guilty through practising or countenancing them but if their sins be hid their societie are not guilty thereof 3. Knowest thou the secrets of the heart better then CHRIST and his apostles who served GOD and preached dayly among infidels for their conversion 4. If thou be sincere and void of pharisaicall pride thou will rather condemn thy self than others as did the Publican and Paul called himself the greatest of all sinners 5. Some at the LORDS supper did abhor to take the elements from the hands of laicks as they said least they had beene wiches warlocks or profain For the same causes also they might refuse to take them from ministers for neither can they know their hearts and the ministers might abhor to take back againe the cup from the people or to give them the elements Notable apostats should be eschewed apostasie it self excommunicateth them from true professors except they repent 6. How shall infidels bee converted if the faithfull converse not with them chiefly at Divine service CHAP. XII Some forbid Preachers to read the books of learned men for understanding Gods Word Quest SHould Preachers read the Commentars of godly fathers and learned men for inabling them to preach Gods word for the Lord in Matth. 10.19 saith Take no thought how or what you shall speak for it is not you that speak but the Spirit of your heavenly Father that speaketh in you Answ Hee forbiddeth only excessive care and feare when they are accused before judges for the testimonie of the truth but not when they preach though at preaching also they should not exceed in fear 2. The like speach is in Matthew 6.25 Take no thought what you eat or drink or put on Did they therefore alwayes go fasting and naked not using the means 3. In Matth. 10. vers 7.23 he telleth what they should speak 4. He bad them hear corrupt teachers viz. the Scribes and Pharisees when they sit in Moses seat that is when they teach conform to his doctrine 5. The Spirit brought to their memories the things that CHRIST taught them and so helped them that used the means John 14.26 6. The Lord himself made use of the learning of the Doctors hearing them and asking them questions Luke 3.46 Hee made use of their speaches Matth. 16. viz. When it is evening you say it will be fair weather c. the like is in Luke 12.5 Matth. 23.16 In his doctrine and parables he made use of the customes and doings of the people 7. Some speak of morall things with a mourning accent calling it a preaching from the heart and from the Spirit thogh they never interpret GODS word which is the chief intention of the Spirit in preaching and the chief duety of the ministeriall calling practised by the LORD and his apostles Luke 4.21 and 24.27 Act. 6.4 and 8.3 and Act. 7. GODS word it self clearly opened is the most powerfull meane to enlighten the minde to move the heart and to waken the conscience 9. Why should Timothie give himself to reading and meditation and commit the things hee heard of Paul to such as should teach others 1 Tim. 4.13.19 2 Tim. 2.9 And why desired Paul the books and parchments left at Troas 2 Tim. 4.13 if they were taught only immediatly by the Spirit at preaching 10. Paul maketh use of the speach of Epimenides Cretensis a pagan Tit. 2.12 viz. The Cretians are alwayes lyars evill beasts slow bellies And of a speech of Aratus the Athenian poet Act. 17.28 Wee are also his of spring that is the ofspring or creatures of GOD and of the inscription which the Pagans wrot upon the altar at Athens Act. 17. To the unknown God and of the speach of Menander 1 Cor. 15.33 Evill speaches corrupt good manners Quest We interpret Scriptures by other Scriptures and so we show the meaning of the Spirit in his word Answ That is good to such as know the other Scripturs already but to others it is like words of an unknown language 2. The illustration of obscure Scriptures by other scripturs is no interpretation except the words be plainer nor the obscure scripturs the words that are most in themselves cannot be interpret by other scripture because there are no plainer words in scripturs Item things that are but once written in scripturs cannot be explained by other scripturs as the speach of Lomech Genes 4.23 I would slay am in in my wound c. and the decree of Augustus taxing all the world c. Luke 2. 3. The LORD did interpret Scriptures by things which were not in Scriptures as in Luke 4.21 Matth. 11.5 9 14 and 27.43.46 verses Act. 8.33 4. To repeat the same things from diverse Scriptures helpeth our faith in showing the agreement of the writers but it interpreteth not except the words repeated be plainer therefore use also for the ignorant literall expositions and illustrations used by learned men and amplifie them for their capacitie Quest Men should not read nor preach any thing but Scriptures for Paul said 1 Cor. 2. I determined not to know any thing but Christ and Him crucified Answ That is Hee would know nothing as principally belonging to his calling but the doctrine of our salvation procured by CHRIST and his sufferings all other sciences and learning should be servants unto this otherwise how did Paul know the means of learning foresaid 2. Some affirm that themselves speak nothing but the texts of Scripture which they never did nor can doe except they only do the office of readers for neither the speeches of their method analysis and division of the text nor their doctrine application and uses nor the numbers of chapters and verses are in the text Quest In using the works of learned men you seeme to allow their errours who alledge the church or counsels or fathers or popes to be supreme judges of contraversies and infallible interpreters of Gods word Answ Then CHRIST and his apostles should also seeme to do the same for we imitate their practise 2. If a king or his deputies make people understand his laws by the manner of speaches and words of the people are the people therefore interpreters of the laws So is it if we interpret GODS word using the speaches of men Qu. How hath Christ interpret Gods word in the Scriptures Answ By making some Scriptures so evident that they need no other interpretation from the Scriptures if the reader understand only the language Such are these Are they not twelve hours in the day The servant is not greater than his master c. This evidencie and plainnesse is in stead of an interpretation 2. By providing other plainer Scriptures for opening up of obscure scritures 3. Though wee finde not the meaning of some Scriptures yet we finde sufficient for our edification CHAP. XIII Some forbide the Scriptures to be read without interpretation Quest IS it not lip-labour and idle words to read the Scriptures publictly without interpretation Answ All the Scriptures can not
conceived formes so far as they can 4. But thou condemnest thy self in judging others who read prayers when thou readest either prayers or praise unto God at the singing of psalmes Gods Spirit worketh at the reading of both Quest Do any despise set formes altogether Answ Yea for some affirme that Gods spirit helpeth no mans infirmities but at the first conception of prayers but they fight against themselves unawars admitting sundry prayers in a set forme 1. They conclude the divine service saying the blessing in a set forme 2. Their conceived prayers are set formes to the people that concurre with them It is a second rehearsing of their prayers for the people conceive them not 3. They stint them to say Amen at the end of every prayer Amen is a short summe of the prayer 4. The preachers conclud their conceived prayers with a set form like to this To the Son with the Father and with the boly Spirit be glory c. 5. At singing of psalms which is a set form of praise they say also many prayers among them Quest Is it not sluggishnesse to use set formes neglecting varietie of meditations Answ We neglect them not for we conceive also 2. If the use of set forms be sluggishnesse then the contemners of se forms are sluggish in using these set formes foresaid and the people which concur are sluggish 3. It is a greater sluggishnes when men apply not set forms unto their hearts when their conscience can not deny but they signifie their wants they can not pray without noveltie of words Some were moved to pray with set forms taking them to be new conceptions because they heard not these prayers before but afterwards they loathed them also They knew not the working of Gods Spirit whereof they brag so much they think Gods Spirit be like themselves delighting only in novelty of words and abhorring his own words which himself dyted unto Christians before so that he worketh no more by his own words as they imagine but they who grow in grace despise not to use them also afterwards as did Christ and his dearest Saints Quest Can book prayers be steadable at our departing from this life Ans The last prayer that Christ said upon the crosse was a book prayer written in the book of the psalms He rehearseth it from the book of his memorie Into thy bands I commit my Spirit Psal 31 2. Oftentimes at death God holdeth before men the book of his judgements wherein all their senses may read sufficient matter for meditation and prayer 3. A well formed prayer for their present condition may be read to the great confort of distressed souls who cannot read by themselfs Quest How know you if the words of set formes be dyted by Gods Spirit Answ If they expresse things agreeable to Gods revealed will in his word Quest How know you if Gods Spirit teacheth us effectually to use them rightly Answ Every man knoweth best what is in himself if Gods Spirit work in his heart hee prayeth expressing the words with faith with fervent desires and bumilitie intending Gods glory his own salvation and the good of others though his expression be weak his desires may be fervent no otherwise are conceived prayers known to be dyted and made usefull by Gods Spirit then as the reading of a supplication hindereth it not to be a supplication unto a King and the reading of a psalm hindereth it not to be a praise unto God so the reading of prayers hindereth them not to be prayers but it furthereth us being ready to supplie the defects of our memory and it keepeth our mindes from wandring when our eyes and memories are fixed upon the same matter for diverse objects of the sight oftimes perturbeth the memorie and if we have not the words in our memorie a well formed prayer in the book of things perpetually needfull will surnish unto us matter and words for our expression and it bringeth our wants to remembrance Gods Spirit assisteth all who use the lawfull meanes and confide not in their own strength Quest Do you match two or three read lines with Gods Spirit as if they could inable us to pray Answ Neither can two or three new conceptions inable us to pray 2. By what spirit do you calumniat us as contemners of Gods Spirit unto whom we never matched the Canonick Scriptures much lesse conceived and set forms all which profit nothing if Gods Spirit work not by them 3. In the psalme fourth in miter O Lord grant us thy countenance thy favour and thy grace all such prayers of the psalms in miter are paraphrases of the text as the read prayers are of some petitions of the Lords prayer Thou by reading them at singing condemnest thy self in judging others who read prayers which is more needfull then singing of psalms in this life if at the reading the words of prayer in the psalms thou prayest not in thy heart if the words expresse thy wants thou playest the hypocrite and if thou pray then thou readest a set form of prayer as well as of praise for they are not new conceptions You confesse that men speak by the Spirit in their new conceptions our set forms at the first expression were new conceptions then who bindeth the Spirit to the set forms of prayer in miter more then without miter or who bindeth him to a read praise more then to a read prayer The Spirit inableth us to both 1 Cor. 14. and Ephes 5.18 4. Naturally all men abhor prayer more then singing of psalms because of the melody in singing if they pray without singing they supplie the melody with novelty of words which is admired by Pagans as well as by Christians it proceedeth not from Gods Spirit in christians but from satan and from their naturall part to abhor any forme of worship which was in request with Christ and his dearest saints and was dyted by Gods Spirit in his word if Gods Spirit work not with him that readeth because the conceptions are not his so is it with him him that concurreth for the conceptions are not his but if both apply the words to their hearts the conceptions are theirs as truely as they were unto the first expressours neither can any now living be the first expressour for many have had the same conceptions before Quest Reading seemeth more barnly and therefore it is fitter for children then for aged men it seemeth barnly because the words are few and often repeated c. Answ Seeing Christ the ancient of dayes and his Prophets and Apostles did read from the book of memory it becometh men if they were older then Methusalem and wiser then Salomon to read upon the artificiall memorie of books At Divine Service Christ did read on the book of Esay Luk. 4. vers 16. The apostles did read also on visible bookes for Paul had bookes and parchments 2 Tim 4. Gods Spirit who was effectuall with Christ reading a text of old conceptions will also be
shall be saved this is insert among conceived prayers In psal 136. which was dayly sung in the temple 1 Chron. 16.41 is a set form of praise 26. times repeated viz for his mercie endureth for ever They who reject set forms of prayer use often this set form of praise in meeter which is but a paraphrase of the text 20 the set forms of prayer are paraphrases of the LORDS prayer 6. Christ who best understood the Spirit of prayer heard and accepted the devotion of the people crying Hosanna or Save now I beseech thee taken out of the psal 118.25 which the Hebrews affirm was yearly said at the feast of tabernacles and Mathew 21. showeth that they often repeated the words both before they came to the temple and also within it The pharisies in their hypocrisie were offended thereat but Christ defended and commended it 7. The last prayer in the Scripture is a set form praying for the coming of Christ Revel 22.17 20. The Spirit and the Bride say Corns that is the Spirit speâ—keth in the church viz. the regenerat teaching her to say Come And John biddeth them that hear this prophesie say Come and John himself prayeth in the full sentence saying Come Lord Jesus 8. Set formes oftimes seeme to have more of the work of the Spirit then conceived forms for after their first conception other godly men moved by the same Spirit revise them they reteine the materiall and cancell the superfluous and they alter and supplee words needfull Thogh Gods Spirit inable men to pray yet He suffereth humane frailtie to bee seene in their prayers to humble them he giveth no perfection of graces in this life conceived prayers are not so well tryed though some boast much of them in contempt of set formes Quest Are any so infirme that they have need of set formes more than of conceived formes Answ Negligent pastours never try it neither know they that many people never understand nor can imitate conceived formes because themselves and others whom they take notise of can conceive they think that all men can conceive But these following among others have more need of set formes then of conceived formes 1. Some weak Christians of a honest life and of good age could never remember all the Lords prayer as their Pastours affirme who diligently taught them If they cannot remember a few words often repeated much lesse varietie of words never twise repeated 2. Others learned the Lords prayer but cold do no further 3 Some learned also set formes by frequent hearing of them but could never conceive 4. Some using set formes a long time in end became able to conceive once in the day and they also used dayly a set form for the weaker sort 5. Some children could pray nothing at all untill they had used set formes but afterwards they conceived 6. Some by a distempered brain can not conceive when the disease rageth but at other times they conceive few congregations want some of these if they have not all 7. It is a very eloquent and powerfull prayer with God if a humble heart groan under the burden of sin with faith and fervent desires of mercie and sanctification though they can scarslie expresse three words without these all varietie of words and conceptions is but babling Moses at the red sea and Anna at the house of the Lord in Shilo prayed in the spirit of prayer not uttering one word He is a blinde judge that measures inward grace by outward eloquence 8. If there were but one of those weak ones in a congregation a faithfull Pastor should use set formes to teach them to pray for their private use they are cruell and mercilesse sheepheards who neglect the weak ones in a mater so needfull for salvation 9. And when they are helped with a better conscience they may conceive for the stronger sort Quest When I use set formes men esteeme basely of my preaching account me unlearned if I expresse not varietie of meditations Answ But when you conceive in the prayers following they will change their thoughts 2. For your estimation should you suffer the weak ones to perish not teaching them to be acquainted with God by prayer 3. The disciple is nor above his master the Lord and his apostles used set formes not fearing contempt you should do the like Quest When the Lord taught his disciples to pray he said not Vse these words but Pray after this manner Ans The Evangelists write both to be after the Lords meaning for Math 6. saith Pray in this manner Luke 11. saith When you pray say Our Father which art in Heaven c. The speech of Matthew who did first write the Gospel can not be the interpretation of the speech of Luke who had not as yet written it for the custome of the Scripture showeth and the order of nature requireth that the interpretation should bee given after the obscure words but not before them 2. If the LORDS prayer conteine things needfull for us we may use the same words to expresse the same things which CHRIST the wisdome of the Father used If it signifie not things needfull it were a fools sacrifice to pray after the manner thereof seeking things needlesse 3. Therefore modest Christians more wisely do conclude their own prayers with it acknowledging thereby it to be more perfect and significative than any prayer conceived by sinfull man 4. Some call it hard and obscure Preachers should explaine obscure Scriptures chiefly which are dayly in use If thou think it obscure thou canst not form a prayer like it nor imitat the thing thou knowest not neverthelesse use this prayer for the Lord unto whom nothing is obscure knew that it meant things needfull for thee and pray the Lord to hear thee after his own meaning in it 5. Some strain out a gnat and swallow a cable abhorring all set forms of prayer and yet after Divine service they say the blessing in a set forme Quest It is not mentioned in Scripture that the apostles said the Lords prayer Ergo we should not say it Answ Charitie should perswade us that they obeyed the Lords commandment in using it seeing no Scripture saith the contrate Many of the apostles had they never faith and repentance nor the love of GOD and honoured they never their parents because particular mention of these things are not in Scripture Qu. Is it not a tautologie to conclude our prayers with the Lords prayer seeing we have prayed for the same thing alreadie Ans A tautologie is a needlesse repetition of the same words or mater but when we repeat the same things to show the vehemencie of our desires it is not needlesse 2. A conceived prayer repeateth oftimes the same mater though it change the words 3 To this effect the Lord in Math. 6. after the Lords prayer taught us to say the word Amen which summarly includeth in it the whole prayer 4. Every repetition includeth in it self a new complaint
praise him on paper for the same benefits at the singing of psalmes Quest The psalmes are the text of Scriptures read prayers are not so Answ Our psalmes in meeter are not the text of Scripture otherwise preachers should make sermons on them they are but paraphrases of the text having the same sense So are our read prayers paraphrases of the LORDS prayer or of some petitions in it for all things needfull are generally included in the LORDS prayer and particularly in other Scriptures Quest Read prayers expresse not all our wants Ergo they should be rejected Answ It is no mater if they contein things perpetually needfull the Preacher at the end of his read prayer or afterwards in his conceived prayers may expresse mo wants 2. Neither doe his conceived prayers expresse all his own wants nor yet the wants of the people he never knoweth them all 3. The Lords prayer concluding our prayers may supplee all the omissions of our imperfect prayers though wee know not all our wants 4. Thy speech reproacheth the LORD and his servants who sought oftimes a supplee only of some wants The Lord said Father forgive them they know not what they does If it bee possible take this Cup from mee Abraham prayed for Children Jacob for food and rayment and safetie from his enemies the apostles for increase of faith Paul that the messenger of Satan might be taken from him Many prayed that Christ wold cure their diseases Christ never censured such prayers but pharisaicall holinesse censureth prayers that expresse not all their wants which their own prayers could never do 5. If by faith we seek but one thing with inward desires and outward expressions this prayer is perfect in respect of the essence and nature of prayer so is every petition of the Lords prayer or the meaning thereof but the whole summe of the petitions is perfect in respect of the enumeration of things needfull this enumeration needes not be said at all times as the foresaid example shew though we have need to seek them dayly we may seek mo or lesse of them as we are sensible of these wants Quest Is it needfull to read prayers publictly Answ Yea for many learned men of good understanding and conception have weak memories throgh diseases in the head men sometimes forget words which at other times they remember it is best therefore not to trust in the memorie Quest Rom. 8.26 It is said We know not what we should pray Ergo we should not use set forms for men know not what matter is in them Ans If we should not pray when we know the matter neither should we conceive if we know the matter 2. Much lesse when we know not the matter for ignoti nulla cupido wee can not desire the thing wee know not our desires are the best part of our prayers 3. But the text speaketh of the manner saying We know not what to pray as we ought and the Spirit helpeth our infirmities and interceedeth for us that is he assisteth us to pray not with varietie of words and conceptions but with groanings that can not be exprissed by any form of prayer the Spirit groaneth not but he kindleth strong desire in our hearts the servencie whereof causeth groanings 4. Groanings both show our earnest desires and prove that we know the matter before wee seek it Paul 1 Cor. 14. saith I will pray with the Spirit and with the understanding also Quest Doth not the Spirit help us also by putting new meditations and new desires in our hearts which were not in our mindes when we began to pray Can this be done with set forms Ans The Spirit helpeth us also at set forms making us expresse the words with a deeper sense of our wants and with more fervent desires of the things we seek that oftimes we have not at the beginning of our prayers both our conceived prayers and set forms are but lip-labour if GODS Spirit thus help us not He interceedeth for us because these and such other of his graces in us do inable us to pray and GOD heareth us because he respecteth these graces and work of his Spirit in us Quest What is the Spirit of prayer Answ Not varietie of words and eloquent conceptions that some may have without the sanctifying Spirit but it is an earnest crying unto GOD with faith and fervent desires and groanings in any form of prayer Moses and Anna the mother of Samuel prayed with this spirit expressing no words at all Quest Is not that prayer best that cometh from the sense of our wants Answ So it is and therefore set forms should contein things perpetually needfull and the sense of them should bee perpetuall as are increase of faith remission of sins sanctification and such things as are in the Lords prayer if any words of the prayer concerne the present time only as war famine pestilence they should be altered or removed as the evils are changed Quest Should the Church use the same meanes of Gods worship both in her infancie and perfect age Answ The ceremonies are abrogat our prayers are morall for by them we confesse the LORD to be GOD in the first Command we adore him in the second and we honour his Name in the third using both the forme of prayer 2. If a set form should be abrogat because the church used it in her infancie much more a conceived forme which was first used for in it Abraham prayed for children Genes 15. and for the Sodomites Genes 18. Jacob used it Genes 32. The first set forms in Scriptures were said by Moses at the lifting and resting of the ark 3. It was the fulnesse of time and a full age when CHRIST and the apostles used set forms Now it is like a doting age when set forms which were in request with them are become tastlesse and loathsome to many 4. As the church in her outward estate had an infancie and perfect age so hath every member thereof in all ages Every man coming in this world is as ignorant of GODS word and worship as were the Patriarks at their birth and some are so weak that discreet Pastours should use them like infants all their lifetime It is as good reason to urge people to speak all languages because the apostles did so as to urge the weak ones that have no eloquence to conceive prayers because the eloquent do so it is a tempting of GOD to require of people above their power Quest Reading is not a prayer but a receiving into the heart information from the words read Answ You should speak so of the hearing of both the forms of prayer 2. We must first know before we speak we receive information by ocular reading or looking on the book and then we speak to inform others that they may concur with their desires and with a still voice and also we speak to glorifie GOD with our mouth as we do with our heart that hee may hear us though
sometimes true prayer may come from the heart alone Quest No Apocrypha should be brought into publict assemblies but onely Gods word and the lively voites of his owne graces mens writings are Apocrypha Answ Mens sermons the psalmes in meeter and conceived prayers are not Canonick more then read prayers 2. If they be the lively voices of GODS graces so are read prayers for godly men gifted with GODS graces first conceived them and they still signifie the same things and men having saving grace use them as the first conceivers did in earnest prayer assisted by GODS Spirit so that they make use of them as if themselves had conceived them Quest Mens writings are not without errour they carie not such majestie as the pen of the holy Ghost they are not so authentick confirmed by signes and wonders Answ Neither are mens unwritten conceptions so authentick Quest Doe not read prayers restraine the libertie of GODS Spirit who inableth men to conceive Answ Not for neverthelesse of them men may conceive as much as ever they did 2. Did Christ his Prophets and Apostles restrain this libertie when they said set forms 3. Seing GODS Spirit in his word indited both the forms they restrain his libertie who abolish any of the forms from GODS publict worship seeing GODS word which alloweth these forms is made publict to the world Quest Is it not a quenching of the Spirit to read other mens words when I should poure forth mine owne heart Answ If you have the same wants the words of a read prayer are yours as well as these who first conceived them GOD doth not appropriat words and speeches to particular men Thou wouldst have people to concur with thy conceived words which are no more theirs then read words if the one be a quenching of the SPIRIT so is the other for both are the words of other men and both are set formes to the people that conceived them not 2. It is not a quenching but a cherishing of the Spirit to use reverently the gifts which he made usefull to others it is a quenching to despise these gifts 3. Some being in stranger churches were much moved with set formes thinking them to be newly conceived because they never heard them before but at the next hearing of them they become loathsome So it is not the form but the noveltie of the words which pleaseth mens itching ears GODS word it self often tepeated is loathsome to our corrupt nature Some judge GODS SPIRIT to be like themselves delighting only in noveltie of words and therefore they make idols of new conceptions affirming that GODS SPIRIT speaketh only when men use new conceptions The papists banish away conceived forms others discharge set forms True grace should make us strive against both these extremities in the battell between the flesh and the SPIRIT for GODS Spirit indited both the forms in his word 4. A set form at the first hearing is esteemed a work of the SPIRIT but afterwards unconstant people despise the same words as a work of Satan Quest Ministers are called to preach and not to do the office of Readers Answ Then neither should they read the psalmes when they sing nor text when they preach as did the LORD out of Esay 61 1 in Luke 4. 2. Prayer is not preaching if they be only called to preach they should not pray in any form 3. Thus some confesse against themselves that a set form may be used for they say it belongeth to Readers 4. If Ministers be called to preach then they may do the office of Readers and they should do it when they want Readers for all GODS word are canonick preachings of GODS truth his mercies judgements power and wisdome and of his properties works and wonders c. Ministeriall preachings serve for a further explication clearing of the sense and application of the canonick preachings Quest Is not the reading of a prayer a neglect of conception and a shamefull prostrating of our selves to be ruled by men even to the shame of our heavenly Father who giveth unto us better gifts Ans There is no such neglect seeing you may conceive before or after the reading 2. If you concur with a conceived prayer the shame is as great you are no lesse ruled by men whose conceptions are no more thine then the conceptions of read prayers 3. It shameth not but it honoureth GOD if you reverently use the work of his SPIRIT in others but when thou despisest that which he approveth in his word on thy part thou procurest his shame Quest To read a prayer when men may conceive it is to bring the weak and the lame when they have a male in the flock Malac. 1.14 Answ But if I conceive before or after the read prayer I offer the male also 2. If I read a prayer with faith with fervent desires and humble expressions it is a male without blemish before GOD through Christ the Lord and his apostles and prophets offered such males reading set forms from the invisible book of their memorie So wee may read from the visible booke of paper which is an artificiall memorie A book is a rich treasure of conceptions an artificiall memorie a wonderfull providence of God to help such as are weak both of understanding and memorie Quest Should not Christians studie to perfection and grow in godly exercises Answ The grouth of Christians is not in multitude and varietie of words and conceptions for Tullius and Demosthenes might then have been Christians who could be eloquent in any subject even in Christian maters if they had midled with them albeit they had been but hypocrits 2. Neither consisteth this grouth in forsaking the form of prayer which Christ the fulnesse of all perfection used and approved in others but it is a grouth in holinesse of life heavenly knowledge faith hope charitie fervencie in prayer of any form and in other spirituall graces and in doing good works Our Lord in his greatest perfection ended his life saying a few words first conceived by David in psal 31.5 Into thy hands I commit my Spirit and Steven said Lord Jesus receive my Spirit Quest If any that can walk perfectly come to his father creeping or desiring to be born by others will it not offend his father and procure a refusall rather than the benefits which be seeketh So he that can conceive cloquently if be read a prayer or say a set form and so is born up by other mens speaches be offendeth God and procureth a refusall of his benefits Answ Hee that concurreth with conceived prayers is as much born up with other mens speaches 2. Thus the high Priests using the words of the blessing which Aaron first said and the Prophets and Apostles using such set forms as are mentioned in the preceeding chapter are here reproached as born up by these speaches or that they offend GOD using set forms when they may conceive and CHRIST is blasphemed as an offender of GOD and so is
a sinner in repeating his owne words againe in the garden and the words of the psalme 22.1 and psal 31.5 if he might conceive or he is blasphemed if they say he used set forms because he could not conceive 3. Men walk uprightly both unto GOD and with GOD by true faith in whatsoever form they pray though blind zeale knoweth no walking but by varietie of conceptions and eloquence 4. Whether we read words or say them from the memorie expressing the same wants the words belong to him that prayeth as much as to the first conceivers As the light of the Sun is no more proper to them that first used it then to such as used it afterwards so is it with words and languages which are the gifts of the holy GHOST whether men acquire them immediatly as the apostles did on the Pentecost or by studies and education as all others doe Quest Is it not sufficient that set forms be committed to Readers for publict reading Answ When prelats did commit baptisme and the LORDS Supper to the inferiour Clergie and themselves did minister confirmation it made the people despise the LORDS ordinances and magnifie humane confirmation So when Preachers commit the reading of prayers only to Readers the people despise them because the Preachers despise them Quest I acknowledge the set forms in Scripture for Gods Spirit did indite them but the set formes out of Scripture have not such authoritie Answ Neither have the conceived forms out of Scripture such authoritie 2. But GOD to whom we speak hath as great authoritie when wee read our own set formes as when we read GODS word it self then our reverence to GOD should be no lesse 3. Seeing GODS Spirit was effectuall with both the formes in Scripture what restraineth his operation from the one more than from the other out of Scripture Quest The books of Discipline show that our first Reformers purposed not that set forms should continue for ever in the church of Scotland but only untill that God send sufficient able men but who can blame giftlesse old and failed men to plead for a stoffe helping themselves to walk Answ This reproach redoundeth to our blessed Saviour and to his servants foresaid as if they wanted spirituall gifts when they used set formes 2. Few or no preachers since the first reformation were so unable but they also used conceived prayers 3. Therefore it should be insert in the books of Discipline that set forms must continue in the church for these causes 1. For people that can not conceive that by frequent hearing of them they may remember some words for their private use rather then to pray nothing at all 2. For preachers diseased in the head whereby their conception is troubled 3. For other preachers least afterwards they be diseased that then the suddain change of the form seeme not strange unto the people 4. Both to countenance their infirme brethren and to countenance the LORD his prophets and apostles who used set forms not through infirmitie but because the words were sanctified and directed by Gods Spirit and were as acceptable to God and as able to expresse their desires as new conceived words They who love Christ should countenance himself and his members and their religious exercises chiefly when they are in contempt as set forms are at this time this is a confession of Christ and of his word before men 5. For repressing the insolencie of such as are puft up with eloquence doting so upon it as if Gods Spirit were not effectuall without it Quest Should any pray for the space of dayes moneths and years untill that Gods Spirit come and assist them Answ They who want faith can not pray though they use the words of prayer yet no man should be hindered to pray for none knoweth what is in man but his own Spirit the Lord suffered babes to come to him though they understood not the word which worketh faith 2. They who have faith may pray at all times for Gods Spirit never leaveth his owne work though sometimes hee bee more or lesse effectuall in them Quest Should not these novations be received seeing their defenders are of a godly life and conversation Answ The danger is so much the greater for as a godly life helpeth to edifie when men preach Gods truth so the blamelesse life of the pharisies and of hereticks did procure great respect unto their heresies and errours which a profain life could never do 2. When Paul persecuted the truth he was blamelesse touching the righteousnesse of the law Phil. 3.6 3. If they be godly in life and of a sound judgement when they consider these things more deeply they will glorifie God in forsaking them It proceedeth not from Gods Spirit to despise the form of worship which Hee approved and commanded in his word such were the Lords prayer the blessing of the priests and the praying for the coming of Christ Revel 22. 4. None are more godly then Christ and his apostles who used both the forms Quest If people concur with any prayer before the sentence be ended take they not Gods name in vain not knowing what they pray for Answ So they do if they concur by assenting or saying Amen before they know the full sentence it is a mocking of God to seek the thing they know not 2. If the preacher pray for one that was sick and the people are informed that he is dead it is superstition if they concur So is it if hee pray that people may show their humilitie by kneeling to sacraments or idols or that they thankfully remember Christs doings and sufferings by keeping superstitious dayes but they may concur with set formes before the sentence bee ended if they have them in their memorie because they know the matter CHAP. V. Some interrupt Gods worship continually reading the lines of the psalme by intermissions in the time of singing Quest HOW is it that many despise set formes of prayer and yet they praise God is set formes of muter When did Gods Spirit choose the one and refuse the other both are paraphrases and not texts of Scripture to vvit of the Lords prayer and of the psalmes Some use a double set form to vvit the miter and the proclaiming of linese this vvas never practised nor commanded in Scripture as vvere the single set forms of prayer and praise A. Blind zeal proclameth the lines that such as can not read may sing but they neglect to repeat a set form which is more needfull that they may learn to pray privatly rather than to pray nothing at all 2 The miseries of this life and happines of the life to come do show that prayer is more requisit now and praising of God in the next life we have dayly motives of praise but much more of prayer Quest. What errours are committed in repeating the lines at singing Answ There is a continuall abusing of Gods name in it for men oftimes sing divine praise not knowing
superstition the constant neglect thereof is an antichristianlike extremity to hide by silence the chiefest principals of GODS truth which should bee confessed before men 7. Papists also blesse the people in a legall maner 8. Popish prelats are enemies to presbyteriall government taking upon themselves the whole power of church government so some pretended reformers would have the ministration of church government to be common to all the people that none should rule above themselves 9. The baptizing of children onely in the the years of discretion is like popish confirmation which is a baptizing of children in the years of discretion as if the baptisme ordained by Christ were of no effect 10. Some deny that Ministers admitted by bishops are lawfully called though some bishops be actuall Ministers popish prelats do take the power of admission from Ministers if they be not bishops so both are enemies to Ministeriall authority 11. Pharisaicall professors separat themselves at divine service not onely from pagans but also from such weak Christians as are not much respected among men so papists are much addicted to separation men of Church office are separat from the people in that they are called clergy and the people laiks And prelats as if they were more holy are separa-from the inferior orders and they separat all sound professors from themselves by excommunication 12. The forbidding to read the works of learned men and sound writers is oftentimes practised by papists to the maintaining of antichristian darknes 13. To forbid reading of Scriptures without interpretation is a hindering of people as the papists do to read any Scriptures at all for if people be perswaded that publict reading edfieth not what confort can they expect of privat reading 14. To forbid the publict office of readers bringeth also privat reading in contempt and so it maketh for hiding of Gods truth 15 To forbid privat prayer in a publick place before people it hindereth the glorifying of God before men in a worship wherein God should be most glorifyed so Antichristianlike it obscureth Gods glory To forbid privat prayer in churches whether people be present or not it maketh a superstitious difference of places as if God should not be worshipped in every place by Christians in their generall calling papists made the like difference between the body of the church and the chancell or quier 16. The Antinomians are members of Antichrist for they are enemies to faith and repentance the chief doctrine of the Gospell they either contradict or pervert the Scripturs in all their tenets 17. All the humaine traditions herisies and errours were brought into the church under the pretence of pietie and reformation of religion and many embraced them through blinde zeal thus are the foresaid novations brought in none of them have warrand from Scripture which is GODS revealed will An addition to the foutrh Chapter 〈…〉 26. the Lord saith to the Apostles that 〈…〉 â—â—â—ost cometh he shall teach you all things and bring all 〈…〉 go we should only use conceived prayers for the Spirit 〈…〉 conceptions and bringeth them to our memories Answ When Christ his prophets and apostles used of times words which were said before had Gods Spirit no medling with these words because they were not new conceptions 2. That text speaketh chiefly of preaching which was the proper end of their particular calling If they should not preach using meditation reading and other mens travels as means to help them but only look for new conceptions from Gods Spirit it would almost seeme that prayer should be so used but the text proveth nothing of these 3. The words of the text seeme rather to favour set forms of prayer for the Lord saith The Spirit shall teach and bring all things to your memorie whatsoever I have said unto you there is no mention here of new conceptions but of things which Christ spake to them before the text showeth that Gods Spirit bringeth to mens memories things spoken before 4. Gods Spirit giveth new conceptions and maketh to remember old conceptions forgotten and also to keep in memorie conceptions not forgotten and he giveth men grace in their hearts to make use of all conceptions new and old forgotten and not forgotten whether they be read from the visible book of paper or from the invisible book of the memorie 5. Then as the Sun and Stars are not only Gods work when they are newly created but also they still remain Gods work so the conceptions of devout prayer are not only the work of Gods Spirit when they are newly dyted unto men but they remaine still his work whether they be written or keep in memorie as it is a gift of God that men may make use of the Sun and Stars newly created or at any time afterwards so it is the gift of Gods Spirit to use religiously any devout conceptions when they are newly conceived or at any time afterwards The poesie of Homer is his as well now as at the beginning so are the meditations of prayer the effects of a sanctifying Spirit as well no was before FINIS The second answers against some Novations Adde these to the Chap. 1. viz. Question SHould we not use privie meetings for exercising our talents lest they be given unto us in vain Answ Davids brethren were stronger then himself The souldiers which Gedeon removed were stronger then the three hundred which he retained but God glorifieth himself in doing great things by the imployment of the weak ones and by the humble patience and ready attendance of the strong ones GOD did accept the zealous readinesse of David in preparing materialls for the temple as well as the travels of Salomon in building it The service done to GOD in the heart and intension shall be as surely rewarded as the labours of the hand if these things be done in faith All the waters of a river and the clouds of the air attend on mens service though all be not imployed So gifts given unto men should glorifie GOD either attending on his service or imployed in his service Adde these to the Chap. 3. viz. Quest SEeing the set formes of prayers in scripture are but short tailed prayers as some affirme can they be fit for our imitation who use longer prayers Answ If short prayers should not be imitated nor used then we should neither use the Lords prayer nor yet pray after that manner as the LORD commanded 2. Neither should wee use nor imitat conceived prayers whereof the most part in Scriptures are short tailed as they call them 3 The longest prayer in Scripture was said by Salomon at the dedication of the temple It is twise repeated viz. in 1 King 8. and 2 Chron. 6. Thus Gods Spirit indyted twise the longest prayer Repetitions are often indited by Gods Spirit as in the 7 epistles Revel 1.2 and 3. chap. In the beginning of every epistle is written I know thy works And in the ending Let him that hath an ear hear what the
more substantiall and true prayers then the outward expressions alone though both severally be called prayers 2. These images in a lively way teach us how to form our prayers but the holy Ghost inableth us effectually to pray whether we use the means of hearing or seeing these images so the most substantiall prayers can not bee born in a pocket or gotten from men though the expressions may be gotten from men it is only the expressions which men receive from ministers as they concur but the holy Ghost addeth true prayer to the expressions heard or seene Quest Christ after his ascension gave gifts unto men to bee faithfully used should we then by reading neglect our conceptions Ans You need not neglect them seeing you may conceive as much as ever you did before or after reading 2. True grace is more known in using the basest means as Christ and his servants used then to use the most glorious means that our loftie nature affecteth most Q. The Scripture biddeth us pray it biddeth not read the words Ans Neither biddeth it conceive the words 2. We are bidden drink wine in a cup at the Lords supper we are not bidden drink in a cup of mettall or timber shall we therefore use only cups of gold rejecting silver cups saying they are not Gods ordinance because they are not expresly commanded to be used at the Sacrament and shall we say that cups of gold are Gods ordinance because we esteeme most of them when as God warrandeth not the one more than the other So we are commanded to pray without naming any form yet we should rather use both the forms then both these cups for examples of both the forms but not of the mater of sacramentall cups is mentioned in Scripture Then when generals are commanded in Scripture we should obey in such particulars as wherein true obedience may bee seene So we may pray truely in any form read or not read if we do otherwise the cause is not in the form but in our corrupt naturs that can not use the formes which the dearest Saints used Quest Is it not idolatrie in Gods worship to direct our faces towards a book we should look up to heaven where God sitteth in glory Answ If thou canst read turning thy back to the book thy speach would seeme to have some reason But thou canst not read without looking on the words the book is not a religious object of adoration but an object of necessitie 2. The words are images of the things signified if it be idolatrie to direct thy face towards them at prayer so should it be at the singing of Psalmes and at the reading of scriptures for it is Divine Service to read GODS word for edification 3. Elias upon mount Carmel and our Saviour in the garden without idolatrie prayed with their faces towards the earth Quest How many wayes doth Gods word warrand us to exercise spirituall dueties in particular circumstances Answ Three wayes 1. When Gods word expreslie commandeth the duety with the circumstances as when the Lord forbad his disciples to fast like the hypocrits he bade them wash their faces and anoint their heads 2. When scriptures bring exampls of the godly practising these duties in their circumstances as when Steven prayed kneeling Act 7. 3. It warrandeth by way of consequent that is it commandeth the general duety not showing the particular circumstances But none can obey except in circumstances which inable them to obey Then Gods word which commandeth the duety expresly consequently commandeth to use the same circumstances because without them they can not do the duety Wee have a threefold warrand of setformes of prayer in scripture 1. It is commanded as in Math. 6. Luk. 11. He sets down the manner and forme of prayer 2. We have examples of set formes in scripture as the blessing of the Priests it was also commanded Numb 6. And Christ prayed thrise in the same words in the garden So did the Psalmest in the Psal 80.3 By of consequent the scripture proveth that such as can not understand nor imitat new conceptions must use often repeated conceptions or else they can not pray at all And learned men though they can conceive by the same consequent they must use set formes or else they can not teach the weak ones to pray neither can they be free of the contempt of the practise of Christ and of his servants and of the simplicitie of GODS word except they use also set formes They should not seeme wiser but esteeme it great wisdome to imitat them in things lawfull which are neither cerimoniall rites that are abrogat nor miracles that can not be imitat Then as Christ commanded to give almes to the poor consequently he commanded Peter to cure a creple because he had no other riches He commanded to baptise with water consequently biddeth that in cold regions infants should be sprinkled least dipping in water kill or hurt them So in commanding us to pray he willeth us to use formes fittest for our habilitie Quest Commandeth he such as can not make use of conceived formes consequently to read or hear them read Answ He willeth 1. that they pray in set formes and concur with them 2. And if they can not read they should get some set formes perquier by hearing them often repeated by reading without reading 3. And for that purpose ministers should read them for the best memories through cold and other deseases will forget words unawares and they say other words of the same sense for them yet it confoundeth weak memories who are forced to forget the words in whose place they hear new words repeated A book is an artificiall memory ordained to help the weaknes of naturall memories for this end God did writ his law on two tables caused his prophets write the scriptures Gods Spirit worketh holy motions in mens hearts at the hearing of his word read and also of read prayers which the enemies of read prayers confesse were dyted by Gods Spirit at the first conception and what hindereth him to be still effectuall with his own work Quest Is it not a shinting of prayers if the weak ones use set formes only Answ It is rather a stinting when the strong ones use conceived formes only they stint the forme though not the words men stint their prayers when they use only a part and not the full liberty which God hath granted in his word when they are able to use the rest also which the weak ones cannot do God hath given them liberty only to use a set form for he hath not made them capable of any further so that without miracle they can not conceive 2. They who urge them to conceive because others can conceive they tempt God as if they urged them to speak all languages because the apostles spake them If God enlarge their gifts none hindereth them also to conceive 3. Neither are they so stinred but they have liberty to concur with
alone or one familie alone may pray privatly and ordinarly Gods word warrandeth both and if any come into the familie occasionally he may pray and use familie exercise with them the Christian calling warrandeth it But persons of sundrie families may not meet ordinarly for that end It is usurpation because the publict Preacher or Reader only should convocat persons of diverse families for divine service or in their absence they should depute another seeing the charge is theirs nothing should be done of that kinde without their concurrance When there is no publict Ministers by reason of apostasie and persecution the people then without usurpation may provide for themselves and likewise when people dwell far distant from Churches If a Pastour want a Reader he himself should do the office or cause one do it with advise of his people CHAP. II. Some forbide fathers of families to interpret any passages of GODS word to their domesticks Quest SHould the fathers of families interpret any Scriptures to their domesticks Shall not their ignorance breed error and heresies making a false glosse on Gods word Ans They should teach them making a true glosse to that effect they should frequently hear preachings read and confer with others and enquire of their Pastors the meaning of doubtsome Scriptures but some idle pastors labour not to understand the Scripture and would discharge this exercise because they can not resolve such doubts 2. Their sympathie with the papists bringeth the same arguments for hiding the light of Gods truth for the papists say that laiks should not read the Scriptures least their ignorance Breed error and heresies 3. Heresies were never bred but by the ignorance of publict preachers The opinions of private men were never so much regarded that men would follow them to strengthen their heresies 4. Paul speaketh of a Church in the house of Nymphas Col. 4.15 and in the house of Aquila and priscilla Rom. 16.5 Could these be kirks without interpretation of the word 5. Many by frequent catechising and teaching their domesticks became learned publict teachers Qui docet indoctos c. 6. The neglect of such holy exercises rather breedeth hereticall opinions both in private and publict persons 7. Iudge not before the time publict Preachers are not censurand condemned untill their herefies be known so should private men be used and though some were guiltie yet the exercise it self is lawfull and profitable to such as use it well Should planting of vines and publict preaching be discharged because Noab and Lot were drunk with wine and Arrius turned an heretick 8. Hirelings like papists would have people ignorant least too much knowledge make them take notise of the ignorance errors and lewdnesse of their teachers they are not like Paul who wished that Agrippa and all that heard him were like him in all things except his bonds Act. 26. and Moses Numb 11. wished that all the people were prophets 9. By these exercises publict preachings are better understood which faithfull Pastours should desire 10. He that careth not for his familie in temporall things is worse then an in fidell if hee neglect spirituall things he is no better Quest Who calleth private men thus to teach their families Answ GOD in his word as Deut. 4.9 10. and Deut. 11 18 19. they are commanded to teach them sitting in the house walking in the way lying down and rising up The Psal 78. from 1. to 8. biddeth men teach their children in all ages the testimonies and works of GOD. Where are they written if not in his word How can they teach them if they show not their meaning This command is not ceremoniall but morall The fift command willeth both parents and children to do their dueties Naturall parents should also be spirituall parents in bringing up their children in nurture and in the fear of the LORD How can children fear GOD without the knowledge of his word see Ephes 6.4 2. When Paul desired aged women to teach younger women Christian dueties hee made not humane philosophie the ground of their instructions but GODS word saying That Gods word bee not blasphemed Tit. 2.5 Of the dueties of familie exercise see the preceeding chapter in the answers to the fourth question CHAP. III. They forbid all set formes of prayer Q. WHat is a conceived form and what is a set form of prayer Answ All set formes are first conceived being formed according to his conception that prayeth then if any ordein them to be used again how often so ever 1 2.3 dayly c. so far are they set formes because they are set appointed for a more frequēt use 2. When Christ in garden prayed thrise using the same words Matth. 26. at the first expression it was a conceived prayer but afterwards a set form which he set and ordeined to be said againe at two diverse times 3. If people concur using the words of him that conceiveth it is a set forme to them for they conceive it not their concurrance is a second expression of the prayer it is first expressed by the conceiver Quest Do none pray nor wrestle with God by the Spirit but in a conceived forme Answ GOD commanded the high priests to blesse the people in a set form Numb 6.24 Is not GODS Spirit the inditer of all GODS word 2. When the Israelites in the wildernesse began any journey at the taking up of the ark Moses said Arise O Lord and let thine enemies bec scattered and when the ark rested hee said Return O LORD to the thousands of Israel Numb 10. Our LORD in the garden said thrise a set form and albeit the Euangelists differ in repeating the words of his prayer because they only pointed at the matter thereof yet Mark at his second and Matthew at his third prayer affirm that he said the same words and on the Crosse His complaint was words of the psalme 22.1 My God my God why bast thou forsaken me and His last prayer on the Crosse was words of the psalme 31.5 Into thy hands I commit my Spirit Hee had never a greater presence of the Spirit nor a greater wrestling with GOD against the sense of his wrath against Satan death hell and all the power of darknesse which he overcame by the same Spirit who never left him in his greatest agonie 4. Paul in the beginning of ten Epistles said Grace be unto you and peace from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ they say he might well do it writing to sundrie people Thus they yeeld that some way he might have the Spirit using a set form but he wrot two epistles to the Corinths and two to the Thessalonians using this salutation and two to Timothie using another salutation 5. In psal 57.1 are the words Be mercifull to me twise repeated In psal 68.1 the foresaid words of Moses are repeated In psal 80. is a set forme thrise repeated viz Turn us again O Lord and cause thy face to shine and we
as if you would say I am not sufficiently sensible nor cōforted in the assurance that my former words were accepted therefore I pray again for the same things No man hath power and authoritie from GOD to abrogate or despise any form which GODS word approveth Quest If we use set formes we should only use the Lords prayer for no other forme is enjoined to us Answ The apostles also used other set forms and so do we they spake by the Spirit in using them also Quest In Numb 6. the Lord said Thus shalt thou blesse that is in this manner Hee said not Vse the same words Ergo the Priests used not a set form of blessing If thus import the same sense then it is a set form of sense why may not the same sense have the same words seeing the words are a manner of speaking as the sense is a manner of signification no words can better expresse the same sense then the words that Gods Spirit hath dited 3. The text showeth that the priests should have used the same words for the Lord saith Thus shalt thou blesse saying The Lord blesse thee they are bidden say The Lord blesse thee this is the manner how they shall blesse 4. Albeit the priests had used only conceived words yet the despisers of set formes blesse only in a set forme Quest What call you stinted prayers Are they lawfull Ans Both prayers and divine praise are stinted when men willingly reject the ful libertie of using them which GOD hath granted GOD in his word hath given us alike warrand and libertie to use both conceived and set forms of prayer hee that rejecteth any of the two stinteth to himself the form which he useth and restraineth the libertie which GODS Spirit hath granted in rejecting the other form The papists in their service book have stinted set formes others stint unto themselves conceived forms though they alter the words yet they stint the form but we stint neither the form nor the words because 1. we use both the forms 2. we sometimes change the formes a set form into a conceived form or we use diversitie of set forms in the same purpose and so we stint not the words of a set form 3. At the end of a conceived prayer wee sometimes say a set form as the LORDS prayer or the blessing sometimes we conceive words at the end of a set form 4. Sometimes we mixe words of a set forme among conceived words Quest Do not many through envie complaine that we absteine from set forms because themselves want eloquence Ans It is as true in some who want it as it is true in others who have it that they despise such as want it 2. But it is not true in many both private and publict persons who have as much eloquence as you have and yet they use set forms not onely to countenance the lawfull practise of Christ his prophets and apostles but also because GODS Spirit worketh by it and warrandeth it in his word as he doth conceived formes Quest Should not all men conceive at all times for Gods word proveth that all men can conceive as Ioel 2.18 I will poure out my Spirit upon all flesh and Zacharie 12. I will poure out upon the house of David and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication Answ Thus you prove that both private and publict persons can conceive which we deny not of some but negligent pastours know not that others can never conceive nor yet understand mens conceptions they know not pastorall dueties who know not this both of young and aged persons 2. But you make a false glesse on these texts as if the pouring out of the Spirit in Joel were only a giving of the gift of conceiving prayers Peter Act. 2. interprets it to be the extraordinarie gifts of the Spirit given unto GODS servants in a greater measure then was usuall as diversities of tongues prophesies visions working of miracles c. and also the ordinarie gifts as faith hope charitie humilie temperance c. were given more largely and you interpret the Spirit of grace and supplication in Zacharie to be only the gift of conceiving prayers as if Christ his prophets and apostles wanted the spirit of grace and supplication when they used set forms Quest Are not conceived formes of greater dignitie and therefore wee should not use set formes Answ Doth GOD abolish the Moon and Stars because the Sun is of greater dignitie Shall a man cut off his little finger because the other fingers are stronger Shall the Sacraments bee neglected because the Word edifieth more 2. The two forms of prayer are of equall dignitie in these respects viz. they have one author the holy SPIRIT who dyted them in his Word they are both in one language they both signifie alike excellent and spirituall things both alike able to stir up our devotion otherwise the LORD would not have used set formes in his greatest extremitie it is out corruption that hindereth us to make such use of them Eloquence and varietie of words are much admired by Pagans and naturall men like Agrippa who was almost perswaded to be a Christian and yet was void of sanctification Our corruption doth still dote too much upon the same though we be Christians so that we contemn the other form which Christ and his Saints made use of 3. All the prerogative of a conceived form is that it expresseth mo meditations than a set form but it neither maketh our prayer more acceptable unto GOD neither can it expresse more excellent things The examples foresaid of Christ and his Saints do show that GOD accepteth the one as well as the other and if he make a difference it is his custome oftimes to respect more of the things which the world esteeme least of so CHRIST in his greatest extremitie choosed a set form as was said before see the rest in the next chapter CHAP. IIII. They forbid all reading of prayers Qu. SHould not set formes be said from the memorie or from the heart that is they should be said perqueer seeing reading of prayers is not commanded in Scripture Answ Neither repeating from the memorie nor conceiving of prayers nor singing of psalmes on a book nor off the book are commanded in Scriptures should they therefore not be used The dueties of prayer and praise are commanded and these circumstances are lawfull usefull and no wayes hurtfull to these exercises 2. Whether you read them out of the invisible book of your memorit or from the visible book of paper the words are alike heard by the people and the devotion of both reader and hearer is alike stirred up thereby if the corruption of our unruly hearts and itching ears hinder not Qu. Is it not ridicolous if a child ask from his father bread or a fish on paper so is it to read prayers unto God Answ It is as comely thus to seek benefits from God as to
but they spake the typicall blessing to the people in the second person only not including themselves Numb 6. because in it they were not to acknowledge their own miserie but to typifie and represent CHRIST who blesseth really and substantially and of whose fulnesse every man receiveth blessing but he of no man and therefore when CHRIST came in the flesh the Priest of Aorons seed being about to blesse the people was made speechlesse to show that the true high Priest who blesseth really was now coming in the flesh Luke 1. Then he that imitateth Aaron in blessing the people so far he denyeth CHRISTS coming in the flesh 3. To eschew affectation of grandour for though some honest man say The Lord blesse you c. through simplicitie and custome yet others do it in ambition and desire of preheminence thinking the words in Hebr. 7.7 do militar for them viz. The lesse is blessed of the greater c. But the sense is that GOD almighty is greater absolutely and every manner of way than all his creatures because he blesseth them really and the high Priest is greater than the people whom he blesseth typically not every manner of way but by representation only thus he represented Christ who blesseth really but ambitious men preach their owne pride when they should preach Christs humilitie they blesse in the second person to show their affected vain grandour that they may be esteemed greater then the people whose servants they should be for Iesus sake 2 Cor. 4.5 4. To eschew conformitie with antichristians for it is also a popish rite the popes in the years of their Iubilee in their progresse through Rome they stretched forth their hands towards the people saying The Lord blesse you my people c. Their clergie in the Letany of the service book are said to blesse such as receive orders including themselves but when they demit the people from the communion they blesse excluding themselves to show that they are greater then the people When the priest endeth his divine service a bishop if he present saith the blessing to show his grandour above the priests and the people A deacon if he say the service if then a priest be present he blesseth for the same respect Quest Are not ministers called to blesse the people Answ That particularly pertained to the priests as well as the bearing of the ark and the burning of incense and sacrifices Deut. 10.8 1 Chron. 23.13 Mimsters are not called to the one more then to the other 2. CHRIST sent them to preach the Gospel and not to blesse neither typically nor substantially the one is abrogate He taketh the other in his own hand and therefore in his first preaching he altered the form of blessing the Apostles used not their forme of blessing but prayed in other wordes 3. If a preacher take blessing only for preaching he may blesse the people as he doth himself he is alike called to both 4. Hee may blesse new marryed persons saying The Lord blesse you c because he prayeth for a particular blessing viz. the prospering of their new begun estate of marriage 5. If any salute his neighbour present or absent he may say The Lord blesse you c. that it may be shown unto whom the honour is given for saluation is a kinde of honour given to our neighbour superiour inferiour or equall for intertaining friendship it is used both among pagans and Christians but ambitious courtasie should not conclude Gods worship though by way of praise people may blesse GOD Deut. 8.21 and by way of prayer beggars may blesse Princes are they therefore greater When Melchisedeck blessed Abraham he was greater in a typicall grandour representing Christ but when he blessed God he glorified God as a servant Gen. 14.19 unto Abraham he sought a blessing from God as a supplicant Qu. May I not say Blessed are they that hear Gods vvord and do the same An You may safely do it for it is a preaching sentence proclaiming salvation to such as obey GODS word 2. It excludeth neither preacher nor people and so it is no note of singularitie nor pride Quest Some say that the priests blessing vvas no prayer but a ceremoniall blessing Whether it be a prayer or a blessing if it be ceremoniall it should not be used 2. Thus you may say the moon is no planet it is but a moon the words are in the imperative mood therefore they import either praying counselling or commanding Is GOD inferiour to the priests that they should command him Is he weak witted or rash in his interprises that they should counsell him 4. The Hebrews who best understand the words take it for a prayer so Maimony discourseth of it in a treatise of prayer 5. Some say that the words are equivalent both to a prophesie and to the pronouncing of a blessing so were the words of Noah saying God perswade Japhet to dwell in the tents of Sem but that hindered none of their words to be prayers the form of pronouncing of blessings which are also prophesies but no prayers are written in Deuter. 28. CHAP. VIII Others reject presbyteriall government Qu. IS it lawfull seeing Gods church is independent upon any except Christ as their supreme and absolute ruler head Answ If that independencie forbid presbyteriall government much more should it forbid civile government which doth lesse participat in spirituall things and therefore is lesse able to rule according to GODS word CHRIST only hath supreme and absolute authoritie to rule in all lawfull government In church government mens lives and consciences are ruled by church discipline and by GODS word the sword of the Spirit In policie civile laws and the civile sword must rule people but their sword and laws must also be ruled by GODS word 2. All creatures depend immediatly upon GOD in their bodily and spirituall existence and being in the secret providence whereby he overruleth their actions and operations and in the secret blessings which he addeth to his bodily and spirituall benefits but in giving the outward benefits themselves and in keeping people inorder they have a mediat dependance on GOD by using his appointed outward means thus Salomon Prover 8. saith By me Kings reigne and Princes decree justice See Rom. 13.1 Cor. 6. Of church government Christ saith Math. 18.18 Whatsoever you shall binde or louse on earth shall be bound or loused in Heaven 3. The budding of Aarons rod and the giving of the keyes of the kingdome of heaven to the apostles are infallible witnesses that GOD hath ordeined church government to be ministred by certaine persons qualified to that effect and that every member of CHRISTS church hath not this power see Act. 15. 1 Cor. 5. and 2 Cor. 2 4. If any offend his brother why should the offended person tell him thereof secretly next before one or two witnesses thirdly to the church should not the Lord only take order thereof because of independancie see
be read without interpretation for many Scriptures do interpret others Quest But also they must be interpret by the studies and commentaries of learned men otherwise he that readeth them is like a woman holding out a toome pape void of milk that the infant can not feed thereon Answ Peter calleth GODS word sincere milk 1 Pet. 2.3 therefore it feedeth by it self hence he and other Apostles wrote epistles without such interpretation Some milk is thin that children may easily feed on it some is hard and curded which must be made thin and rarified by hearbs So some of GODS word is plain and easie to bee understood some Scriptures are hard and obscure but they are rarified and made plain that people may understand their Preachers by prayer meditation and reading obteine of the LORD the understanding the gifts of interpretation right applying and dividing of the word of the old and new Testament which are the spirituall papes of the church these gifts are the hearbs which rarifie this milk and make it plain for the peoples capacitie 3. The obscure scriptures should be read for that which is obscure to some is plain unto others and also GODS Spirit can help our faith by obscure scriptures as when CHRIST cured the blinde with clay which otherwise maketh blinde This is known when men say in their hearts I know whatsoever you obscure scriptures signifie it is for my well and if it be needfull GOD will revale it to me 4. Moses without interpretation did read publictly the books of the law Exod. 24.7 Josua did the same Jos 8.34 and Shaphan the scribe 2 King 22.10 The Eunuch read Esay Act. 8.28 Philip reproved him not for it though he understood not the particular yet hee might bee edified by some generals in it before that Philip taught him he saw in the words a rare example of patience and humilitie fit for his imitation viz. One led like a sheep to the slaughter that opened not his mouth against his persecutors No chapters in the scriptures wanteth some plaine things in generals or particulars 5. Prophesies and obscure Scriptures should bee read and heard as reverently and attentively as the disciples heard obscure things out of CHRISTS own mouth and they learned humilitie not being wiser than CHRIST making a glosse of their own upon his words but patiently did attend untill the LORD after his resurrection and the holy Ghost after his ascension did teach them 6. John calleth them blessed that heareth and readeth this prophesie though many things in it be not understood and therefore could not be interpret Revel 1.3.7 The forbidding to read GODS word publictly is an indirect forbidding it to be read altogether which increaseth antichristian darknesse for if it be like a toome pape read publictly without interpretation what milk can it give privatly See the next chapter CHAP. XIIII Some deny the office of publict Readers to be lawfull Quest THe charge and office of publict readers is it allowed by Gods word Answ It is as warrantable as the charge of publict preachers 1. for Moses a prince and a prophet was commanded Deut. 31.11 12. to read Gods word publictly when the people should appear before the LORD that men women children and strangers may hear and learn and fear the Lord and observe the words of the Law 2. Gods word is written that it may be read therefore it is called the Scripture Neither is publict nor private reading forbidden in scripture both are commanded and allowed The Eunuch of Ethiopia read privatly and Moses publictly so did Josua and Shaphon mentioned in the former chapter 3. The Scriptures themselves are canonick preachings of Gods properties his works mercies judgements providence and promises c. therefore they should be read publictly either from the visible or from the invisible book of the memorie if they can do it but the reading on the visible booke is more sure 4. Paul Act. 13.27 testifieth that the Prophets were read every Sabboth Day This was done without interpretation for he saith They knew not the voices of the Prophets therefore they could not interpret the things they understood not but CHRIST and his apostles did interpret them 5. Preachers are also readers for they read their texts publictly before they give the sense so did Nehemie chap. 8. and CHRIST Luke 4. They who dissallow the publict reading of GODS word contradict themselves in practise for they are publict readers when they rehearse publictly the Lords prayer or the blessing from the book of their memorie and the text the ground of their sermons yea they and all the people read publictly the paraphrases of the psalmes when they sing them in miter with a loud voice in the open assemblie much more should the canonick Scriptures themselves be read publictly 7. Necessitie also forceth publict reading for poor people that can not read may not suste in readers to their private families therefore they must hear publict reading or else they shall never hear at all Also it is a honouring of GOD to heare his word reverently before men If the ministeriall preachings be called Gods word much more the canonick preachings dyted immediatly by GODS Spirit are his word but who can hear it without a reader then it appertaineth to the kingdome of darknesse and of antichrist to disallow this charge 8. It is objected that some readers are drunkards or profaine but that should not hinder reading more then preaching for some preachers have the same blemishes 9. It is objected that they understand not many things which they read so many make sermons on texts which they understand not but none hindereth the lawfull tryall of the life gifts of such as enter in both the callings CHAP. XV. Private prayer of Preachers in the pulpit and of people in the Church is forbidden Quest IN a publict assemblie should a Minister pray privatly in the pulpit before he begin his publict exercise Is it not idolatrie or superstition as some affirme or ostentation or against decencie and good order seeing he hath prayed for the same things alreadie in his chamber Answ Christ that night that He was betrayed prayed thrise in the garden for the same things 2. If within the church a Iump of a wall fall down upon the preacher should he neither pray to God nor man for relief because he prayed for Divine protection in his chamber 3. If men ascribe divine vertue or merit to the prayer because it is said within the pulpit it is idolatrie if they think it a more religious worship done in the pulpit then else-where it is superstition If they do it to be seen of men rather then to glorifie God it is ostentation if the matter of the prayer be not holy and the manner be not in reverence and humilitie seeing the place is ordeined for a holy use it is undecent and against good order But who can know the secrets of mens hearts Therefore all publict religious exercises may
Spirit faith unto the churches In Matth. 23. Christ said 7 times Woe be unto you Scribes and Pharisees Hypocrits In the books of the Chronicles are many histories which were in the preceeding scriptures The 4 Evangelists oftimes repeat the same histories Quest Is it not a sufficient and substantiall prayer if the weak ones say God help me or be mercifull to me for Christs sake which they may learn at a conceived prayer Answ Much more is it sufficient for the strong ones who have no need of so many helps so they need not hear conceived formes but they may learn at set formes to say GOD help me or be mercifull to me 2. If then you conceive that the stronger sort may have more aboundance of mater words use also set formes that the weak may have more matter and words which they can not have by conceived formes which they can not imitat nor understand They may groan or mourn at them only because others do so or because it is a custome Quest It is not mentioned in scriptures that the Apostles said the Lords prayer Ergo we should not say it Answ Neither is it mentioned that they prayed in that manner Should we therefore not pray in that manner 2. Neither is any prayer in scripture so compleat and perfect in parts as the Lords prayer 3. Charity should perswade us that they obeyed the Lord using this prayer seeing no scripture saith the contrary 4. Many Apostles knew they not the ten commandements had they not faith and repentance and dyed they not in the Lord albeit they are not particularly mentioned in scriptures Quest It is more evident that they prayed in that manner then that they said these words Answ They never used in scriptures so compleat a manner But if the matter was included in the Lords prayer they used also some of the words of the Lords prayer Christ said Father forgive them they know not what they do Luk. 23 Not my will but thy will be done Luk. 22. Father glorifie thy Name I pray that thou keep them from evill Joh. 17. Here are many words of the Lords prayer Adde these to the Chap. 4. viz. Quest SHould not set formes be said from the memorie or from the heart or said perquier seeing reading of prayers is not commanded in scriptures Answ Neither is conceiving of prayers commanded in scriptures 2. When Paul biddeth read his epistle 1 Col. 4 16. He biddeth read all the prayers as well as other things in it Such is the set formes in Chap. 1. vers 2. Which ten times said in his epistles The valediction Chap. vers 18. See the like in 1 Thess 5 18. When Iohn Revel 1. vers 3. calleth them blessed who read his prophesic and Christ requireth if some had read the scriptures Math. 12. vers 3.5 Luk 6. vers 3. they did not except prayers 2. In Rom. 15.4 Paul saith Whatsoever things are written are for our learning how shall we learn them if they be not read And if we learn them rightly we should use them as the matter requireth that is we should pray if the words of prayer signifie things needfull for us Be they words of praise wee should glorifie God be they words of promise stir up our hope be they words of his law learn obedience If the words pray for such as read the epistle both the Readers Hearers thereof should concur as they do with the prayers of a Preacher so these prayers are set forms Quest. How is Gods Spirit said to interceed for us at prayer Answ In that his graces planted in our hearts inable us to pray and God heareth us because he respecteth these works of his Spirrt in us Christ interceedeth for us by meriting these graces and the Spirit interceedeth by working and making them usefull in us and God heareth us for the merit of Christ and for the work of his Spirit in us Quest Is the reading of prayers on a book lawfull more then the reading of homilies Answ No Scripture proveth the publict and private reading of homilies to be unlawfull more then the expression of preaching without reading for Christ is preached both the wayes to our hearing and Faith that cometh by hearing excepteth none of the wayes all the Scriptures are canonick preachings of divine veritie and are continually read So holy ministeriall preachings which illustrat the Scriptures may as lawfully be expressed with reading as without it chiefly when newly conceived ministeriall preachings can not bee had 2. Reading of homilies is sometimes forbidden not as unlawfull in it self but because it maketh idle ministers neglect their studies and hindereth them to interpret many Scripturs when they dwell upon a few homilies for they are called to interpret all the Scriptures so far as they can 3. The frequent repetition of the same homilies is not so needfull as of the same prayers for many weak ones can not at all learn to pray except they hear the same words often repeated Prayer is required in some measure of all Christians but though every Christian should admonish one another yet it is not requisite that every Christian should make preachings which is the particular calling of the ministrie but prayer belongeth to the generall calling of all Christians 4. If men forget any words of homilies they may speak other words of the same sense for them without prejudice to the weak hearer who need not the words in their memorie if they know the sense but if they forget words of set forms of prayer though ministers speake other words of the same sense for them yet it perturbeth the memorie of the weak ones who can not learn to pray except they hear the same words often repeated and not diversitie of words of the same sense 5. Then it is better to read set forms for oftentimes the best memories forget words unawars But they who esteeme it Christian perfection to change evermore their conceptions they want that excellencie of perfection which Christ and his dearest Saints had in the submission of themselves to the practise approven by Gods word in praying heartily using the words which are read and used by the Saints of former ages when in their consciences they know that these words expresse their wants Quest If a read prayer be lawfull then you may cary your prayers in your pocket or buy them in a book-binders shop c. Ans If conceived prayers be lawfull men may have them for a lesse price for they may conceive at their pleasure if the essence of prayer consisted in words heard or seene But the words heard or seen are only images and expressions of prayer as painted men and beasts are but the images of men beasts though they be so named so the naked images and vocall expressions of prayer are called prayers but if faith and fervent desires concur with the outward images and expressions that prayer is a true prayer and the inward desires alone are