and decently ex tempore and there are some occasions that require it even in publick Ans Here is suficient ground to confute all the arguments the Author hath hitherto brought against Extemporary prayers which I leave to the discerning of the judicious Reader But he addeth And on these occasions when a man has not time allowed him to reduce his desires into Form before he offers them he may depend on the assistance of God's spirit Ans And needeth he not depend on the assistance of God's Spirit after he has reduced his desires into a Form if the form be once attained It will do for it self but hath not a man as much need of the Spirit of God to help him by a Form as without it shall we say that the words of a Form will do the whole work From this Page to the end of this Chap. I find little argumentative and therefore shall soon dispatch what remains Page 55. and 56. He hath two conjectures concerning other mens prayers the one concerning Ministers praying in publick that some of them compose forms of prayer then pray according to these forms Ans I know no way he hath this if it be not by some personal experience The next is Page 56. Where the Author saith that good men who make conscience of secret prayer to God do by degrees fall into a Form Ans I give this the same answer I gave the other conjecture and perswade my self that as the Author wordeth it it is the very way of a decayed Soul for if men shall observe their daily recent mercies and how badly improved and if even the remarkable sins of every day be noticed as they ought if men be desiring to grow in Grace if men observe the temptations whereby their Souls are hurt the binding up of such by the words of a Form would be a very bondage I must also say that the Scope of this discourse I will not say of the Author but that the intentio operis is against the very power of Godliness And to reduce us all to bare Form of words not only in publick and in our Families but in secret also and so to be praeterea nihil nothing but Forms as Papists are at this day And therefore it concerneth us all to take notice of the warning given us 2 Tim. 3. 5. That in the last days perilous times shall come wherein amongst other evils it is said some shall have a Form of Godliness but denying the power thereof from such turn away For all the Author hath said that extemporary prayers are not unlawfull and that they are acceptable to God if there be Grace in the heart Yet no stone is unturn'd against them but all assaults hitherto want success therefore once more Page 56. Let me observe that the use of extemporary conceived prayers even in cases of necessity is founded on a general rule of Scripture only which commands us to ask of God what we lack And a little after general commands ought only to take place in such cases where God has not laid down a particular rule Ans 1. This position doth again cut off all liberty for conceived prayer in publick or privat for tho' there be a general command to ask what we need yet now there being a particular rule for a Form the general command is thereby Exhausted and so by the Author there is no room left for any manner of prayer but the Form 2 If a particular subsequent command evacuate the general then it followeth that when God requireth us to call upon him in the day of trouble that we should not call upon God at any other time but in the day of trouble this being a particular command under the general command of calling upon God which particular command doth evacuate the general for it taketh no more place as the Author saith So is a man call upon God in the time of health and prosperity he hath no command for it and so is but will-worship the inference is genuine and let the Author see to its Solution Page 57. The Author speaketh to a second supposed exception of dissenters against Forms I come now to speak to the second that all Forms of prayer are unlawful to Christians and that it is a sin to joyn in a worship where they are used or so much as to be present at it Ans Who they are that maketh this objection I know not but for us we utterly disown it and so dismiss it Page 59. There neither is nor has been any established Church these 1500. Years but has maintained their lawfulness and used them in the service of God that is Forms of prayer Ans 1 The Author wrongeth his Reader in confounding but never distinguisheth Divine Forms from Humane Composures 2 We use Divine Forms in publick Administrations and therefore are not divided from other reformed Churches on that Head as was instanced in all our publick Administrations 3. No other reformed Churches make Humane Forms and Composures Terms of Communion that if men do not assent and consent and subscribe they shall be forced into a separation 4. If by Forms of prayer the Author understandeth Humane Composures and publick Liturgies I deny they took place in the Church of God for many Centuries after Christ Justin Martyr Apolog. 2d Saith that their ministers prayed according to their ability this could not be to read prayers for reading is no great Tryal of a Minister's abilities So Tertullian apolog 39. Saith their prayers were sine monitore without a monitor because they prayed from their heart Dr. Burnet in his History asserteth that publick Liturgies came not under publick consideration for 400. Years after Christ and several Centuries after before Gregories composure was established I find no further in the following Pages of any new Argument requiring notice till we come to Page 63. And I dare appeal to your selves whether some very Immoral persons guilty of gross and Scandalous Crimes have not been eminent for this gift of prayer and whether such persons are not apt to flatter themselves that they are the Children of God and endued wih his Spirit notwithstanding all their wickedness and it is Impossible either to convince these persons of their mistake or to comfort poor Ignorant people dejected only for want of this gift whilst they are possessed with this opinion of the unlawfulness of Forms Ans 1. Some by Nature and its improvement by multiplied Acts acquire an habit of speaking more orderly and decently than others 2. Such persons being Educated Christians by profession and having occasion often to hear speak read and converse in religious things may speak of the matters of God whether to God or men much more pertinently and fluently than others and have no more but a natural gift themselves remaining immoral and wicked 3. And being pinched by affliction may pour out prayers with great natural fervour or in expectation of the applause of men may speak in
as a rule to direct us in Prayer but to be a Badge of our profession is a groundless conjecture for Baptism and Summaries of our Christian Religion are Badges of our profession 2. And since the Author understandeth still the Form of words the Apostles confute him for they kept the true Badge of their profession and yet used not these very words in Prayer He saith this Form of prayer is a Summary of our Duty as Christians Ans Where then is the Decalogue which in many Ages hath been called a Summary of our duty but the Lords Prayer only a Summary Petendorum of things to be sought of God as the decalogue of faciendorum and the belief of credendorum why doth the Author confound these things which hath been judiciously distinguished in all Ages since we were Christians He saith it 's no more lawful to alter it than to lay it aside Ans We do not alter it by enlarging upon it the prayer remains the same after all our enlargments and we return to it again and again as our fixed Rule but if he call that an altering the prayer to use other words he contradicteth himself as is proved already Page 36. The Author's arguments drawing to an end he giveth a gentle touch to the different words in the Institution by way of objection but passeth that which is most material as is observed already Next he appeareth for peoples joyning of voices and Responses in prayer As we have the command of God and the example of his Saints for offering up our Prayers to him in a set and prepared form of words so we have the like example for joyning voices upon occasion Ans 1. The Author engageth this part of his work with a modest blush passing from the word command and betaking himself to example and that but upon occasion and yet more diminutively afterward on some occasions adding also that generally it is sufficient that the people joyn in their hearts with the words of publick prayer 2. If no more be necessary but the people joyning in their hearts why is more urged Shall we still be troubled with unnecessary Impositions can the Author call this an Institution of Christ seing Worship is sufficiently performed without it and not being the Institution of Christ what name can himself give it but the invention of Man 3. When these occasions offer who knoweth and who determineth these occasions whether God or men let the Author once clear this that we may know what occasions he understandeth But he proveth that the people joyned their voices by Judg. 21. 2. And the people came to the house of God and lift up their voices and wept sore Ans He doth no more but repeat this Scripture and so leaves it and so shall I for this Text saith nothing to the manner of Worship in that Assembly neither who did speak and order it nor how many spoke so that any inference from it can be nothing to his purpose Acts 4. 24. They lift up their voice to God with one accord and said Lord Thou art God c. Ans The Author saith the Apostles and their Disciples lift up their voice On what account the Disciples of Christ are termed the Disciples of the Apostles I understand not the Author hath no warrand for this being all Christs Disciples 2. That they lift up their voice with one accord is no more but to joyn in their hearts with him that speaketh as if they had been of one heart for if all had spoken at once whether inspired or not confusion had apparently ensued which the Apostle is against 1 Cor. 14. 33. Acts 16 25. Paul and Silas prayed and sung praises unto God Ans This is near trifling with holy Scriptures there being nothing in this Text but that they prayed and praised together in joynt privat Worship and what then cannot two do this and not speak both at once So Rev. 6. 10. They cryed with a loud voice saying How long O Lord c. Ans This is yet further off his purpose for who on Earth knoweth the manner how unbodied Spirits speak to God having neither voices nor tongues as we have I weary to waste time upon such Allegations What remaineth of this Section is for Responses in Prayer which hath no better warrand than Responses in singing fully answered already Psal 106. 48. Let all the people say Amen Ans Let the Author remember his own words Pag. 36. Generally its sufficient the people joyn in their hearts c. 2ly It 's to be observed that the Lords Prayer according to the Institution Luk. 11. hath not the word Amen added which the Institution recorded by Matth. hath so that comparing these two its evident that a liberty is allowed us as to the use of that word yet this liberty alloweth no man to condemn the use thereof seing the Institution by one of the Evangelists hath that word expresly 3ly As the people joyn in the whole Prayer with the Minister so also when he uttereth Amen Page 39. We have a strange manner of Responses from 2 Chron. 5. 13. The Priests and Levites praising God and saying For he is good for his mercy endureth for ever then Solomon performed another part of the service Chap. 6. 3. He blessed first the people Secondly He blessed and thanked God And lastly Offered that Divine Prayer of Dedication then follow the Burnt-offerings and Sacrifices Chap. 7. And then last of all follows the peoples part Chap. 7. 3. They bowed themselves with their faces to the ground c. Ans Let the Reader observe that all these quotations are for proof of Responses and yet there is not one Response amongst them all For 1. The Levites singing praises to God can be no Response to men nor any colour for it in the Text. 2. Solomons solemn Prayer to God can be no Response to men nor the least colour for it in the Text. 3. The Burnt-offerings and Sacrifices can be no Response to whom could Sacrifices Respond I must here stop my Pen to prevent irritation tho some would be ready to expose the Author by this Response and all of them here mentioned 4. The peoples bowings and Worshiping God can be no Response to men for they are found Worshiping only God upon the extraordinary appearing of his Glory I need say no more of this it speaketh for it self But Page 40. Answering to prayers is no legal abolished Ceremony this is manifest from 1 Cor. 14. 16 Else when thou shall bless with the Spirit how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at the giving of thanks Ans 1. Let it be observed again that the Author is seeking for Responses from this Text in Prayer but the Text speaketh of giving Thanks and Praising and the following Verse also if it be said Prayer and Praises are one this cannot be for Praises and Prayer are made two distinct parts of Worship 2. The scope of this Scripture
good and wise men declare it to be the safest and best or that you have long professed it but see with your own eyes give it heart and time when no mortal eye can be witness as you have a value for these immortal substances that are yet breathing in your bodies for the retaining whereof you have no price to give and for the annihilation whereof you have no price to give but must endure an eternity whether we will or not what can we think of but is a very trifle when this eternity and what concerneth it is considered The necessity therefore of establishment in that religion which the eternal God hath appointed as the way to lead us to a blessed Eternity is great if we consider First the innat Atheism of our depraved natures whereby there is not only a privation of that primaeve knowledge God honoured man with but many perverse and erroneous apprehensions of God of happiness in him and the way to it Atheistical doubts concerning God Christ Heaven and Eternity These seeds of Atheism not only lurk undiscerned by many but often make horrid eruptions shaking yea overturning all the religion some have professed for many years because they have made it no part of their religion to be fixed in it then they are ready to cry out is there a God is there a Christ is there an Eternity can there be a Resurrection is there a Heaven or Hell Yet some are tormented with the fears of that the very being whereof they doubt orhers again forsaken of God speak blasphemously of the God of Heaven avow Atheism and tempt others to it while people are not established and their house never built on the rock they are obnoxious ro the worst of these Wo's nor hath religion power upon their Souls not knowing whether it be true or false many living as unconcerned with the religion they profess as if they had none being uncertain but all may prove otherwayes in the end and this uncertainty is an argument in reserve that the Devil improveth against seriousnes in religion labour therefore to have your feet fix'd on the rock that cannot sink under you that so your goings may be established knowing in whom ye have believed And that you may be established believe the Scriptures to be the very word of God the Scripture of Truth that cannot be broken trust fully the testimony and Veracity of God for if you fluctuate and waver in this every wind of temptation will be ready to shâ—ke you at the very Root and build what you will all will be overturned if this foundation be not firmly laid that all Scripture is by Divine inspiration And because I had known many poor Souls oppressed with temptations to doubt of all that is wâ—itten their hope and comfort burn'd up and almost consumed with such fiery darts before they would utter them to any and some such at this day fainting under such suggestions as they are ashamed to make known to their dearest Friends for the establishment and help of such to believe the Scripture of Truth First observe what you have by nature of the Image of God yet remaining what awfull indelible impressions you have of a God over you which you cannot shake fully off it 's written on your heart that there is a God that he is infinitely great and Omnipotent that he is just Holy wise and good now that which you yet find written on your heart you find the same in the written word of God whether would you go What can you betake your selves to but to the Testimony of God written both in your hearts and in the word of God revealed to us If you should reject the Scriptures you reject also the witness of God in your Souls this meditation God hath made very conducive for quieting and fixing some Souls Consider also that what the word of God publisheth of the depravation of our nature you find even as it 's written natural enmity against God which inclineth us if we could to hide our selves from him as Adam to say depart from us for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways we are informed by the word of God that the heart is deceitful above all things that every imagination of the thoughts of our heart are only evil continually that we rebell and are disobedient to God that we are slow of heart to believe and bent to backsliding c. All these things and many moe we find by nature and wofull experience What is predicted and promised in the word of God concerning the salvation of sinners by a Redeemer his death Resurrection conquest and Kingdom c. Are exactly found as the written word of God hath revealed them what God hath promised of pouring out his Spirit in the latter days is found as it 's written the power of God still appearing in converting sinners making many new creatures and all things new with them making them love what they hated and hate what they loved making a warfare against sin daily where sin was committed with greediness c. This Sanctifying grace of the Spirit is a continued witness multitudes of miracles both under Old and New Testaments were wrought for confirmation of Gods Holy Word and promise which without violence to our very reason cannot be denied either to be wrought or the finger of God being wrought these are blessed helps which our merciful God hath provided for confirming unstable Souls and to secure us that the Scriptures are the word of God our maker and judge and above all to depend on the Spirit of Christ which leadeth into all Truth When God in his mercy hath determined and fixed your judgements that the Scriptures are Gods word and Truth so as you can with confidence adventure Soul and Eternity according to the doctrine there delivered then make choise of the Truth receive it in love and gratitude blessing God for so great a benefit that many millions of Souls are deprived of be diligent in reading of it labouring and praying to understand it make Gods Testimonies the men of your counsel let it dwell richly in you seek the law of God written in your hearts sell not the Truth at any rate be not ashamed of any of his words lest he be ashamed of you let no flatteries or threats of men make you wander from the commandments of your God Search out especially for the great Salvation recorded in the word of God and published by a Gospel Ministry search until you find the sent Saviour of the world accept of him subject and devout your selves to him joyn and give your own selves to the Lord do this personally distinctly and deliberatly and leave it no longer as a duty you hope will be done but while it 's called to day allow it heart and time as the most enriching work you ever were or shall be about under the Sun blessing God that he allows and requires to subscribe our selves the Lords and to