A resolution of two cases of conscience in two discourses : the first, Of the lawfulness of compliance with all the ceremonies of the Church of England : the second, Of the necessity of the use of common-prayer in publick.
         Francklin, John, d. 1689.
      
       
         
           1683
        
      
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             A resolution of two cases of conscience in two discourses : the first, Of the lawfulness of compliance with all the ceremonies of the Church of England : the second, Of the necessity of the use of common-prayer in publick.
             Francklin, John, d. 1689.
          
           [4], 36 p.
           
             Printed for Walter Kettilby ...,
             London :
             1683.
          
           
             Attributed by John Francklin. Cf. Halkett & Laing (2nd ed.)
             Reproduction of original in the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign Campus). Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Church of England -- Liturgy.
           Dissenters, Religious -- England.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           
             Resolution
             of
             two
             Cases
             of
             Conscience
             ,
          
           IN
           TWO
           DISCOURSES
           .
           The
           First
           ,
           Of
           the
           Lawfulness
           of
           Compliance
           With
           all
           the
           CEREMONIES
           OF
           THE
           CHURCH
           of
           ENGLAND
           .
           The
           Second
           ,
           Of
           the
           Necessity
           of
           the
           Use
           OF
           COMMON-PRAYER
           IN
           PUBLICK
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           for
           
             Walter
             Kettilby
          
           ,
           at
           the
           
             Bishop's
             Head
          
           in
           St.
           
           Paul's
           Church-yard
           ,
           1683.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           THE
           BOOKSELLER
           TO
           THE
           READER
           .
        
         
           THESE
           two
           following
           Tracts
           were
           sent
           up
           hither
           to
           be
           printed
           ,
           by
           a
           Learned
           Friend
           of
           the
           acute
           ,
           and
           judicious
           Authour
           ,
           who
           lately
           preached
           them
           to
           a
           Country-cure
           .
           They
           have
           been
           perused
           by
           competent
           Judges
           ,
           who
           think
           them
           very
           worthy
           to
           accompany
           the
           other
           
             Little
             Treatises
          
           ,
           which
           have
           been
           lately
           published
           in
           great
           charity
           for
           the
           better
           information
           of
           the
           Dissenters
           ,
           and
           in
           hopes
           to
           reconcile
           the
           ingenuous
           ,
           and
           inquisitive
           among
           them
           unto
           the
           Church
           .
        
         
           They
           are
           ,
           as
           I
           am
           informed
           ,
           short
           ,
           full
           ,
           solid
           ,
           and
           clear
           Discourses
           ,
           and
           fit
           for
           those
           ,
           who
           desire
           to
           reade
           much
           in
           little
           ,
           or
           whose
           occasions
           will
           not
           let
           them
           spend
           much
           time
           in
           reading
           
           Books
           .
           This
           character
           I
           have
           received
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           if
           it
           may
           contribute
           to
           the
           better
           dispersing
           of
           them
           ,
           I
           shall
           be
           glad
           ,
           not
           so
           much
           upon
           the
           account
           of
           my
           private
           interest
           ,
           which
           cannot
           be
           much
           advanced
           by
           so
           little
           a
           book
           ,
           as
           for
           the
           publick
           good
           ;
           which
           I
           desire
           to
           serve
           in
           my
           Profession
           ,
           and
           will
           ever
           prefer
           before
           any
           private
           gain
           ,
           as
           every
           good
           Christian
           ,
           and
           Loyal
           Subject
           ought
           to
           do
           .
        
         
           
             Walter
             Kettilby
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           A
           DISCOURSE
           OF
           The
           Lawfulness
           of
           Compliance
           With
           all
           the
           CEREMONIES
           OF
           THE
           CHURCH
           of
           ENGLAND
           .
        
         
           HERE
           it
           may
           be
           demanded
           in
           the
           first
           place
           ,
           how
           indifferent
           actions
           ,
           or
           actions
           of
           a
           middle
           nature
           betwixt
           moral
           good
           and
           evil
           ,
           which
           are
           neither
           necessary
           ,
           nor
           unlawfull
           ,
           neither
           commanded
           nor
           forbidden
           by
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           performance
           of
           which
           we
           can
           shew
           neither
           obedience
           nor
           disobedience
           ,
           but
           are
           left
           to
           our
           discretion
           ,
           can
           lay
           any
           obligation
           upon
           the
           Consciences
           of
           men
           .
        
         
           Answer
           .
           They
           may
           oblige
           the
           Conscience
           upon
           a
           fourfold
           account
           ;
           As
           first
           .
           When
           we
           bind
           our selves
           with
           a
           Vow
           to
           God
           to
           doe
           such
           things
           ,
           to
           which
           we
           were
           not
           before
           obliged
           .
           If
           the
           thing
           be
           lawfull
           and
           indifferent
           in
           it self
           ,
           we
           are
           bound
           to
           perform
           it
           ,
           not
           for
           the
           things
           sake
           ,
           but
           for
           the
           Vows
           sake
           .
           For
           whensoever
           the
           Vow
           is
           not
           unlawfull
           ,
           the
           bond
           or
           tye
           of
           
           Religion
           is
           contained
           in
           it
           ;
           and
           therefore
           that
           which
           before
           was
           free
           ,
           is
           now
           by
           reason
           of
           the
           Vow
           made
           due
           worship
           to
           God
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           for
           us
           necessary
           to
           be
           done
           .
           Although
           the
           subject-matter
           ,
           or
           the
           thing
           it self
           vowed
           ,
           be
           indifferent
           ,
           yet
           the
           observation
           of
           that
           Vow
           ,
           doth
           directly
           belong
           to
           that
           honour
           ,
           which
           by
           our
           Religion
           we
           owe
           to
           God.
           Of
           this
           nature
           were
           the
           Vows
           and
           Laws
           of
           the
           Nazarites
           ,
           of
           which
           we
           reade
           Numb
           .
           6.
           
           And
           by
           such
           a
           Vow
           Jephthah
           was
           entangled
           ;
           having
           rashly
           made
           a
           vow
           to
           offer
           unto
           God
           ,
           whatsoever
           thing
           came
           out
           first
           to
           meet
           him
           ,
           after
           his
           return
           from
           battel
           and
           victory
           ,
           for
           a
           Burnt-offering
           ;
           which
           proved
           to
           be
           his
           own
           Daughter
           :
           and
           therefore
           was
           necessitated
           by
           his
           Vow
           ,
           though
           not
           to
           offer
           her
           up
           for
           a
           Burnt-sacrifice
           ,
           which
           was
           an
           abomination
           in
           the
           sight
           of
           God
           ;
           yet
           to
           doe
           to
           her
           so
           much
           ,
           as
           he
           thought
           the
           Law
           of
           God
           would
           permit
           ,
           to
           shut
           her
           up
           ,
           and
           to
           keep
           her
           in
           perpetual
           virginity
           ,
           which
           the
           Daughters
           of
           Israel
           bewailed
           ,
           Judges
           11.
           
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           Indifferent
           Rites
           and
           Ceremonies
           ,
           are
           then
           to
           be
           observed
           ,
           and
           oblige
           the
           Conscience
           ,
           when
           any
           for
           want
           of
           sufficient
           information
           ,
           and
           instruction
           is
           fully
           persuaded
           in
           his
           Conscience
           that
           they
           are
           not
           things
           indifferent
           ,
           but
           necessary
           duties
           :
           this
           was
           the
           case
           of
           the
           Jews
           ,
           when
           St.
           Paul
           wrote
           his
           Epistles
           :
           The
           Ceremonies
           commanded
           by
           Moses
           were
           abolished
           by
           the
           death
           of
           Christ
           ;
           and
           therefore
           no
           man
           was
           any
           longer
           bound
           to
           conform
           to
           them
           :
           yet
           they
           being
           otherwise
           strongly
           persuaded
           ,
           it
           was
           sinfull
           to
           act
           against
           the
           dictates
           of
           their
           Conscience
           .
           So
           
             Rom.
             14.
             5.
             
             Let
             every
             one
             be
             fully
             persuaded
             in
             his
             own
             mind
             :
          
           It
           was
           lawfull
           for
           a
           Christian
           to
           esteem
           the
           Jewish
           Festivals
           all
           one
           with
           other
           days
           ;
           but
           unlawfull
           to
           profane
           those
           days
           which
           he
           thought
           holy
           .
           v.
           14.
           
           
             I
             know
             and
             am
             persuaded
             by
             
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             that
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           It
           was
           an
           indifferent
           thing
           to
           eat
           Swines
           flesh
           ,
           or
           not
           to
           eat
           it
           ;
           yet
           if
           any
           man
           was
           persuaded
           in
           his
           Conscience
           the
           eating
           to
           be
           unlawfull
           ,
           he
           ought
           to
           forbear
           .
           v.
           23.
           
           
             For
             whatsoever
             is
             not
             of
             faith
             ,
             is
             sin
             .
          
           Where
           by
           Faith
           we
           are
           to
           understand
           a
           particular
           persuasion
           concerning
           things
           about
           which
           we
           are
           exercised
           ;
           as
           that
           it
           was
           lawfull
           to
           eat
           ,
           or
           unlawfull
           to
           eat
           such
           or
           such
           meats
           ;
           not
           true
           saving
           Faith
           ,
           by
           which
           we
           become
           Christians
           ,
           and
           lay
           hold
           on
           our
           Saviour
           for
           life
           and
           salvation
           ,
           and
           which
           also
           the
           believing
           Jews
           ,
           mispersuaded
           in
           some
           such
           particulars
           ,
           as
           I
           have
           already
           mentioned
           ,
           were
           endued
           with
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           The
           third
           case
           is
           of
           evident
           and
           manifest
           Scandal
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           when
           the
           observation
           ,
           or
           not
           observation
           of
           things
           indifferent
           ,
           doth
           manifestly
           endanger
           the
           Faith
           of
           weak
           Christians
           ,
           and
           harden
           others
           in
           their
           unbelief
           .
           See
           1
           Cor.
           10.
           27
           ,
           28.
           1
           
           Cor.
           8.
           8
           ,
           9
           ,
           10.
           
           And
           indeed
           one
           great
           design
           of
           the
           Apostle
           St.
           Paul
           was
           to
           persuade
           the
           strong
           Christians
           ,
           not
           to
           put
           a
           stumbling
           block
           before
           the
           weak
           Jews
           ,
           who
           still
           adhered
           to
           Mosaical
           Ceremonies
           .
           So
           also
           Rom.
           14.
           15
           ,
           16
           ,
           17
           ,
           18
           ,
           19
           ,
           20
           ,
           21.
           such
           was
           the
           condition
           of
           the
           believing
           Jews
           ,
           that
           though
           they
           embraced
           the
           Christian
           Faith
           ,
           yet
           they
           supposed
           that
           our
           Saviour
           came
           not
           to
           abolish
           Ceremonies
           ,
           but
           onely
           to
           reveal
           a
           farther
           light
           ;
           and
           that
           the
           Gospel
           was
           not
           to
           terminate
           ,
           or
           give
           a
           period
           to
           the
           Law
           of
           Moses
           ,
           but
           onely
           that
           it
           was
           a
           superstructure
           upon
           the
           foundation
           of
           Moses
           and
           the
           Prophets
           :
           and
           therefore
           they
           thought
           ,
           that
           they
           might
           as
           well
           part
           with
           their
           Christianity
           ,
           as
           with
           their
           ancient
           Rites
           and
           Customs
           .
           So
           that
           the
           total
           neglect
           of
           them
           by
           the
           faithfull
           among
           the
           Gentiles
           ,
           deterred
           the
           unbelieving
           Jews
           from
           embracing
           
           the
           Gospel
           ;
           and
           tempted
           almost
           those
           who
           already
           believed
           to
           renounce
           their
           Faith.
           And
           therefore
           the
           Apostle
           doth
           exhort
           the
           believing
           Gentiles
           ,
           to
           abate
           their
           Liberty
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           endanger
           the
           Faith
           ,
           and
           Salvation
           of
           so
           many
           Souls
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           Although
           indifferent
           Rites
           do
           not
           oblige
           us
           to
           their
           observation
           directly
           of
           themselves
           ,
           or
           of
           their
           own
           account
           ,
           yet
           our
           Consciences
           are
           obliged
           to
           the
           observation
           of
           them
           indirectly
           and
           by
           consequence
           when
           they
           are
           commanded
           and
           enjoined
           by
           the
           Supreme
           Civil
           Magistrate
           ,
           and
           our
           Sovereign
           Lord.
           And
           this
           is
           by
           virtue
           of
           that
           Divine
           Precept
           ,
           
             Let
             every
             soul
             be
             subject
             to
             the
             higher
             powers
             ,
          
           which
           bindeth
           the
           Conscience
           directly
           .
           The
           command
           of
           God
           to
           obey
           the
           King
           ,
           as
           Supreme
           in
           all
           lawfull
           things
           (
           and
           such
           all
           indifferent
           things
           are
           )
           doth
           oblige
           the
           Conscience
           directly
           ,
           and
           of
           it self
           ,
           as
           all
           the
           Commands
           of
           God
           do
           ;
           And
           therefore
           all
           things
           commanded
           by
           him
           ,
           if
           not
           unlawfull
           ,
           do
           likewise
           bind
           the
           Conscience
           indirectly
           by
           virtue
           of
           the
           Command
           of
           God.
           So
           when
           Parents
           employ
           their
           Children
           ,
           and
           Masters
           their
           Servants
           about
           any
           business
           ,
           the
           business
           it self
           doth
           not
           oblige
           the
           Conscience
           directly
           ,
           because
           not
           commanded
           by
           God
           ;
           but
           it
           doth
           indirectly
           and
           by
           consequence
           ,
           by
           virtue
           of
           the
           Command
           of
           God
           to
           honour
           Parents
           ,
           and
           obey
           our
           Masters
           in
           all
           things
           .
        
         
           And
           that
           the
           Magistrate
           may
           impose
           in
           Religion
           things
           lawfull
           in
           themselves
           will
           appear
           ;
           because
           if
           he
           think
           the
           imposition
           of
           them
           expedient
           some
           ways
           or
           other
           ,
           as
           for
           the
           peace
           ,
           and
           quietness
           ,
           or
           the
           uniformity
           ,
           and
           the
           settlement
           of
           the
           People
           ,
           whom
           he
           governs
           ,
           and
           the
           keeping
           of
           them
           from
           distractions
           ,
           and
           innovations
           ,
           &c.
           he
           may
           certainly
           impose
           them
           ,
           because
           he
           doeth
           it
           as
           a
           good
           and
           expedient
           thing
           .
           And
           
           what
           a
           private
           man
           may
           doe
           by
           himself
           in
           things
           lawfull
           ,
           if
           he
           think
           the
           use
           of
           them
           to
           be
           expedient
           for
           his
           better
           service
           of
           God
           ;
           that
           also
           may
           the
           Magistrate
           impose
           for
           uniformity
           on
           his
           Subjects
           .
           Otherwise
           I
           suppose
           that
           no
           Prince
           would
           impose
           Ceremonies
           on
           his
           People
           against
           their
           will
           ,
           merely
           because
           they
           are
           indifferent
           things
           ,
           unless
           he
           thought
           them
           also
           some
           way
           fit
           and
           expedient
           .
           Now
           although
           Ecclesiastical
           Persons
           may
           be
           thought
           the
           fittest
           judges
           ,
           of
           what
           Ceremonies
           are
           most
           convenient
           for
           the
           Church
           ,
           yet
           in
           imposing
           them
           they
           ought
           to
           have
           regard
           to
           the
           Supreme
           Magistrate
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           act
           without
           ,
           much
           less
           against
           his
           consent
           .
           Under
           the
           Old
           Testament
           the
           Legal
           Ministery
           ,
           which
           consisted
           in
           Ceremonies
           ,
           and
           Sacrifices
           ,
           was
           not
           ordered
           by
           the
           hand
           of
           Aaron
           the
           High-priest
           ,
           but
           by
           the
           hand
           of
           Moses
           who
           was
           King
           in
           
             Jeshurun
             ,
             Deut.
          
           33.
           5.
           
           And
           after
           him
           
             David
             ,
             Solomon
             ,
             Asa
             ,
             Jehosaphat
             ,
             Ezekiah
             ,
             Josiah
          
           Kings
           of
           Israel
           ,
           and
           Judah
           ,
           instituted
           the
           Tabernacle
           and
           Temple
           Service
           ,
           ordered
           and
           regulated
           several
           things
           in
           which
           they
           varied
           from
           the
           Law
           of
           
             Moses
             ,
             2
             Chron.
             29.
             34.
             
             Lev.
          
           1.
           6
           ,
           7.
           erected
           Altars
           ,
           and
           dedicated
           them
           to
           the
           Lord
           ,
           destroyed
           Idolatry
           ,
           reformed
           abuses
           in
           the
           Worship
           of
           God
           ;
           setled
           both
           the
           standing
           Worship
           of
           God
           ,
           with
           occasional
           Thanksgivings
           ,
           and
           Humiliations
           .
        
         
           The
           like
           power
           have
           Christian
           Kings
           and
           Emperours
           had
           since
           Christ
           ,
           as
           might
           be
           made
           evident
           and
           apparent
           by
           History
           .
           And
           therefore
           it
           is
           an
           Article
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           which
           likewise
           all
           do
           acknowledge
           in
           the
           Oaths
           of
           Allegiance
           and
           Supremacy
           ,
           that
           the
           King's
           Majesty
           within
           his
           Dominions
           and
           Countries
           is
           in
           all
           causes
           ,
           and
           over
           all
           persons
           ,
           as
           well
           ecclesiastical
           as
           civil
           ,
           next
           under
           God
           supreme
           Moderatour
           ,
           
           and
           Governour
           .
           And
           therefore
           it
           is
           by
           his
           authority
           that
           Ecclesiastical
           Canons
           are
           made
           ,
           and
           enacted
           Laws
           of
           the
           Nation
           ;
           without
           which
           men
           of
           differing
           judgments
           might
           excommunicate
           each
           other
           but
           to
           little
           purpose
           .
        
         
           I
           shall
           now
           in
           the
           next
           place
           briefly
           compare
           these
           Obligations
           together
           ,
           which
           many
           times
           cross
           and
           contradict
           each
           other
           .
           The
           obligation
           then
           to
           observe
           indifferent
           Ceremonies
           which
           ariseth
           from
           the
           command
           of
           Superiour
           Powers
           is
           generally
           greater
           than
           any
           which
           ariseth
           upon
           other
           accounts
           .
           And
           here
           first
           as
           to
           Vows
           and
           Covenants
           ,
           we
           have
           the
           case
           stated
           between
           Father
           and
           Child
           ,
           Husband
           and
           Wife
           ,
           Numb
           .
           30.
           and
           the
           same
           is
           the
           reason
           between
           Princes
           and
           Subjects
           :
           for
           no
           man
           ought
           to
           bind
           himself
           with
           a
           vow
           ,
           unless
           in
           such
           cases
           which
           God
           and
           his
           Superiours
           have
           left
           to
           his
           liberty
           .
           Otherwise
           Children
           ,
           Servants
           and
           Subjects
           might
           by
           making
           vows
           shake
           off
           all
           obedience
           to
           Parents
           ,
           Masters
           and
           Princes
           .
           Whensoever
           therefore
           he
           knows
           the
           Will
           of
           the
           Prince
           ,
           or
           the
           Laws
           of
           the
           Land
           to
           be
           contrary
           to
           the
           intention
           of
           the
           Vow
           ,
           the
           Vow
           is
           unlawfull
           ;
           and
           if
           his
           Will
           be
           unknown
           ,
           it
           ought
           to
           be
           made
           conditionally
           ,
           and
           be
           of
           no
           longer
           force
           than
           it
           is
           permitted
           by
           the
           Superiours
           .
           For
           as
           if
           there
           should
           be
           a
           contrary
           command
           of
           God
           ,
           it
           would
           immediately
           take
           off
           the
           obligation
           to
           the
           Vow
           ,
           and
           make
           it
           null
           and
           void
           ;
           so
           also
           a
           contradictory
           command
           of
           Parents
           ,
           Masters
           ,
           Princes
           ,
           to
           which
           last
           we
           ought
           to
           be
           obedient
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           resist
           upon
           pain
           of
           damnation
           ,
           doth
           also
           ,
           though
           not
           immediately
           ,
           yet
           consequentially
           by
           virtue
           of
           the
           Divine
           Precept
           concerning
           subjection
           ,
           cause
           it
           to
           cease
           .
           It
           being
           not
           to
           be
           supposed
           in
           lawfull
           Vows
           and
           Oaths
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           against
           the
           Will
           of
           God
           or
           of
           Superiour
           
           powers
           ,
           whom
           by
           our
           Oaths
           we
           are
           bound
           to
           obey
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           As
           to
           an
           erring
           and
           doubtfull
           Conscience
           ;
           't
           is
           true
           that
           if
           a
           man
           through
           an
           erroneous
           judgment
           ,
           which
           is
           by
           reason
           of
           education
           or
           otherways
           invincibly
           such
           ,
           be
           fully
           persuaded
           that
           to
           be
           unlawfull
           which
           is
           in
           it self
           lawfull
           ,
           although
           the
           commands
           of
           Superiours
           lay
           an
           obligation
           ,
           yet
           the
           greater
           sin
           is
           to
           act
           against
           Conscience
           .
           So
           
             Rom.
             14.
             23.
             
             Whatsoever
             is
             not
             of
             faith
             is
             sin
          
           ;
           and
           the
           Apostle
           adds
           ,
           
             that
             he
             that
             eateth
             and
             doubteth
             is
             damned
          
           ;
           though
           not
           always
           in
           the
           World
           to
           come
           ,
           yet
           he
           is
           condemned
           in
           his
           own
           Conscience
           ;
           which
           how
           great
           a
           punishment
           it
           is
           we
           may
           know
           by
           divers
           Examples
           .
        
         
           But
           if
           there
           be
           onely
           small
           inconsiderable
           Scruples
           ,
           or
           Arguments
           ,
           which
           draw
           the
           mind
           equally
           ,
           so
           that
           the
           judgment
           is
           rendered
           uncertain
           ,
           but
           cannot
           peremptorily
           determine
           the
           thing
           to
           be
           absolutely
           unlawfull
           ,
           the
           safest
           way
           is
           to
           obey
           the
           command
           ,
           and
           the
           duty
           we
           owe
           to
           the
           Superiour
           Powers
           ought
           to
           turn
           the
           scales
           :
           Disobedience
           being
           one
           of
           the
           greatest
           sins
           ,
           and
           Obedience
           a
           necessary
           duty
           ;
           and
           therefore
           ought
           not
           to
           be
           neglected
           ,
           for
           trivial
           Scruples
           and
           Objections
           ,
           but
           upon
           very
           considerable
           and
           weighty
           reasons
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           As
           for
           case
           of
           Scandal
           ;
           we
           must
           first
           discharge
           our
           duty
           to
           our
           Sovereign
           ,
           and
           prefer
           obedience
           to
           the
           King
           before
           satisfaction
           of
           Fellow-subjects
           .
           And
           to
           let
           pass
           that
           usual
           argument
           which
           is
           brought
           ,
           that
           obedience
           to
           Higher
           Powers
           is
           an
           act
           of
           Justice
           ,
           it
           being
           their
           due
           right
           given
           to
           them
           from
           God
           the
           King
           of
           Kings
           ;
           But
           the
           condescention
           to
           the
           infirmities
           of
           a
           weak
           Brother
           is
           an
           act
           onely
           of
           Charity
           ,
           and
           acts
           of
           charity
           must
           give
           place
           to
           acts
           of
           justice
           onely
           ;
           
           nay
           ,
           charity
           supposeth
           that
           we
           rob
           not
           others
           of
           their
           dues
           :
           But
           in
           this
           case
           of
           obedience
           there
           is
           a
           concurrence
           both
           of
           justice
           and
           charity
           ,
           which
           surely
           should
           be
           of
           more
           prevalent
           obligation
           than
           a
           single
           one
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           weaker
           too
           ;
           to
           let
           this
           pass
           ;
           I
           say
           that
           the
           case
           is
           far
           different
           from
           what
           it
           was
           when
           the
           Apostle
           St.
           Paul
           wrote
           his
           Epistles
           ,
           for
           then
           their
           Faith
           was
           so
           much
           endangered
           ,
           that
           they
           could
           not
           tell
           well
           which
           sooner
           to
           part
           with
           ,
           their
           Faith
           in
           Christ
           ,
           or
           Mosaical
           Ceremonies
           .
           But
           the
           Dissenters
           Faith
           now-a-days
           is
           not
           so
           much
           endangered
           ,
           but
           they
           seem
           to
           be
           the
           more
           confirmed
           and
           obstinate
           in
           their
           resolutions
           ,
           and
           affirm
           themselves
           almost
           to
           be
           the
           onely
           Christians
           .
        
         
           But
           forasmuch
           as
           this
           Point
           hath
           been
           vehemently
           insisted
           on
           ,
           by
           several
           Separatists
           ,
           who
           having
           first
           made
           others
           to
           be
           scandalized
           at
           the
           Ceremonies
           and
           Orders
           of
           our
           Church
           ;
           and
           then
           pretend
           they
           cannot
           conform
           for
           fear
           of
           destroying
           the
           Souls
           of
           their
           weak
           brethren
           ,
           whose
           ruine
           they
           accuse
           our
           Church
           to
           endeavour
           ;
           I
           shall
           retort
           the
           argument
           on
           themselves
           ,
           and
           affirm
           in
           the
           next
           place
           ,
           that
           disobedience
           to
           the
           Higher
           Powers
           is
           it self
           the
           greatest
           scandal
           to
           Christian
           Religion
           ,
           and
           endangereth
           the
           Salvation
           of
           most
           Souls
           .
        
         
           It
           was
           by
           this
           Jealousie
           ,
           rashly
           and
           without
           ground
           taken
           up
           ;
           viz.
           That
           Christ
           and
           Christian
           Religion
           ,
           were
           an
           enemy
           to
           government
           ,
           that
           the
           Devil
           hath
           in
           all
           ages
           ,
           stirred
           up
           men
           to
           persecute
           the
           Church
           ;
           upon
           this
           pretence
           our
           Blessed
           Saviour
           ,
           the
           most
           innocent
           person
           ,
           who
           lived
           upon
           Earth
           ,
           who
           payed
           Tribute
           to
           Caesar
           with
           the
           expence
           of
           a
           Miracle
           ,
           was
           yet
           condemned
           and
           executed
           :
           
             If
             thou
             let
             him
             go
             ,
             thou
             art
             not
             Caesar's
             friend
             ,
          
           said
           the
           Jews
           to
           Pilate
           .
           It
           was
           on
           
           this
           account
           that
           the
           Apostles
           endured
           bonds
           ,
           and
           imprisonments
           ,
           as
           men
           that
           would
           turn
           the
           World
           upside
           down
           .
           It
           was
           upon
           this
           pretence
           that
           the
           Primitive
           Christians
           for
           above
           300
           years
           together
           ,
           were
           oppressed
           with
           the
           rage
           of
           heathen
           Emperours
           ,
           because
           thought
           disturbers
           of
           the
           publick
           peace
           .
           So
           we
           see
           how
           the
           very
           pretence
           of
           indisposing
           men
           for
           subjection
           ,
           which
           notwithstanding
           the
           Apostles
           by
           their
           doctrine
           ,
           and
           the
           Primitive
           Christians
           by
           their
           example
           clearly
           resured
           ,
           is
           apt
           to
           bring
           Religion
           into
           disesteem
           ,
           and
           render
           it
           odious
           .
           But
           these
           disobeyed
           onely
           where
           God's
           Law
           was
           contrary
           to
           the
           Emperour
           's
           ,
           and
           when
           they
           could
           not
           obey
           they
           patiently
           suffered
           .
           But
           if
           we
           will
           stand
           out
           against
           our
           King
           in
           those
           things
           ,
           which
           God
           requires
           not
           of
           us
           ,
           if
           we
           will
           disobey
           our
           Sovereign
           ,
           and
           be
           never
           the
           more
           obedient
           to
           God
           ,
           if
           every
           scruple
           be
           an
           excuse
           from
           subjection
           and
           obedience
           ;
           these
           pretences
           will
           be
           turned
           into
           realities
           ,
           and
           we
           shall
           be
           left
           without
           excuse
           ,
           if
           we
           will
           have
           no
           regard
           to
           the
           Laws
           of
           Men
           ,
           which
           are
           the
           bond
           of
           humane
           Society
           ,
           though
           no
           ways
           hindered
           by
           the
           fear
           of
           the
           Laws
           of
           God.
           If
           tumults
           and
           insurrections
           shall
           be
           the
           appendixes
           of
           every
           command
           we
           find
           not
           expresly
           and
           in
           so
           many
           words
           contained
           in
           the
           word
           of
           God
           ;
           we
           may
           fear
           that
           the
           frequent
           calamities
           which
           will
           attend
           men
           on
           this
           account
           ,
           may
           cause
           ,
           to
           say
           no
           worse
           ,
           a
           great
           decay
           of
           Christian
           Religion
           .
           Let
           us
           a
           little
           consider
           what
           the
           effects
           of
           mens
           contumacy
           and
           opposition
           of
           decent
           Ceremonies
           established
           by
           Law
           ,
           by
           which
           our
           late
           Wars
           were
           begun
           ,
           maintained
           and
           carried
           on
           in
           England
           ,
           hath
           been
           in
           our
           own
           Nation
           .
           How
           much
           Religion
           hath
           been
           established
           and
           propagated
           ,
           by
           stumbling
           at
           straws
           and
           leaping
           over
           blocks
           ,
           by
           loathing
           indifferent
           Ceremonies
           ,
           when
           the
           great
           duties
           of
           holiness
           and
           righteousness
           
           required
           conformity
           ?
           Hath
           not
           this
           been
           the
           introduction
           of
           Atheism
           and
           irreligion
           ,
           the
           greatest
           distemper
           among
           us
           ?
           hath
           not
           this
           been
           the
           original
           of
           all
           Sects
           and
           Schisms
           ?
           hath
           it
           not
           nourished
           those
           manifold
           Errours
           and
           Heresies
           ,
           which
           caused
           profane
           Persons
           to
           sit
           down
           in
           the
           seat
           of
           the
           Scorners
           ?
           and
           therefore
           as
           we
           tender
           the
           honour
           of
           our
           Religion
           ,
           and
           would
           vindicate
           it
           from
           being
           an
           enemy
           to
           government
           ,
           and
           destructive
           to
           humane
           Society
           preserved
           by
           government
           ,
           unless
           we
           would
           drive
           the
           same
           design
           with
           the
           Devil
           ,
           the
           common
           enemy
           of
           mankind
           ,
           and
           especially
           of
           Christians
           ,
           to
           bring
           an
           universal
           scandal
           on
           our
           Profession
           ,
           and
           render
           it
           odious
           to
           mankind
           ;
           we
           must
           not
           be
           refractary
           or
           disobedient
           to
           humane
           Laws
           ,
           when
           the
           Laws
           of
           God
           permit
           us
           to
           obey
           them
           ,
           and
           give
           an
           eedless
           occasion
           of
           offence
           to
           those
           ,
           whom
           God
           hath
           placed
           in
           authority
           over
           us
           .
           And
           therefore
           in
           this
           case
           ,
           though
           ecclesiastical
           Persons
           are
           the
           best
           judges
           of
           what
           ought
           to
           be
           introduced
           into
           the
           Church
           ,
           yet
           if
           there
           should
           arise
           a
           dissention
           ,
           for
           the
           avoiding
           Scandal
           ,
           the
           Fathers
           of
           the
           Church
           ought
           to
           give
           place
           to
           the
           Father
           of
           their
           Country
           .
        
         
           St.
           Paul
           teacheth
           us
           ,
           1
           Cor.
           9.
           20
           ,
           21.
           that
           
             unto
             the
             Jews
          
           he
           
             became
             as
             a
             Jew
             ,
             that
             he
             might
             gain
             the
             Jews
             ;
             to
             them
             under
             the
             law
             ,
             as
             under
             the
             law
             ;
             to
             them
             without
             the
             law
             ,
             as
             ,
          
           &c.
           
             to
             the
             weak
             ,
             as
             weak
             ,
             to
             all
             men
             all
             things
             ,
             that
             he
             might
             by
             all
             means
             save
             some
             .
          
           What
           think
           you
           he
           would
           have
           done
           ,
           nay
           ,
           what
           would
           he
           not
           have
           done
           ,
           if
           the
           Emperours
           by
           his
           condescensions
           should
           have
           become
           Christians
           ,
           by
           which
           means
           a
           free
           passage
           to
           the
           Gospel
           would
           be
           laid
           open
           throughout
           the
           whole
           World
           ?
           would
           he
           that
           so
           severely
           injoined
           obedience
           to
           the
           higher
           Powers
           on
           pain
           of
           damnation
           ,
           and
           that
           so
           readily
           and
           willingly
           complied
           with
           all
           sorts
           
           of
           men
           for
           the
           salvation
           of
           their
           Souls
           ,
           have
           scrupled
           a
           few
           indifferent
           Ceremonies
           ,
           whereby
           Governours
           and
           Magistrates
           might
           be
           alienated
           from
           the
           love
           of
           Christianity
           ?
           he
           had
           the
           same
           reason
           to
           comply
           with
           these
           ,
           as
           with
           all
           other
           sorts
           of
           people
           for
           their
           good
           .
        
         
           And
           thus
           these
           things
           being
           premised
           ,
           I
           shall
           come
           to
           shew
           the
           lawfulness
           of
           compliance
           with
           all
           the
           Ceremonies
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ;
           and
           this
           I
           shall
           doe
           by
           one
           general
           and
           comprehensive
           argument
           .
        
         
           If
           then
           the
           Jewish
           Ceremonies
           commanded
           in
           the
           Levitical
           Law
           ,
           were
           indifferent
           ,
           and
           might
           lawfully
           be
           observed
           ,
           after
           the
           Death
           ,
           Resurrection
           and
           Ascension
           of
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           who
           put
           a
           period
           unto
           them
           ,
           even
           by
           those
           who
           knew
           the
           Levitical
           Law
           abolished
           at
           that
           time
           ;
           much
           more
           are
           the
           Ceremonies
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           indifferent
           ,
           and
           may
           be
           lawfully
           used
           ;
           But
           the
           Jewish
           Ceremonies
           ,
           &c.
           and
           therefore
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           Of
           these
           Propositions
           in
           order
           ;
           now
           the
           sequel
           or
           consequence
           will
           evidently
           appear
           ,
           if
           we
           compare
           theirs
           and
           ours
           together
           .
           'T
           is
           true
           indeed
           ,
           the
           Jewish
           Ceremonies
           had
           their
           institution
           ,
           and
           signification
           given
           unto
           them
           at
           first
           immediately
           from
           God
           himself
           .
           And
           the
           Jews
           still
           thought
           that
           this
           obligation
           from
           God
           remained
           on
           them
           .
           But
           however
           ,
           they
           were
           instituted
           onely
           for
           a
           certain
           time
           ,
           till
           Christ
           should
           come
           in
           the
           flesh
           ,
           and
           by
           oblation
           of
           himself
           once
           ,
           purchase
           the
           remission
           of
           our
           sins
           .
           And
           then
           their
           signification
           together
           with
           the
           obligation
           to
           observe
           and
           perform
           them
           utterly
           perished
           ,
           so
           far
           forth
           as
           it
           was
           from
           God.
           For
           this
           was
           the
           end
           of
           the
           institution
           of
           the
           Sacrifices
           ,
           and
           most
           of
           the
           Ceremonies
           ,
           to
           signify
           Christ
           to
           come
           ,
           and
           the
           offering
           him
           up
           as
           a
           Sacrifice
           for
           us
           all
           ,
           Heb.
           9.
           23
           ,
           24.
           
           And
           therefore
           the
           continuation
           of
           them
           afterwards
           was
           not
           from
           Divine
           Authority
           ,
           but
           depended
           on
           the
           ignorance
           
           of
           the
           Jews
           ,
           and
           prudence
           of
           the
           Apostles
           ;
           the
           Jews
           were
           zealous
           of
           the
           Law
           ,
           and
           the
           Apostles
           were
           willing
           to
           permit
           it
           ,
           as
           long
           as
           they
           embraced
           Christianity
           .
           But
           God's
           institution
           and
           injunction
           being
           then
           expired
           ,
           they
           were
           for
           the
           time
           they
           were
           afterwards
           used
           ,
           as
           much
           humane
           and
           depending
           on
           the
           will
           of
           man
           ,
           as
           our
           Ceremonies
           are
           now
           ;
           and
           so
           in
           this
           case
           there
           is
           an
           equality
           ;
           And
           it
           is
           all
           one
           to
           think
           that
           to
           be
           appointed
           by
           God
           ,
           which
           is
           not
           appointed
           by
           him
           ,
           and
           to
           know
           it
           to
           be
           appointed
           by
           God's
           Vicegerent
           .
        
         
           But
           if
           we
           will
           consider
           other
           circumstances
           ,
           we
           shall
           find
           ,
           that
           those
           which
           attended
           the
           Jewish
           Ceremonies
           ,
           were
           very
           dangerous
           ,
           and
           had
           such
           tendency
           to
           evil
           ,
           which
           ours
           are
           exempted
           from
           .
        
         
           For
           first
           ,
           They
           might
           well
           be
           accounted
           vain
           ,
           and
           as
           the
           Passover
           Sacrifices
           for
           sin
           unreasonable
           ,
           Christ
           being
           already
           offered
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           It
           might
           seem
           to
           be
           a
           mocking
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           abusing
           his
           Institution
           ,
           to
           use
           Ceremonies
           signifying
           Christ
           to
           come
           ,
           who
           was
           then
           ascended
           into
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           which
           represented
           his
           merits
           as
           future
           ,
           when
           they
           were
           already
           consummated
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           The
           use
           of
           them
           was
           joined
           in
           most
           Jews
           ,
           with
           this
           erroneous
           opinion
           ,
           that
           they
           were
           necessary
           parts
           of
           God's
           worship
           .
           See
           Rom.
           14.
           
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           Our
           Ceremonies
           signify
           onely
           
             ex
             parte
             hominis
          
           ,
           or
           on
           the
           part
           of
           man
           ;
           they
           either
           signify
           our
           duty
           ,
           and
           what
           we
           are
           ,
           or
           serve
           to
           put
           us
           in
           mind
           of
           what
           we
           should
           be
           ;
           but
           the
           Jewish
           Ceremonies
           did
           signify
           not
           onely
           
             ex
             parte
             hominis
          
           ,
           but
           
             ex
             parte
             Dei
          
           too
           ;
           they
           were
           used
           ,
           not
           onely
           as
           signs
           to
           put
           us
           in
           mind
           of
           our
           obedience
           to
           God
           ,
           but
           as
           means
           of
           conveying
           divine
           benediction
           upon
           us
           ;
           they
           were
           used
           not
           onely
           as
           mere
           Ceremonies
           ,
           but
           as
           Sacraments
           too
           ,
           
           and
           as
           proper
           parts
           of
           Divine
           Worship
           ,
           and
           as
           seals
           of
           the
           Covenant
           ,
           as
           Circumcision
           and
           the
           Passover
           .
        
         
           Fifthly
           ,
           The
           observing
           of
           them
           among
           the
           Jews
           by
           the
           allowance
           of
           the
           Apostles
           might
           endanger
           ,
           as
           indeed
           it
           did
           ,
           the
           intrusion
           of
           them
           on
           the
           Gentiles
           .
           And
           it
           being
           impossible
           for
           the
           Gentiles
           to
           observe
           all
           the
           Ceremonial
           Law
           of
           Moses
           ,
           and
           come
           up
           all
           of
           them
           to
           Jerusalem
           ,
           to
           keep
           the
           Passover
           ,
           and
           offer
           sacrifice
           ,
           it
           might
           cause
           them
           utterly
           to
           reject
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           which
           was
           incumbred
           with
           such
           impossible
           observations
           .
           And
           here
           ,
           by
           the
           way
           ,
           I
           suppose
           that
           Christ
           came
           not
           onely
           to
           abolish
           the
           Jewish
           Ceremonies
           ,
           but
           also
           to
           leave
           all
           people
           to
           the
           indifferent
           use
           of
           such
           Ceremonies
           ,
           which
           were
           consistent
           with
           the
           service
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           agreeable
           to
           their
           own
           Country
           and
           temper
           ;
           which
           is
           a
           true
           kind
           of
           liberty
           .
        
         
           Sixthly
           ,
           It
           might
           stir
           up
           the
           Jews
           to
           seek
           righteousness
           ,
           and
           justification
           by
           them
           .
           Of
           how
           dangerous
           consequence
           the
           observation
           of
           these
           Ceremonies
           was
           ,
           may
           be
           gathered
           out
           of
           the
           Epistle
           to
           the
           Galatians
           .
           The
           main
           design
           of
           the
           Apostle
           in
           that
           whole
           Epistle
           is
           to
           reclaim
           the
           Galatians
           from
           adhering
           to
           Mosaical
           Ceremonies
           ,
           by
           putting
           them
           in
           mind
           of
           the
           Gospel
           of
           
             Christ
             ,
             Gal.
          
           4.
           10
           ,
           11.
           
           He
           blameth
           them
           for
           observing
           the
           Jewish
           Festivals
           ,
           to
           which
           the
           Jews
           living
           among
           them
           persuaded
           them
           ;
           which
           were
           however
           the
           most
           inconsiderable
           Ceremonies
           .
           And
           in
           
             Gal.
             5.
             2
             ,
             3.
             
             Behold
             I
             :
             Paul
             testify
             unto
             you
             ,
          
           &c.
           that
           is
           ,
           if
           those
           who
           were
           circumcised
           looked
           on
           Circumcision
           ,
           as
           that
           to
           which
           they
           were
           bound
           by
           the
           Law
           of
           Moses
           ;
           then
           they
           must
           observe
           the
           whole
           Law
           ,
           for
           
             à
             quatenus
             ad
             de
             omni
             valet
             consequentia
             .
          
           And
           also
           if
           they
           stood
           upon
           that
           ,
           as
           a
           work
           of
           the
           Law
           by
           which
           they
           should
           be
           justified
           ,
           then
           Christ
           would
           profit
           them
           nothing
           ,
           they
           being
           
           debtours
           to
           doe
           the
           whole
           Law
           ,
           and
           therefore
           would
           have
           no
           benefit
           by
           the
           death
           of
           Christ
           .
        
         
           So
           that
           you
           see
           ,
           that
           though
           these
           Ceremonies
           ,
           considered
           absolutely
           in
           themselves
           ,
           were
           indifferent
           ,
           yet
           by
           reason
           of
           some
           circumstances
           ,
           which
           might
           be
           annexed
           to
           them
           ,
           they
           were
           very
           perilous
           ,
           and
           of
           dangerous
           consequence
           .
           Wherefore
           as
           some
           indifferent
           actions
           (
           though
           absolutely
           in
           their
           own
           nature
           all
           may
           be
           said
           to
           be
           equally
           indifferent
           )
           by
           reason
           of
           good
           circumstances
           usually
           attending
           them
           ,
           are
           of
           good
           report
           ,
           as
           tilling
           the
           ground
           ,
           and
           the
           like
           ;
           and
           some
           ,
           by
           reason
           of
           evil
           circumstances
           usually
           annexed
           to
           them
           ,
           are
           of
           ill
           report
           ,
           as
           performing
           the
           office
           of
           an
           Hangman
           ,
           or
           an
           Executioner
           ,
           which
           though
           lawfull
           ,
           is
           yet
           accounted
           infamous
           :
           so
           if
           we
           compare
           the
           Ceremonies
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           with
           the
           Levitical
           Ceremonies
           ,
           as
           used
           after
           the
           Ascension
           of
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           and
           promulgation
           of
           the
           Gospel
           by
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           we
           may
           say
           that
           ours
           are
           as
           the
           former
           ,
           theirs
           as
           the
           latter
           .
        
         
           Some
           indeed
           excuse
           the
           Jewish
           Ceremonies
           in
           that
           they
           being
           instituted
           by
           God
           at
           first
           ,
           ought
           to
           have
           a
           decent
           Sepulture
           ;
           that
           the
           Jews
           being
           persuaded
           of
           their
           necessity
           ,
           must
           be
           tolerated
           ,
           and
           born
           with
           in
           their
           opinion
           .
           But
           these
           excuses
           are
           nothing
           pertinent
           to
           the
           business
           in
           hand
           ;
           God's
           Institution
           when
           expired
           was
           extrinsecal
           ,
           and
           they
           were
           no
           longer
           to
           be
           observed
           by
           his
           appointment
           ,
           being
           abolished
           by
           the
           death
           of
           
             Christ
             ,
             Col.
          
           2.
           14.
           
           Now
           ,
           if
           a
           Master
           appoint
           business
           for
           so
           long
           time
           ,
           and
           no
           longer
           ,
           if
           his
           Servant
           continue
           in
           it
           afterwards
           ,
           what
           he
           doeth
           ,
           is
           of
           his
           own
           will
           ,
           and
           he
           may
           be
           punished
           for
           it
           .
           And
           that
           the
           Jews
           must
           be
           born
           with
           ,
           I
           do
           not
           deny
           ;
           but
           however
           ,
           this
           proveth
           not
           but
           that
           the
           observation
           of
           the
           Mosaical
           Ceremonies
           for
           that
           time
           was
           of
           very
           dangerous
           
           consequence
           .
           And
           though
           ignorance
           might
           excuse
           the
           generality
           of
           the
           converted
           Jews
           ,
           yet
           it
           could
           not
           excuse
           the
           Apostles
           and
           Elders
           ,
           who
           knew
           them
           to
           be
           abolished
           by
           the
           death
           of
           Christ
           .
           Neither
           is
           the
           question
           whether
           the
           Jewish
           Ceremonies
           ought
           to
           have
           a
           decent
           Scpulture
           ,
           or
           no
           ,
           but
           whether
           such
           Ceremonies
           of
           so
           dangerous
           consequence
           ,
           and
           so
           highly
           bordering
           on
           unlawfulness
           ,
           might
           not
           however
           be
           born
           with
           upon
           other
           more
           important
           causes
           ?
        
         
           So
           much
           of
           the
           first
           Proposition
           ,
           or
           demonstration
           of
           the
           Sequel
           ;
           by
           which
           it
           is
           manifest
           ,
           that
           if
           the
           Jewish
           Ceremonies
           ,
           which
           signified
           Christ
           to
           come
           ,
           who
           was
           already
           come
           ,
           and
           did
           abolish
           them
           by
           his
           death
           ,
           which
           were
           vain
           repetitions
           of
           Sacrifices
           for
           sin
           ,
           Christ
           being
           already
           offered
           up
           for
           all
           ,
           which
           were
           used
           as
           Sacraments
           ,
           looked
           on
           as
           necessary
           parts
           of
           Divine
           Worship
           ,
           were
           thought
           significant
           not
           onely
           on
           our
           part
           ,
           but
           God's
           too
           ;
           whose
           observation
           among
           the
           Jews
           did
           endanger
           their
           intrusion
           upon
           the
           Gentiles
           ;
           for
           whom
           it
           was
           utterly
           impossible
           to
           observe
           them
           all
           ;
           nay
           ,
           whose
           observation
           did
           tend
           to
           confirm
           the
           Jews
           in
           seeking
           righteousness
           by
           the
           works
           of
           the
           Law
           ;
           did
           infect
           many
           Gentiles
           ,
           as
           the
           Galatians
           with
           the
           same
           errour
           ,
           insomuch
           that
           Christ
           was
           like
           to
           profit
           them
           nothing
           ,
           and
           their
           faith
           to
           be
           in
           vain
           ;
           if
           these
           Ceremonies
           might
           at
           any
           time
           under
           such
           circumstances
           be
           lawfully
           used
           ;
           certainly
           much
           more
           the
           Ceremonies
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           which
           are
           not
           liable
           to
           such
           inconveniences
           ,
           and
           many
           of
           which
           have
           been
           derived
           down
           unto
           us
           from
           the
           Primitive
           Christians
           .
        
         
           So
           I
           come
           now
           to
           prove
           the
           second
           Proposition
           or
           Assumption
           ;
           but
           these
           Jewish
           Ceremonies
           were
           sometimes
           lawfully
           used
           even
           by
           those
           who
           assuredly
           knew
           them
           to
           be
           abolished
           by
           the
           death
           of
           
             Christ
             ▪
          
           I
           shall
           not
           
           here
           instance
           in
           the
           generality
           of
           the
           converted
           Jews
           ,
           especially
           those
           who
           lived
           in
           Judea
           ,
           who
           observed
           them
           all
           ,
           because
           they
           might
           not
           at
           that
           time
           ,
           and
           so
           soon
           ,
           be
           fully
           instructed
           ,
           nor
           yet
           till
           the
           Temple
           it self
           was
           destroyed
           ;
           nor
           yet
           understand
           the
           extent
           of
           Christian
           Liberty
           .
           But
           I
           shall
           prove
           my
           assertion
           ,
           as
           by
           the
           other
           Apostles
           ,
           so
           also
           by
           the
           doctrine
           of
           St.
           Paul
           and
           his
           example
           ,
           conformable
           to
           his
           Precepts
           ,
           who
           knew
           the
           obligation
           to
           all
           these
           things
           to
           be
           abolished
           by
           the
           death
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           did
           among
           the
           Gentiles
           ,
           to
           whom
           their
           observation
           must
           needs
           prove
           an
           intolerable
           yoke
           and
           burthen
           ,
           most
           oppose
           them
           .
        
         
           As
           for
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           we
           see
           their
           conformity
           ,
           Acts
           3.
           1.
           
           And
           St.
           Paul
           tells
           us
           how
           he
           reproved
           St.
           Peter
           for
           being
           carried
           away
           with
           dissimulation
           among
           the
           Gentiles
           ,
           as
           we
           reade
           ,
           Gal.
           2.
           
        
         
           And
           as
           for
           St.
           Paul
           himself
           ,
           we
           may
           see
           his
           Precepts
           ,
           Rom.
           14.
           1
           ,
           2
           ,
           3
           ,
           4
           ,
           5
           ,
           14
           ,
           15.
           wherein
           he
           exhorteth
           the
           strong
           among
           the
           Gentiles
           ,
           not
           to
           offend
           their
           Brethren
           the
           Jews
           by
           their
           overmuch
           freedom
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           Let
           us
           take
           notice
           of
           his
           glorying
           as
           it
           were
           in
           his
           compliance
           and
           conformity
           with
           all
           sorts
           of
           men
           for
           their
           Salvation
           in
           these
           indifferent
           Ceremonies
           ,
           1
           Cor.
           19.
           9
           ,
           20
           ,
           21
           ,
           22
           ,
           23.
           where
           we
           may
           note
           ,
           that
           as
           long
           as
           the
           Gospel
           is
           propagated
           ,
           we
           need
           not
           stand
           upon
           indifferences
           ;
           the
           Apostle
           did
           in
           these
           matters
           observe
           that
           rule
           ,
        
         
           
             Dum
             fueris
             Romoe
             Romano
             vivito
             more
             ,
          
           
             Si
             fueris
             alibi
             vivito
             sicut
             ibi
             .
          
        
         
           Now
           how
           the
           Apostle
           did
           put
           his
           doctrine
           of
           compliance
           and
           conformity
           in
           practice
           ,
           will
           be
           seen
           by
           these
           particular
           instances
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           by
           his
           circumcising
           
             Timothy
             ,
             Acts
          
           16.
           1
           ,
           2
           ,
           3.
           where
           we
           find
           that
           Ceremony
           which
           the
           Apostle
           
           declared
           so
           much
           against
           in
           his
           Epistle
           to
           the
           Galatians
           ,
           telling
           them
           ,
           that
           if
           they
           were
           circumcised
           Christ
           should
           profit
           them
           nothing
           ;
           Gal.
           5.
           2.
           was
           now
           by
           him
           applied
           to
           Timothy
           notwithstanding
           .
           That
           he
           might
           not
           give
           offence
           to
           the
           Jews
           ,
           he
           took
           and
           circumcised
           him
           .
           The
           fault
           was
           not
           then
           in
           the
           materiality
           of
           the
           action
           ,
           which
           was
           lawfull
           enough
           in
           it self
           ,
           but
           in
           the
           formality
           of
           the
           application
           among
           the
           Galatians
           .
           And
           therefore
           Circumcision
           certainly
           was
           not
           unlawfull
           in
           it self
           ,
           though
           it
           was
           unlawfull
           to
           put
           any
           confidence
           in
           it
           ,
           as
           a
           work
           of
           the
           Law
           ,
           which
           the
           Galatians
           did
           .
           For
           otherwise
           Paul
           would
           never
           have
           circumcised
           Timothy
           .
           And
           so
           in
           like
           manner
           ,
           if
           any
           one
           should
           put
           any
           trust
           and
           confidence
           ,
           or
           think
           there
           is
           any
           merit
           ,
           or
           efficacy
           in
           the
           sign
           of
           the
           Cross
           ,
           if
           he
           should
           adore
           and
           worship
           it
           ,
           as
           his
           God
           ,
           he
           might
           well
           be
           counted
           an
           Idolater
           ;
           but
           as
           long
           as
           it
           is
           used
           ,
           as
           an
           indifferent
           Ceremony
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           directions
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           none
           ought
           to
           be
           offended
           .
           For
           it
           was
           borrowed
           from
           the
           Primitive
           Christians
           ,
           who
           gloried
           in
           the
           sign
           of
           the
           Cross
           .
        
         
           But
           we
           have
           yet
           an
           higher
           example
           of
           conformity
           and
           compliance
           in
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           which
           he
           did
           not
           out
           of
           his
           single
           judgment
           ,
           but
           with
           the
           advice
           of
           an
           assembly
           of
           Apostles
           and
           Elders
           .
           As
           in
           the
           Acts
           ,
           21.
           18
           ,
           19
           ,
           20
           ,
           21
           ,
           22
           ,
           23
           ,
           24
           ,
           25.
           where
           we
           see
           ,
           that
           though
           the
           Elders
           received
           with
           much
           joy
           the
           news
           concerning
           the
           conversion
           of
           the
           Gentiles
           to
           the
           Faith
           ,
           yet
           considering
           how
           many
           Jews
           there
           were
           who
           believed
           ,
           and
           yet
           were
           also
           zealous
           for
           the
           Law
           of
           Moses
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           were
           offended
           with
           Paul
           for
           preaching
           among
           the
           Gentiles
           against
           Moses
           and
           his
           Ceremonial
           Law
           ,
           and
           that
           therefore
           his
           person
           would
           not
           be
           acceptable
           to
           them
           ;
           they
           advised
           him
           by
           all
           means
           to
           shew
           his
           compliance
           with
           them
           in
           his
           conformity
           to
           their
           Rites
           
           and
           Ceremonies
           ,
           as
           doth
           there
           appear
           .
           Now
           v.
           26.
           we
           find
           the
           Apostle
           following
           and
           obeying
           their
           counsel
           ;
           he
           did
           not
           onely
           comply
           with
           them
           in
           shewing
           reverence
           to
           the
           Temple
           ,
           observing
           Rites
           about
           Vows
           and
           Purification
           ;
           but
           likewise
           in
           their
           Offerings
           and
           typical
           Oblations
           .
           Certainly
           ,
           should
           any
           men
           doe
           half
           so
           much
           now
           ,
           as
           St.
           Paul
           did
           then
           ,
           some
           furious
           Zealots
           ,
           who
           place
           their
           Religion
           as
           much
           in
           opposing
           Ceremonies
           ,
           as
           the
           Jews
           did
           in
           observing
           them
           ,
           would
           cry
           out
           against
           him
           as
           they
           did
           against
           St.
           Paul
           on
           another
           occasion
           ,
           
             Acts
             22.
             22.
             
             Away
             with
             such
             a
             fellow
             from
             the
             earth
             ;
             for
             it
             is
             not
             fit
             he
             should
             live
             .
          
           And
           here
           ,
           farther
           ,
           we
           cannot
           imagine
           that
           this
           was
           ill
           done
           by
           the
           Apople
           ,
           because
           he
           was
           never
           guilty
           of
           sinfull
           compliance
           in
           the
           greatest
           danger
           ,
           and
           because
           it
           was
           agreeable
           to
           his
           Precepts
           ,
           and
           course
           of
           life
           all
           along
           ,
           and
           because
           this
           counsel
           proceeded
           from
           the
           joint
           consent
           of
           the
           Apostles
           and
           Elders
           ,
           in
           whose
           assemblies
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           was
           always
           present
           .
           Wherefore
           it
           followeth
           that
           the
           Jewish
           Ceremonies
           ,
           liable
           to
           so
           many
           exceptions
           ,
           were
           not
           however
           so
           odious
           and
           sinfull
           absolutely
           considered
           ,
           but
           that
           ,
           as
           occasion
           required
           ,
           they
           might
           be
           observed
           ,
           and
           lawfully
           used
           ,
           even
           by
           those
           who
           knew
           them
           abolished
           by
           the
           death
           of
           Christ
           .
           And
           therefore
           surely
           the
           Ceremonies
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           which
           are
           harmless
           and
           innocent
           ,
           if
           not
           pious
           ;
           which
           are
           as
           no-ways
           burthensome
           in
           themselves
           ,
           so
           instituted
           onely
           for
           decency
           and
           uniformity
           ,
           ought
           to
           be
           observed
           .
           For
           by
           thus
           doing
           Faction
           and
           Schism
           will
           be
           avoided
           ,
           brotherly
           love
           maintaintained
           ,
           peace
           and
           unity
           ,
           the
           glory
           of
           our
           Profession
           ,
           preserved
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           OF
           THE
           NECESSITY
           Of
           the
           USE
           of
           COMMON-PRAYER
           IN
           PUBLICK
           .
        
         
           THE
           Apostle
           St.
           Paul
           lays
           down
           two
           Rules
           to
           guide
           our
           Prayers
           by
           ;
           1
           
             Cor.
             14.
             15.
             
             What
             is
             it
             then
             ?
             I
             will
             pray
             with
             the
             spirit
             ,
             and
             I
             will
             pray
             with
             the
             understanding
             also
             ;
             I
             will
             sing
             with
             the
             spirit
             ,
             and
             I
             will
             sing
             with
             the
             understanding
             also
             .
          
           And
           in
           the
           16.
           and
           17.
           verses
           presseth
           the
           praying
           with
           the
           understanding
           also
           ;
           because
           otherwise
           ,
           
             he
             that
             occupieth
             the
             place
             of
             the
             unlearned
             could
             not
             say
             Amen
             at
             his
             giving
             of
             thanks
             ,
             seeing
             he
             understood
             not
             what
             was
             said
             ;
             and
             was
             not
             at
             all
             edified
             thereby
             .
          
           And
           v.
           19.
           he
           tells
           us
           ,
           that
           
             he
             had
             rather
             spake
             five
             words
             with
             understanding
             ,
             that
             the
             Church
             might
             be
             edified
             ,
             than
             ten
             thousand
             words
             in
             an
             unknown
             tongue
             .
          
           It
           seems
           the
           Corinthians
           did
           much
           affect
           praying
           with
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           as
           they
           thought
           it
           to
           be
           ;
           though
           they
           regarded
           not
           the
           understandings
           and
           edification
           of
           their
           hearers
           .
           I
           wish
           the
           like
           may
           not
           be
           said
           of
           many
           among
           our selves
           ,
           who
           cry
           up
           extemporary
           praying
           for
           the
           onely
           praying
           with
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           condemning
           Common-prayer
           as
           carnal
           and
           formal
           ;
           but
           
           if
           we
           will
           examine
           these
           two
           sorts
           of
           Prayers
           ,
           with
           the
           Rules
           laid
           down
           by
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           we
           shall
           find
           that
           Common-prayer
           ,
           or
           Forms
           of
           Prayer
           ,
           are
           every
           way
           as
           consistent
           with
           praying
           by
           the
           spirit
           ,
           and
           are
           best
           for
           edification
           ,
           and
           the
           understanding
           of
           the
           hearers
           .
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           our
           understandings
           and
           inventions
           too
           ,
           both
           of
           Speaker
           and
           People
           ,
           ought
           to
           be
           under
           the
           guidance
           ,
           directions
           ,
           and
           assistence
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ;
           as
           well
           as
           our
           Affections
           ;
           the
           former
           being
           the
           nobler
           ,
           and
           the
           latter
           the
           more
           ignoble
           ,
           and
           lower
           faculties
           of
           the
           Soul.
           And
           therefore
           as
           to
           praying
           with
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           it
           's
           requisite
           that
           these
           too
           be
           sanctified
           ,
           that
           we
           may
           clearly
           discerne
           ,
           apprehend
           ,
           and
           find
           out
           those
           truths
           which
           God
           hath
           revealed
           ,
           and
           those
           sins
           which
           are
           apt
           to
           beset
           us
           ,
           and
           those
           mercies
           we
           stand
           in
           need
           of
           .
           But
           however
           ,
           it
           's
           not
           to
           be
           expected
           that
           in
           all
           our
           Prayers
           the
           Spirit
           should
           help
           our
           inventions
           in
           finding
           out
           new
           matter
           ,
           much
           less
           new
           words
           .
           For
           the
           sanctification
           of
           the
           understanding
           doth
           not
           consist
           in
           these
           .
           We
           ought
           to
           judge
           the
           quite
           contrary
           ;
           for
           the
           same
           judgments
           we
           pray
           against
           ,
           the
           same
           mercies
           we
           pray
           for
           in
           one
           prayer
           ,
           we
           must
           pray
           for
           often
           ;
           and
           though
           God's
           Spirit
           may
           discover
           more
           and
           more
           our
           sinfulness
           to
           us
           ,
           yet
           the
           same
           sinfulness
           on
           one
           hand
           ,
           and
           grace
           on
           the
           other
           ,
           which
           afford
           matter
           for
           prayer
           now
           ,
           may
           afford
           us
           matter
           to
           our
           lives
           end
           .
           As
           for
           particular
           occasions
           ,
           they
           have
           their
           particular
           Prayers
           .
           But
           he
           is
           in
           a
           very
           sad
           and
           strange
           condition
           ,
           that
           when
           he
           comes
           to
           pray
           to
           Almighty
           God
           ,
           knows
           nothing
           at
           all
           before-hand
           what
           he
           should
           pray
           for
           ,
           nor
           what
           he
           should
           pray
           a-against
           ,
           but
           expects
           that
           the
           Spirit
           should
           furnish
           him
           with
           new
           matter
           for
           his
           Prayer
           ,
           or
           else
           he
           will
           be
           at
           a
           loss
           .
           For
           't
           is
           to
           be
           supposed
           ,
           that
           we
           are
           acquainted
           with
           our
           own
           wants
           before-hand
           ;
           and
           the
           sense
           of
           our
           
           misery
           and
           wretchedness
           in
           our selves
           ,
           is
           usually
           the
           first
           motive
           and
           inducement
           to
           prayer
           .
           And
           therefore
           the
           assistence
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           operation
           on
           the
           understanding
           ,
           and
           invention
           ,
           is
           not
           to
           furnish
           us
           with
           new
           matter
           ,
           and
           words
           at
           prayers
           ;
           but
           in
           keeping
           alive
           a
           serious
           and
           constant
           apprehension
           of
           our
           condition
           ,
           which
           should
           remain
           with
           us
           ,
           not
           onely
           in
           times
           of
           our
           devotion
           ,
           but
           also
           be
           a
           continual
           guide
           throughout
           the
           course
           of
           our
           life
           .
           He
           is
           to
           be
           accounted
           rather
           an
           infidel
           ,
           heathen
           or
           unbeliever
           ,
           than
           a
           true
           Christian
           ,
           a
           man
           altogether
           unacquainted
           with
           his
           spiritual
           estate
           ,
           and
           condition
           ,
           that
           knows
           no
           Attributes
           of
           God
           to
           be
           celebrated
           ,
           no
           sins
           he
           is
           guilty
           of
           ,
           no
           judgments
           he
           is
           afraid
           of
           ,
           no
           graces
           in
           which
           he
           is
           deficient
           ,
           no
           mercies
           he
           stands
           in
           need
           of
           ;
           but
           all
           of
           these
           are
           the
           matter
           of
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           all
           of
           these
           ,
           every
           one
           that
           knows
           any
           thing
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           must
           be
           in
           some
           measure
           acquainted
           with
           before
           he
           performs
           the
           duty
           of
           Prayer
           .
           The
           knowledge
           of
           them
           being
           not
           onely
           requisite
           to
           that
           duty
           ,
           but
           necessary
           to
           constitute
           ,
           and
           denominate
           him
           a
           Christian
           .
           And
           though
           some
           may
           think
           they
           have
           new
           discoveries
           in
           time
           of
           Prayer
           ,
           which
           I
           shall
           not
           now
           dispute
           of
           what
           nature
           they
           are
           ,
           yet
           the
           general
           ground
           and
           foundation
           of
           their
           Prayer
           ,
           is
           no
           new-invented
           matter
           ,
           but
           such
           which
           before-hand
           they
           must
           be
           acquainted
           with
           :
           and
           so
           invention
           of
           new
           matter
           ,
           is
           not
           requisite
           to
           the
           spiritual
           performance
           of
           the
           duty
           .
           And
           as
           for
           new
           words
           ,
           to
           think
           the
           change
           of
           these
           so
           needfull
           ,
           would
           be
           to
           place
           the
           excellency
           of
           this
           divine
           duty
           in
           a
           tone
           ;
           and
           to
           turn
           this
           spiritual
           into
           formal
           and
           lip-service
           ;
           besides
           ,
           if
           the
           Spirit
           should
           dictate
           every
           new
           word
           to
           us
           ,
           all
           these
           Prayers
           might
           pass
           for
           canonical
           ,
           and
           be
           accounted
           the
           word
           of
           God
           indeed
           .
           And
           yet
           most
           people
           
           through
           their
           ignorance
           have
           placed
           the
           spiritual
           performance
           of
           this
           duty
           in
           invention
           of
           new
           matter
           and
           words
           ;
           which
           is
           quite
           otherwise
           ,
           and
           consists
           in
           the
           sanctification
           of
           the
           whole
           man
           ,
           as
           to
           body
           ,
           soul
           ,
           and
           spirit
           :
           in
           the
           sanctification
           of
           the
           understanding
           ,
           memory
           ,
           will
           ,
           and
           affections
           by
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God.
           
        
         
           And
           yet
           farther
           ,
           that
           we
           may
           pray
           with
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           using
           a
           form
           of
           words
           ,
           may
           appear
           from
           that
           Prayer
           which
           Christ
           taught
           his
           Disciples
           ,
           
             Luke
             11.
             2.
             
             When
             ye
             pray
             ,
             say
             thus
             :
          
           which
           was
           spoken
           in
           answer
           to
           the
           desire
           of
           one
           of
           
           Christ's
           Disciples
           to
           teach
           them
           to
           pray
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           That
           in
           singing
           of
           Psalms
           ,
           we
           sing
           with
           the
           Spirit
           ;
           and
           yet
           almost
           all
           the
           Psalms
           are
           Petitions
           or
           Thanksgivings
           to
           God
           ;
           that
           is
           also
           ,
           Prayers
           which
           comprehend
           both
           Petitions
           and
           Thanksgivings
           .
           And
           the
           Apostle
           joineth
           both
           together
           ,
           praying
           with
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           singing
           with
           the
           Spirit
           .
           No
           Sect
           yet
           however
           have
           been
           so
           distracted
           as
           to
           venture
           on
           singing
           extempore
           .
           And
           it
           is
           the
           practice
           of
           those
           who
           condemn
           Forms
           of
           Prayer
           ,
           to
           use
           notwithstanding
           Psalms
           ,
           which
           although
           they
           owe
           their
           matter
           to
           divine
           inspiration
           ,
           yet
           their
           composition
           afterwards
           to
           the
           art
           of
           man.
           And
           very
           good
           reason
           ,
           for
           if
           they
           undertook
           to
           sing
           extempore
           ,
           every
           body
           would
           presently
           perceive
           that
           they
           were
           out
           of
           tune
           ,
           or
           rather
           never
           in
           it
           ;
           and
           that
           their
           songs
           were
           as
           void
           of
           rhime
           as
           reason
           .
           And
           therefore
           ,
           if
           verses
           and
           metre
           ,
           though
           composed
           forms
           by
           humane
           invention
           ,
           are
           fit
           for
           ,
           and
           consistent
           with
           the
           spiritual
           elevation
           of
           our
           hearts
           to
           God
           by
           way
           of
           thanksgiving
           ,
           why
           is
           not
           prose
           in
           elevation
           of
           our
           hearts
           by
           way
           of
           petition
           ;
           not
           to
           say
           ,
           that
           some
           Psalms
           are
           perfect
           petitions
           ;
           as
           the
           51
           Psalm
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           I
           would
           willingly
           be
           resolved
           by
           those
           who
           are
           altogether
           for
           
           extempore-praying
           Ministers
           ,
           because
           
           those
           Ministers
           pray
           by
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           whether
           they
           themselves
           ,
           when
           they
           hear
           them
           ,
           pray
           with
           the
           Spirit
           or
           no.
           And
           I
           suppose
           that
           they
           have
           a
           better
           esteem
           of
           themselves
           than
           to
           think
           otherwise
           ,
           or
           to
           deny
           that
           they
           pray
           with
           the
           Spirit
           .
           Praying
           by
           ,
           or
           with
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           as
           it
           respects
           the
           spiritual
           performance
           of
           the
           duty
           ,
           is
           actually
           incumbent
           on
           the
           people
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           the
           Minister
           .
           But
           yet
           they
           themselves
           have
           no
           extemporary
           expressions
           ,
           nor
           will
           be
           allowed
           to
           have
           extemporary
           enlargements
           of
           heart
           .
           Their
           Spirits
           are
           bound
           up
           by
           the
           Spirit
           of
           their
           Minister
           ,
           who
           ,
           if
           they
           should
           not
           diligently
           heed
           his
           words
           ,
           and
           give
           their
           full
           assent
           and
           consent
           ,
           and
           go
           along
           with
           him
           in
           every
           sentence
           ,
           would
           doubtless
           accuse
           them
           of
           negligence
           ,
           profaneness
           ,
           or
           hypocrisie
           ;
           because
           they
           do
           not
           mind
           the
           ordinances
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           that
           Prayer
           which
           he
           dictates
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           tieth
           up
           their
           spirits
           and
           thoughts
           ,
           that
           they
           keep
           close
           to
           it
           without
           wandring
           .
           Should
           any
           of
           his
           Congregation
           pretend
           that
           God
           had
           put
           holy
           thoughts
           into
           his
           heart
           ,
           that
           he
           could
           not
           attend
           to
           all
           that
           he
           said
           ,
           this
           pretence
           would
           be
           so
           far
           from
           being
           made
           a
           note
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           that
           it
           would
           be
           thought
           some
           diabolical
           suggestion
           ,
           which
           withdrew
           his
           heart
           from
           giving
           attention
           to
           his
           Prayer
           .
           So
           this
           people
           by
           the
           same
           breath
           they
           cry
           up
           their
           Minister
           ,
           condemn
           themselves
           .
           For
           if
           it
           be
           legal
           and
           carnal
           to
           be
           tied
           to
           a
           form
           of
           sound
           works
           ,
           which
           others
           have
           composed
           for
           us
           ,
           without
           enlargements
           of
           our
           own
           ;
           if
           it
           be
           carnal
           ,
           not
           to
           make
           use
           of
           our
           own
           parts
           and
           inventions
           ,
           in
           offering
           up
           our
           petitions
           ;
           if
           it
           be
           carnal
           to
           have
           our
           Spirits
           bound
           up
           ,
           limited
           ,
           and
           confined
           by
           words
           which
           others
           have
           dictated
           to
           us
           ,
           then
           are
           all
           the
           Congregation
           carnal
           ,
           no
           spiritual
           person
           ,
           not
           onely
           in
           respect
           of
           office
           ,
           but
           also
           of
           real
           qualifications
           ,
           beside
           the
           
           Minister
           ,
           who
           is
           their
           mouth
           and
           spokesman
           ;
           for
           ,
           dare
           any
           of
           his
           hearers
           pretend
           to
           other
           revelations
           ?
           are
           not
           their
           spirits
           confined
           to
           his
           spirit
           ,
           words
           ,
           and
           sentences
           ?
           for
           enlargement
           of
           matter
           is
           denied
           ,
           onely
           that
           of
           affections
           in
           admiration
           of
           his
           matter
           allowed
           .
           Deviations
           from
           it
           ,
           or
           digressions
           ,
           would
           be
           a
           note
           of
           profaneness
           and
           irreligion
           ,
           the
           sowing
           of
           tares
           among
           the
           wheat
           .
           But
           if
           their
           Ministers
           were
           not
           partial
           ,
           they
           should
           ,
           by
           their
           own
           Principle
           ,
           allow
           every
           member
           of
           their
           Congregation
           ,
           that
           liberty
           at
           the
           same
           time
           ,
           which
           they
           challenge
           to
           themselves
           ;
           leave
           every
           man
           to
           his
           particular
           enlargement
           ,
           and
           not
           confine
           them
           to
           his
           own
           Prayer
           ,
           lest
           the
           Spirit
           be
           stinted
           in
           his
           Brethren
           ,
           who
           may
           have
           at
           the
           same
           time
           several
           motions
           ,
           raptures
           ,
           and
           illuminations
           :
           much
           like
           the
           Corinthian
           Church
           :
           1
           
             Cor.
             14.
             26.
             
             How
             is
             it
             ,
             brethren
             ?
             when
             ye
             come
             together
             ,
             every
             man
             hath
             a
             psalm
             ,
             hath
             a
             tongue
             ,
             hath
             a
             doctrine
             ,
             hath
             a
             revelation
             ,
             hath
             an
             interpretation
             .
          
           But
           seeing
           we
           must
           join
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           or
           else
           the
           Congregation
           be
           left
           distracted
           ,
           it
           followeth
           even
           hence
           ,
           that
           praying
           with
           the
           Spirit
           consists
           not
           in
           new
           invention
           of
           matter
           and
           words
           .
        
         
           I
           now
           come
           to
           consider
           the
           second
           qualification
           of
           Publick
           Prayer
           ,
           by
           which
           all
           our
           spiritual
           gifts
           in
           their
           use
           and
           exercise
           ought
           to
           be
           directed
           and
           regulated
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           The
           good
           and
           edification
           of
           the
           hearers
           .
           This
           is
           that
           which
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           1
           
             Cor.
             14.
             15
             ,
             &c.
          
           and
           throughout
           the
           whole
           chapter
           aims
           at
           ;
           that
           let
           mens
           pretences
           to
           the
           Spirit
           be
           what
           they
           will
           ,
           yet
           neither
           they
           ,
           nor
           their
           pretences
           are
           to
           be
           regarded
           ,
           if
           they
           intend
           not
           edification
           .
           The
           great
           care
           of
           the
           Minister
           should
           be
           ,
           that
           the
           people
           may
           understand
           him
           ,
           and
           be
           profited
           by
           him
           .
           This
           is
           also
           farther
           evident
           from
           the
           16
           verse
           ,
           which
           doth
           explain
           the
           former
           ;
           
             Else
             when
             thou
             shalt
             bless
             with
             the
             spirit
             ,
             how
             shall
             he
             that
             occupieth
             the
             room
             
             of
             the
             unlearned
             say
             Amen
             at
             thy
             giving
             of
             thanks
             ,
             seeing
             he
             understandeth
             not
             what
             thou
             sayest
             .
          
           This
           is
           also
           evident
           from
           the
           protestation
           of
           St.
           Paul
           in
           the
           19.
           v.
           
             to
             speak
             five
             intelligible
             words
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             than
             a
             multitude
             unintelligible
             .
          
           This
           is
           also
           evident
           out
           of
           the
           precedent
           verses
           ;
           the
           design
           of
           the
           Apostle
           being
           ,
           that
           by
           plain
           preaching
           and
           praying
           ,
           they
           should
           edifie
           the
           Church
           of
           God.
           So
           v.
           9.
           
           
             So
             likewise
             ye
             ,
             except
             ye
             utter
             by
             the
             tongue
             ,
             words
             easie
             to
             be
             understood
             ,
             how
             shall
             it
             be
             known
             what
             is
             spoken
             ?
             for
             ye
             shall
             speak
             into
             the
             air
             .
          
           Now
           that
           forms
           of
           Prayer
           ,
           as
           they
           are
           composed
           ,
           may
           best
           be
           understood
           ,
           by
           all
           sorts
           of
           people
           ,
           is
           so
           evident
           ,
           that
           it
           needs
           no
           demonstration
           .
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           men
           may
           ,
           if
           they
           please
           ,
           compose
           such
           forms
           ,
           which
           are
           unintelligible
           ,
           as
           the
           Popish
           Prayers
           ,
           which
           are
           in
           an
           unknown
           Tongue
           ,
           and
           not
           understood
           by
           the
           generality
           ;
           or
           we
           may
           compose
           such
           intricate
           forms
           in
           our
           own
           Tongue
           ,
           which
           few
           can
           understand
           .
           But
           whatsoever
           qualification
           is
           desired
           for
           clearness
           of
           understanding
           ,
           may
           better
           be
           done
           in
           a
           set
           form
           ,
           which
           is
           made
           upon
           mature
           deliberation
           ,
           than
           in
           extempore
           Prayers
           ,
           which
           are
           composed
           on
           a
           sudden
           ,
           whether
           we
           respect
           the
           propriety
           of
           words
           ,
           the
           easiness
           and
           significancy
           of
           the
           phrases
           ,
           the
           plainness
           of
           the
           style
           ,
           the
           distinction
           of
           the
           sentences
           ,
           and
           the
           methodical
           disposition
           of
           the
           whole
           .
           And
           besides
           ,
           set
           forms
           publickly
           and
           constantly
           read
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           have
           this
           advantage
           ,
           that
           though
           some
           expressions
           should
           not
           be
           very
           clear
           in
           themselves
           ,
           yet
           long
           use
           ,
           whereby
           people
           become
           acquainted
           with
           them
           ,
           will
           render
           them
           intelligible
           .
           But
           there
           are
           but
           few
           that
           can
           speak
           on
           a
           sudden
           so
           pertinently
           and
           clearly
           to
           any
           business
           ,
           as
           they
           can
           upon
           mature
           deliberation
           .
           And
           in
           this
           case
           ,
           as
           set
           forms
           are
           likely
           to
           go
           beyond
           unstudied
           Prayers
           ,
           so
           those
           allowed
           
           and
           composed
           by
           the
           Fathers
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           are
           likely
           to
           excel
           the
           compositions
           of
           any
           single
           person
           .
           And
           if
           we
           seriously
           consider
           the
           composition
           of
           our
           own
           publick
           Prayers
           ,
           there
           cannot
           well
           be
           any
           better
           framed
           for
           perspicuity
           and
           information
           of
           the
           judgment
           ,
           or
           moving
           the
           affections
           .
           The
           words
           are
           plain
           ,
           familiar
           ,
           and
           easie
           to
           be
           understood
           ,
           the
           method
           is
           distinct
           and
           perspicuous
           .
           The
           Prayers
           being
           digested
           into
           several
           Collects
           ,
           so
           that
           we
           know
           when
           we
           are
           to
           confess
           our
           sins
           ,
           when
           to
           give
           thanks
           ,
           when
           to
           pray
           for
           grace
           ,
           and
           when
           for
           peace
           ,
           and
           when
           for
           the
           King
           and
           State
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           And
           ,
           
             qui
             bene
             distinguit
             ,
             bene
             docet
             .
          
           In
           the
           Litany
           we
           have
           a
           brief
           and
           pathetical
           enumeration
           of
           those
           sins
           and
           judgments
           we
           should
           pray
           against
           ,
           of
           those
           mercies
           spiritual
           and
           temporal
           we
           should
           pray
           for
           ,
           and
           this
           in
           plain
           terms
           ,
           not
           obscure
           to
           those
           who
           understand
           their
           Mother-tongue
           .
           In
           the
           second
           Service
           ,
           we
           have
           the
           Commands
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           sum
           of
           what
           we
           have
           to
           doe
           ,
           and
           throughout
           ,
           a
           frequent
           intermixture
           of
           the
           Creed
           ,
           Epistles
           ,
           and
           Gospels
           ,
           by
           which
           in
           all
           points
           we
           may
           be
           sufficiently
           instructed
           .
        
         
           But
           now
           ,
           for
           other
           Prayers
           ,
           which
           men
           make
           without
           premeditation
           ,
           although
           this
           should
           be
           granted
           ,
           that
           every
           Prayer
           be
           coherent
           ,
           and
           that
           every
           word
           and
           sentence
           in
           the
           Prayer
           ,
           might
           be
           understood
           by
           judicious
           auditours
           ;
           yet
           if
           we
           consider
           how
           hard
           it
           is
           ,
           to
           make
           the
           generality
           of
           people
           to
           understand
           those
           truths
           necessary
           to
           salvation
           ,
           what
           can
           we
           expect
           from
           them
           ,
           when
           ,
           besides
           the
           things
           themselves
           ,
           their
           memories
           must
           be
           burthened
           with
           variety
           of
           expressions
           ,
           and
           they
           must
           be
           more
           perplexed
           to
           understand
           variety
           of
           words
           ,
           than
           variety
           of
           matter
           ;
           every
           new
           Prayer
           more
           and
           more
           amazing
           their
           thoughts
           ,
           
           and
           confounding
           their
           apprehensions
           ,
           in
           which
           ,
           notwithstanding
           ,
           its
           requisite
           that
           every
           member
           of
           the
           Congregation
           should
           join
           .
           Whereas
           one
           comprehensive
           Prayer
           ,
           which
           should
           be
           used
           in
           all
           our
           solemn
           assemblies
           significantly
           expressed
           ,
           might
           by
           care
           and
           study
           in
           time
           be
           understood
           of
           all
           .
           Nay
           ,
           though
           variety
           may
           delight
           the
           fancy
           ,
           and
           draw
           the
           affections
           the
           more
           to
           the
           speaker
           ,
           yet
           it
           will
           be
           apt
           to
           distract
           the
           thoughts
           ,
           and
           a
           little
           disturb
           the
           affections
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           matter
           ,
           even
           in
           those
           who
           are
           understanding
           .
           For
           it
           's
           not
           in
           hearing
           Prayers
           as
           in
           hearing
           Sermons
           ,
           when
           we
           come
           to
           learn
           and
           be
           instructed
           in
           the
           will
           of
           God
           ,
           where
           ,
           if
           any
           thing
           be
           not
           truly
           and
           clearly
           delivered
           ,
           we
           may
           leisurely
           consider
           of
           it
           ,
           without
           offence
           to
           God
           ,
           or
           ill
           performance
           of
           the
           duty
           ;
           but
           in
           Prayer
           we
           are
           to
           offer
           up
           our
           petitions
           ,
           which
           if
           not
           clearly
           exprest
           ,
           and
           our
           apprehensions
           are
           not
           easie
           ,
           so
           that
           the
           things
           delivered
           be
           no
           sooner
           heard
           ,
           but
           understood
           and
           assented
           to
           ,
           and
           pass
           immediately
           to
           the
           affections
           ,
           we
           shall
           be
           at
           a
           loss
           for
           joining
           .
           Now
           these
           things
           cannot
           be
           so
           well
           attained
           to
           even
           by
           those
           of
           competent
           understanding
           in
           extempore
           Prayers
           ,
           as
           in
           set
           forms
           :
           for
           in
           these
           latter
           we
           may
           understand
           things
           before-hand
           ,
           and
           so
           have
           nothing
           to
           doe
           ,
           but
           to
           join
           in
           putting
           up
           our
           petitions
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           proper
           work
           of
           Prayer
           .
           But
           extempore
           Prayers
           are
           obnoxious
           to
           several
           impediments
           ,
           which
           arise
           from
           the
           nature
           of
           the
           Prayers
           themselves
           .
           For
           here
           is
           a
           necessity
           of
           an
           instantaneous
           weighing
           and
           judging
           the
           several
           expressions
           ,
           continually
           following
           each
           other
           ;
           together
           with
           the
           application
           of
           them
           to
           the
           will
           ,
           for
           the
           stirring
           up
           the
           affections
           to
           embrace
           them
           ,
           which
           is
           not
           easily
           done
           ,
           unless
           by
           those
           who
           have
           their
           faculties
           well
           exercised
           :
           as
           the
           greatest
           part
           of
           the
           auditours
           
           usually
           have
           not
           .
           For
           whilst
           the
           understanding
           is
           considering
           and
           estimating
           the
           truth
           of
           things
           ,
           the
           goodness
           is
           not
           represented
           to
           the
           will
           ,
           as
           desirable
           .
           And
           besides
           ,
           the
           due
           understanding
           of
           a
           Prayer
           ,
           depending
           on
           the
           connexion
           of
           one
           part
           ,
           and
           one
           sentence
           with
           another
           ,
           there
           will
           be
           need
           of
           ready
           animadversion
           to
           take
           notice
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           a
           competency
           of
           memory
           to
           retain
           it
           ;
           which
           qualifications
           ,
           many
           persons
           ,
           otherwise
           godly
           and
           intelligent
           ,
           may
           be
           destitute
           of
           .
           And
           yet
           farther
           ,
           the
           errours
           to
           which
           such
           Prayers
           may
           be
           liable
           and
           obnoxious
           ,
           from
           the
           defects
           of
           the
           person
           praying
           ,
           are
           manifold
           ;
           but
           I
           shall
           not
           now
           instance
           in
           any
           .
           And
           therefore
           I
           conclude
           ,
           that
           set
           forms
           are
           such
           which
           the
           best
           may
           join
           heartily
           with
           ,
           and
           without
           which
           the
           generality
           cannot
           come
           to
           knowledge
           very
           well
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           are
           the
           surest
           ground
           for
           the
           understanding
           to
           proceed
           upon
           .
        
         
           But
           yet
           there
           remains
           an
           objection
           to
           be
           resolved
           ,
           which
           must
           be
           ,
           if
           they
           understand
           themselves
           ,
           the
           foundation
           both
           of
           their
           Ministers
           plea
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           Peoples
           admiration
           of
           them
           ;
           which
           is
           thus
           :
        
         
           Though
           the
           using
           of
           set
           forms
           may
           consist
           with
           praying
           with
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           formalitèr
           ,
           yet
           it
           doth
           not
           effectivè
           so
           much
           as
           extempore
           Prayers
           .
           It
           's
           according
           to
           the
           known
           rules
           of
           Oratory
           ,
           that
           Speeches
           read
           out
           of
           a
           Book
           ,
           are
           not
           apt
           to
           affect
           so
           much
           ,
           as
           when
           retained
           memoriter
           ,
           and
           delivered
           with
           a
           lively
           and
           gratefull
           pronunciation
           .
           That
           which
           seems
           to
           flow
           from
           the
           heart
           of
           the
           Speaker
           ,
           works
           the
           more
           effectually
           on
           the
           hearts
           of
           the
           Hearers
           .
           Now
           ,
           forasmuch
           as
           God
           worketh
           by
           means
           ,
           in
           our
           conversion
           and
           edification
           ,
           which
           are
           suted
           and
           accommodated
           to
           our
           capacities
           and
           natures
           ,
           we
           ought
           to
           make
           use
           of
           those
           which
           are
           most
           apt
           to
           excite
           our
           devotion
           .
           Our
           inferiour
           
           faculties
           have
           need
           of
           assistence
           ,
           and
           a
           meet
           help
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           our
           superiour
           .
           And
           who
           would
           not
           condemn
           on
           this
           account
           a
           careless
           and
           supine
           reading
           of
           Common-prayer
           it self
           ,
           as
           a
           thing
           tending
           to
           alienate
           mens
           affections
           from
           it
           ,
           and
           to
           quench
           their
           devotions
           .
           And
           therefore
           such
           Ministers
           ,
           who
           suppose
           themselves
           thus
           gifted
           ,
           as
           to
           be
           able
           to
           excite
           mens
           affections
           by
           their
           Rhetorical
           Prayers
           ,
           and
           lively
           pronunciation
           and
           actions
           ,
           conclude
           it
           necessary
           ,
           that
           they
           should
           make
           use
           of
           their
           Talent
           ,
           and
           not
           lay
           it
           up
           in
           a
           Napkin
           .
        
         
           This
           argument
           or
           objection
           at
           first
           sight
           may
           seem
           specious
           and
           plausible
           ,
           but
           if
           throughly
           examined
           ,
           will
           appear
           as
           a
           rotten-Fabrick
           ,
           built
           on
           a
           sandy
           foundation
           ;
           or
           ,
           as
           a
           painted
           Sepulchre
           ,
           which
           ,
           though
           beautifull
           to
           look
           on
           ,
           yet
           within
           is
           full
           of
           dead-mens
           bones
           .
           I
           confess
           ,
           if
           we
           compare
           reading
           Prayers
           ,
           and
           a
           delivery
           of
           an
           eloquent
           Prayer
           without-book
           ,
           abstractedly
           and
           absolutely
           ,
           onely
           in
           order
           to
           the
           exciting
           of
           the
           affections
           ,
           the
           latter
           may
           take
           place
           ;
           but
           if
           we
           consider
           them
           with
           those
           circumstances
           ,
           which
           in
           general
           and
           publick
           use
           must
           attend
           them
           ,
           set
           forms
           will
           challenge
           the
           preheminence
           .
        
         
           But
           for
           answer
           ,
           in
           the
           first
           place
           ;
           I
           have
           already
           shewed
           ,
           that
           the
           use
           of
           forms
           is
           best
           for
           the
           instruction
           of
           the
           generality
           ,
           and
           settled
           information
           of
           the
           judgment
           ,
           and
           therefore
           on
           that
           account
           may
           at
           least
           be
           laid
           in
           equal
           ballance
           with
           exciting
           the
           sensitive
           affections
           with
           present
           heats
           and
           sudden
           commotions
           ,
           which
           are
           not
           durable
           .
           Good
           affections
           are
           but
           one
           requisite
           to
           praying
           with
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           according
           to
           those
           who
           place
           all
           almost
           in
           new
           inventions
           ,
           should
           be
           the
           least
           ;
           and
           must
           be
           directed
           by
           the
           illumination
           of
           the
           understanding
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           Because
           set
           forms
           are
           best
           for
           instruction
           ,
           
           and
           fixing
           the
           judgment
           ;
           they
           are
           best
           also
           for
           a
           due
           excitation
           of
           the
           affections
           ,
           so
           that
           they
           may
           be
           acceptable
           and
           well-pleasing
           to
           God.
           For
           here
           is
           to
           be
           observed
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           a
           great
           difference
           between
           divine
           and
           heathen
           Oratory
           .
           A
           Roman
           Oratour
           cared
           not
           so
           much
           for
           information
           of
           the
           judgment
           ,
           all
           his
           designs
           were
           to
           engage
           mens
           affections
           to
           his
           cause
           ,
           though
           by
           blinding
           their
           understanding
           and
           reason
           .
           Such
           arts
           as
           these
           the
           Apostle
           declares
           against
           in
           the
           beginning
           of
           the
           First
           Epistle
           to
           the
           Corinthians
           ,
           and
           elsewhere
           ,
           calling
           them
           the
           wisedom
           of
           words
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           flesh
           .
           But
           in
           offering
           up
           our
           Petitions
           to
           God
           ,
           our
           affections
           ought
           not
           to
           be
           led
           by
           tones
           and
           gestures
           ,
           but
           proceed
           from
           the
           sense
           and
           apprehension
           of
           God's
           Majesty
           ,
           and
           our
           own
           wants
           .
           If
           we
           will
           pray
           acceptably
           to
           God
           ,
           we
           must
           have
           our
           hearts
           and
           minds
           before-hand
           enflamed
           with
           a
           due
           consideration
           of
           his
           glory
           ,
           and
           our
           own
           misery
           .
           This
           ought
           to
           be
           had
           in
           the
           first
           place
           ;
           and
           then
           for
           quickning
           the
           outward
           man
           ,
           a
           lively
           ,
           serious
           ,
           and
           decent
           pronunciation
           of
           publick
           Prayers
           will
           be
           sufficient
           ,
           which
           every
           Minister
           should
           endeavour
           after
           .
           But
           when
           mens
           affections
           rise
           and
           fall
           according
           to
           the
           variation
           of
           the
           Speaker's
           tone
           ,
           it
           must
           needs
           be
           their
           measure
           and
           foundation
           .
           Now
           these
           affections
           ,
           moved
           after
           this
           manner
           ,
           being
           onely
           turbulent
           commotions
           of
           the
           bloud
           and
           spirits
           ,
           and
           not
           real
           longings
           of
           the
           soul
           after
           God
           ,
           are
           little
           more
           of
           themselves
           regarded
           by
           him
           ,
           than
           mere
           bodily
           service
           ;
           being
           but
           the
           next
           step
           higher
           .
           Nay
           ,
           many
           times
           they
           may
           become
           prejudicial
           to
           spiritual
           service
           ;
           for
           ,
           as
           it
           hath
           been
           observed
           ,
           
             perit
             omne
             judicium
             cùm
             abit
             in
             affectus
             ,
          
           so
           in
           this
           case
           ,
           when
           the
           tide
           of
           mens
           affections
           is
           up
           ,
           and
           they
           carried
           by
           external
           action
           and
           pronunciation
           ,
           
           without
           due
           understanding
           of
           the
           matter
           ,
           they
           will
           have
           but
           little
           room
           for
           the
           true
           sense
           of
           want
           and
           misery
           .
           And
           common
           people
           being
           unable
           to
           pass
           a
           ready
           judgment
           on
           the
           things
           delivered
           ,
           and
           unacquainted
           with
           new
           expressions
           ,
           must
           be
           led
           wholly
           by
           the
           gesture
           ,
           tone
           ,
           and
           pronunciation
           ;
           and
           if
           they
           be
           prejudiced
           for
           the
           man
           ,
           and
           the
           delivery
           be
           good
           ,
           all
           goes
           down
           ,
           all
           passeth
           with
           them
           for
           gold
           that
           glisters
           .
           But
           God
           is
           in
           those
           affections
           which
           are
           more
           settled
           and
           composed
           ,
           (
           as
           in
           the
           still
           small
           voice
           we
           reade
           of
           ,
           1
           Kings
           19.
           11
           ,
           12.
           )
           though
           they
           do
           not
           flame
           ,
           consume
           ,
           and
           break
           down
           so
           much
           ;
           as
           those
           more
           violent
           affections
           did
           indeed
           in
           our
           last
           Wars
           ,
           by
           miserably
           destroying
           both
           Church
           and
           State
           ;
           and
           of
           such
           we
           may
           say
           ,
           that
           God
           is
           not
           in
           them
           .
           I
           do
           not
           deny
           ,
           but
           that
           our
           affections
           ought
           to
           be
           sometimes
           fervent
           ,
           and
           vehement
           ,
           but
           so
           as
           they
           subvert
           not
           ,
           but
           are
           regulated
           by
           our
           judgments
           ;
           and
           when
           the
           height
           of
           them
           depends
           on
           the
           depth
           of
           the
           sense
           ,
           and
           apprehension
           of
           God's
           Majesty
           ,
           and
           our
           own
           misery
           by
           nature
           ,
           and
           not
           kindled
           by
           the
           loudness
           of
           an
           enthusiastick
           voice
           ,
           or
           tone
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           Hence
           also
           it
           will
           appear
           ,
           that
           the
           whole
           case
           is
           clearly
           mistaken
           ;
           for
           Prayer
           is
           by
           its
           essential
           definition
           a
           representation
           ,
           or
           a
           religious
           representation
           of
           our
           wills
           and
           desires
           to
           God.
           And
           then
           certainly
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           a
           representation
           of
           our
           wills
           to
           God
           ,
           we
           must
           have
           some
           desires
           in
           our
           wills
           to
           represent
           to
           God
           ,
           when
           we
           come
           to
           pray
           to
           him
           .
           And
           therefore
           every
           one
           that
           prays
           ,
           should
           either
           pray
           to
           God
           ,
           by
           putting
           up
           his
           own
           Petitions
           by
           himself
           ,
           or
           should
           be
           acquainted
           with
           the
           matter
           before-hand
           which
           another
           puts
           up
           for
           him
           ,
           that
           he
           may
           say
           ,
           he
           represents
           his
           own
           will
           to
           God
           ;
           so
           far
           forth
           as
           it
           is
           conformable
           to
           
           the
           will
           of
           God.
           As
           it
           hath
           been
           the
           custome
           ,
           when
           any
           one
           is
           to
           be
           particularly
           prayed
           for
           ,
           not
           onely
           the
           Minister
           is
           acquainted
           with
           his
           desire
           ,
           but
           he
           also
           gives
           notice
           to
           the
           People
           of
           the
           same
           .
           Prayer
           is
           the
           action
           of
           the
           Church
           ;
           not
           the
           declaration
           of
           the
           mind
           of
           God
           to
           us
           ,
           but
           the
           representation
           of
           ours
           to
           him
           ;
           and
           therefore
           doth
           suppose
           our
           affections
           already
           engaged
           .
           There
           is
           none
           who
           needs
           excite
           a
           Beggars
           affections
           ,
           who
           is
           sensible
           of
           his
           wants
           ;
           these
           will
           make
           him
           pathetical
           .
           And
           therefore
           all
           the
           compositions
           in
           our
           Prayers
           should
           be
           rather
           to
           express
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           incite
           our
           affections
           so
           much
           ,
           because
           we
           come
           to
           put
           up
           our
           desires
           to
           God.
           I
           confess
           ,
           that
           in
           preaching
           ,
           the
           case
           is
           quite
           otherwise
           ,
           and
           a
           greater
           latitude
           may
           be
           allowed
           as
           to
           these
           things
           ,
           because
           it
           is
           ordained
           ,
           not
           onely
           for
           the
           edification
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           but
           conversion
           of
           unbelievers
           ,
           who
           may
           be
           drawn
           by
           the
           love
           of
           the
           expressions
           ,
           to
           the
           love
           of
           the
           things
           themselves
           .
           And
           herein
           every
           one
           that
           is
           endued
           with
           the
           gift
           ,
           may
           exercise
           his
           Rhetorick
           ,
           and
           not
           bury
           his
           Talent
           in
           a
           Napkin
           .
           And
           likewise
           ,
           because
           hereby
           the
           will
           of
           God
           is
           declared
           to
           us
           ,
           spiritual
           things
           ,
           by
           sensible
           representations
           ,
           may
           become
           familiar
           to
           us
           ;
           and
           make
           the
           better
           impression
           upon
           us
           ;
           yet
           the
           Apostle
           used
           all
           plainness
           of
           speech
           in
           preaching
           ,
           and
           therefore
           certainly
           likewise
           in
           praying
           .
        
         
           The
           Apostle
           tells
           us
           ,
           
             Rom.
             8.
             26.
             
             Likewise
             the
             spirit
             also
             helpeth
             our
             infirmities
             ;
             for
             we
             know
             not
             what
             we
             should
             pray
             for
             ,
             as
             we
             ought
             ;
             but
             the
             spirit
             it self
             maketh
             intercession
             for
             us
             with
             groanings
             ,
             which
             cannot
             be
             uttered
             .
          
           Where
           ,
           I
           suppose
           ,
           the
           Apostle
           speaketh
           in
           the
           person
           of
           weak
           Christians
           ,
           or
           new
           Converts
           ,
           who
           could
           not
           well
           express
           their
           minds
           to
           God
           ;
           but
           yet
           they
           knew
           in
           general
           what
           was
           to
           be
           prayed
           for
           ,
           though
           they
           could
           
           not
           particularly
           express
           themselves
           ;
           
             for
             we
             know
             not
          
           ,
           &c.
           which
           doth
           suppose
           ,
           that
           they
           knew
           however
           in
           general
           ,
           though
           not
           in
           particular
           ,
           before-hand
           ,
           what
           they
           should
           pray
           for
           .
           And
           therefore
           to
           the
           due
           performance
           of
           this
           duty
           ,
           there
           is
           requisite
           in
           the
           first
           place
           a
           
             scala
             descensoria
          
           from
           the
           superiour
           faculties
           to
           the
           inferiour
           ,
           and
           not
           a
           
             scala
             ascensoria
          
           from
           the
           inferiour
           faculties
           to
           the
           superiour
           .
           And
           hence
           the
           inventive
           faculty
           of
           the
           Minister
           ,
           or
           those
           gifts
           and
           abilities
           which
           God
           hath
           given
           him
           ,
           whereby
           he
           is
           able
           to
           express
           his
           mind
           in
           more
           full
           and
           significant
           phrases
           ,
           than
           ordinary
           people
           ,
           should
           not
           be
           employed
           in
           praying
           extempore
           ,
           so
           much
           as
           in
           composing
           set
           forms
           before-hand
           ,
           both
           private
           ,
           wherein
           those
           who
           would
           speak
           out
           of
           the
           abundance
           of
           the
           heart
           ,
           but
           by
           reason
           of
           ignorance
           to
           express
           themselves
           cannot
           ,
           may
           be
           furnished
           with
           apt
           and
           meet
           sentences
           ;
           and
           publick
           ,
           that
           those
           whose
           affections
           are
           engaged
           might
           ,
           knowing
           and
           understanding
           the
           Prayer
           before-hand
           ,
           with
           more
           freedom
           ,
           and
           without
           hesitancy
           join
           with
           mutual
           conspiration
           of
           thoughts
           ,
           spirits
           ,
           and
           affections
           .
        
         
           And
           hence
           Liturgies
           were
           in
           use
           early
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           as
           soon
           as
           they
           could
           well
           be
           composed
           ;
           as
           is
           also
           done
           in
           the
           other
           part
           of
           worship
           ,
           in
           praising
           God
           ,
           where
           Psalms
           and
           Hymns
           are
           composed
           and
           accented
           for
           the
           sweeter
           melody
           ,
           harmony
           ,
           and
           consent
           .
           And
           when
           this
           is
           done
           ,
           he
           that
           prayeth
           should
           endeavour
           after
           the
           best
           pronunciation
           ,
           and
           most
           decent
           delivery
           ;
           that
           though
           these
           should
           not
           be
           the
           first
           motives
           ,
           yet
           that
           hereby
           the
           outward
           man
           ,
           and
           lower
           faculties
           may
           be
           so
           far
           quickned
           ,
           as
           not
           to
           be
           an
           impediment
           to
           the
           superiour
           .
           But
           to
           begin
           ,
           and
           lay
           the
           foundation
           upon
           these
           ,
           would
           be
           like
           the
           affections
           of
           a
           person
           raised
           by
           the
           noise
           of
           Organs
           and
           Singing-men
           ,
           who
           yet
           knows
           not
           a
           word
           of
           the
           Hymns
           composed
           .
        
         
         
           But
           ,
           if
           any
           pretend
           that
           the
           very
           use
           of
           a
           form
           is
           apt
           to
           dull
           the
           affections
           ,
           and
           produce
           formality
           and
           lip-service
           ,
           it
           's
           a
           sign
           that
           words
           and
           phrases
           lead
           their
           affections
           ,
           and
           are
           not
           expressive
           of
           them
           :
           for
           otherwise
           ,
           the
           words
           being
           significant
           ,
           and
           their
           hearts
           seriously
           engaged
           ,
           they
           would
           be
           no
           more
           wearied
           with
           the
           using
           the
           same
           good
           form
           ,
           than
           the
           Abderites
           were
           ,
           when
           ,
           after
           a
           play
           written
           in
           their
           own
           Language
           ,
           they
           heard
           ,
           
             O
             Cupido
          
           ,
           Prince
           of
           gods
           and
           men
           !
           cried
           out
           incessantly
           ,
           
             O
             Cupido
          
           ,
           Prince
           of
           gods
           and
           men
           ,
           till
           it
           cast
           them
           all
           almost
           into
           violent
           fevers
           .
           Or
           than
           the
           Ephesians
           were
           ,
           Acts
           19.
           34.
           who
           
             cried
             out
             ,
             for
             the
             space
             of
             two
             hours
             ,
             great
             is
             Diana
             of
             the
             Ephesians
             .
          
        
         
           Certainly
           ,
           had
           those
           ,
           who
           condemn
           our
           saying
           ,
           
             Good
             Lord
             deliver
             us
             ;
             We
             beseech
             thee
             to
             hear
             us
             good
             Lord
             ;
             Lord
             have
             mercy
             upon
             us
             ;
             Christ
             have
             mercy
             upon
             us
             ;
             Lord
             have
             mercy
             upon
             us
             ,
          
           often
           in
           our
           Prayers
           ,
           had
           they
           but
           half
           so
           much
           zeal
           for
           God
           and
           Christ
           ,
           as
           these
           men
           for
           Cupid
           and
           Diana
           ,
           they
           might
           easily
           be
           of
           a
           better
           mind
           ,
           and
           join
           with
           us
           in
           our
           Litany
           ,
           which
           hath
           had
           the
           approbation
           ,
           even
           of
           some
           Presbyterian
           Ministers
           ,
           for
           an
           affectionate
           Prayer
           .
           So
           far
           is
           the
           reiterating
           or
           repeating
           of
           the
           same
           expressions
           ,
           suitable
           to
           our
           affections
           ,
           from
           dulling
           and
           quenching
           them
           ,
           that
           it
           doth
           rather
           kindle
           them
           anew
           ,
           and
           cause
           them
           to
           burn
           with
           the
           greater
           flame
           .
           The
           sum
           then
           ,
           and
           result
           of
           these
           answers
           is
           this
           ;
           that
           forasmuch
           as
           clearness
           of
           understanding
           and
           judgment
           is
           annexed
           for
           the
           most
           part
           to
           forms
           ,
           which
           we
           may
           know
           before-hand
           ,
           ordinary
           people
           being
           not
           able
           to
           pass
           a
           ready
           judgment
           on
           new
           inventions
           ;
           that
           forms
           are
           necessary
           for
           the
           due
           excitation
           and
           regulation
           of
           our
           affections
           ,
           because
           best
           understood
           ;
           that
           the
           exciting
           the
           sensitive
           affections
           merely
           by
           elocution
           and
           pronunciation
           ,
           may
           be
           sometimes
           
           rather
           an
           impediment
           than
           a
           furtherance
           of
           the
           spiritual
           performance
           of
           the
           duty
           ;
           that
           Prayers
           are
           the
           representation
           of
           our
           wills
           to
           God
           ;
           and
           the
           intent
           of
           vocal
           Prayer
           is
           rather
           to
           express
           ,
           than
           raise
           our
           affections
           ;
           and
           as
           far
           as
           may
           be
           ,
           those
           unutterable
           groans
           of
           the
           spirit
           ,
           which
           by
           forms
           may
           be
           done
           most
           significantly
           ,
           and
           most
           for
           the
           understanding
           :
           And
           yet
           the
           use
           of
           them
           doth
           nothing
           tend
           to
           abate
           the
           affections
           ,
           but
           to
           unfold
           distinctly
           those
           desires
           of
           the
           Soul
           ,
           which
           were
           laid
           before
           ,
           wrapped
           up
           ,
           as
           it
           were
           ,
           in
           a
           Napkin
           ;
           it
           therefore
           followeth
           ,
           that
           nothing
           is
           more
           necessary
           ,
           than
           a
           comprehensive
           form
           of
           Prayer
           to
           be
           used
           in
           all
           publick
           Assemblies
           ;
           which
           all
           being
           acquainted
           with
           ,
           may
           better
           understand
           ,
           and
           may
           the
           more
           freely
           ,
           knowingly
           ,
           and
           cordially
           join
           with
           .
           And
           so
           I
           have
           given
           a
           sufficient
           Answer
           to
           the
           Objection
           ,
           but
           yet
           I
           shall
           ,
           
             ex
             abundanti
          
           ,
           add
           another
           argument
           or
           two
           ,
           to
           confirm
           this
           Discourse
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           It
           may
           be
           considered
           ,
           that
           in
           order
           to
           the
           exciting
           the
           affections
           themselves
           ,
           thô
           an
           excellent
           delivery
           and
           invention
           may
           go
           beyond
           bare
           reading
           ,
           yet
           these
           gifts
           are
           to
           be
           considered
           in
           the
           use
           of
           them
           ,
           not
           onely
           in
           abstracto
           ,
           but
           in
           concreto
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           persons
           themselves
           ,
           who
           are
           endowed
           with
           them
           .
           Now
           thô
           we
           may
           grant
           that
           some
           of
           them
           are
           able
           to
           pray
           for
           a
           long
           time
           significantly
           ,
           methodically
           ,
           and
           comprehensively
           ,
           yet
           ,
           have
           all
           of
           them
           ,
           have
           most
           of
           them
           ,
           these
           abilities
           ?
           Can
           they
           always
           have
           ready
           a
           new
           Prayer
           comprehensive
           of
           matter
           ,
           and
           yet
           cloathed
           with
           new
           phrases
           and
           expressions
           ,
           and
           brought
           forth
           pertinently
           without
           hesitancy
           or
           confusion
           ?
           Have
           all
           of
           them
           at
           their
           fingers
           or
           tongues-end
           ,
           
             Erasmus
             de
             copiâ
             rerum
             &
             verborum
             ?
          
           No
           ;
           surely
           we
           shall
           find
           most
           of
           them
           destitute
           of
           these
           faculties
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           efficacy
           of
           their
           Prayers
           depends
           
           on
           the
           peoples
           fancy
           ,
           and
           their
           own
           confident
           delivery
           .
        
         
           Fifthly
           ,
           Forasmuch
           as
           people
           may
           be
           as
           duly
           affected
           ,
           and
           as
           much
           edified
           by
           forms
           ,
           as
           by
           extempore
           Prayers
           ,
           we
           must
           not
           forget
           in
           the
           last
           place
           ,
           the
           peace
           of
           the
           Church
           and
           State
           ,
           which
           is
           by
           far
           more
           exposed
           by
           the
           use
           of
           the
           latter
           than
           the
           former
           .
           The
           effect
           of
           the
           one
           is
           unity
           and
           uniformity
           ,
           brotherly
           love
           ,
           and
           joining
           together
           in
           mutual
           building
           of
           our selves
           up
           in
           our
           most
           holy
           faith
           :
           of
           the
           other
           ,
           for
           the
           most
           part
           ,
           divisions
           in
           Church
           ,
           and
           rebellions
           in
           State
           ;
           when
           it
           is
           left
           to
           every
           one
           to
           doe
           what
           is
           right
           and
           good
           in
           his
           own
           eyes
           ,
           as
           our
           late
           times
           have
           sufficiently
           demonstrated
           .
           The
           Presbyterians
           themselves
           would
           not
           leave
           us
           without
           a
           Directory
           But
           ,
           if
           private
           Men
           and
           Ministers
           be
           left
           to
           themselves
           ,
           to
           pray
           as
           they
           please
           ,
           both
           Church
           and
           State
           had
           need
           of
           very
           good
           security
           for
           their
           integrity
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           their
           ability
           .
           An
           heretical
           ,
           factious
           ,
           and
           schismatical
           Minister
           ,
           the
           more
           eloquent
           Oratour
           he
           is
           ,
           the
           more
           dangerous
           Impostour
           and
           Firebrand
           he
           may
           prove
           .
           And
           so
           it
           is
           incumbent
           ,
           both
           on
           the
           Prince
           ,
           in
           regard
           of
           the
           State
           ,
           and
           on
           the
           Bishop
           ,
           in
           regard
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           to
           have
           an
           eye
           to
           such
           persons
           .
           And
           were
           not
           our
           Common-prayer
           sufficient
           in
           it self
           ,
           yet
           being
           free
           from
           all
           just
           exceptions
           ,
           the
           very
           command
           of
           King
           and
           Parliament
           should
           commend
           it
           to
           our
           use
           .
           And
           therefore
           let
           us
           not
           imitate
           ,
           by
           giddiness
           and
           wantonness
           ,
           the
           Israelites
           in
           the
           Wilderness
           ,
           who
           loathed
           heavenly
           Manna
           ,
           Angels
           food
           ,
           because
           it
           was
           common
           ;
           wherefore
           ,
           though
           
             God
             sent
             them
             Quails
             to
             satisfie
             their
             lusts
             ,
             yet
             he
             destroyed
             many
             of
             them
             ,
             whilst
             the
             meat
             was
             in
             their
             mouths
             .
          
           We
           may
           all
           know
           what
           ensued
           the
           abolishing
           Common-prayer
           among
           us
           ;
           
             Let
             us
             sin
             no
             more
             ,
             lest
             a
             worse
             thing
             come
             upon
             us
             .
          
        
         
           THE
           END
           .