and_o prescribe_v too_o by_o divine_a authority_n and_o be_v by_o yourself_o reckon_v in_o the_o number_n of_o lawful_a thing_n and_o consequent_o lie_v within_o the_o bound_n and_o limit_n of_o their_o authority_n and_o our_o superior_n do_v not_o go_v beyond_o their_o commission_n in_o command_v they_o you_o know_v the_o apostle_n require_v that_o all_o thing_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n shall_v be_v do_v decent_o and_o in_o order_n 1_o cor._n 14.40_o to_o avoid_a confusion_n and_o prevent_v sect_n and_o schism_n from_o break_v into_o the_o church_n and_o if_o so_o than_o some_o body_n must_v have_v the_o order_n of_o they_o for_o order_n can_v be_v keep_v up_o by_o chance_n neither_o will_v the_o vulgar_a of_o themselves_o observe_v that_o decency_n that_o become_v the_o service_n of_o god_n who_o then_o shall_v have_v the_o order_n of_o these_o thing_n but_o our_o governor_n to_o who_o the_o care_n of_o the_o church_n be_v commit_v again_o the_o same_o apostle_n will_v that_o all_o thing_n be_v do_v to_o edification_n 1_o cor._n 14.26_o which_o be_v a_o allusion_n to_o building_n in_o which_o you_o know_v there_o must_v be_v some_o chief_a architect_n or_o master-builder_n to_o contrive_v and_o give_v direction_n and_o these_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v by_o the_o inferior_a workman_n who_o be_v to_o work_v by_o order_n line_n and_o rule_n without_o which_o their_o work_n will_v be_v rather_o a_o confuse_a heap_n than_o a_o regular_a structure_n in_o like_a manner_n in_o the_o church_n which_o be_v the_o house_n of_o god_n there_o must_v be_v some_o to_o preside_v and_o give_v order_n and_o other_o to_o obey_v and_o be_v subject_a to_o their_o authority_n without_o which_o all_o will_v be_v out_o of_o frame_n and_o thing_n will_v be_v do_v to_o destruction_n and_o not_o to_o edification_n now_o if_o public_a form_n be_v most_o conduce_v to_o this_o decency_n and_o order_n if_o they_o best_o preserve_v the_o unity_n harmony_n and_o reverence_n of_o divine_a worship_n they_o must_v be_v reckon_v not_o only_o in_o the_o number_n of_o thing_n lawful_a but_o expedient_a too_o and_o so_o must_v fall_v under_o the_o cognizance_n and_o authority_n of_o our_o governor_n this_o argument_n if_o put_v in_o form_n will_v run_v thus_o lawful_a thing_n may_v be_v enjoin_v by_o superior_n but_o form_n of_o prayer_n be_v lawful_a thing_n ergo._n to_o which_o if_o we_o add_v their_o consonancy_n to_o all_o antiquity_n and_o expediency_n to_o preserve_v a_o uniform_a and_o regular_a way_n of_o public_a worship_n it_o will_v give_v the_o great_a force_n to_o it_o so_o that_o governor_n you_o see_v have_v good_a authority_n for_o what_o they_o do_v in_o these_o matter_n 2._o in_o the_o next_o place_n then_o what_o obligation_n be_v there_o upon_o subject_n to_o obey_v or_o observe_v they_o why_o a_o very_a strong_a one_o too_o if_o you_o will_v believe_v christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n for_o they_o will_v and_o command_v every_o soul_n to_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o high_a power_n as_o ordain_v of_o god_n rom._n 13.1_o to_o obey_v they_o that_o have_v the_o rule_n over_o they_o in_o the_o lord_n heb._n 13.17_o and_o to_o submit_v to_o every_o ordinance_n of_o man_n for_o the_o lord_n sake_n 1_o pet._n 2.13_o where_o all_o the_o lawful_a command_n of_o our_o superior_n be_v tie_v upon_o we_o by_o virtue_n of_o god_n authority_n which_o be_v derive_v upon_o they_o and_o therefore_o we_o be_v require_v to_o be_v subject_a not_o only_o for_o wrath_n or_o fear_v of_o punishment_n which_o be_v a_o loose_a principle_n of_o obedience_n and_o will_v be_v cast_v off_o by_o too_o many_o when_o they_o can_v escape_v unpunished_a but_o for_o conscience_n sake_n which_o be_v a_o firm_a bond_n and_o will_v keep_v good_a man_n to_o their_o duty_n even_o when_o the_o penalty_n be_v suspend_v so_o that_o superior_n you_o see_v have_v full_a authority_n from_o god_n to_o command_v and_o subject_n have_v a_o strict_a obligation_n lay_v upon_o they_o to_o obey_v in_o such_o matter_n the_o argument_n in_o form_n will_v be_v thus_o all_o lawful_a injunction_n of_o our_o governor_n be_v to_o be_v obey_v but_o the_o injunction_n of_o public_a form_n be_v a_o lawful_a injunction_n and_o therefore_o aught_o to_o be_v obey_v however_o let_v form_n of_o prayer_n be_v never_o so_o lawful_a and_o expedient_a too_o and_o the_o authority_n that_o command_v they_o never_o so_o just_a yet_o you_o will_v not_o have_v they_o enjoin_v but_o leave_v free_a for_o man_n to_o use_v they_o or_o not_o to_o use_v they_o as_o they_o think_v convenient_a and_o will_v not_o this_o think_v you_o unavoidable_o create_v schism_n and_o bring_v in_o mere_a confusion_n into_o the_o church_n be_v not_o the_o vulgar_a general_o catch_v either_o by_o the_o multitude_n or_o novelty_n or_o variety_n of_o word_n and_o mere_o lead_v by_o the_o phantasm_n of_o imagination_n do_v not_o some_o look_n out_o for_o the_o strong_a lung_n and_o the_o loud_a voice_n and_o he_o pass_v with_o they_o for_o the_o most_o powerful_a man_n do_v not_o other_o seek_v for_o the_o nimble_a tongue_n and_o ready_a of_o speech_n and_o he_o go_v with_o they_o for_o a_o spiritual_a and_o inspire_a person_n and_o be_v there_o not_o other_o which_o hunt_v about_o for_o the_o best_a tone_n and_o the_o sweet_a voice_n and_o this_o be_v their_o precious_a and_o heavenly_a man_n what_o think_v you_o will_v not_o this_o send_v the_o generality_n of_o people_n a_o gad_v or_o mad_v rather_o after_o their_o own_o and_o other_o invention_n will_v not_o false_a teacher_n arise_v who_o for_o by_o and_o secular_a end_n will_v feed_v the_o vulgar_a with_o their_o belove_a variety_n and_o claw_v their_o itch_a ear_n with_o please_a novelty_n will_v not_o the_o people_n go_v a_o pilgrimage_n to_o find_v out_o the_o most_o gift_a brother_n and_o leave_v he_o too_o as_o soon_o as_o they_o hear_v of_o another_o appear_v upon_o the_o stage_n be_v you_o so_o fond_a sir_n of_o confusion_n as_o to_o have_v such_o a_o wide_a door_n open_v for_o it_o and_o will_v you_o have_v your_o superior_n so_o little_a regard_n the_o precept_n that_o concern_v order_n peace_n and_o unity_n as_o to_o leave_v thing_n to_o this_o pass_n but_o the_o enjoin_v of_o form_n say_v you_o have_v be_v the_o occasion_n of_o all_o our_o trouble_n and_o it_o be_v this_o that_o create_v and_o continue_v our_o division_n pray_v sir_n who_o fault_n be_v that_o must_v not_o the_o magistrate_n do_v his_o duty_n to_o preserve_v order_n because_o some_o be_v so_o refractory_a and_o disobedient_a as_o to_o neglect_v they_o must_v there_o be_v no_o government_n because_o some_o turbulent_a factious_a spirit_n be_v too_o much_o incline_v to_o disturb_v it_o no_o sir_n it_o be_v not_o the_o magistrate_n lawful_a exercise_n of_o his_o power_n but_o your_o perverseness_n in_o withhold_a due_a reverence_n and_o obedience_n to_o it_o that_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o all_o our_o trouble_n it_o be_v not_o the_o enjoin_v but_o the_o remove_n of_o form_n that_o be_v the_o inlet_a of_o all_o our_o division_n for_o when_o the_o liturgy_n be_v abolish_v your_o free_a prayer_n give_v all_o man_n a_o liberty_n of_o vent_v what_o they_o please_v by_o which_o mean_v sect_n and_o schism_n present_o begin_v to_o increase_v and_o multiply_v and_o a_o wide_a gap_n be_v open_v for_o atheism_n blasphemy_n and_o confusion_n and_o every_o evil_a work_n to_o enter_v in_o so_o that_o the_o heavy_a reckon_v you_o speak_v of_o will_v be_v put_v upon_o your_o score_n for_o resist_v that_o authority_n which_o you_o ought_v to_o have_v obey_v and_o instead_o of_o preserve_a unity_n and_o peace_n foment_v and_o propagate_a division_n but_o scotland_n say_v you_o be_v a_o unite_a country_n without_o a_o liturgy_n sir_n you_o may_v abuse_v ignorant_a and_o delude_a people_n with_o such_o story_n but_o its_o shameless_a to_o utter_v such_o untruth_n to_o those_o that_o know_v and_o lament_v the_o doleful_a misery_n and_o distraction_n of_o that_o unhappy_a kingdom_n if_o you_o have_v say_v the_o rise_n and_o beginning_n of_o all_o our_o trouble_n have_v be_v from_o scotland_n and_o still_o be_v a_o great_a occasion_n of_o continue_v they_o you_o have_v speak_v a_o great_a and_o a_o sad_a truth_n for_o the_o great_a rebellion_n that_o have_v do_v we_o this_o mischief_n begin_v there_o and_o the_o flame_n of_o the_o civil_a war_n that_o shed_v so_o much_o royal_a and_o noble_a as_o well_o as_o common_a blood_n be_v first_o kindle_v by_o some_o hot_a and_o fiery_a spirit_n in_o that_o kingdom_n which_o after_o spread_v and_o put_v both_o kingdom_n into_o a_o combustion_n but_o if_o matter_n be_v so_o much_o change_v for_o the_o best_a and_o scotland_n be_v become_v like_a jerusalem_n a_o place_n at_o unity_n within_o its_o self_n and_o thereby_o
may_v be_v and_o be_v very_o well_o provide_v for_o by_o well-composed_a form_n for_o solomon_n tell_v we_o there_o be_v nothing_o new_a under_o the_o sun_n but_o if_o any_o such_o new_a and_o unheard_a of_o occurrence_n shall_v happen_v that_o authority_n neither_o have_v nor_o can_v well_o make_v provision_n for_o there_o be_v none_o will_v blame_v you_o if_o you_o either_o compose_v a_o form_n or_o use_v your_o free_a prayer_n upon_o such_o a_o occasion_n provide_v it_o be_v do_v with_o modesty_n and_o due_a respect_n to_o the_o authority_n of_o your_o superior_n so_o that_o these_o thing_n well_o consider_v neither_o be_v the_o case_n of_o public_a form_n weaken_v nor_o the_o necessity_n of_o free_a prayer_n confirm_v by_o your_o frequent_a talk_n of_o providential_a event_n and_o occurrence_n your_o other_o objection_n shall_v be_v answer_v in_o my_o next_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n i_o be_o sir_n your_o affectionate_a friend_n and_o servant_n m._n h._n april_n 9_o 1697._o letter_n ix_o to_o j._n m._n sir_n i_o come_v now_o according_a to_o promise_n to_o consider_v the_o second_o objection_n against_o form_n which_o you_o likewise_o make_v use_n of_o as_o a_o argument_n for_o free_a prayer_n and_o that_o be_v take_v from_o the_o tendency_n of_o form_n to_o cloy_v and_o dull_v your_o devotion_n and_o the_o aptness_n of_o free_a prayer_n to_o quicken_v and_o enliven_v the_o same_o a_o great_a fault_n indeed_o in_o the_o one_o and_o a_o great_a convenience_n in_o the_o other_o if_o both_o be_v true_a but_o i_o think_v we_o shall_v find_v upon_o examination_n that_o neither_o be_v first_o than_o you_o say_v public_a form_n be_v apt_a to_o deaden_a and_o dull_a your_o devotion_n but_o why_o so_o why_o for_o two_o reason_n viz._n 1._o because_o they_o be_v constant_o the_o same_o old_a word_n and_o likewise_o 2ly_a because_o they_o be_v red_a out_o of_o a_o book_n too_o now_o if_o these_o be_v good_a reason_n you_o must_v be_v as_o dull_a as_o a_o beetle_n in_o read_v the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o stark_o dead_a at_o the_o lord_n prayer_n for_o these_o be_v always_o the_o same_o word_n and_o read_v out_o of_o a_o book_n too_o and_o he_o that_o can_v find_v no_o life_n or_o spirit_n in_o read_v of_o these_o can_v be_v edifyed_a by_o any_o prayer_n our_o saviour_n exhort_v to_o the_o frequent_a read_n of_o the_o scripture_n 4.13_o 1_o tim._n 4.13_o and_o the_o apostle_n to_o give_v attendance_n to_o read_v which_o be_v do_v by_o the_o primitive_a christian_n with_o that_o intention_n and_o fervency_n that_o as_o origen_n tell_v we_o the_o devout_a reader_n seem_v to_o be_v in_o a_o manner_n inspire_v but_o you_o be_v dull_v it_o seem_v with_o read_v old_a thing_n and_o nothing_o can_v please_v you_o but_o what_o be_v new_a and_o speak_v without_o book_n may_v not_o this_o sir_n be_v the_o occasion_n of_o set_v up_o new_a light_n above_o the_o scripture_n to_o please_v such_o new-fangled_a humour_n and_o enlighten_v such_o dull_a understanding_n yea_o have_v not_o this_o occasion_v the_o lay_v aside_o the_o lord_n prayer_n and_o the_o apostle_n creed_n because_o they_o be_v still_o the_o same_o old_a word_n and_o read_v out_o of_o a_o book_n too_o but_o tell_v i_o sir_n do_v christ_n prescribe_v a_o form_n of_o prayer_n to_o deaden_a or_o help_v the_o devotion_n of_o his_o follower_n or_o do_v the_o holy_a ghost_n destroy_v all_o the_o life_n and_o vigour_n of_o it_o by_o put_v it_o into_o write_v that_o it_o may_v be_v read_v and_o use_v by_o christian_n in_o all_o age_n if_o this_o be_v true_a oral_a tradition_n will_v be_v a_o great_a help_n to_o devotion_n than_o the_o oracle_n of_o god_n for_o these_o be_v old_a write_v truth_n and_o the_o other_o the_o various_a and_o changeable_a invention_n of_o men._n do_v not_o the_o apostle_n bid_v we_o to_o hold_v fast_o the_o form_n of_o sound_a word_n which_o we_o can_v neither_o hold_v fast_o 1.13_o 2_o tim._n 1.13_o nor_o keep_v sound_n long_o if_o it_o be_v subject_a to_o daily_a variation_n must_v we_o be_v always_o child_n to_o be_v please_v only_o with_o new_a thing_n 14.20_o ephes_n 4.14_o 1_o cor._n 14.20_o and_o like_o they_o to_o be_v carry_v about_o with_o every_o wind_n of_o doctrine_n or_o must_v we_o not_o in_o understanding_n be_v man_n by_o stand_v firm_a to_o the_o ancient_a faith_n and_o keep_v close_o to_o the_o receive_a and_o well-ordered_a model_n of_o devotion_n but_o why_o sir_n shall_v grave_n and_o well-ordered_a word_n in_o prayer_n put_v such_o a_o damp_n upon_o your_o spirit_n and_o dull_a your_o devotion_n one_o will_v think_v that_o few_o and_o well-weighed_a expression_n shall_v better_a tend_v to_o make_v man_n sober_o and_o religious_o devout_a than_o pour_v out_o many_o new_a raw_a and_o indigested_a one_o and_o that_o the_o heart_n shall_v be_v more_o at_o leisure_n to_o attend_v the_o great_a business_n of_o prayer_n when_o matter_n and_o word_n be_v well_o prepare_v for_o it_o than_o when_o it_o be_v call_v off_o and_o hinder_v by_o the_o study_n and_o invention_n of_o both_o a_o wise_a man_n will_v think_v it_o a_o great_a quicken_a of_o devotion_n to_o consider_v that_o he_o be_v join_v with_o the_o whole_a church_n at_o the_o same_o time_n and_o in_o the_o same_o prayer_n and_o will_v thereby_o be_v encourage_v with_o great_a hope_n of_o success_n from_o the_o harmony_n and_o agreement_n of_o our_o petition_n which_o our_o saviour_n have_v make_v necessary_a and_o effectual_a to_o that_o end_n 18._o mat._n 18._o but_o i_o fear_v sir_n the_o dulness_n you_o speak_v of_o will_v be_v find_v more_o the_o fault_n of_o the_o person_n than_o the_o prayer_n for_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a that_o the_o well-ordered_a matter_n and_o word_n of_o a_o pious_a form_n shall_v so_o disorder_v the_o spirit_n and_o dull_a your_o affection_n if_o there_o be_v not_o something_o else_o in_o the_o matter_n have_v you_o not_o sir_n some_o other_o game_n to_o play_v upon_o the_o people_n which_o be_v better_o carry_v on_o by_o new_a word_n than_o old_a then_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o that_o be_v account_v dull_a which_o do_v not_o move_v forward_o and_o advance_v the_o design_n have_v you_o not_o entertain_v some_o prejudices_fw-la yourself_o or_o infuse_v prejudices_fw-la into_o other_o against_o form_n as_o that_o they_o can_v provide_v for_o all_o emergency_n and_o that_o the_o constant_a use_n and_o repetition_n of_o they_o be_v apt_a to_o cloy_v and_o surfeit_v and_o so_o have_v put_v people_n out_o of_o love_n with_o plain_a wholesome_a food_n by_o treat_v they_o with_o kickshaw_n and_o variety_n it_o be_v ten_o to_o one_o but_o there_o be_v something_o of_o this_o in_o the_o matter_n your_o unjust_a censure_n outcry_n and_o declamation_n against_o pious_a and_o public_a form_n have_v cause_v many_o to_o neglect_v the_o public_a worship_n and_o make_v other_o careless_a and_o irreverent_a in_o it_o and_o if_o so_o you_o must_v answer_v for_o your_o own_o and_o other_o dulness_n which_o you_o have_v unhappy_o occasion_v second_o you_o say_v that_o old_a and_o frequent_o repeat_v form_n be_v not_o more_o apt_a to_o dull_a than_o new_a and_o vary_a prayer_n be_v to_o quicken_v and_o enliven_v you_o for_o you_o find_v a_o different_a heat_n and_o flame_n in_o such_o prayer_n but_o pray_v sir_n what_o kind_n of_o heat_n be_v that_o you_o feel_v in_o such_o prayer_n be_v it_o not_o rather_o the_o warmth_n and_o heat_n of_o fancy_n than_o any_o real_a fervency_n of_o spirit_n this_o be_v a_o frequent_a and_o dangerous_a mistake_n and_o have_v impose_v upon_o many_o who_o have_v take_v some_o false_a heat_n for_o true_a zeal_n and_o the_o delusion_n of_o the_o imagination_n for_o the_o true_a devotion_n of_o the_o heart_n but_o because_o this_o be_v not_o easy_o discern_v or_o understand_v by_o vulgar_a mind_n i_o will_v endeavour_v as_o clear_o as_o i_o can_v to_o discover_v the_o delusion_n to_o this_o end_n we_o may_v observe_v that_o as_o in_o the_o body_n there_o be_v a_o natural_a heat_n reside_v in_o the_o heart_n which_o convey_v warm_a blood_n and_o spirit_n to_o all_o the_o member_n and_o in_o this_o the_o health_n and_o sound_a constitution_n of_o the_o body_n main_o consist_v so_o there_o be_v sometime_o the_o preternatural_a heat_n of_o fever_n and_o other_o distemper_n which_o too_o much_o inflame_v the_o blood_n and_o put_v the_o spirit_n into_o a_o violent_a and_o disorderly_a motion_n and_o this_o be_v a_o evil_a habit_n and_o indisposition_n of_o the_o body_n just_o so_o likewise_o it_o be_v with_o the_o soul_n there_o be_v a_o pious_a fervency_n of_o spirit_n which_o reside_v in_o the_o heart_n and_o fill_v it_o with_o strong_a desire_n after_o god_n and_o a_o inward_a delight_n in_o he_o and_o in_o this_o consist_v sound_a and_o
you_o sir_n be_v too_o positive_a in_o that_o for_o when_o christ_n teach_v his_o disciple_n to_o pray_v he_o do_v it_o in_o these_o word_n when_o you_o pray_v say_v our_o father_n etc._n etc._n which_o be_v a_o plain_a command_n to_o use_v these_o word_n or_o this_o form_n and_o it_o be_v to_o think_v unbecome_o of_o the_o apostle_n that_o when_o our_o saviour_n teach_v they_o what_o to_o say_v they_o shall_v be_v so_o little_a observant_a and_o dutiful_a to_o their_o master_n as_o to_o neglect_v the_o form_n he_o teach_v they_o and_o to_o prefer_v their_o own_o word_n before_o he_o especial_o when_o thy_o be_v so_o sensible_a of_o their_o own_o inability_n to_o pray_v aright_o so_o that_o by_o your_o leave_n sir_n i_o believe_v that_o christ_n do_v take_v liberty_n to_o enjoin_v a_o form_n of_o prayer_n and_o that_o the_o apostle_n and_o christian_a church_n understand_v he_o so_o by_o the_o constant_a use_n of_o that_o form_n ever_o since_o but_o though_o christ_n may_v well_o 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they_o i_o can_v doubt_v your_o acceptance_n and_o shall_v therefore_o rest_v sir_n your_o assure_a friend_n and_o wellwisher_n m._n h._n june_n 10._o 1697._o letter_n xviii_o to_o j._n m._n sir_n i_o come_v now_o to_o what_o you_o have_v often_o call_v for_o and_o that_o be_v to_o prove_v extempore_o or_o free_a prayer_n to_o be_v a_o late_a invention_n bring_v into_o these_o kingdom_n by_o the_o subtlety_n of_o popish_a emissary_n which_o you_o say_v be_v assert_v in_o my_o sermon_n and_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o with_o very_o good_a reason_n and_o truth_n that_o it_o be_v a_o late_a invention_n have_v be_v prove_v in_o some_o measure_n already_o because_o antiquity_n make_v mention_v only_o of_o two_o way_n of_o pray_v sc_n by_o the_o immediate_a inspiration_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o by_o the_o use_n of_o public_a form_n when_o our_o saviour_n call_v his_o disciple_n and_o apostle_n he_o endow_v they_o with_o extraordinary_a gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n by_o which_o 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