_o they_o will_v be_v persuade_v to_o mend_v themselves_o they_o will_v see_v little_a reason_n to_o mend_v the_o prayer_n but_o rather_o great_a cause_n to_o bless_v god_n that_o the_o church_n whereof_o they_o be_v member_n have_v provide_v for_o they_o such_o a_o pious_a and_o excellent_a model_n of_o devotion_n there_o be_v one_o thing_n more_o to_o be_v consider_v which_o i_o find_v frequent_o mention_v in_o your_o letter_n where_o though_o thing_n lie_v scatter_v up_o and_o down_o without_o order_n or_o method_n yet_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o bring_v they_o all_o into_o their_o right_a place_n and_o so_o leave_v nothing_o material_a unanswered_a and_o that_o be_v the_o impose_v of_o public_a form_n be_v a_o great_a grievance_n and_o the_o not_o leave_v man_n to_o the_o liberty_n of_o free_a prayer_n that_o have_v a_o talon_n that_o way_n which_o shall_v be_v consider_v in_o the_o next_o i_o be_o sir_n your_o affectionate_a friend_n and_o wellwisher_n m._n h._n april_n 26._o 1697._o letter_n x._o to_o j._n m._n sir_n i_o find_v by_o your_o paper_n that_o you_o can_v sometime_o speak_v as_o mean_o of_o new_a and_o vary_a expression_n in_o prayer_n as_o one_o will_v wish_v and_o yet_o at_o other_o time_n can_v cry_v they_o up_o as_o the_o only_a lively_a and_o spiritual_a way_n of_o pray_v and_o though_o sometime_o your_o objection_n against_o public_a form_n be_v so_o fierce_a and_o terrible_a that_o one_o will_v think_v you_o utter_o condemn_v they_o to_o be_v throw_v out_o of_o the_o church_n yet_o in_o a_o mild_a mood_n you_o can_v speak_v more_o favourable_o and_o allow_v they_o to_o be_v pretty_a harmless_a if_o not_o useful_a thing_n these_o be_v some_o of_o your_o many_o and_o usual_a inconsistency_n but_o what_o be_v it_o that_o thus_o unsettle_v you_o and_o make_v your_o plea_n as_o various_a as_o your_o prayer_n why_o it_o be_v the_o injunction_n of_o form_n that_o stick_v in_o your_o stomach_n and_o can_v down_v with_o you_o you_o will_v have_v they_o leave_v free_a and_o not_o impose_v upon_o those_o who_o you_o think_v have_v no_o need_n of_o they_o and_o here_o you_o magnify_v your_o own_o and_o some_o other_o talon_n this_o way_n and_o complain_v most_o bitter_o of_o silence_v so_o many_o brave_a man_n that_o can_v not_o comply_v with_o the_o public_a use_n of_o they_o you_o call_v they_o only_o help_v of_o impotence_n and_o insufficiency_n and_o compare_v they_o to_o spectacle_n for_o bad_a eye_n and_o crutch_n for_o lame_a leg_n etc._n etc._n now_o to_o set_v these_o thing_n right_a let_v we_o consider_v 1_o what_o authority_n our_o superior_n have_v to_o command_v in_o these_o matter_n and_o who_o give_v they_o this_o authority_n and_o 2_o let_v we_o see_v what_o obligation_n lie_v upon_o subject_n to_o obey_v and_o observe_v they_o and_o then_o we_o shall_v the_o better_o see_v what_o force_n your_o fine_a simile_n and_o frivolous_a objection_n have_v against_o they_o first_o then_o let_v we_o see_v what_o authority_n our_o superior_n have_v to_o command_v in_o these_o matter_n to_o clear_v this_o we_o must_v note_v that_o governor_n be_v god_n minister_n be_v set_v up_o by_o he_o and_o invest_v with_o his_o authority_n which_o must_v therefore_o extend_v to_o all_o lawful_a thing_n and_o whatsoever_o be_v not_o forbid_v or_o countermand_v by_o god_n himself_o now_o form_n of_o prayer_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v forbid_v that_o we_o find_v they_o recommend_v