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understand_v and_o not_o by_o thrust_v bibles_n private_o into_o their_o hand_n of_o the_o ineffectualness_n of_o which_o we_o have_v have_v a_o experiment_n of_o 150_o year_n 6._o but_o last_o instead_o of_o all_o other_o argument_n none_o of_o we_o be_v ignorant_a that_o the_o word_n of_o god_n can_v be_v presume_v to_o have_v the_o same_o efficacy_n when_o read_v private_o as_o it_o have_v when_o read_v in_o the_o assembly_n of_o christian_n according_a to_o god_n appointment_n since_o he_o have_v give_v we_o a_o peculiar_a promise_n to_o be_v present_a in_o such_o assembly_n and_o there_o be_v no_o diligent_a hearer_n of_o the_o word_n public_o read_v but_o be_v able_a from_o their_o own_o experience_n to_o testify_v that_o they_o often_o find_v it_o to_o have_v a_o different_a force_n and_o efficacy_n when_o they_o hear_v it_o read_v as_o a_o part_n of_o his_o ordinance_n in_o the_o public_a assembly_n in_o which_o he_o have_v peculiar_o promise_v his_o presence_n than_o when_o 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word_n and_o where_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n be_v there_o be_v power_n but_o when_o man_n speak_v their_o own_o word_n or_o pretend_v to_o apply_v the_o word_n or_o passage_n of_o scripture_n though_o they_o seem_v to_o do_v it_o with_o the_o great_a zeal_n and_o learning_n yet_o they_o may_v be_v mistake_v nay_o they_o may_v deceive_v we_o and_o therefore_o whole_o to_o lay_v aside_o the_o immediate_a dictate_v of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n record_v in_o the_o scripture_n for_o any_o pretend_a explication_n or_o application_n make_v by_o man_n be_v manifest_o to_o exchange_v god_n undoubted_a word_n and_o command_n for_o what_o may_v be_v a_o mere_a humane_a invention_n 3._o it_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v that_o the_o people_n have_v always_o be_v apt_a to_o grow_v weary_a of_o the_o service_n of_o god_n in_o
o_o lord_n holy_a and_o true_a do_v thou_o not_o judge_n and_o avenge_v our_o blood_n etc._n etc._n from_o all_o which_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o we_o be_v warrant_v by_o the_o example_n of_o god_n people_n both_o in_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n to_o join_v our_o voice_n as_o well_o as_o our_o heart_n in_o some_o of_o our_o public_a supplication_n to_o god_n and_o that_o this_o practice_n be_v no_o new_a invention_n of_o men._n v._o if_o we_o consult_v the_o scripture_n we_o shall_v find_v that_o it_o be_v the_o priest_n part_n to_o make_v public_a intercession_n for_o the_o people_n but_o yet_o so_o that_o the_o people_n ought_v to_o bear_v a_o part_n by_o themselves_o and_o answer_v in_o the_o service_n which_o we_o common_o call_v response_n 1._o they_o be_v command_v to_o do_v it_o psal._n cvi_fw-la 48_o where_o after_o the_o prayer_n and_o praise_n of_o which_o the_o psalm_n consist_v be_v end_v it_o be_v add_v let_v all_o the_o people_n say_v amen_o praise_v the_o lord_n and_o according_o we_o find_v 1_o chr._n xuj_o 36_o that_o the_o people_n say_v amen_o and_o praise_v the_o lord_n and_o this_o be_v more_o signal_o observable_a in_o that_o solemn_a service_n at_o the_o dedication_n of_o solomon_n temple_n where_o we_o find_v first_o the_o priest_n and_o levite_n praise_v god_n 2_o chron._n v._n 13_o and_o say_v for_o he_o be_v good_a for_o his_o mercy_n endure_v for_o ever_o the_o usual_a form_n of_o praise_v so_o often_o repeat_v in_o the_o psalm_n particular_o in_o the_o cxxxvi_o which_o be_v probable_o use_v at_o that_o time_n then_o solomon_n who_o build_v the_o temple_n perform_v another_o part_n of_o the_o service_n chap._n vi_fw-la 3_o he_o bless_v first_o the_o people_n second_o he_o bless_a and_o thank_v god_n for_o his_o mercy_n and_o last_o offer_v that_o divine_a prayer_n of_o dedication_n which_o we_o find_v in_o that_o chapter_n then_o follow_v the_o burn_a offering_n and_o sacrifice_n which_o be_v peculiar_o the_o priest_n share_n of_o the_o service_n chap._n seven_o and_o god_n give_v his_o approbation_n of_o their_o praise_n prayer_n &_o offering_n by_o send_v down_o fire_n from_o heaven_n to_o consume_v their_o sacrifice_n and_o then_o last_o of_o all_o follow_v the_o people_n part_n which_o they_o perform_v chap._n seven_o 3_o they_o bow_v themselves_o with_o their_o face_n to_o the_o ground_n upon_o the_o pavement_n and_o worship_v and_o praise_v the_o lord_n say_v he_o be_v good_a for_o his_o mercy_n endure_v for_o ever_o this_o service_n be_v order_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o plain_o show_v we_o that_o he_o approve_v of_o the_o people_n have_v a_o share_n or_o part_v peculiar_a to_o themselves_o in_o his_o worship_n 2._o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o this_o be_v the_o way_n of_o worship_v god_n under_o the_o law_n which_o be_v now_o abolish_v and_o unlawful_a as_o well_o as_o the_o other_o levitical_a ceremony_n the_o apostle_n have_v answer_v this_o by_o continue_v this_o practice_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o by_o admit_v the_o people_n to_o bear_v a_o part_n in_o the_o public_a service_n and_o to_o answer_v to_o the_o prayer_n have_v assure_v we_o that_o this_o be_v no_o legal_a abolish_v ceremony_n this_o be_v manifest_a from_o 1_o cor._n fourteen_o 16_o else_o when_o thou_o shall_v bless_v with_o the_o spirit_n how_o shall_v he_o that_o occupy_v the_o room_n of_o the_o unlearned_a say_n amen_o at_o thy_o give_v of_o thanks_o which_o show_v that_o even_o the_o unlearned_a have_v a_o part_n assign_v they_o in_o the_o christian_a assembly_n it_o may_v be_v add_v to_o this_o what_o i_o observe_v before_o chap._n 1._o sect._n 1_o n._n 4._o of_o the_o response_n in_o praise_v god_n and_o of_o the_o worship_n describe_v in_o the_o revelation_n where_o the_o angel_n and_o elder_n represent_v the_o clergy_n and_o the_o multitude_n represent_v the_o people_n bear_v each_o of_o they_o their_o distinct_a part_n in_o allusion_n to_o what_o be_v do_v in_o the_o christian_a assembly_n and_o this_o be_v a_o clear_a proof_n that_o the_o people_n bear_v a_o part_n and_o answer_v to_o the_o blessing_n and_o prayer_n of_o he_o that_o officiated_n ever_o since_o the_o christian_a worship_n be_v establish_v sect._n 2._o the_o rule_n and_o practice_n of_o our_o church_n concern_v prayer_n have_v thus_o see_v the_o direction_n and_o example_n which_o the_o scripture_n afford_v we_o for_o the_o public_a performance_n of_o our_o prayer_n to_o god_n let_v we_o now_o consider_v the_o worship_n of_o our_o church_n and_o compare_v it_o with_o they_o both_o as_o to_o the_o word_n and_o matter_n of_o our_o prayer_n and_o to_o the_o comfort_n of_o we_o who_o be_v of_o this_o communion_n it_o will_v clear_o appear_v 1._o that_o there_o be_v not_o one_o thing_n we_o ask_v of_o god_n in_o they_o which_o he_o have_v not_o particular_o direct_v we_o to_o ask_v or_o any_o thing_n for_o which_o we_o ought_v to_o pray_v that_o be_v omit_v this_o advantage_n we_o have_v towards_o the_o proof_n of_o this_o point_n that_o our_o prayer_n be_v fix_v and_o state_v and_o may_v be_v examine_v by_o all_o that_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o be_v satisfy_v in_o they_o a_o advantage_n we_o gain_v by_o put_v they_o into_o a_o set_n and_o prepare_v form_n of_o word_n according_a to_o the_o command_v of_o god_n and_o the_o example_n of_o holy_a man_n whereas_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o such_o as_o use_v only_o extempore_o prayer_n thus_o to_o justify_v their_o service_n because_o their_o prayer_n be_v altogether_o uncertain_a and_o depend_v on_o the_o present_a thought_n of_o the_o speaker_n 2._o our_o church_n require_v the_o people_n to_o join_v their_o voice_n with_o the_o minister_n in_o some_o of_o the_o prayer_n in_o which_o they_o be_v more_o particular_o concern_v and_o which_o seem_v of_o the_o most_o general_a and_o great_a moment_n such_o be_v the_o general_a confession_n of_o sin_n and_o the_o lord_n prayer_n 3._o our_o church_n have_v assign_v for_o the_o people_n some_o short_a answer_n or_o response_n to_o our_o prayer_n whereby_o they_o may_v be_v stir_v up_o to_o attention_n and_o signify_v their_o concurrence_n with_o the_o minister_n thus_o to_o every_o prayer_n and_o blessing_n they_o be_v oblige_v to_o answer_v amen_o as_o we_o find_v the_o people_n do_v in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n and_o to_o join_v unanimous_o in_o some_o other_o short_a ejaculation_n to_o implore_v god_n mercy_n or_o beseech_v he_o to_o hear_v we_o in_o all_o which_o i_o have_v already_o show_v we_o have_v the_o warrant_n of_o scripture_n and_o it_o be_v plain_a to_o any_o one_o that_o will_v be_v at_o the_o pain_n to_o consider_v our_o service_n that_o we_o have_v take_v the_o rule_n thereof_o from_o scripture_n and_o have_v not_o invent_v a_o service_n out_o of_o our_o own_o head_n and_o then_o as_o be_v too_o often_o the_o custom_n of_o innovator_n endeavour_v to_o make_v the_o scripture_n comply_v with_o it_o the_o first_o reformer_n of_o our_o church_n will_v never_o have_v retain_v and_o prepare_v form_n of_o prayer_n have_v they_o not_o find_v such_o in_o scripture_n they_o will_v never_o have_v require_v the_o people_n to_o join_v their_o voice_n in_o some_o prayer_n and_o answer_v to_o other_o if_o the_o example_n of_o scripture_n have_v not_o lead_v they_o to_o it_o they_o profess_v and_o their_o design_n be_v to_o make_v the_o word_n of_o god_n their_o rule_n and_o we_o see_v how_o exact_o they_o conform_v to_o it_o in_o these_o particular_n i_o wish_v i_o can_v say_v as_o much_o for_o all_o other_o way_n of_o worship_n among_o protestant_n sect._n 3_o the_o practice_n of_o those_o who_o differ_v from_o vs._n i._o and_o here_o i_o must_v entreat_v you_o of_o my_o diocese_n who_o dissent_n from_o our_o worship_n serious_o to_o consider_v with_o i_o what_o it_o be_v which_o you_o have_v substitute_v in_o the_o place_n of_o these_o thing_n which_o you_o have_v entire_o lay_v aside_o though_o so_o express_o direct_v and_o warrant_v by_o scripture_n and_o examine_v whether_o your_o way_n have_v a_o solid_a foundation_n in_o god_n word_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o represent_v it_o with_o all_o fairness_n and_o impartiality_n and_o leave_v you_o to_o judge_v as_o god_n shall_v direct_v you_o and_o as_o you_o will_v answer_v it_o at_o the_o last_o day_n and_o here_o i_o find_v that_o some_o of_o your_o writer_n be_v of_o opinion_n that_o the_o spirit_n of_o prayer_n be_v give_v to_o all_o the_o child_n of_o god_n in_o some_o measure_n for_o enable_v their_o heart_n to_o conceive_v and_o their_o tongue_n to_o express_v convenient_a desire_n to_o god_n and_o that_o therefore_o form_n of_o prayer_n be_v of_o no_o necessary_a use_n either_o in_o public_a or_o private_a on_o the_o contrary_a that_o they_o stint_v
and_o the_o mischief_n that_o each_o of_o they_o have_v or_o may_v hereafter_o produce_v it_o be_v hardly_o conceivable_a that_o the_o forbid_v the_o use_n of_o some_o particular_a meat_n shall_v have_v so_o many_o ill_a effect_n as_o the_o forbid_a form_n of_o prayer_n have_v have_v already_o yet_o it_o be_v observable_a how_o st._n paul_n judge_n of_o that_o doctrine_n 1_o tim._n four_o 1_o in_o the_o latter_a time_n say_v he_o some_o shall_v depart_v from_o the_o faith_n give_v heed_n to_o seduce_a spirit_n and_o doctrine_n of_o devil_n forbid_v to_o marry_n and_o to_o abstain_v from_o meat_n which_o god_n have_v create_v to_o be_v receive_v with_o thanksgiving_n you_o see_v here_o st._n paul_n count_v it_o a_o departure_n from_o the_o faith_n and_o a_o doctrine_n of_o devil_n to_o forbid_v as_o unlawful_a in_o itself_o any_o sort_n of_o meat_n which_o god_n have_v create_v for_o the_o use_n of_o man_n and_o if_o it_o be_v so_o criminal_a to_o teach_v any_o sort_n of_o meat_n to_o be_v unclean_a when_o god_n have_v not_o forbid_v it_o then_o sure_a to_o teach_v a_o form_n of_o prayer_n to_o be_v unlawful_a when_o god_n have_v command_v it_o must_v be_v a_o very_a ill_a doctrine_n and_o this_o consideration_n alone_o ought_v to_o make_v those_o who_o maintain_v it_o or_o any_o such_o doctrine_n whereby_o they_o be_v oblige_v to_o condemn_v their_o brethren_n as_o practise_v unlawful_a thing_n to_o examine_v it_o careful_o and_o impartial_o by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n lest_o they_o be_v impose_v on_o by_o seduce_v spirit_n the_o great_a design_n of_o the_o devil_n be_v to_o bring_v we_o into_o a_o entire_a subjection_n to_o his_o will_n but_o when_o he_o despair_n of_o this_o his_o next_o attempt_n be_v to_o share_v with_o god_n in_o our_o obedience_n and_o impose_v new_a command_n of_o his_o own_o upon_o we_o as_o if_o they_o be_v god_n and_o so_o to_o procure_v himself_o to_o be_v obey_v this_o he_o do_v most_o successful_o by_o give_v they_o a_o appearance_n of_o religion_n and_o of_o more_o than_o ordinary_a strictness_n thus_o in_o st._n paul_n time_n under_o colour_n of_o mortification_n he_o forbid_v meat_n and_o marriage_n as_o unlawful_a which_o god_n have_v allow_v speak_v lie_v in_o hypocrisy_n and_o under_o show_n of_o religion_n and_o thus_o it_o be_v to_o be_v fear_v he_o have_v prevail_v on_o some_o under_o colour_n of_o great_a spirituality_n to_o abstain_v from_o form_n of_o prayer_n as_o unlawful_a which_o god_n have_v enjoin_v and_o here_o it_o be_v very_o remarkable_a that_o wherever_o the_o devil_n gain_v this_o point_n with_o man_n and_o bring_v they_o to_o believe_v a_o thing_n to_o be_v forbid_v by_o god_n which_o he_o have_v not_o forbid_v he_o soon_o bring_v a_o superadd_v command_v of_o his_o own_o in_o competition_n with_o some_o of_o god_n and_o prevail_v with_o they_o to_o prefer_v his_o command_n to_o god_n and_o so_o plunge_v they_o into_o direct_a disobedience_n which_o be_v his_o design_n at_o first_o thus_o when_o he_o have_v prevail_v with_o man_n to_o abstain_v from_o marriage_n they_o soon_o fall_v not_o only_o to_o commit_v fornication_n but_o even_o in_o some_o case_n to_o allow_v it_o rather_o than_o marriage_n as_o the_o papist_n do_v and_o by_o persuade_v man_n to_o abstain_v from_o form_n of_o prayer_n as_o unlawful_a he_o have_v deprive_v they_o in_o many_o place_n of_o all_o opportunity_n of_o public_a worship_n and_o make_v they_o choose_v rather_o not_o to_o serve_v god_n at_o all_o in_o public_a than_o with_o a_o form_n which_o be_v the_o case_n of_o many_o thousand_o now_o in_o this_o kingdom_n who_o worship_n god_n public_o no_o where_o but_o 3._o this_o doctrine_n of_o the_o unlawfulness_n of_o pray_v by_o form_n be_v no_o such_o indifferent_a thing_n that_o we_o may_v safe_o indulge_v man_n in_o their_o own_o sense_n about_o it_o since_o it_o be_v very_o apt_a to_o puff_n they_o up_o and_o make_v they_o take_v false_a measure_n in_o judge_v of_o their_o own_o condition_n and_o of_o the_o influence_n of_o god_n spirit_n upon_o they_o we_o know_v that_o all_o good_a man_n have_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o be_v guide_v and_o influence_v by_o it_o in_o the_o whole_a tenor_n of_o their_o life_n we_o make_v no_o doubt_n but_o they_o be_v assist_v by_o he_o in_o their_o prayer_n but_o no_o less_o in_o forgive_a a_o injury_n or_o resist_v a_o temptation_n and_o his_o influence_n on_o a_o good_a man_n mind_n be_v rather_o great_a and_o more_o sensible_a in_o these_o and_o other_o act_n of_o religion_n than_o in_o prayer_n love_n joy_n peace_n long-suffering_a gentleness_n goodness_n faith_n meekness_n temperance_n be_v the_o fruit_n of_o the_o spirit_n gal._n v._n 22_o and_o it_o be_v principal_o by_o these_o we_o ought_v to_o conclude_v that_o we_o have_v that_o spirit_n but_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o unlawfulness_n of_o form_n of_o prayer_n on_o a_o persuasion_n that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n enable_v every_o child_n of_o god_n to_o conceive_v with_o the_o heart_n and_o express_v with_o the_o mouth_n suitable_a desire_n entitle_v every_o one_o to_o god_n spirit_n in_o some_o measure_n that_o be_v able_a to_o express_v himself_o in_o apt_a and_o fluent_a word_n though_o without_o the_o other_o grace_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o expose_v every_o one_o to_o despair_v that_o be_v not_o able_a to_o do_v this_o as_o look_v on_o himself_o to_o be_v destitute_a of_o the_o spirit_n though_o otherwise_o meek_a humble_a and_o charitable_a and_o endow_v with_o such_o grace_n as_o be_v much_o wear_v certain_a sign_n of_o his_o presence_n nay_o so_o far_o be_v many_o delude_v by_o this_o opinion_n that_o they_o judge_v themselves_o or_o other_o child_n of_o god_n and_o in_o his_o favour_n according_a as_o they_o be_v more_o or_o less_o endow_v with_o this_o gift_n without_o respect_n to_o other_o qualification_n and_o i_o dare_v appeal_n to_o yourselves_o whether_o some_o very_a immoral_a person_n guilty_a of_o gross_a and_o scandalous_a crime_n have_v not_o be_v eminent_a for_o this_o gift_n of_o prayer_n and_o whether_o such_o person_n be_v not_o apt_a to_o flatter_v themselves_o that_o they_o be_v the_o child_n of_o god_n and_o endow_v with_o his_o spirit_n notwithstanding_o all_o their_o wickedness_n and_o it_o be_v impossible_a either_o to_o convince_v these_o person_n of_o their_o mistake_n or_o to_o comfort_v poor_a ignorant_a people_n deject_v only_o for_o want_n of_o this_o gift_n whilst_o they_o be_v possess_v with_o this_o opinion_n of_o the_o unlawfulness_n of_o form_n which_o in_o the_o four_o place_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v countenance_v or_o indulge_v as_o a_o indifferent_a thing_n because_o it_o have_v be_v a_o great_a hindrance_n to_o secret_a devotion_n every_o christian_a ought_v at_o least_o twice_o a_o day_n to_o address_v himself_o to_o god_n in_o secret_a prayer_n but_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o world_n can_v do_v it_o without_o a_o form_n child_n and_o ignorant_a person_n be_v at_o a_o loss_n for_o word_n and_o even_o other_o people_n be_v often_o not_o able_a to_o find_v they_o ready_o especial_o when_o weary_v dull_a or_o indispose_v as_o be_v sometime_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o the_o best_a christian_n this_o make_v secret_a prayer_n at_o least_o a_o constant_a regular_a course_n of_o it_o uneasy_a to_o most_o that_o be_v absolute_o against_o all_o use_n of_o form_n and_o it_o occasion_n too_o many_o to_o neglect_v it_o which_o otherwise_o will_v not_o and_o as_o for_o child_n and_o ignorant_a people_n among_o those_o of_o this_o persuasion_n i_o be_o well_o assure_v many_o of_o they_o never_o bow_v their_o knee_n in_o secret_a to_o god_n and_o several_a of_o those_o that_o be_v grow_v up_o be_v force_v to_o speak_v aloud_o or_o can_v pray_v at_o all_o which_o be_v against_o the_o nature_n of_o secret_a prayer_n and_o expose_v not_o only_o the_o person_n that_o use_v it_o to_o the_o censure_n of_o hypocrisy_n but_o the_o duty_n to_o contempt_n it_o be_v on_o this_o account_n that_o the_o pious_a custom_n of_o train_n up_o young_a people_n to_o a_o constant_a course_n of_o devotion_n in_o their_o morning_n and_o evening_n secret_a prayer_n be_v too_o universal_o lay_v aside_o among_o you_o as_o i_o have_v find_v by_o experience_n and_o for_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o observation_n i_o dare_v appeal_n to_o all_o of_o the_o dissenter_n on_o the_o contrary_n i_o be_o well_o assure_v that_o there_o can_v be_v a_o more_o effectual_a or_o easy_a method_n to_o revive_v and_o continue_v this_o regular_a and_o constant_a use_n of_o secret_a prayer_n than_o to_o oblige_v every_o one_o to_o some_o certain_a form_n every_o morning_n and_o evening_n which_o they_o may_v not_o omit_v whatever_o other_o prayer_n they_o use_v but_o this_o can_v never_o be_v do_v whilst_o the_o opinion_n of_o