The vindication of liturgies, lately published by Dr. Falkner, proved no vindication of the lawfulness, usefulness, and antiquity of set-forms of publick ministerial prayer to be generally used by, or imposed on all ministers, and consequently an answer to a book, intituled, A reasonable account why some pious nonconformists judge it sinful, for them to perform their ministerial acts in by the prescribed forms of others : wherein with an answer to what Dr. Falkner hath said in the book aforesaid, the original principles are discovered, from whence the different apprehensions of men in this point arise / by the author of the Reasonable account, and Supplement to it.

THE INTRODUCTION .

The Vindicator's Title not proper to his Work , nor justly proportioned to the Title or Matter of the Book he pretendeth to answer . The Author of the Reasonable Account , pretends to no Oracular infallibilities , onely to Reason , working on Scriptural Principles . The design of his Book . The Vindicator's false account of it in his Epistle Dedicatory . His slighty apprehensions of it . The Policy of that . The Undertaking not so strange as the Vindicator would make it . The reason why the Arguments may appear to have no weight to the Vindicator , yet may not be so light . The Vindicator's unkind reflection upon the Author , for his want of skill in Chronology , as to the times of Gregory the Great and Charles the Great , shewed to be only produced for sport , and to have nothing of charge in it ; but the Vindicator himself hath commited a greater Error about Gregory the Great , making him to have died F●fteen years before Platina saith he was Pope . The Vindicator's declining Syllogistical Arguing . The seasonableness of the coming out of the Reasonable Account ( through the intervention of Gods Providence ) tho the Author at the writing of it had no prospect of any such thing . The Conclusion of the Answer to his Epistle Dedicatory , and Introduction .

1. THE Author hath intituled his Book , A Vindication of Liturgies [ that is , of what strictly taken , none of any sound mind , ever found fault with ] for a Liturgy ( it ought to be wrote Liturgy , tho it be by vulgarer ror neglected ) fignifies nothing , either according to the notation of the word ( coming from 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ) or the Scriptural usage of it , or the usage of it in the ancientest Writers in Philology ; or in ancient Ecclesiastical Writers ( without an addition to it 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , or the like ) but a Publick Service or Ministry ; but he , by and by adds , Shewing the Lawfulness , Vsefulness and Antiquity of performing the Publick Worship of God by Set Forms of Prayer . Nor hath any that I know denied this . It is onely the Lawfulness of an Vniversal Vse or Imposition of Set Forms , and those too prescribed by other men , and imposed on all men , that is the matter in question , which by the Title of his Book it seems the Author had no mind to vindicate .

2. He goes on , In answer to a late Book intituled , A Reasonable Account why some pious Noncon . Ministers judge it sinful for them to perform their Ministerial Acts in Publick Solemn Prayer , by the prescribed Forms of others . But how shall a Vindication of Liturgies , shewing the Lawfulness , Vsefulness , and Antiquity , of performing the Publick Worship of God by Set Forms ; ever answer that Book which meddles not with the Lawfulness of Liturgies , but Forms of Prayer onely composed by those who do not use them , and imposed on them ? Nor doth it say they are unlawful , only shews the reasons of some persons why they cannot judge that it is lawful for them to use them .

3. Neither the Author of that Book nor his Friends , pretend to have the Propositions they delivered , suggested to them by the Roman King's Goddess Aegeria ; nor yet whispered to them by Mahomets Pigeon , nor yet impressed upon them , as John of Leyden pretended at Munster , that his were ; nor yet to have had them from the Possessor of any infallible Chair ; they pretend to no more than that Light which enlighteneth every man that comes into the World . They think , There is a Spirit in Man , and the Almighty hath given him Vnderstanding ; that God hath given all men a Principle inabling men to dis-Course conclusions from Principles ( which we call Reason . ) That these Principles are partly connate and natural , partly revealed in Holy Writ ; that in matter of Gods Worship their Reason is to work not so much upon the first , as second sort of these Principles ; hence they form Conclusions , from comparing Scripture with Scripture , in the light of which they walk . And even in this ratiocination they do think Optimus Philosophus non nascitur , and therefore judge none , but walk in their own Light , making no Mens Dictates or Decrees , the Rule of their Practice in the things of God , but crying out , To the Law and to the Testimony , and for the determination of the sense of that ( as to their own practice ) finally resting in the practical judgment of their own consciences . If any represent them to the World as Dunces , Men that have nothing to say for their dissent from others , but doing what they do , out of meer Faction , Rebellion , Disobedience to Rulers : They are ready to give a reasonable account of their Actions .

3. This was the apparent design of that Book , composed immediately upon the coming out of the Vindicators Libertas Ecclesiastica , and more than two years since given to a friend , after which the Author never saw it till he saw it in print , and ( abating the Errors of the Press ) the Author sees no cause to put it into his Retractations , nor doth believe that one leaf of it will be a grief of heart to him when he comes to die , nor be charged upon him as guilt ( with reference to the main matter of it ) in the day of Judgment .

But because we will not believe , because the Church ( that is some who call themselves so ) believe that Faith and Fervency are the gift of Vocal Ministerial Pr●yer ( which is no better than Nonsense ) and that there is a Natural , Eternal , Order and Decency ( left to the liberty of Rulers to specifie in particulars ) antecedent to the will of God concerning external Worship , to which the plain precepts of God for attention and fervency in Prayer must give place , and be by it regulated ; or that words are no essential part of Ministerial Publick Prayer , and some other such like unintelligible things ; and as unscriptural , we must be exposed at this rate for most unparallell'd Dunces , and Rebels to Authority , and persons , who ( to use our Vindicators words in the close of his Introduction ) vent Notions to widen our Breaches , and such as are inconsistent with the publick establishment of a Church , and which put advantages into the hands of other Enemies ; the drift whereof tends to confusion , and the matter of them is unsound and untrue : when as in truth the imposition of Forms of Prayer on all Ministers , and inforcing them to use , and all the people to hear them , hath been the source of all our Breaches ; and most if not all , and those the purest Churches , are established without any such imposition : and they are only used amongst our greatest adversaries , from whom it is that we are reformed ( as all men know ) such misteries of sense some men speak in their passion .

4. From hence may appear how truly the Vindicator tells his Reverend Diocesan in the Epistle Dedic . That for justifying our Seperation , I have adventured so far as to charge the general use of Forms of Prayer to be sinful , which ( if it were true ) would indeed be a high accusation against our Publick Worship .

The matter is neither so , nor so , if the Vindicator doth not judge this good Logick . What some pious men judge as to themselves unlawful , is certainly and absolutely so ; which is so weak , as every one will see the inconsequence of it . Our Vindicator will hardly be pleased to hear me tell my Reader , That there is not much truth to be expected from him who so manifestly prevaricates in the first leaves , nor consistency from him ; the second p. of whose Epistle Dedicatory agreeth no better with his Title page ; tho p. 138 , he minds his Reader , That he may not rea●onably expect any accuracy in the right computation for the birth , and first product of Liturgies , from me who talks so loosely and falsly about the Age wherein Gregory the Great lived ; when yet the mistake was his own , not mine , as I shall hereafter fully shew .

5. I am beholden to the Vindicator , for allowing me both in his Epistle Ded. ( and else where ) to have stated my Question plainly , and then produced my Arguments , but I am not so far engaged to him , for owning no more in my Book , than slender and weak appearances of Reason , and what was not like to prevail much with understanding men — wanting strength of Argument . But these things being yet in Issue , I shall say nothing to them , save only this , That in some causes it is necessary to fore speak Readers , and more politick to prejudice them , then to leave them to their own judgments ; for the strength of the Argument I shall once more try that with them , and examine whether he indeed hath as he saith , This great advantage to have manifest truth on his side .

6. In his Introduction , p. 1 , 2. He tells us he thought my Vndertaking strange , and that in my Book he found nothing of any great weight . I am not much concerned at his thinking my Undertaking strange ( nothing freer then thoughts . ) But why strange ? Was it not the contrary Opinion that broke the Church at Frankfort in the beginning of our Reformation ? Was it not 100 years since disputed in Latine betwixt one Carpenter , and an English Minister fled into Holland ? My self hath the printed Copy of it ; hath not Mr Cotton long since declared his judgment against the lawfulness ( a Prophet without Honour from a party in his own Countrey ) but whose name is not only very honourable to multitudes at this day in England , but over all the World where the Gospel is Preached . Hath not the judgment of the Churches in New-England , been the same , if not more rigid then mine ? Hath it not been the judgment of the Church of Scotland ever since the Reformation ? Nay is it not the judgment of all Reformed Churches at this day , where Liturgies are only prescribed , and left at liberty ? Why then should this undertaking be so strange ? Especially considering , that himself tells us in his Epistle Dedica . That the Genius of the Non-con . Party is much set against them , and in their Practice they generally reject them eagerly .

3. Tho indeed he saith in his Epistle , That the more cautious and wary Men amongst us dissenters will not Affirm the constant use of Forms Sinful , because they think su●h a Position not defensible . But the question is , Whether those Cautious , Wary Men , will not affirm . The Vniversal use and imposition of Forms of Prayer in Publick Worship , and such Forms too , as were never prescribed by God , or Christ , or any Prophets or Apostles unlawful . I never yet met with one such Dissenter , tho never so Wary and Cautious ; and thus much I dare say , That in the whole County where our Vindicator lives , there is not one single Dissenting Minister would take up a Living upon that single Term , tho many of them indure hardship enough . But this is a trick used to perswade our Rulers , that that is a point of difference betwixt very few Dissenters and them , whereas they know the contrary ; and as to our Brethren of the Congregational Perswasion , and the Anabaptists , they cannot but know that there is not a man of them judgeth Forms of Prayer generally used or imposed , lawful ; and I dare assure him , that of the Presbyterians , there is not one of forty so judgeth them .

7. But I am more concerned to inquire whether there be nothing in my Book of any great w●ight &c. I have observed in Sho●s , that the judgment of the Weight of Wares hath much depended upon the Scales and Weights used , and the hand of him that pretends to set the Ballance even ; an Vnrigh●●●●●●s Thumb and Finger , often makes a Commodity appear light , which hath weight enough . I must therefore crave leave to examine the Scales and Weights , by which our Vindicator hath taken his Measures , and see whether some unlucky Thumb and Finger of Prejudice , or Passion , hath not caused my Ware to be prenounced so l ght , and intreat my Reader to weigh it over again in the Ballance of the Sanctuary , with the Sealed Weights of Scripture and Right Reason , and then to pass a deliberate Judgment ; and shall onely tell our Vindicator , that it was no good Logick , to put the ergo before the Premises : he should first have shewed the Weakness and Lightness of them , and have left these expressions for his Conclusion , others ( and those learned Men ) are not all of his mind ; and because he is so confident , upon me let it rest to justify their Weight , and further to prove that he hath been so far from proving any Antiquity for any general use , or Impositions of Forms of Prayers to be used by all Ministers in their publick Ministrations for 600 years after Christ , that it is a thing not proveable , and which no wise and learned man can undertakē the proof of , only Aliquid dicendum , in nihil dicant ; and what is wanting in just matter , must be made up with many and big words .

8. He saith right , That the design of his former Book is made void by my undertaking ( if what I say be true ) which I very well knew , Es frustra fit perplura , &c. be the particular Forms used in our Church , as good as they will , it is nothing to us , who would never have entred the Ministry , if we had not thought we had , and been judged by those who set us apart to the work , to have had some ability to Pray as well as Preach , and having so , judg it Sinful not to perform our Ministerial Acts in the use of that gift .

9. The Author of the Reasonable Account , &c. did not set his name , not desiring that his Arguments should derive any Repute , or Disrepute from him : What matters it whether the Author be a wise Man or a Fool , the question is , What his Arguments in the Case are , Saepe etiam tolitor est opportuno locutor . But he chargeth me deeply , when he says p. 3. That it is observable , that when I write concerning the Ancient Practice of the Church after the Apostles times , or any thing written in those days , it is generally done so loosely , and somtimes with such wonderful extravagancy , as may surprize an intelligent Reader , with some kind of Admiration . Says he so ? Wherein ? He will give but one instance , which he saith is in my 68 , 69 pages , speaking of the Original of Liturgies , I say ,

We do believe , that Gregory the Great , under the Protection of Charles the Great , was the Father of all those that dwell in these Tents , and that 800 or a 1000 years after Christ . My words in that place are these ,

To bring this point to an Issue , there was a Book published 1662 , called , A sober and temperate Discourse concerning the Interest of words in Prayer . The Reader may there at large see what we judg concerning the Original of Liturgies , when our Reverend Brother , or any for him , shall have given a strict Reply to the 3. and 4. Chapters in that Book , we shall think they have more to say for their Antiquity , then we have yet seen . In the mean time we do believe that Gregory the Great ( usually said to be the worst of all Popes that went before him ) under the Protection of Charles the Great was the Father of all those who dwell in these Tents , and that 800 or 1000 years after Christ . He leaves out the first part , and the reference to the other Book .

The truth is , it was too Elliptically expressed , towards a Person that sought an occasion to Carp and Reflect ; which that our Vindicator did too much appears from his taking notice of what was p. 68 , 69. of a book which had not above 180. pages in it , or thereabouts . In the 4 p. of his Answer , and then again in p. 138. of his Answer , in both which places , he makes sport with it , at such a rate as were unpardonable , but that it was just about Prevarication time at Cambridge , and indeed it was a thing fitter to make sport for boys then men , who understand any thing of Sense , and have any judgment .

10. He comes upon it with a Firstly , Secondly , Thirdly , then makes Application suitably , which he pursueth p. 138. and amplifies with a Rabbinical Story , and shuts up his Reflection with a very pretty Jest . His words are these ,

To speak of Gregory the great 800 or 1000 years after Christ , is far enough from truth , when he dyed about the year 1604 ; and Secondly that Gregory the great should be under the Protection of Charles the great , is impossible , when he was dead about 200 years before Charles the great began his Reign . And 3ly . It is altogether as inaccountable that Liturgies had their Original , either in the time of Gregory or Charles the great , when they were in use many 100 years before them both , Quod est demonstrandum . Then he comes to Application . This mistake concerning these Persons , whose Names are so famous in History , that a Man of ordinary reading could not be unacquainted with them , is , as if any person should presume to give account of the Church of the Israelites and should assert that the offering of Sacrifices under the Mosaicai Law , had its beginning in the days of Eli the Priest , in the Reign of K. Jehosophat , 600 or 800 years after the Israelites came out of Egypt . This is a great piece of ignorance and error : That 's the first use . Surely it is a strange confidence for any person to vent such things and to write positively what he no better understandeth . The Author therefore of the Reasonable Account , is an ignorant confident person . That is the 2d . use , p. 138. Therefore we must not reasonably expect any accuracy in the right computation of the time of the birth and first production of Liturgies from him who talks so loosly and falsly , about the Age in which Gregory the great lived ; whom he would make the Father of them . Therefore Sirs you are not to believe any thing this Author saith on this Argument . That is the 3d , and main use . And it is speaking enough at random , to fix their Original now at 600 after at 800 , then at a 10000 years after Christ ; for the Author contradicts himself , and cannot tell whether it was at 6 or 800 , or 1000 years after Christ ( that is the English of this , and inforceth the last branch of Application ) I shall repeat our Vindicators words no further , let him please himself and such Readers ( as such trifles will please ) with his Rabbinical Tradition about Phinehas , and his fancy ( to reconcile my words to truth ) that Gregory might live 400 years , and then have need of Charles the great to govern him in his dottage : I shall reconcile what I said , to truth and sense , at a more intelligible rate .

11. What a Magnus conatus , here is Nugas agere ! 1. In the first place every Scholar knows , that in matters of Chronology ; it is our Custom to consult some Chronologer or other Pro re nata , and that it is no piece of Learning to carry in Memory the Years of Mens Births or Deaths ( Reason being not at all concerned in the case ) but when we have occasion to take notice of any such thing , we use to look into them ; and Dr. Cave's Tables are continually in mine eye while I am in my Study , and Helvicus within a reach ; the one of which presently telleth me Gregory the greats time , and the other Charles the greats ; so as the Vindicator hath not shewn much of his own Judgment or Ingenuity , in making one so mightily defective in learning , meerly for mistaking the time of a Pope or Emperors Reign : and as confident as himself is that Gregory dyed 604 ,

I am sure Platina saith , he entred his Popedom 610 , which ( according to our Vindicator ( who is so severe a Critick in Chronology ) was six years after he was dead ; which would make a better Argument than any of the Papists have , to prove Gregory a most Holy Father , having spent six years in Heaven , and received a better Canonization than the Church of Rome could give him , and then came down ( not without Gods leave sure , to be his Sons Vicar , and to rule his Church on Earth . Now who so considers , that Platina was a later Popes Secretary , and so had doubtless the command of their Archives , and Abbreviator Apostolicus ; so as it was his business to search into the things of that Church , may reasonably think he much better knew than our Vindicator could , his Chronology , yea , or than any other Monk , or more ordinary Religioso ; and to correct Platina by any of them , is much like setting the Sun by ones Watch. Qui alterum incusat probri ipsum se intueri oportet . If any one object that my self says , Gregory was not Pope till about 600 ( as I believe I have said more than once in this Discourse ) or that he lived Anno 600 , every one will understand me as expressing Numerum Rotundum , the number of the age only , not the particular year ; and that my meaning was at the close of the 6th , or beginning of the 7th Age ; but if one will pretend to the very year of his death , and say he died 604 , he is tied to more exactness , for fear a Resurrection be proved upon the Assertor , admitting his Assertion .

12. But this being premised , let us more strictly inquire , Whether there was such a mistake or no ? In very deed there was none ' and all this noise is caused from our Vindicators applying that to persons which I never intended but of the practice and usage ; for what else could I understand by the Father of all these that dwell in these Tents ? but the Father of those who have introduced into the Church , the general use and imposition of Forms of Prayers to be used by all Ministers , in their Publick Solemn Prayers ?

I said and I say it again , That Gregory the Great was the Father of these men ; he first made a Canon in the case . I mean a Rule or Decree ; I think Durandus or Platina , use the term Redegit in Canonem . This Canon was charged but with Powder , and did no great execution , till Charles the Great , near 200 years after that , added a Bullet to Gregorys Powder ; this did great Execution , for he enforced all men with Fire and Sword ; and this I think was a great protection of Gregory the Greats Canonical Sanction . Charles his Empire was large , and we must imagine that a year or two , or twenty , would not perfect so great an alteration , no not in the Roman Empire ( which was not all the Christian World ) so as I do think that it is no large conjecture , to guess it might be 1000 years before this practice got any general usage . This Cubb was whelped by Gregory the Great , but all his Authority and Canons , &c. could not lick it into a just form , till Charles the Great put his Mouth to it , and his Hand and Sword also ; which must be in the Ninth Century , and cannot well be imagined to have been perfected in a small time . I believe when I come to our Vindicators p 156 , 157. I shall find ( if not a designed Cheat ) a grosser Error in Chronology than this amounts to ; for this indeed is none . The Vindicator might have seen in the Book to which I referred in that Paragraph , that I did know , or might have read there ( and I will assure him I read it once or twice ) what time Gregory the Great lived , and at what distance from Charles the Great . And the World may see by a Supplement to the Reasonable Account , which came out the very same week with this Vindication of Liturgies , and is wholly about the pretended Antiquity of Liturgies ; that I was not ignorant of this abstruse and mighty piece of Learning , and needed not his Instruction in it .

13. Our Vindicator in the next place ( Introd. p. 5. ) declareth against his meddling with any part of the Reasonable Account , wherein I answered others , which I am well content with , and shall likewise desire my Reader , not to expect I should strictly follow him in his large Digressions , wherein he speaketh nothing to my Arguments . But he further tells us , That he shall wave the Repetition of my long Syllogisms , which is a tedious way of proceeding , and in rational discourses of this nature is acceptable to few others , than those who may admire the Art of making a Syllogism ; but I shall give a faithful account of the substance of his Arguments , &c.

14. I must confess I never thought it much material , whether a Syllogism were in Cesare , or Darapte , or Jerison , nor thought it worth the while to dispute the mysteries of the structure of a Syllogism ; but I am to learn that a Syllogistical disputing is more tedious than that more ungirt way , which it seems pleaseth our Author better . A Prosyllogism I always thought very proper , and I have troubled him with no more in any Argument . But Latet anguis in herba ( I fear ) had our Vindicator tied up himself to Syllogisms , he would hardly have been able to have crouded in this momentous Proposition — The Author of the Reasonable Account , did not know what time Gregory the Great or Charles the Great lived . Nor got in this conclusion . Ergo , He was an ignorant man , defective in learning , very confident , from whom no accuracy is to be expected . But let him run his looser method ( for certainly Logick and Syllogistical arguing , is the Palma contracta ) if he so discourseth that I can but understand , whether he denys the Major or the Minor , or the Conclusion onely , it shall be enough for my purpose .

15. For what follows , I have said enough before to excuse me from any imputation ; as to the time of my Book coming out , which was in 1679 , about Mich. it was printed beyond Sea six moneths before ; I had no concern in it , nor seen it since April 1677 , when I gave it to a friend , who begg'd it of me .

But so various are our Apprehensions , that my opinion is , it could never have come out in a more seasonable time ; when it is in the heart of our Rulers to unite all Protestants , which I am sure cannot be , while the Imposition of Forms of Prayer on all Ministers , in their publick Ministerial Service in Prayer holds . But may easily be , by leaving such Forms to liberty . I do very well know what a clamour some make for Imposed Forms ; and therefore think it is highly necessary we should tell them why we judge them ( as to our practice ) unlawful , that our Rulers and People may judge , whether we be such illiterate , nonsensical , irrational , persons , such strange undertakers , and meer confident men , as we are represented to the World to be : Or whether these Clamours be meerly Crys of Interest , like that of old , Great is Diana of the Ephesians . So I have done with our Vindicators Introduction . Only desiring my Reader may know that I am not arguing Forms of Prayer ( now most generally used and imposed ) unlawful ; but justifying the Reasons which I have formerly given , why we cannot judge them , as to our practice , lawful , let them be in themselves what they shall be evinced to be . If our Vindicator can quit himself of the Arguments I have brought , I I have no more at present to say .

CHAP. I.

An Answer to the Vindicators First Chapter , concerning the stating of the Question .

1. I Am beholden to the Learned Author , for allowing me , or any Noncon . an ability to state a Question , with sufficient plainness and clearness ; and shall requite him , owning that he hath truly repeated my stateing of it ( a favour not ordinary in this age . ) But his Observations deduced from my Concessions , must not pass wholly unexamined .

2. That our Prayers must be directed to God ( as he observeth ) needed not the attestation of two of the Fathers . 2. That our general wants ( such as Pardon , Sanctification , Daily Bread , &c. I like not so well to say all our ordinary wants ) may be expressed in Forms , I doubt not . Nor 3. That a pious Soul , not able to pray from his own Gifts , may truly worship God mentally , by reading a Form , I doubt not ; but to make this true external worship , I think will be required a command from God . It is also true , that one difference betwixt Praying with and without a Form , is that in the former way , the same words and methods are constantly used , in the other not so . But if by praying we mean the Action of a Man , the main difference contended for , is , That he that prayeth in the use of his Gitfs , doth the will of God ; whether the other doth so , is the very Question .

3. And so indeed the Answerer tells us , only represents it something too invidiously ; for no man saith , That God is pleased with our varying of phrases , or altering our methods ; but we are sure God is pleased with our doing of his will , in as little things as those are . It certainly had been vain Philosophy under the Jewish Paedagogy , to have argued that it was not probable that God saw any beauty or valuableness in the killing of a Beast , for he was a Spirit , and true Goodness , Piety , and Sincerity are the things which he delighted in . Who knows not all this ? But he is pleased in obeying his will in the least things . The Question therefore is , What is Gods Will in the case .

To obey God is certainly better than Sacrifice , and needs must be , because all the value of a Sacrifice lay in the obedience testified by it . If it be the will of God that his Ministers should serve him in the use of their own Gifts ( from whence must necessarily follow the altering of Phrases and Methods ) though there be no intrinsick value in these things , yet they are better then all other Sacrifices .

4. But our Author thinketh not this probable . And why ? 1. Because our Saviour rebuked the vanity of them , who think they shall be heard by their much speaking ; Mat. 6.7 . And as a Remedy , taught his Disciples that comprehensive Form of Prayer . Austine from hence judged superfluity of words needless ; What he saith as to the Lords Prayer , is elsewhere spoken to . so did Hilary ; and it is a piece of Reverence injoyned by Solomon Eccl. 5.2 .

5. But what is all this but a wasting of Ink and Paper ? May not then a Minister pray in the use of his own Gifts , unless he prayeth to an unreasonable length ? Must he needs use a superfluity of words , or a multitude of words , because he doth not use those words others have prepared for him ? Who seeth not these inconsequences ?

6. In the next place , p. 14. he argues , Because under the Law God did not require daily various changes of the real expressions of Religious Worship and Service , but appointed them to be continually the same ; Num. 28 , 2 , 3. which maketh it more than probable that the variety of verbal expressions is not requisite to obtain his acceptance under the Gospel .

I do not wonder that our Author at first ( though of Learning enough to make them , and answer Arguments in that Form ) declared his dislike of the use of Sylogisms ; for if such Arguments as this be put into those Forms , they would be too much exposed . Is there the same reason for the Service of God under the Gospel , as under the Law ? because Typical Services prefiguring one Christ , were invariable ; must therefore Spiritual Services under the Gospel be so too ? consider then why the Minister doth not always preach the same Sermons , because the Jews were to offer Morning and Evening Sacrifices , and we under the Gospel are also bound to pray in all parts of time ; must therefore the Will of God be that in all things else they should agree ? Is there the same reason for the performance of Acts of Worship , after the plentiful effusion of the Spirit in the days of Pentecost as before ? Nay , is our Author sure , that in the Jewish Worship they all used the same Prayers and Exhortations , because they always killed the same specifical Beasts for Sacrifices ? In their very Sacrifices there was a great variety , and they agreed in nothing , but that they all were what God prescribed .

7. What he saith in p. 15. is granted him , nothing but the will of God is worth naming in the cause , words in themselves are nor valuable , but obedience is . What makes then this trifling about the Opinions of Heathens , the invaluableness of words in themselves , the way of Worship under the Law , &c. What is all this to any purpose , but to prepossess the unwary Reader ?

8. His next observation is , That the Author doth not account himself certain of the truth of this Position . What doth he mean by certain ? The Author is none of the Infallibles of our Age , and hath more modesty than to dictate to all the World , and pretend Demonstrations of a thing that it may be is not capable of it : But he is morally certain , certain , as far as probable Arguments can make him . But what then ? Therefore it appears not to him unlawful ? Will any weighed Divine in the World say . That a thing is not unlawful to him , that upon Arguments , which to him appeareth highly probable , appears unlawful ? Let the Author answer a Book called , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , wrote on this very Argument .

9. The Author values not a rush , whether the Answerer blames , or not blames him , for the thing , some persons in this Age calls Separation . He falls not by Mans Judgment . There was in Apostacy which Luther gloryed in ; and there is a Separation which a good Christian may glory in ; 1 Cor. 6.17 . The Question is , Whether the Nonconf . be guilty of a sinful Separation ? That Nonconf . are guilty of that , here is no Argument to prove ; but the Author accounting himself certain , mentioned p. 21. which is a new Topick ; for I hope it is no Demonstration .

10. The Vindicator , p. 22. in the next place , comes to tell us of considerable prejudices against the truth of my Assertion . 1. That it is against the Opinion of the Church of England , and the most famous Churches in the Primitive times . But to the latter part of this he very honestly adds — a Quod est Demonstrandum ; referring it to be afterwards proved . And against the constitution of many eminent Churches abroad . This he saith he before observed ; and I do not deny , observe good Reader how I have not denyed it , ●69p .

An imposed Liturgy , unless in a particular Province , for a time , in a particular case , such as was that of the spreading of Pelagianism , we can not find . And for a Liturgy to be proposed onely , and left at liberty , we know most Reformed Churches have such a one , and we have before declared our judgements for the reasonableness of it .

It is true which I also said , That the continuance of Liturgyes , owes it self , in a great measure , to Churches not having Men enough able pray without Forms . But what is this to the purpose of Universally Imposed Liturgies ? From this appeareth the exceeding vanity of what the Answerer addeth , p. 23. The Author condemned none of the first Reformers of Sin , nor hath reason to believe that all of them used any such thing , if they had he condemneth them not .

11. But the Author ( and those of his mind , p. 23. are such pitiful men , as determine in these weighty things , according to their present humour . For one while he saith , Authority or Practice is a lamentable Argument . His words are these :

While we are disputing about what is lawful , or unlawful , Authority or Practice , is a lamentable Argument . They must be lamentable Divines that will say otherwise . That the Practice of Men should determine to us the will of God .

Well , But he saith in another place ,

The Sensus piorum , neither is nor ever was judged light , by persons of sobriety and worth , for the truth of a proposition , especially a practical proposition , not plainly determined in Holy Writ .

Is then the Authority and Practice of particular men , that have the good hap to get into a Chair of Government in the Church ; and the Sensus piorum , the same thing think we ? I beg the Answerers favour if I do not believe it ; but believe there must be , to say no more , the odds of 200 to one . The Sensus piorum is the general sense of persons in such or such a place , minding the things of God , and regulating their lives in a conformity to his will : I take this in practical matters , to be a thousand times more probable Argument , then some particular persons ( tho Governours ) Authority and Practice .

12. But it seems I so stated my Question , p. 24. as to overthrow the main foundation and the chief Arguments of my Discourse . That indeed is great weakness . But I pray how doth this appear to be any thing but a most false calumny .

I granted , That Forms of Prayer by God commanded in Scripture , must be used , and other Scriptural Forms may be used as part of our Prayer ; yet I declare , it sinful for such Ministers as can pray otherwise to pray by Forms : From the duty of using their own Gifts . And 2. From the hinderance of pious Disposition , Attention , or Fervency , from the use of a Form of words in Prayer .

Do I so ? Judge good Reader . The Minor of my first Argument is this :

But for a Minister having the gift of Prayer , Reasonable Account p. 6. ordinarily to perform his Ministerial Act in Prayer , by reading or reciting Forms of Prayer composed by others , confessedly not divinely inspired ; is for him to omit a natural and proper means , given him by God , &c. It is true , in my Second Argument , p. 23. all these words are by the Printers carelessness left out [ by Forms of Prayer composed by others , confessedly not divinely inspired ] nor could I help it ; but a man of any ordinary candor would have supplied them , from the state of the Question , and from the preceding Argument ; which will make it appear , that I never said that it was unlawful to perform our Ministerial Act in Prayer , by Forms , but by Forms composed by others , who confessedly are not divinely inspired . I never was so simple as not to allow God to dispense with his own Law , upon which ground any Forms commanded by God must be lawful ; nor yet to think we might not use Scriptural phrases , in any part of worship , and yet use our own gifts at the same time time too .

13. For to pray nothing else , but using a Scriptural Form , I believe we must have a special Command of God to make that lawful to us .

Besides , I doubt not but the Answere● saw what I wrote , p. 51. That there is a vast difference between the pure words of God ( for the which God both hath and ever will secure a Reverence in all Religious Souls , and Forms composed by fallible men without any direction from God . Let any Christian experience whether it be possible for him , to read any Book of mans making a thousand times , with that Gift and holy Reverence , and with so little taedium , as he may so read the Books and Chapters of Holy Writ . So as all he saith is just nothing to the purpose , the Author at first restraining his Question to Forms composed by Men , that are confessedly no part of Holy Writ . For Forms , that are part of Holy Writ , they are throughout his Book excepted , nor doth he any where conclude they hinder pious Dispositions , or that they may not be used as part of the exercise of the Ministerial Gift . But something must be said to expose Authors instead of answering him .

14. In his 25 page , to raise up a prejudice against the Author , he very learnedly passeth from Prayer of one kind to Prayer of another kind , and concludeth ; That because he sinneth not , who joyneth with another ministring in Prayer , when it is apparent by all Scripture , that he is not to pray vocally , but onely to pray in his heart : Therefore he sinneth not who doth it ministring in Prayer , when he is to pray vocally not mentally onely . It is easie to raise such prejudices , and for ordinary Readers to see through them .

15. Our Authors last prejudice mentioned against the Authors Opinion [ That a great part , and he thinks the greater part of the Nonconformists , will not own his Notion ] I fear will appear an hasty prejudging the Nonconformists .

16. Though the Answerer speaks warily in the case of the Commissioners appointed , 1662 ( for he onely saith , They made this no part of their Objections ) yet he would plainly suggest they ( who by the way , except the Episcopal men , were all Presbyterians ) were of another mind . What to say for those who attended not the Commission , I cannot tell , but for those who appeared , and daily met , till they had wholly drawn up what they intended to propose to my Lords the Bishops , I can tell . The Bishops desired them to meet by themselves , which they did at Mr. Calamy's House , till they had agreed all , which afterward they offered at the Savoy to the Bishops . What they agreed in this point may be read in these words in their Seven General Proposals :

That the Gift of Prayer being one special qualification for the work of the Ministry bestowed by Christ in order to the Edification of his Church , and to be exercised for the profit and benefit thereof , according to its various and emergent , necessities , It is desired that there may be no such Imposition of the Liturgy , as that the Exercise of that Gift be totally excluded in any part of Publick Worship .

17. That Men may not please themselves with Dreams , and think those last were meer completory words , upon which no stress was laid , I will assure them , that that Proposal had never been agreed without them ; they being brought in by the Reverend Mr. Mat. Newcomb , after ( as I remember ) three days spent in debates about that Proposal . I do know but three Men of those who appeared and would declare their minds , who would hear of any Liturgy Vniversally , Imposed . Those three indeed were great Men. The most Reverend Bishop Reinolds was one , Mr. Calamy was another , the third yet living I shall not name . Mr. Calamy often urged , That if forms of Prayer were lawful , the Imposing of them did not make them unlawful .

It was answered , If forms of Prayer were Vniversally lawful , Imposing could not make them unlawful : but it was denied , That they were , as to use in publick Devotion , Vniversally lawful .

18. The debate of the 19 General Proposals , was the ordinary work of the Commissioners met together . In the mean time they had , according to the Instructions of their Commission , committed the several Offices of the old Liturgy to several Brethren , to be reviewed , that they might see what exceptions were reasonable to be offered . The drawing up a New Form was committed to another . These in their Seasons were brought in and read . But the far Major part of the Commissioners present , having obtained the 7th Proposal , and in that a perfect liberty of the use or not use of any , were very incurious , as to those things , onely listned so far to them , as to see there was nothing but what they might own . This is the truth of that story , so far as it passed , before they came to give in what they agreed , to receive the Bishops Answer , and to make their Reply , What was then done , the Printed Account fully tells us .

19. This is enough to have spoken to this Chapter of the Reverend Doctors ; only I must requite him , with thanks for his Complement , the good Milk wherewith he suckles me , and tho he presently with an oblique stroak of his heel throws it down again , yet I have such a value for it , as in the following Chapters I shall endeavour to gather it up , and ( if such a thing be possible for a Non-Con . ) redeem my reputation , from such an ugly imputation as the writing of 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , inconsistencies .

CHAP. II.

An Answer to the Vindicators Second Chapter , concerning the Gift of Prayer . Whether the Gift of Prayer , as to Vocal Prayer , be properly an Ability to express our minds to God in Prayer , or whether it be the same with the Grace given us to be used in Prayer , or an Extraordinary Gift , peculiarly relating to the Apostles and Christians , in their Age ?

1. ALL this while methinks I have been in a Drapers Shop , staring upon the lofty and Oblique Lights , which I discerned in it , and wondering wherefore ( ●o make up a judgment whether the Sun shined or no ) I must be put to a troublesome elevation of my Eye , stretching my Nerves , and contracting my Eye-lids , till at last I discerned the Art , and that a nearer and more direct light , though it might have been ( possibly ) of more advantage to the buyer , yet to the seller would have been less profitable , giving his Customer a too near an advantage to judge of his Wares and the Arts used about them .

2. I had thought that in the beginning of the former Chapter , The Issue was joyned , or ( as the Civilians speak ) we had had Litene contestatam : The Question was stated . The Opponent agreed it clearly and plainly sta●ed . The Arguments were brought : What had an Answerer to do , but to deny one or other Proposition , or to distinguish of some Terms ? Twelve Pages since that have been spent , and nothing of this done : To what purpose is this prejudicating a Reader ? but to possess his mind one way before the cause is tryed ; and to raise his passion with strange stories , before he be suffered to use his Reason to judge who hath the best cause upon hearing what each party can say : But at length we shall ( it may be ) come to something which is to the purpose .

3. The first Argument was stated thus .

To omit a mean for the performance of a Religious Act given us by God for the performance of it , and being natural , and proper , Reasonable Account . p. 5. at the command of man , when we perform that Religious Act , is sinful .

But for a Minister , having the Gift of Prayer , ordinarily to perform his Ministerial Act in Prayer , by reading or reciting Forms of Prayers composed by others ( confessedly not divinely inspired ) is for him to omit , a natural and proper mean given him by God , in order to the performance of such Religious Act , and in the Omission of it to perform such Religious Act. Ergo ,

The Major Proposition shineth so much in its own light , that it was not to be denied , but by affirming , That it is lawful for us at the command of Men , in an Act of Gods W rship to omit a mean given us of God for that end , and to perform that Act in the use of other means , under no s●ecial prescription from God ; which is to say , it is lawful to allow Men to ●e wiser then God in directing the means of his Worship ; which certainly is a strange position .

4. Yet our Answerer , tho he will not in plain terms deny the Major , p. 57. tells us , That a mean given us of God , if it be only capable of being used , and not a necessary mean to be used , may lawfully be omitted , especially when there are several means . What doth he mean by several means ? Several means given by God for that end , that are Natural and Proper , then it is most true . But it lieth upon him to prove that God hath in this case prescribed several means . But if he means several Humane means under no Divine Prescription , it amounteth to no less then I said before , the praeference of the Wisdom of Men to the Wisdom of God .

5. What doth he mean by telling us , A Divine mean may be omitted , if it be not necessary to be used , when the very drift of the Argument is to prove , That it is necessary to be used , because it is a Divine Mean , and there is no other can lay claim to that Notion , nor can be so Natural , nor is so Proper . Now this quite spoiles the retorting the Argument .

6. But altho our Answerer thinks fit to nibble a little about the Major , yet plainly discerning , that was not to be denied by any Person of his Reputation in the World , his whole force is spent about the Minor Proposition , as to which he saith much ; which himself summeth up , p. 57.

1. That an ability fitly to express our mind to God in Prayer , is not the gift of Prayer nor any singular or peculiar gift of the Spirit of God .

2. That it is neither a duty nor yet expedient , that such abilities should be used and constantly used , any further then is agreeable to the Rules of Edification and Order .

7. Whatsoever our Answerer saith upon the first head ( which is very much , one while confounding the Gift of prayer , and the Grace of Prayer , as one and the same thing ; another while telling us of an Extraordinary Gift of Prayer ) is so much from the purpose , that our Author owns it as a digression p. 28. So as I am not concerned in any thing of that discourse further then to mend a Term in my Minor , and make it to run thus : But for a Minister having an Ability fitly to express his mind to God in Prayer , to perform his Ministerial Acts in Prayer ordinarily by reading or reciting &c.

Nor was there any need at all thus to mend it , but to save my self trouble of a Word-bait .

8. But yet to vindicate my self from being as much out , as to proper speaking , as it seems to this Author , I was in my Chronology of Gregory and Charles the great ; we will have a few words about the Gift of Prayer , for I do suspect that this multitude of words , is but to darken knowledge . It shall go under the Title of a Digression , in Reply to a Digression of the Answerers concerning the Gift of Prayer . I hope the Reader will pardon my going out of my way , seeing it is but to follow my Leader , and to Vindicate my self from improper speaking [ that is , not to this Learned Mans mind , or Sentiment ] and who but Men of his Principles can speak Properly ?

9. He doth p. 40. acknowledge , That there is an Ability in many Persons , whereby they can express their Minds in some degrees fitly to God in Prayer : But this he saith is not properly the Gift of Prayer , but rather of Speech : Here then is the Question , The Scripture no where mentioning the Gift of Prayer , whether an Ability to express our Minds fitly to God in Prayer , may not properly be called the Gift of Prayer ? My opinion is , That it may ; which I thus prove .

10. By the same reason , That an Ability to speak , to Men to Edification , and Exhortation , and Comfort . 1 Cor. 14.3 . is in Scripture , called the Gift of Prophecy ; 1 Cor. 13.2 . 1 Cor. 14.1 . An Ability also fitly to express our Minds to God in Prayer , may be properly called the Gift of Prayer . But such an Ability is in Scripture called the Gift of Prophecy , as appeareth in the forementioned Texts . If our Answerer can shew a disparity of Reason , he may , I cannot fancy any ; by the same reason that Abilities to Actions are called 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , by the same reason they may be and are properly called Gifts , for what is the English of that Greek , word but Powers or Abilities : and it is past all contradition , that what the Apostle calleth 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 [ Powers ] 1 Cor. 12.29 . He calls the Gifts of Healing in the very next words . Have all the Gifts of Healing ? What tho these were Gifts given at an extraordinary time , or in an extraordinary manner ( which indeed they were ) yet I appeal to any indifferently Learned Man , to determine , Whether this alters the Genus , or only distributes the Species . All Spiritual Abilities are Gifts , but they are not all Saving Gifts , or extraordinary Gifts . And this is enough to vindicate my self from impropriety of Speech .

11. But saith our Author p. 29. That is eminently and especially to be esteemed the Gift of Prayer , which disposeth and inableth to the performance of the duty of Prayer ( very true , Vindication p. 29. and is not this all I have contended for ? ) And therefore since Prayer is not so much a verbal thing , as a pious address of the Heart , Soul , and Spirit to God , the Supplies and Assistances of his Grace which kindle and excite pious Dispositions , in seeking unto God , with earnest and affectionate desires , a lively Faith , and the exercise of inward Devotion ; this is most properly his vouchsafing and bestowing the Gift of Prayer ; and our having and exercising them , is our having and using the Gift of Prayer .

This now is well said as to Truth , but not a tittle of it to the purpose : Here is a manifest Transition , from one kind to another . That a Christian may in his heart Pray , tho his Lips move not , is out of doubt ( Hannah did so . ) But can any Minister discharge his Ministerial Duty in Publick Prayer thus ? Nay can a private Christian in his Family , or Closet do it ? If not , there is another kind of Prayer besides this , and our Author knew well enough , that it is that we are speaking of . The Question is , What is the Gift of Prayer relating to Vocal Prayer ? Our Answerer grants , It is that which inableth and disposeth to the performance of the duty . Now I appeal again to any one that understandeth sense , Whether those things which the Answerer mentions , inable any person to Vocal Prayer , as it stands contradistinguished to meer heart Prayer , which is that we are not at all speaking of ? It is manifest it is not , for then no Vnbeliever , no Wicked Man , hath any Ability to pray , and St. Paul had given very impertinent Counsel to the Sorcerer to Pray , that the thoughts of his heart might be forgiven him ; which it seems he had no Gift , no Ability to do ; for it is certain he had no Faith , nor Pious Affections . It might have been expected , that he who Faults others for Impropriety of Speech , should himself have spoken Ad idem at least , i. e. to the thing in Question , which whether he hath done , or no , I leave to any one who understands sense to judge . The Author of the Book he answereth , had often enough told him , that he spake not concerning Heart Prayer but Vocal Prayer , that Praying wherein in obedience to the command of God , the voice is used , to express the desires of the heart . It is an easie thing to answer at this rate .

12. For what he saith p. 31 , 32 , 33. in Answer to what the Author had spoken from Zech. 12.10 . Rom. 8.26 . to prove a Gift of Prayer to be a Divine Gift , issueth in this , Whether by the Spirit of Grace and Supplication , and the Spirits helping our Infirmity in Prayer , be to be understood , as well the Spirits giving us an Ability fitly to express our minds to God in Prayer , as furnishing us with Gracious Habits , disposing us so to Pray as we may find favour with God . It is our Answerers concern to affirm the latter onely : But the Author is of another mind ; because he finds in Scripture , Gifts that are not saving , called Spiritual Gifts ; 1 Cor. 12.1 . and 1 Cor. 14.1 . and the Manifestations of the Spirit ; 1 Cor. 12.7 . where are reckoned the Word of Wisdom , the Word of Knowledg , the Gifts of Healing , Working of Miracles , Prophecy , Tongues ; some of which are by the same Apostle determined no saving gifts ; 1 Cor. 13.2 , 3. The Author is of the mind that all these are comprehended under the Promises of powring out of the Spirit , mentioned in the Old Testament , And tho an Ability to Pray be not mentioned in that 1 Cor. 12.7 . yet he never thought to have met with any who regarded what he said , who would have denied , That it is a gift , and a Spiritual gift ; nor doth yet believe it shut out of those Promises , Zech. 12.10 . Rom 8.26 . tho not solely , perhaps not Principally intended in them : both which , the Author grants to the Answerer , if he can make any Market with them .

13. Our Answerer is again at it p 34. As that Ability of Expression whereby a Man largely professeth the particular Doctrines of the Christian Faith , is not properly the Gift of Faith , of Believing , so neither is the like Ability of expressing the matter of our Prayer to be accounted in any proper sense the Gift of Prayer . Still we are upon the old fallacy , and whatsoever I Answer , our Answerer will avoid us , by telling us he spake of meer Heart Pra●er , where no words are needful ; that is , nothing to the point in Question : Is Beleeving a Vocal Action think we ? Or is it a meer Action of the Heart , and to say an Ability fitly to speak , is that Gift , were to own my self simple enough : But I hope an Ability fitly to speak , is the Gift of Confession of Faith with our Lipps . Let our Author speak out and tell us , If a Praying with our hearts be all the Prayers God requireth of Ministers in their publick Ministrations : If it be not , he saith nothing to the purpose , for still the Gift of Prayer in that sense ( and I spake of another ) is an ability fitly to express our Minds to God in Prayer .

14. But he tells us , This is but the Gift of Speaking , Vtterance , or Elocution , p. 34. I have scarce patience for such Assertions : Then every one who hath an Ability to speak , utter , or to speak out , or Oratoriously , hath the Gift of Prayer , which is demonstrably false , and contrary to the experience of every day .

15. But at length our Answerer can find a Gift of Prayer , and with the Spirit ; this he saith , was that whereby Christians in the beginning of Christianity , were inabled by the extraordinary Impulses , and immediate Inspiration of the Holy Spirit upon their Minds , so to Pray , either in their own , or other Languages , that those Motions of their Hearts , and inward Desires , and also their Words and Expressions , were the proper , and extraordinary Works and Dictates of the Holy Ghost . Admit this true , what followeth ? Then an Ability to Pray is the Gift of Prayer , only given to some in a more extraordinary , to others in a more ordinary way . I freely grant him all he saith , if he doth not say , or by this cunningly go about to perswade people , that now no people have an Ability to express their Minds fitly to God in Prayer ; which he must not , because he is so liberal as to grant the contrary p. 40.

16. But he saith these extraordinary Gifts were peculiar to the primitive times ; Who denys it ? But is there not a more ordinary Gift of Prayer still continuing , and the only question is , Whether this be omitted in the performance of the Act ?

17. He tells us p. 36. that those who had these extraordinary Gifts , were to use them only so far as was consistent with the rules of Order , Decency , and Edification : Who denieth this too ? But these Rules of Order and Decency , were such , as either Nature it self shewed , or the Infallible Spirit , by the Apostles directed ; let him prove any thing further if he can , and if he understands no more it is freely granted .

18. As to what he saith in Reply to what I answered to that which he objected from 1 Cor. 14. I know not what his Intentions were , but his words are these , Libertas Eccles . p. 120. The Argument against the lawfulness of set Forms , because they limit the use of Gifts , needeth not much consideration , since it is manifest that by the Will of God , bounds and limits were set , even to the use of extraordinary Gifts of Gods Spirit , that the Church might be edified ; 1 Cor. 14.26 , 27 , 28 , 30 , 33.

Could any one make this less than an Argument a majori ad minus affirmando , if the greater Gifts might be Limited , then the lesser may . In my Answer , I observed the fallacy might lurk under the term Limited , and distinguished betwixt the Regular use and the Irregular abuse of Gifts , and denied that consequence : That because the Irregular use of Gifts might be restrained , therefore the Regular use of them might . I shall leave the Reader to judg of what I said , and he hath here answered , whether he hath taken off the least of my Answer . Only adding , That an Argument from the Power of the Apostles to the Power of any Superiours now ( till the Author hath proved those now impowred , Possessed of the same Infallible Spirit , and of the same Divine Right , to make new Rules of Order for the Church ) is very inconclusive .

19. In his 41 p. He tells us that This faculty of Expression in Prayer , Vindication p. 41. is procured and enlarged , by men who have a competent Natural freedom of Speech by use , and exercise , and advanced by various Methods . I acknowledge ( saith he ) that in some an Affectionateness of Devotion , doth contribute much thereto ; in others confident self conceit , and an heated fancy , and ( as I have read some particular Instances ) even Diabolical Contracts , have promoted the same . What he calls facility of Expression , is the same with what I called an ability fitly to express our minds to God in Prayer ; and of this he speaks , or he saith nothing to the purpose . This he saith is procured and enlarged by use and exercise ( he saith true , provided the Person hath first a due knowledge of God , and of himself , and of the Scriptures ; which till one hath acquired , all Vse and Exercise is to no purpose . ) This also must be supposed to Affectionateness of Devotion , which he ( truly ) saith contributeth much thereto ; but how confident self conceit , a meer heated fancy , or Diabolical Contracts should do it , ( which the Answerer it seems believeth , he would never else have troubled us with a Romance ) are matters of wonderful subtil disquisition , especially that , How the Devil should help a Man ( if he would be so kind ) fitly to express his mind to God in Prayer . I tremble while I mention such a thing , as ever spoken by a Divine , to help the already too much Atheistical and Blaphemous World with an Authority ( and that no less then Dr. Faulkners ) to say , Godly Ministers do that by the Devil , which they do by the assistance of the Holy Spirit of God . The Answerers granting it may be , will be warrant enough to harden hundreds in such Blasphemies . How much Evil speaking soever I be charged with , I hope I shall avoid that Evil speaking , because of those Texts , Mar. 3.28.29 . and that Matth. 12.31 , 32. The Crime there , was the Pharises asserting that what Christ did , by the Spirit of God , v. 28. Was done by Beelzebub the Prince of Devils . The Doctor doth not indeed boldly assert such a thing but he hath so phrased what he saith , that besides , the Scurvy Innuendo in his words , he plainly grants it nut be . But surely the Devil fills none with the Knowledge of God , or with Affectionate Devotion . Now whether the Pharises guilt there , were not an intituling the Devil to the Operations of the Blessed Spirit , I leave to his serious thoughts . Nor can I be so uncharitable even to the Pharises , as to think , that they in saying so , Lied against the Holy Ghost , speaking what they knew to be otherwise : I do judge , they thought as they spake , which if they did , I know no difference in the case , but in the means of Conviction they had further , then any can now have , that the People of God Praying in the use of their Spiritual Gifts , Act by the Spirit , because of the Miracles they saw wrought by Christ ; which indeed was a great means : but the judgment of a true Miracle from the Phaenomenon of it , in one of Satans lying Wonders mentioned 1 Thessa . 2.9 . is so difficult , that I cannot see the heighth of their guilt lay there so much , as in their speaking Evil ( with reference to the blessed Spirit ) in a thing which they knew not , but had good Evidence to the contrary : I pray God that it may not he laid to the charge of so Worthy a Person , that by this unaccountable Suggestion He hath ( as David was charged in a case wherein the Holy Spirit was not so immediately concerned , 2 Sam. 12.14 . ) made the Enemies of God to Blaspheme . That to Pray in the Spirit , or with the Assistance of the Spirit , is to perform the duty of Prayer , with a pious mind ( as he tells us so many times over ( 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ) is what none denies , but that this is the whole of it , that it is not also with such words as the Spirit teacheth them to utter , which Spirit is therefore called the Spirit of Supplication , the Spirit of Adoption , sent into our hearts ; by which a Child of God crieth Abba Father , is what the Dr. neither hath proved nor ever can .

20. He tells us p. 43. that he acknowledgeth a sober and due freedom of Expression to be a Gift of God , in the same manner that the capacities of Mens Vnderstandings , and all other Abilities of Mind and Body , are Gods Gifts : But it is plain , this liberty of Expression is the product of the Natural Capacities Men receive from God , which are improved in well disposed Persons by ordinary means under Gods Blessing , &c. Socinus in his Dialogue of Justification , saith the same of Faith ( a Spiritual Gift of a more Salvifick Nature ) Faith ( saith he ) is such a Gift of God as God gives to all , and a little before , Hearing is the Gift of God , &c. I do not compare Faith and the Gift of Prayer . I know Faith is a far more excellent gift : But I believe he speaks as much truth , with reference to Faith , as our Answerer speaks as to an Ability to express our minds fitly , to God in Prayer ; for Faith in the exercise , is the exercise of the Natural Capacity of a Soul , to put a confidence in a person , or Assent to a Proposition which is evidenced to it to be truth ; and every man hath a Natural Power to Assent and Rely on proper Objects : But to Assent to a Spiritual Truth above the Evidence of Sense and Reason , to receive Christ and Rely on him for Life Eternal , these are no Natural Capacities : So to speak , is but a Natural Capacity , the generality of Men have a Natural Capacity to express their Minds , by Speech , but an Ability fitly to express our Minds to God in Prayer , is no product of a meer Natural Capacity , but of the Spirit of God , having first enlightened the Soul with the knowledge of God .

21. If he saith it is but such a Gift as Men may have , and Perish eternally , it is granted him ; but such were Prophecy , the Mysteries of Knowledge , Miraculous Faith ; Rom. 13.1 , 2. Yet I hope they were Spiritual gifts , and not the meet products of Natural Capacities , and different from such Natural Abilities as are necessary to make a Man perfect in Naturalibus ; and it is easie to prove , that common gifts in the Service of God are of use and means to Spiritual Acts. I know none that ever called the Gift of Prayer a Spiritual saving Gift , nor is that any part of the Question , but whether it be a Spiritual Gift ? Yea in meer Natural gifts , the neglect cannot be dispensed with , when the Act to which they have a Relation , cannot be performed without the use of them . The Question is , Whether the Gift of Prayer be not a mean in order to the Act of Prayer , and if it be so , and given of God for that end , whether in the performance of the Act it can be omitted Lawfully , and the Act performed , by a mean which is neither Natural , nor under any Divine Prescript ? And to this I find the Author as yet speaking very little .

22. In his next Paragraph , p. 44. he tells us , That it is a considerable Objection against the necessity contended for , of a Ministers using a particular Gift or Ability , meerly because it is a Gift , in that this would equally make it his duty to use his present or extempore Ability , of Conception and Expression in Prayer , or Preaching . — And the use of his Memory in declaring what he hath conceived , or thought on before , and also his Reading , what hath been before Composed by himself or others . — But the use of all these is an impossibilit● . None contends for the necessity of using a Gift , because it is a Gift , but because it is a means bestowed upon him by God for this purpose , that by the use of it , he should perform such an Act ; bur 't is most extravagant , concluding , that because in the performance of an Religious Action , a Man is tyed to the use or such a Gift , as is a proper mean in order to the performance of such an Act , and given him of God purposely for that end ; therefore he is tyed to make use of all his Gifts in such an Act , which are no means , or no direct and proximate means to the performance of that Act. There is no Gift but this Ability we speak of , that hath any direct and present influence upon the Act : I mean no common Gift , Gracious Habits are of another Nature .

23. The Authors next Argument is weaker , For how doth it follow , that because a Minister is bound in Prayer to use the Ability which God hath given him fitly to express himself in Prayer , therefore he is bound to do it in any language he pleaseth , directly contrary to another Rule of the Apostles , which obligeth him to have respect to the Peoples understanding ; or in many Languages at one time : but this is all our Auth●r saith p. 41. n. 17 Who seeth not through these Cobwebs ? Doth an Obligation to use a Gift in a Religious Act , proper to it , and given of God for that end solely , oblige us also to the use of other Gifts not proper to the Act , nor given us of God solely for that end ? Or doth an Obligation to use our Ability fitly to express our selves to God in Prayer , infer an Obligation to do it so many ways as we can do it ? I see there is some need of Arguing Syllogistically , which if we had done , we had avoided these Impertinencies .

24. And it is every whit to as good purpose , that our Answerer tells us , We may omit our Gifts in Criticizing , in Expounding Scripture , p. 46. or of Fatheming deep Controversies , in our Popular Sermons .

When the Answerer hath prov●d , That Critical expounding of a Text , or resolving deep Controversies , are Acts of a Gospel Ministers Ministry towards his People , who understand little or nothing of such things , then I shall consider what he hath said ; for he may remember that my Argument was limited to Publick Ministerial Acts , which are parts of the Worship of God ; as to which these Instances are apparently Impertinent . It will be proper to bring such Instances as these , when he finds me making such a Proposition as this : If a Man cannot without sin omit , the use of his Gifts , in his Ministerial Acts of Worship : Then it if Sin for him to omit it , in his Scholastical Acts , or any other Acts of his Life .

25. Of the same nature are his Instances of Private Abilities , to Interpret the Scriptures out of the Original , to make Confession of Faith and Creeds . Are any of these ordinary Ministerial Acts ? Or Acts of Worship , which are the Duties of every Minister ? If they be , let our Answerer shew us their Establishment in the Word of God ( for there all Acts of Worship must have their Establishment , or lose their name , and so I think all Pro●estants agree ) if he cannot make this appear he hath not spoken any thing to the purpose , but proceeds Ex Ignoratione Elenchi ; p. 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , and 56. We acknowledge that the Version of the Scriptures must proceed from an ability to do it , and such an Ability , as stands in need of Gods great Assistance ; but we say it is no Minister●al Duty , no work that God hath intrusted to ordinary Ministers , no Act of Worship , &c. The Apostles Practice proves this , who made no New Versions themselves , nor gave any Ministers such a thing in charge ; but enough was spoken to this in the Book our Answerer answereth , and much more than he is pleased to take notice of . Let the Reader but consult the Reasonable Account , p. 19 , 20. for Creeds , and Confessions of Faith , the case is the same ; they are Good and Prudential things , and the Duties of all Men to give , when they are required : But are these Acts of Worship ? and to be performed , by any Divine Law , when ever any Congregation meets to Worship God ? They may be made then , because they are Modes of Teaching and Instructing , and so fall under the general precept of Teaching . But what are any of these to the Question ? Which is stated concerning the Ministers Duty in their Publick , Solemn , Ministerial Acts of Worship ? Before our Answerer undertook his work in answering , he was at liberty whether he would meddle with the Reasonable Account or no. But when he had undertaken the Vindication of Liturgies from what is there said , he ought certainly to have spoken to the Question , as the Author had stated it , p. 5. especially considering he did the Author the Honour to say he had done it , with sufficient clearness and plainness : Then surely the Author of the Vindication , ought either to have let it alone , or to have spoken to it , as it was sufficiently , clearly , and plainly stated .

26. He telleth us 55. p. that in Publick Prayer ( I have nothing to do with what he saith of Versions of the Scripture , and Declarations of the Articles of Faith , which he joyns with it , they were both Excluded the Question , as I stated it ) but in Publick Prayer , it may well be presumed that what is well considered and setled , or prescribed as a form , is more perfect and compleat , in the compusure , than can be expected , in any method of ordinary variation ; and to assert that these things may be always better , or as well performed , and composed by every Minister , or even by the most Eminent Person , whomsoev●r , in a constant way of varying in the use of their own Abilities , then in well considered and digested Forms , is as much as to affirm , that the varied Expressions of Men , at every particular time , are more propper , pithy , and expressive , and full , then the best composed Prayer , that is at any time made , and reviewed , with the greatest consider and care ; for so it may he expected , that a publikly established Form is .

This is now a fine flourish , and harangue of words , but that is all ; for if he meaneth it concerning our own Liturgy , what might have been expected I will not say ; but if our Author inquireth , whether any one part of it , were so much as once read over by the House of Commons ( and being now part of an Act , many think it should have been by the Law of England , all read over thrice ) and when it was read over in the House of Lords , what a mistake was found in it by their Lordships , will see no reason to presume , that it was by our Ecclesiastical Superiours ( who yet without a Parliament , are not our Superiours , in the point of Legal Establishments ) reviewed with the greatest Care and Consideration . 2. If it were so , surely the Nonconfor nists-Adversaries , would not all this time have only contended that there were no Phrases in it but might Lawfully be used , but they would have pleaded , That there could no better Forms be composed , or used ; which I do not know that any of them hath gone about to demonstrate . What in a Legal Establishment , is not once reviewed , by one part of the Legislative power in any place , cannot certainly be said to be reviewed , with the greatest Consideration , and Care , tho possibly it might be by some said to be reviewed with a sufficient Consideration ; as to which I say nothing , but cannot allow Superlatives in the case . 3. This very Argument will conclude for Forms of Preaching , every whit as much as for Forms of Prayer . But I shall give a strict Answer to it .

27. In the Sacred Worship of God that is best , which God hath prescribed and directed . In the cleansing of the Leper , Levit. 14. the poor mans Two Turtle Doves , or two young Pidgeons , such as he was able to get , v. 22. was ( though of far less intrinsick value ) yet every whit as good , as the Rich Mans Lamb , mentioned v. 12 , 13 , &c. and therefore when the Question is , What is the Will of God in the case , all these discourses which is best or worst in Humane Eyes , or according to Humane valuations , are woful Impertinencies : That is best , which it is the Will of God we should use or do . Nor is Superiours Establishment , any evidence in which my Soul ought to rest without further enquiry to guide my Practice , who am to search the Scriptures , after St. Paul hath preached , Acts 17. That what is Established is the Will of God in the Case , if it were true , instead of proving all things , that I might hold fast that which is good , I should prove nothing but presume it best because Superiors have established it . This is the very thing that Eccius the Popish Lawyer replied to Luther at the Diet of Worms Ann. 1621.

Ne que tuum est ea quae Conciliorum authoritate sunt olim definita rursus in quaestionem aut dubium vocare . Sleidan . de Statu Religionis , &c. l. 5.

What is the English of that but this , That is best which your Superiours have determined ; and how far such a Notion is improveable to the ruin of all true Religion , appears by the Councel to which Eccius related ; which consisted of as vile a pack of Men , as ever met in Council : For it was the Council of Constance , which determined the Pope above all Councils , contrary to the Council at Basil just before ; and in conformity to the Factious Council of Pisa , Assembled by Julius 2. to confront another Council sitting , it was that Council ( of Constance , I mean ) that burnt John Huss and Hierome of Prague , who had both the Popes and Emperours security , for safe coming , and returning , and established another Cursed Doctrine of Popery , That Faith is not to be kept with Hereticks . In this case before us , the difference betwixt us and our Adversaries ( for I see I must call Brethren no more ) lies here . We say , That is best in the Worship of God , which appeareth to be the Will of God ; and what as to our own practice , so appeareth unto us , is best unto us . Our Adversaries say , That is best which hath a Legal Establishment , and as to your Practice ought to be presumed best , tho you do judge the quite contrary , from Arguments which appear to you very probable , and you cannot answer : So in short our contest is for no less , then the Foundation of the Reformed Religion . But it may be this Harangue of our Answerer , did not come in , because he thought it pertinent , but to give him an opportunity to lash him , whom he had to deal with , which is the next thing he attempts , but never toucheth him .

He goes on : And he who talketh of this our Church , That if all her Ministers cannot constantly in their daily Prayers equal or outdo the perfection or exactness of a well considered Form ( for this must be his Sense , if he speaketh to any purpose ) that this may be spoken to the shame of the Church of God in England : These raw and extravagant speeches will be to the shame of those that utter them , so far as they will be ashamed of uncharitable and reproachful calumnies against the Church of God , and of speaking against all Sense and Reason .

When I read this , I wondered who he meant , till I saw in the Margent the Book quoted which he pretends to answer , p. 157. there I find in answer to the Vindicators arguing the Necessity of Liturgyes , That needful and comprehensive Petitions for all Common and Ordinary , Spiritual and outward wants , of our selves and others , with fit Thanksgivings ; may not in the publick Supplications of the Church be omitted ; which considering men as they are , can no other way be so well or at all assured . That the Author of that Book had said ,

Let it be spoken to the shame of the Church of God in England , and it shall be for a Lamentation in it , if in a Church ( whose Territories are so large ) there cannot be found persons enough sufficient without others prescriptions to them , to put up needful comprehensive Petitions , not only for common and ordinary , but for the Emergent and Extraordinary Spiritual and outward wants of any persons with fit thanksgivings .

What makes the man in such a passion for this ? — Here is not a wotd of all Ministers being able to equal and out do the Perfection and Exactness of a well considered Form , ( but this he saith , must be his sense , or he speaks to no purpose ) E Cathedra dictum .

1. But in cool blood ( when men are least subject to let their tongue outrun their reason ) was the Author bound to say more in his Answer then his Objector had said in his Objection ? The Objecto● had not in his Objection said , That all Ministers might put up Prayers in the greatest Perfection of Phrase or Matter or Stile and Exactness , he onely spake of needful Petitions , that should comprehend all Common and Ordinary , Spiritual , and outward wants . 2. There is no need , nor doth God any where require , that all his Ministers should pray with the greatest perfection and exactness , but that they should do the best they are able to do , according to the best abilities God hath given them . 3. Doth the Author say , or was it the Vindicator , that suggested , that all Ministers are not able to do this ; I think it was the Vindicator , who upon this Argument pleaded the necessity of Others Prescriptions . 4. The Author indeed did say , If it were so , No B. he had said the same in the Reasonable Account , p. 1●4 . it was ashame to the Church of God in England ; he saith so still , for no such Ministers are able to preach without such Prescriptions . 5. But to reconcile himself to the Vindicator , he doth from his heart believe that in the Church of England there are twice ten thousand men ( which is as many again as there are acting Ministers ) who without others Prescriptions , are able to put up needful and comprehensive Petitions , for all Common , and Ordinary , Spiritual and Outward Wants , of themselves and others , with fit Thanksgivings . Yea and something more than this , for all Emergent Occasions , as to which Forms cannot provide ; which it may be is the reason that it will be hard to prove , that such Petitions , and fit Thanksgivings , have not Vniversally been put up with reference to the late Horid Popish Plot , and most Eminent dangers of the Nation , as every good English mans common reason , may have judged needful . 6. From hence appears , that tho he be first Impeaching , yet it is not the Author , but the Answerer , who in the place quoted , hath Calumniated and Reproached the Church of God , and spoken rawly and extravagantly : The Vindicator plainly asserted the necessity of Liturgies , because there were not in the Church persons so able . The Author saith no such thing , but saith , It is a shame for us , if there be not ; in the mean time believing there are so many , either actually imployed in the Ministry , or who may be so , when they please But , Vt canem caedas facile est invenire baculum .

29. All this while it seems the Vindicator hath said nothing to the Authors Argument . The great thing which seems to be the Question betwixt us in all this Discourse , is , Whether there be any such thing the duty of Ministers as Verbal Prayer , or whether words have any necessary concern in Ministers Publick Prayers , since Prayer is not so much a Verbal thing saith he ; p. 30. But is it not a Duty that cannot by a Minister be publickly performed without words : if not , by his leave words are essential to it ( for certainly that is essential to a thing without which that thing cannot be . ) He cometh now to the Authors Argument , after 26 pages spent in Prologomena . The first thing , which he saith p. 57. hath been before spoken to in the beginning of this Chapter , when I did not think fit to have spoken any thing to his long digression , tho afterwards I saw it necessary to make good my Minor Proposition .

30. The second thing , he saith is p. 58. That Ability of Expression is not peculiarly and particularly given by God to M nisters , that they might thereby perform the publick Office of Prayer . This he would prove , Because it is given to others beside Ministers — Because then our Lord would not have given his Disciples a Form of Prayer : — But is this the Question ? I assume no more , then that it is a Mean given by God in order to the performance of the act , natural and proper . What if it be given to others as well as Ministers ? then they are also bound to perform the Act in the use of it : The giving of it to others as well as Ministers , surely doth not make it cease to be a Gift , a Ministerial Gift , a Gift in order to the Act ; which is all I have said . And Dato non concesso , supposing our Saviour did give his Disciples the Lords Prayer for a Form of words , doth it follow this is not a Divine Mean natural and proper , because that ( altho not so Natural ) yet it is as Divine and Proper , being appointed by him who is God over all , blessed for ever ; or that because we may doubtless use any Mean of Divine Institution , therefore we may neglect a Mean given us of God , and use a Mean under no Divine Prescription ? Certainly it will not follow , that because a Form Composed , and Instituted by Christ , is a Divine Mean , therefore Forms Instituted by men , are ; till Christs Commission to them to do as much in his Church in this case as himself , be well proved . I leave this Answer to any fair intelligent Reader's Judgment , whether it be adequate or no ?

31. In the next place he tells us the Authority of Governours is of considerable weight : Indeed it is , but not in this case , because it cannot be pleaded without begging the Question , as may be seen by the clear and plain stating of it p. 5. and certainly , the answering of an Argument by a plain and open begging the Question , speaks the Vindicator to be as Defective in his Logick , as the Author was supposed to be in his Chronological learning .

32. He tells us p. 60. That the Author saith , That a mans own Gift and Ability is a Divine Mean . He doth so , and it is true . But a Form of Prayer is a meer humane Mean . A Form of Prayer prescribed or composed by others , to be used by me , if those others were not authorized by God , is but an Humane Mean ; nor is it possible that it should be other . — Now ( he saith ) this must be upon a Supposition that an ability to compose a Prayer , to speak it , is a Divine Ability ; ( he should have said Mean ) but the same ability , to compose the same Prayer if it be written , is a meer Humane Mean ( for so he should have said if he intended to speak Sense , as every Reader will own . ) An Ability to express our minds fitly in Prayer to God , is a Divine Mean relating to the Action of Praying . An Ability fitly to express the matter or stile of a Prayer in a Book , is also a Divine Mean , in order to the action of writing such a Form . But how doth it appear that another Mans Ability , fitly to express the matter or stile of a Prayer in a Book , is also a Divine Mean in order to my Action in Prayer ? He that can prove this , must use another Medium , or else assert , That what is a Divine Mean for A. B. as to one Action , is also a Divine Mean for C. D. as to another Action of a quite differing Species . This is now what Logicians call Ignoratio Elenchi . What he saith p. 60 , and 61. in his 36 Paragraph , is much of the same strength . The Author did say , That if none have an Ability to express their own and others Minds fitly to God in Prayer , then no Man hath an Ability to make publick Forms ; for in them there must be such an Ability exercised . What doth our Answerer conclude from hence ? Then , The Ability to make Liturgies is the Gift of Prayer , and consequently must be a Divine Mean for the performance of Prayer : How doth this follow ? It will follow indeed , that it is a Divine Mean , for the composure of a Prayer , but not for the Action of Prayer ; because it it not the ability of him that prayeth , but of other Men , whom God never imployed ( so far as we yet see proved ) to find out means for others Actions in his Worship . But I am not difficult to grant , That an Ability to make Forms of Prayer is a Divine Mean for some persons , viz. such as have not attained to an Ability of themselves , fitly to express their mind to God : but will it therefore follow , that it is so for them , to whom God hath given another mean , more proper and natural ?

33. The Answerer p. 61. comes to answer my Proofs , which were drawn from those Texts , where Ministers are from God commanded , not to neglect their Gifts , 1 Tim. 4.14 . 1 Pet. 4.10 , 11. Rom. 12.3 , 6. As to the first Text , he tells us , 1. That it was a charge not to neglect his Office . 2. That there is not a word spoken of Prayer . To which I reply , 1. That 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , which in many other places signifies a Gift , or Ability to a Religious Act , in this place signifies an Office and not a Gift , is spoken without any proof . 2. That both the words before-going , Give Attendance to Reading , to Exhortation , Doctrine , — and those immediately following : Meditate on these things , give thy self wholly to them , — Take heed to thy self and to thy Doctrine , are vehement Presumptions to the contrary . 3. I will not deny but it may signifie both Gift , and Office , if that will please our Answerer , and that it doth signifie both is plain from 20 Texts in the New Testament . But it seems that it will not , for he goes on and tells us there is not a Word about Prayer : Who said there was ? I onely urged it as a general Prohibition of the neglect of any Ministerial Gifts , of which surely the Gift of Prayer is one . The Argument is , Ministers must neglect no Ministerial Gift : Therefore not that of Prayer . But he saith , The Gift of Prayer is not given by the laying on of hands , nor doth the Text say so ; it saith , By Prophecy with the laying on of hands . By Prophecy , that is , that you might prophecy ( so Piscator , Vatablus , and Beza render it ) or with Prophecy , so the Syriack , Arabick and Aethiopick Versions expound it , or by Prophecy , so the Vulgar Latine and our Translation , which is hardest to expound , unless ( as some ) we will expound it per oraculum , immediately from God . With Impositions of hands , that is with the Office of the Ministry , in which sense 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 here cannot signifie the Office , but the Gift . But besides , may not , are not Ministerial Gifts in a more plentiful measure given at the time , when God calls a man out to the Pubiick Ministry , I am Sure the Scripture tells us , of another Spirit , given to Persons at their calling out to Places of Magistracy . I believe the same as to the Ministry . But our Answerer saith it might be meant of Extraordinary Gifts , which might not be neglected . May then Ordinary Gifts be neglected ? And is not this an Infallible Answer as to any thing we can produce of this Nature ? It is but saying , Those Texts refer to the extraordinary Gifts , tho no pretence can be brought of proof for it .

Our Vindicator p. 63 , seems again a little displeased , That I should bring a Text to prove an obligation , as to the manner of Performance of Prayer , in which there is no mention of Prayer ; who p. 142. cryed out upon it as Ridiculous for another to argue from Rom. 15.16 . Because the Apostle praying for like-mindedness , prayed , That with one mouth they might Glorifie God , he might have told the Reader also , that in that place , I fairly stated the Argument which could be drawn from that Text , thus :

Those who are to speak the same thing , and are with one mouth to glorifie God ; may lawfully , or must use set Forms of Prayer .

But Christians are to speak the same thing , 1 Cor. 1.10 . and with one mouth to glorifie God — Ergo — If our Vindicator can make more of it , why doth he not .

I denied the Major , and told him , the same Argument would prove , Forms of Preaching necessary , and the same Forms to be used in all Churches , Families and Closets ; yea and that it was necessary for all Christians to speak the same words in all Religious Discourse , but then I should not have used the same Logick . It is true none ought to do that himself , which he disalloweth in another : But have I done it ? Let us try . My Argument from that Text , 1 Tim. 4.14 . lies thus ,

Those who ought not in their Ministry , to neglect their Ministerial Gift , ought not to neglect their Gift of Prayer .

But Ministers in their Ministry in Prayer , ought not to neglect their Ministerial Gift , 1 Tim. 4.14 . — Ergo.

I think this Arguing is according to an old Rule in Logick , Quicquid praedicatur de genere praedicatur etiam de specie . Let but our Vindicator prove , That Ministers all Praying by one and the same Form of Words , is a Species to Glorifying God with one Mouth , as I will prove that Gifts of Prayer are Species of Ministerial Gifts : and he will say something : otherwise this is nothing but an ugly Reflexion , of which his Book is too full .

What his quotation from Grotius means , I cannot tell : He was no Father , no Divine , but a Learned Politician , very Erroneous in his Divinity ; of what Authority his Sentiment should be with any sober Divine , I cannot imagine .

35. He comes p. 64. to my Quotation of 1 Pet. 4.10 . in the case , as every one hath received the Gift , so let him minister the same 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 The same , what ? The same Gift . As to this he saith , Many understand that Text of Alms ; and why ? Because the verse before spake of Hospitality . Why may not others understand it of Spiritual Gifts , considering that the following words are , As Stewards of the Manifold Grace of God , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ( is that Alms ) If any man speak , let him speak as the Oracles of God . Then he refers us to the second and third Answer which he gave to the aforementioned Text , that is , by Gift may he meant Office ; but whether is more proper to say , Men minister their Office , or their Gifts in their Offices ? But ( which was his third Answer ) it might be understood of extraordinary Gifts . Then this Text now signifies nothing of Duty to us , thus any thing may be avoided , nor is there the least shadow of Reason for what he saith . Yes , saith he , he speaks of ministring one to another ; now he that prayeth ministreth only to God . He speaketh of Officers in the Church ministring , now surely they in Prayer , Minister not to God only , but to the Church , or else the Church and they pray diverse things .

36. He comes to answer what I urged from Rom. 12.6 . Having Gifts given according to the Grace given us , whether prophecying , let us prophecy according to the proportion of Faith , or Ministry , let us wait on our ministry ; or he that teacheth on Teaching , or he that exhorteth on Exhortation . He that giveth , let him do it with Simplicity , he that Ruleth , with Diligence , he that sheweth Mercy , with Chearfulness .

As to this he only referreth to his former Answer to 1 Pet. 4.10 . and tells us there is no mention of Prayer there , but the other gifts which the Apostle meaneth are there named . Let me a little enlarge on this Theme , because it will give some light to that text , 1 Tim. 4.14 .

The Apostle is plainly there speaking of the Whole Church Service , which he distinguisheth into Prophecy and Ministry . Ministry distinguisheth it into the Ministry of him that giveth or sheweth Mercy ( which is that of Deacons ) or Ruling ; under Prophecying he comprehendeth all other Acts of a Gospel Minister : for though Prophets and Prophecying , in the New Testament sometime signify persons or acts , predicting things to come , as it is used with reference to Agabus , Acts 21. sometimes some Acts which were the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost , as is in some places in 1 Cor. 12.13.14 . yet it also signifies the Ordinary Ministry of all those who had something to do , besides Ruling and shewing Mercy . These we call Ministers ( tho the Apostle speaks otherwise in this Text , to distinguish them from Deacons , and meer Rulers ; and therefore calls their whole Ministration Prophecy . ) That precept , 1 Thess. 5.20 . Despise not Prophecying , is not to be restrained to Praedictions , or immediate Revelations , but comprehends all Gospel Ministrations of the Ordinances of Christ , tho expressed by one of the Eminentest among them , which is Preaching the Gospel . Now as to these the Apostle saith , Having Gifts let us Minister . Being in these Offices , let us Minister , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , according to the grace of God given to us ; that is , according to that Ability which God hath given us . I Appeal to any thinking Reader , whether this bids not very fair for the true and plain sense of that Text ; which if it doth , 1. Prayer is there spoken to , included in the general term Prophecying , tho no more particularly named , then Baptizing , or Giving the Lords Supper , or Visiting the Sick , &c. 2. If that difficult Phrase , 1 Tim. 4.14 . be not to be understood , By Prophecy , that is by God who is the Author of Prophecy , but To , or for Prophecy ( according to Vatablus , Piscator , and Beza ) a very fair Sense may be put on that Text , without restraining it ( most unreasonably ) to the Extraordinary Gifts of the Spirit .

37. The Answerer saying no more , to deliver these Texts out of my hands , cometh p. 67 , &c. to except against my description of the Gift of Prayer for the publick Service of the Church , as very defective especially in two things . My Description was , An Ability to express our Minds fitly to God in Prayer . 1. He saith the Conception : of the Ministers mind , must be sober , well ordered , comprehensive , suitable to the Nature of the Duty . Is not all this comprehended in Fitly ? To what purpose so many words ? I never loved long Descriptions . 2. He tells me the Minister is not to ex●ress his mind , his desires or wants , but ( the Mind he should have said ) the wants of the whole Assembly . I would gladly know how he should know the Wants and Regular desires of the whole Assembly , but from the Scriptures ; and whether their ordinary wants be not his also ? For emergent wants , how they who made Forms 100 Years ago could know the Wants and Desires of the several Assemblies of Christians at this day , more than the Ministers now living and conversing with them , and whether this be in the least probable ( if God or Christ , who did know all things past , present , and to come , did not draw those Forms ) I am not able to conceive .

38. Another place he must except to , that is , p. 9 , 10. and put a Marginal Note upon it too : that is this , I said , We thought it would be hard to find Nine or Ten thousand Schollars in England , furnished with the Gift of Praying or Preaching , in any tolerable manner . Is not this one of their own Arguments for the necessity of Forms of Prayer ? I have read and heard it forty times from them : I hope he will now be reconciled to me , who have told him , and do from my heart believe it , that there are twice Ten thousand Persons in England , who either are , or might be Ministers , who have the Gift of Prayer . He might before have been Friends with me , if he had pleased , for I find I had told him so before , Reasonable Account , p. 154.

CHAP. III.

An Answer to what the Vindicator saith in his Third Chapter ; beginning at p. 73. Whether any can with equal Attention of his Mind , read in a Book , as speak the Conceptions of his own Heart ? Whether Ministers can by Forms Pray with equal Fervency and Devotion ? The contrary proved . The People not so much concerned in it , &c.

1. THe Argument which our Answerer comes to answer in this Chapter was falsly Printed , and I thank him for not imputing the Error of the Printer to me , who saw not the Book till it was too late , to Correct any thing in it . I shall therefore transcribe and amend it here : It lyeth thus :

To use such a mode in the ordinary performance of our duty , in publick Solemn Prayer , as either from the necessary workings of Humane Nature , or otherwise upon experience we find , either hindring the Attention of our own or others thoughts to the duty , or the Intention of our own or others Spirits , in the performance of the duty , when we can so perform it , as neither of them will be to that degree hindred , is unlawful .

But for him who hath the Gift of Prayer [ I now expound that term , by an Ability fitly to express his Mind to God in Prayer ] to perform his Ministerial Acts in Publick Solemn Prayer , by the Prescribed Forms of other Men , not divinely inspired , ( these words were left our ) is for him to use such a mode in those Acts of Worship , as either from the Natural workings of Human● Nature or from some other cause scarce ●voidable , is upon experience found , to hinder our own Attention , and also the Attention of others thoughts to the duty , and the intention and fervency of our own and others Spirits in the duty , when in the mean time we have an Ability so to perform it , as neither of them will ( at least ) to that degree be hindred Ergo.

All the question here lieth upon the Minor . The Answerer very honestly grants the Major , he only saith there may be too great stress laid upon Zeal and Fervency , but I hope not upon Holy Zeal ; if he looks back , he will find himself acknowledging that which I said p. 43.

2. In his 75 p. he seems to fault my leaving Arguments , and propounding three questions . He hath no reason to be displeased at that , considering he told us in his Introduction , that it was acceptable to few but those who admired the Art of making Syllogisms . And tho I judged a Prosyllogism , containing the head of an Argument , very reasonable , to keep those that argue within their bounds ; yet in a Book , I never thought following discourse reasonable to be tyed to those Forms My first question was : Whether it be possible for any to read any discourse with that degree of Attention of thoughts as he must pronounce the same with by heart ? It is manifest this Question was stated only with reference to the Attention of him that ministreth in the duty .

Our Answerer replies , It is certain this may easily be done . I am clearly of another mind , considering , 1. That there is not a wilder thing , then Mans imaginative power ; nor its wildness at any time more seen , then in Holy Duties . Who is able to keep his thoughts fixed upon God , and the matter of his Supplications for one quarter of an hour in Prayer ? The Lord Pardon me , I cannot . 2. While I am Reading by the help of my Eye , Why a Man cannot read any thing with like Attention of thoughts , as he may speak it by heart from his own Conceptions . my thoughts are more at liberty to wander from what I am about , then while I am speaking , from the Conceptions of my own Heart . I have an Eye to see , and a Tongue to speak , let my thoughts be where they will , as to the main Operations of them , after an habit of Reading once acquired , they have no great business to do to help me to read right . It is no great business for me to think how to sound those Letters which my Eyes have before them . But while I speak from my own Conceptions , my thoughts must attend my Tongue , or I shall speak nothing but Nonsense . This I did say , and do say , is to me next to a Demonstration , onely I crave leave to make one term in the Question plainer [ by heart . ) I meant , by it from the Conceptions of his own heart ; and so let it stand or fall , by any discreet Judgment .

3. But saith our Answerer , How usual is it to read the Scriptures and other Books , with at great Attention as the same things can be spoken without Reading ? Attention to what ? To the matter he readeth ? I do doubt that . I am sure a Mans thoughts in such Services are most inclinable to wander , and be imployed about other things , and I am sure they are more at liberty to wander . Now considering both these things , this possibility is ( considering our imperfect state ) very questionable ; yet will it not follow that then we must not read the Scriptures , but always recite them by heart , because God hath made Reading of them our Duty . As to this Question let all truly speak as they find , I own the wildness of my heart in this thing .

4. Our Answerer , p. 77 , 78. comes to the Second Question which I propounded .

Whether any thing ean more conduce to fix the thoughts upon the Duty and upon God , then when a man can trust his Affections , to thrust out words ?

Our Answerer saith , That a Devout Sense of Gods presence and of his Purity , &c. may , but he never considered that all these were pre-necessary to Pious Affections , and without these the Affections are not rightly ordered for the duty . The Question was , Whether the Affections being rightly disposed , their thrusting out words did not more conduce , then any Form made by Men could , to fix the thoughts ? Dr. Ames was of the opinion it did ; De Casibus Consc . l. 4. 17. cap. qu. 4. the learned Author of Altare Damasc . is of that mind ; in short I never met with any that denied it ; of necessity it must be so , for there is no Medium betwixt such Affections and such words to divert or give scope of devagation to the thoughts . For our Saviours repeating the same words in his Prayers upon his Agony , neither is it so in the Greek , neither are the words the same ; but for this I refer the Reader to a Supplement to the Reasonable Account , where this silly Argument is fully spoken to p. 99. 100 , 101 , 102 , 103 , 104.

5. The third Question which I propounded was ,

Whether any such Attention , is to be expected from people to Forms of Prayer , which they often hear , as to a conceived Prayer ?

The Author thinks it may be given to the matter of the Prayer : I think so too , there is no impossibility in the case I know of . But the Question was , Whether it be to be expected , or hoped for , considering the infirmity of all our natures ? This he wisely leaveth out , and as wisely replieth nothing to the true Question .

6. For what our Author adds in answer to an observation which I called at least ingenious , tho none of my own ; That God to stir up peoples Attentions , tells his people he will do a new thing , he may find it Isaiah 42.9.43.19 . Besides Is. 42.9 . new things are opposed to the former things . it is this that the Scripture calls Admirable things new ; Num. 16.30 . Jer. 31 , 32. But was not their Newness one thing which made them admirable ? I hope both his instances were new things in the strictness of Sense , for when did the Earth before open and swallow up men alive ? When was any before Christ so miraculously conceived ? We do not much use to admire things we have seen a thousand times . 2. He asks , If God never intends to stir up mens Affections by his Word , but when he tells them he will do a new thing . What is that to the purpose ? Is not therefore newness of a thing one means to stir up Attentions and a great one too , so far as it may be used without Sin ? Then surely it may be used . He tells us further that True Religion and Devotion doth always incline to the same things . Very true , as to the matter and substance , but doth it so also as to Words and Syllables ? Our Answerer hath heard of 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 speaking the same things in a new manner ; and certainly Experience will tell us that the doing this in Divinity , as well as in History , contributes to the generality of Peoples Attention .

7. He comes p. 82. to consider what I said to prove that Forms in Prayer hindred Fervency . This I proved , 1. On the Ministers part , from the vast difference betwixt words following the Affections , and Affections following of Words , urged both by Dr. Ames and Mr. Calderwood , in his Altare Damascenum . This our Answerer grants as to the first use of any Form ( but if it cannot be once lawfully used how shall it be lawfully used a second , third , fourth time ? ) But it is not to be helped after once reading without Previous Preparation , as our Answerer grants . So as the Question is , Whether it can be expected that ordinarily men should use such a Preparation , as should inflame their Affections to such a degree , as the heat should not abate before they come to their Work . For what he saith of the Peoples Fervency as it is not here spoken to , ( for himself quoteth me saying no more then — As to him that ministreth , there is a great deal of difference betwixt words following the Affections , and Affections following the words ) so neither are the People to use any words at all , when they joyn with Ministers in Conceived Prayer ; therefore their Fervency is not hindred by Conceived Words . It is a quite different Species of Prayer . The Minister Prayeth Vocally , the People onely in their Hearts ; as to which the Ministers conceived Words and Fervency doth help , not hinder them , coming with prepared hearts ; and this is a sufficient Answer to what he saith again p. 84. as if I had spoken very absurdly , in saying p. 28 , 29. That I could not think it possible , That the words of another should so well fit our hearts and be so expressive of raised Affections as our own : He saith , I did not consider that what I thus spake tended to declare , that the People cannot with Fervent Affection , joyn with the Minister in any Prayer soever , because his words are not theirs , and then all Publick Prayer fitted to the People must be ●ondemned and we must take up with Quakers or Papists ? Still he seeks occasions against me , and exposeth me without Wit or Reason .

8. Now I would have him know that I did consider it . But I also considered that there is a Vocal Prayer and a meerly Mental Prayer , both of them our Duties at several times , the latter only the Peoples Duty in Publick Assemblies , where it is Gods Ordinance that one should minister to the rest . I do believe that no one of the People can be so Fervent when he joyneth with the Minister ministring words to him , as when in his Family or Closet , his Affections thrust them out of his own heart : But yet they may be so fervent as God requireth of them in such a service , where he hath to avoid confusion , forbidden them the use of that Mean of geater Fervency . By which it appears our Answerer here triumphed before the Victory .

9. He cometh p. 85 , 86. to speak to something which I had said p. 29. That the Minister reading his Forms , there was a manifest impossibility of the like degree of Intention ; for it is the Soul , which looking through the Eye , directe●h it so as a Man readeth true , and so it is plainly diverted from its immediate Contemplation of and Fixation upon God . I think it beneath me to speak any thing to what he afterward speaks , p. 96 , 97. reflecting on me for saying in Prayer there is or should be a Contemplation or Intuition of God , as if none could say so , but those who had outdone St. Paul . The Answerer knew well enough , that St. Paul there speaketh of a seeing God in Glory : And that I was speaking , of Beholding him in this life . Where I hope tho none can see him as he is , nor face to face , yet they may immediately contenplate God . not with their bodily eyes , but the E●es of their mind . In all Meditation of God in a mans closet there is such an immediate Contemplation . It is nothing but the Souls direct Motion to God . In all Prayer there is such a contemplation , or should be at least . This was therefore nothing but another attempt to expose me to such as know nothing of a Souls Communion with God in the Spirit . Let it pass , Et valeat quantum valere potest . Our Answerer ( to return to his 85 p. ) saith , That this Argument doth not only recoile with equal violence upon my self ( unhappy me to be Felo de se so often ) but it is against all Vocal Prayer ( I should be sorry for that , but how doth that appear ? ) For saith he , The considering Words , Phrases , Method and Sense , is a different thing in Conceived Prayer , from the directing the Heart to God , and must take up more of his thoughts then the looking upon a Book doth . But did I say then that in Prayer the Soul had nothing more to do , then to direct its Eye to God ? I desire to know where ; if I did not , this is nothing to the purpose . If he had but considered p. 30. of the Book , he would have found a great part of an Answer to this . The Soul in Prayer is to consider what it hath to say to God ; which being considered or known , it is to direct it self unto God , with the greatest Intention and least Diversion that it can . Now this I say cannot be done so well by a Form , as in Conceived Prayer ; for tho it is true , he who Prayeth De pectore from the Conceptions of his own Heart , must first consider his Matter and Words , yet . 1. This is necessary , so are not Forms . 2. The Soul is all the while imployed upon the work of Prayer , and its Acts are meerly Spiritual , and immanent Acts within its self . But so are not its Acts in looking upon , and reading a Form , these are plain Diversions of the Soul to objects without it self , neither naturally necessary , nor from any Divine Precept necessary to the Action . So that he seeth I have not by my Argument destroyed all Vocal Prayer , but onely reformed and established it . And for what he faith of the Peoples hearing and observing the words spoken by the Minister , it is naturally necessary , for they cannot else say Amen . It is necessary by all those Divine Precepts which have established Mental Prayer , as the Peoples duty , in Communion with him that ministreth .

10. He comes in the next place p. 87. to prove , That Conceived Prayers , as the publick Service of the Church , may be an Impediment of Devotion . I have proved that Forms must be from a necessity of Nature ( as to the Ministers Devotion at least ) He only undertakes to prove , That Conceived Prayers may be concerning the Devotions of the people ; and of this he giveth us a five-fold Account , 1. They are not certain that they can joyn in the matter of a new Conceived Prayer , till they have considered it . 2. They may be too apt to give their minds too much liberty , to observe the manner or composure ; to judge of it or imitate it . 3. They hinder Peoples Praying with one Accord . 4. Some want quickness of Capacity to go along with New Prayers , who can Devoutly and Piously joyn with those they have been aequainted with . 5. All Impertinencies , unbecoming Expressions , results of Passions , Imprudencies , &c. which may be inconceived Prayers ; hinder Devotion .

For the first of these , There is no need of any such thing , that People should afore-hand be certain what Petitions their Ministers will put up in Prayer , nor doth God any where require it , nor any right reason enforce it . How doth it appear that all the Congregation of Israel were certain before-hand what Solomon would , and did pray for , 1 Kings 8.22 ? Or what Hezekiah would , and did pray for , 2 Chron. 30.18 . or Jehosaphat 2 Chron. 20.5 . or Ezra , Ezra 9.5 . It is wonderful these great Men could not see the necessity of this Device , for promoving Peoples Devotion . Nor doth any Reason shew it . I know nothing any Man or Woman hath to do , who is to joyn with another in Prayer , but keeping his heart in Heaven as much as he can , to attend to the words said , or read by the Minister , and making up a judgment on each Petition , if he or she apprehendeth it to be according to the Will of God , earnestly and believingly to desire it : this they may as we l do upon hearing a Conceived as a Read Prayer .

For his Second Particular , it is a May Be , rising from Mens Lusts , easy to be avoided without providing Forms , which will as little secure the Devotion against other Lusts of a far more hainous Nature . 3. The Third is non intelligible , why People may not pray with one Accord , whilst the Minister without a Form ministreth words to them ; especially , if as our Answerer told us , in the last Chap. Prayer be not so much a Verbal thing . I am sure Prayer in the Congregation by the People is not a Verbal thing , but meerly Mental . For what he saith Fourthly it may be true , where People study Starcht Prayers , such as Dr. Featly reflects on in his Ancilla Pietatis , but in no case else . 5. For Impertinencies , Inconvenient Expressions , &c. which we are so often told of . I have heard more ( some within these 28 days ) from Ministers false reading the Forms , then ever I heard from Conceived Prayers ; both proceed from a non attentive mind , which I am sure Forms will not prevent , but rather give Temptations to ( by allowing the thoughts more liberty to the contrary . )

11. I have nothing to do with what our Answerer saith , p. 89 , 90 , 91 , and 92. being not concerned to oppose his Vindication of himself , from what I never charged him with : But he hath three Observations , which begin p. 91. which I must concern my self with . The First is : That Attention , Intention , and Fervency , P. 91 , 92. is not the whole business needful to be minded and taken care of in the Publick Service of the Church , but rightly ordered Matter , due Expressions , and Behaviour ; and here Forms have the advantage .

I answer , not at all . As to Behaviour , a law may help that , but sure a Form of Prayer cannot . For the other Two things , they are no more necessary to be taken care for , as to Prayer , then as to Preaching . Then it seems all Ministers must Preach by Forms too , or else the Church ought to take care , that Ministers for Matter and Phrase speak fitly in the Peoples name to God ; but need take no care that Ministers speak fitly in Gods Name to the People . 3. The care the Church ought to take , should be , That none be admitted as Ministers in it , who are not able to do both ; and when all is done , some Errors will be . Another thing he saith that must be cared for , is , That Mens Devotion may be so , as not to cross other Duties . It is impossible it should , for it would no longer be Devotion . But what other duty will be hindred by Conceived Prayer ? That which he instanceth in is Preservation of Vnity and Obedience to Superiours . But are these Duties , when the business contended for , is that this thing ( so far as the Persons concerned can judge , and as they are ready to argue ) is not lawful ? And when they oppose the first and great Commandment . To which the Second ( tho like to it , I and to which both these relate ) is and ought to be subordinate .

12. His Second Observation is , That there may be a want of due Devotion , Attention , and Fervency , in those that use Forms , and yet this not proceed from the Form . This is doubtless true , if he meaneth solely , and chiefly ; but what is this to the purpose , when the business of the Argument is , to prove that in him that ministreth , a Form must necessarily hinder degrees of Attention and Fervency ? This observation is true , or false , as his answer to the Argument is good or bad ; which I leave to the Reader to judge from my reply to it .

13 His Third observation . p. 95. is : That Publick Service ought to be so ordered , as may fit the General Temper of the true Christian Spirit , but must not be censured if it fit not with the Inclinations of all particular Persons .

Agreed , therefore said the Author , let it be so ordered , that those who desire it , may have a Minister to pray with and for them , by a Form , and others may have one that may pray with and for them , from the Conceptions of his own Heart . It is very like the True Christian Spirit may be found in the latter , as much as in the former , if that Spirit be a Spirit of Holiness , and of the Fear of the Lord , of Love to God , and Communion with God , as I think it is , and believe most Christians are of my mind .

CHAP. IV.

A Reply to the Vindicators Second Section of his Second Chapter ; concerning the judgment of other Divines . What is in the Reasonable Account concerning the judgment of the Leiden Professors , Dr. Ames , the Divines of the Walachrian Classis further considered , and vindicated . Whether in Acts of External Worship , there be any thing which hath in it , an Intrinsecal Piety , Religion , or Devotion , Antecedaneous to the Revealed Will of God ? Whether God requireth the same degree of Attention and Fervour in all Duties ?

1. THe Answerer begins his Second Section , p. 98. with telling us , That he proposed it as useful , to try the Issue of the thing in question , viz. Whether Forms of Prayer were any prejudice to Piety or Religion .

To consult the judgment of them who are least partial , and yet able to make a true estimate , and especially to consider the Evidences of Reason , which may be produced . He saith , I agreed it . But how ? take my words , p. 44.

Indeed it is very reasonable in this case , That if the Proposition be not of that Nature , with reference to several Persons , that the experience of Christians be variable in the case , it is reasonable that the Major part of pious and able should be taken into Judgment , or rather Counsel . — But I further told him , That we believe the Experience of Christians may be really different in this case : some may find the use of their own Gifts more advantageous , others may possibly find Forms more advantageous ; it depends much on the degree of the Gift each one hath received . But every one , is bound to use that lawful means which he b● experience findeth most conducive to himself , to keep his thoughts attentive , and his affections fervent ; so as one may be und●r an obligation a divine obligation not to use Forms , another for the present to use them . So as I did not think this matter of a Superiours command , because an Vniversal command here , must necessarily trespass ( as to some ) upon a Divine Obligation , which hath pre-obliged them to the contrary ; the command of Attention and Fervency in Prayer ; which they must not violate , in obedience to any man , as all Divines agree . I think this is Sense and Divinity .

Now good Reader observe what our Answerer ( who hath so often told the World , there is no weight no strength , no truth in what I say ) replyeth to this .

2. He tells us , That He who seriously minds his duty , must also have a conscientious regard toVnity , Order , and the Duty of due submission : and the observing them , are not the way to make him less devout , and fervent — That the Exercise of one duty will not hinder us in another — That the Promises of Gods Grace and Presence , are chiefly made to them who embrace Peace and Vnity . I do very well know that there are Precepts for , and Promises , to Peace and Vnity , and those that follow it , and some of those Precepts , which also direct us how to follow it ; as Heb. 12.14 . Follow Peace with all Men and Holiness , Rom. 12.18 . If it be possible , as much as lyeth in you , live peaceably with all Men : So that Vnity and Peace is no further our duty , then it is consistent with Holiness , which surely lyeth in the discharge of our Obligations to God : No further then it is possible for us , and as in us lyeth . Now it is not Morally possible for us , it lyeth not in us , to be at Peace and in Vnity with them , who will be in no Peace and Vnity with us , unless we will consent to please them , to quit what we verily believe is our Obligation to God , viz. To Pray with the greatest attention of our thoughts , and fervency of our Spirits . Fathers , and Authority of Men enough , might be quoted in this case , but that I fancy no such Ostentation . There are Precepts also requiring order and due submission to Governours , but they must both be expounded as the other . Will any one then in his right reason urge us with Precepts to Vnity , Order and Submission , in a case where the question is , Whether we can follow these Precepts with Holiness , yea or no ? Whether they be morally possible , or lie in us yea or no ? Or , Whether before ever any such precepts of Men were , we were not pre-obliged to the contrary by God ?

3. To as little purpose is his Text , Matth. 5.23 , 24. brought ; for our Brother neither hath nor can have any thing against us , ( tho he be offended at us ) if he be offended at us meerly , because to be at Vnity with him , or to please him , we will not violate an Obl●gation which we believe was ever upon us from God . Now that we have such an Obligation upon us , this Argument was brought to prove , Because we have an Oblition upon us , to the greatest attention of thoughts and fervency of Spirit in Prayer , and this we cannot discharge ( as we upon experience find ) by Praying by Forms . But he promiseth us a discourse hereafter , about Superiors power in this case : To which time we shall adjourn this discourse , only minding him , that my instance of a command to Pray with our Eyes shut or open , was not brought as a Comparison , but as an Instance . That there are some things ind●fferent , that are not the object of Superiors commands . Yet we cannot but judge such a command as momentous , as a command one while to pray standing up , another while kneeling down , what speaking evil of Dignities , this is , I cannot understand ; but I am sure in this and many other things as causelesly , he pleaseth himself to speak evil of me ; which speaks him not very confident of the Validity of his own Answers . It useth to be the policy of Commanders in an Army , when they know they have beaten their Enemy , to multiply their Adversaries Numbers , and magnifie their Couragious Fighting ; but I see my Adversary is ruled by other Politicks .

4. He comes in the next place , p. 10. to tell us , There can be no Publick Worship in any Church , unless it be first determined to be either with , or without a Form , we desire no other determination then , That it may be determined lawful for Ministers to Pray with , or without a Form ; and thus this point is determined by the Churches of God in France , and Holland . It is determined in New England , and Scotland , that it shall be without a Form . I ask not so much , yet surely there is with this Doctors leave Publick Worship in all these places and therefore if his meaning be , that there can be no Publick Worship , unless one way be fixed of them two , and the other destroyed , he condemns all the Publick Worship of France , and Holland , where either of them is at liberty . There is therefore no necessity for the determination of all Men in this case , before there can be any Publick Worship of God , no not by him that officiateth ; unless he means as to a Particular Act , and therein he saith true ; but in the same Congregation Publick Worship may for ought I know be this day performed , by one that useth no Form , and to morrow by another who useth a Form ( not having Gifts , or being nor confident he hath , or being hindred by God at this or that time , as to the use of them . )

5. At length he comes to the two Testimonies , that of the Divines of Leyden and that of the Walachrian Classis , which he had brought to prove , that they judged it lawful for all Ministers in their Ministerial Acts of Prayer , to use Forms of Prayer composed , tho by Men not Divinely inspired ; tho he tells us p. 3. he laid no great stress on them , yet because he chargeth me with not giving a true account of them , and calls it , an high degree of Carelesness and not Faithful dealing , I must examine the matter again .

1. He agrees ( as I said ) p. 46. of the Reasonable Account , that the Walachrians professed to agree with Amesius , and he agrees that Amesius was not for preferring Forms before conceived Prayer . Well then , where was the Errour I committed , shewing my self careless and unfaithful ? He tells us that the Walachrians only declared their Agreement with Dr. Ames in that Question , Whether Forms were lawful for Prayer and administring the Sacraments , or those Churches that used them were guilty of Superstition and Will Worship ; and whether men might retain Communion with those Churches that used them ? In these words the Walachrians state the Question , and that in the very place quoted in Dr. Faulconers Libertas Eccles . p. 121. Considerat . Cap. 7. qu. 2. The very first words in Answer to this Question are , Nos in hac controversia faciles accedimus iis , quae ab Amesio super hac Quaest scribuntur . What saith ou● Answerer ? I acknowledge this to be the sense of Amesius . But it should have been observed by our Author , That the Walachrians onely declared their Agreement with them in that Question , which was by them propounded ; then he repeateth the Question which I have translated Verbatim . Doth our Vindicator call this an Answer , or a Vindication ? He told us the Walachrian Classis in Zealand , do in like manner declare publick Forms to be lawful , and profitable for the direction of the attention of the Auditors , and preserving Uniformity ; Libertas Eccles . p. 121. to prove this he quotes Consid. Cap. 7. Qu. 2. I look that Chap. that Qu. I tell him , That the Walachrian begin their Answer to that Q. with saying : They easily agreed to what Dr. Ames had said upon this Question ( which is the Question before stared ) the Question quoted in Libertas Ecclesiastica .

Now faith he , I should have considered that they declared their Agreement with D. Ames in that Question by them proposed . Very good , and that Question proposed is the very Question Libertas Ecclesiastica referred me to . Is not this enough ? But he tells us it is another Question , Whether Praying by Publick Forms be the most useful way of performing that Service ? What have I to do with another Question ? I was only to speak to the Question quoted , and this is that Question I am sure . Neither is there any other Question in all those Considerations stated about Forms of Prayer : Besides our Question is about Lawfulness , for all Ministers to use them , Dr. Ames with whom the Walachrians profess to agree in this Question , saith expresly , Cas. Consc. 14. c. 17. qu. 4.

None ought to acquiesce in Praying by Forms , Liber●as Eccles. p. 121. but to labour for an ability that he may Pray without this help . And gives four reasons for it . The first is :

That while a prescribed form doth not follow our affections , Reasonable Account p. 46 , 47. but plainly lead them ; he who so prayeth , doth that which is of the Nature of Prayer less perfectly . Now with this man ( as to the Question before translated ) the Walachrians who spoke to no other Question about Prayer in all their Books , Vindication p. 106. profess they readily agree . Judge good Reader who hath dealt less faithfully with thee , I , or the Vindicator , look but the Books set in the Margent .

6. But he tells us , They could not agree with those of Leyden and Dr. Ames too . Synopsis pur . Theol. Disput. 36. Sect. 33. They plainly say they do agree with them both . Let us see that . The words of the Leyden Professors in the place cited , are these :

There is a Question usually made ( so it is no novel Question ) whether it be lawful to use Forms of Prayer , publickly or privately ? We say , If they be pronounced with due attention of Mind [ mark pronounced ] and with due attention , they are not only lawful , but very profitable . 1. Because every Christian hath not an Ability , and the attention of the People in great Meetings is not a little helped by usual Forms . Upon which account God himself directed the Priests a Form of Blessing under the Old Testament , Num. 6.24 . &c. And Christ upon the Cross is observed to use that Form of Deprecation , which David . ( who was a type of him ) used , Matth. 27.46 . and the Disciples of Christ , Luk. 11.2 . asked Christ to teach them to Pray , as John taught his Disciples . To whom Christ answered , When you Pray , say Our Father , &c. from which Circumstances of the Words , it is manifest , that this Prayer of Christ was not only a Rule to Pray by , but also a Form of Prayer , as all the Ancient Church thought unquestionable .

Sect. 34. But in the mean time we do confess , That it is profitable , yea almost necessary , that all grown Believers , and especially the Pastors of Churches , should stir up in themselves , the Gift of Praying , publickly without praevious Forms ; that as occasion se●veth , and necessities renew , they may pray and give thanks ; as we read , that Holy Men , Prophets , and Apostles did often do , both in the Old and New Testament ; which will not be difficult for them , if they observe the Method of Prayer , and be frequently exercised in it .

7. This is all which those learned Professors say . Now I must profess I see no reason for what our Vindicator saith , That the Walachrians could not agree with Dr. Ames , and the Leyden Professors too ; one thing is , Dr. Ames is put first : Whether they also agreed with the Leyden Professors , is not much material , let those word● be blotted out . I have enough to make me understand their Sense upon the Question , in their telling me , They readily agree with Dr. Ames in this Controversie . If it be not possible they should agree with the Leyden Professors too , then their Testimony against us signifies nothing , for they contradicted themselves , and Dr. Ames did not agree with those of Leyden ; but I do not think so . It may be our Answerers mistake only .

8. Nothing can be certainly concluded in the cause , but I think I shall offer what any unbiast Reader shall judge very probable in the Cause . All Divines that will speak clearly and distinctly in this Cause , must distinguish betwixt such as are more imperfect and low in Knowledge and Gifts , and such as are more grown and perfect . So that Acute Casuist Dr. Ames distinguisheth ; and certainly so do the Leyden Professors , and it is apparent from their words : 2. They ( like Divines ) accordingly deliver their minds in two Theses . The one ( which is the 33 ) relating only to Christians and Ministers , in a more Imperfect State , while they have not the Gift of Prayer : As to these , they determine Forms of Prayer both lawful and necessary , especially where such Ministers in a low state of the Church , have great Congregations , for there their hearers are more advantaged doubtless by a Form , then they would be by the use of such Persons own Abilities ( for they are not two Sentences , but one ; because every Christian that is to Minister , hath not an Ability , and [ in such cases ] the hearers are more advantaged by Forms , and the Person ministring doth well , for tho he offereth a Female , he hath no Male in his flock ; for of all the instances they give , there is not one other . Such was the state of all the Ministers of the Jews , of all the Disciples of John , and of Christ his own Disciples , before the days of Pentecost ; prophecyed of under the Old Testament , by the Prophet Joel , when God would pour out his Spirit on all Flesh , Acts 2.17 . Joel 2.28 . that is , imperfect comparatively , with what it was after the Effusion of the Spirit . Upon this Account Christ saith , Tho to that day there had not appeared Born of Women , one greater then John Baptist , yet the least in the Kingdom of God , should be greater then he ; greater as to Spiritual Gifts , Knowledge , Vtterance , able to speak greater things then he could . And the Promises are to Christs Disciples for doing greater things ( not then Christ could do , but ) then he did do , because he was ascending to his Father , John 14.18 . with many others of like import , proveth this . And it is certain that till that time , the Apostles had very imperfect Knowledge of the great Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven , the Vnion of Christ and his Father , John 14.8 , 9. The Sitting at Christs right hand in his Kingdom , &c. And in this state , and during this state , it is not unreasonable to think Christ should give his Disciples a Form of Prayer at their request , yea of words to be used in Prayer .

9. In the 34 Thesis these Learned Professors determine in the case , as to such as are Provectiores , better grown , for these they judiciously determine ( and especially for those amongst them , that are Pastors of Churches ) that it was advantageous , yea upon the point necessary for them , To stir up in themselves the Gift of Praying Publickly , without Forms . 1. That they might be able to Pray upon all occasions and emergencies . 2. That they might be like the Holy Men , Prophets , and Apostles , who so Prayed , and tells them this was no hard thing to attain , if they observed the due Method of Prayer , and frequently exercised themselves in it .

10. So that I see no difference betwixt the judgments of Dr. Ames and the Professors of Leyden in the case . Those of the Province of the Walachrians tell us , They as to this Question agree with these . If they afterward say any thing which doth not agree with them , we are not concerned to justifie or to follow them . For Mr. Calvins opinion in Epist. ad Protectorem . 87 , If our Reader will but consider that it was wrote at a time , when Popery was but turning out of England , when the Nation h●d but very few Bibles in our own Languages , and very few Protestants that could read them , he will not wonder at Mr. Calvins ●udgment . Those who are most against imposing Forms Vniversally , now , would have been as much for an Vniversal imposing of them then , during such a state ; and do think it necessary now , if Spain or Portugal , were Reformed : The Priests in corrupt Churches ( I mean the generality of them ) seldom complying with a Reformation , and the number of others who will humble themselves ( as they think ) to the work of the Ministry , and have any abilities for it , being every where very small . Our Vindicator laying no great stress upon this Testimony ( as he tells , p. 111. ) we see no great reason to contend for the Sense , it being but the Sense of a particular Clasis , and we being fully of the mind of those great persons with whom they profess to agree , it is no great matter whether we agree with them or no , because they cannot agree with themselves as our Answerer noteth .

11. Our Vindicator goeth on and telleth us , he had in his Libertas Ecclesiastica brought three Arguments , to prove , That forms of Prayer were of no disadvantage to Piety . The first was From Gods prescribing a constant form of Prayer for the Jewish offerings , and for the Priests blessing , our Saviours directing the Lords Prayer , but the Holy God , our Blessed Saviour , would not impose what is of its own nature an hindrance to Godliness , Piety , and Religion . My Answer was to this Sense . That it was wild ( in a matter of Worship especially ) to conclude , mans power from Gods fact . That because God might prescribe , therefore man might prescribe . Our Vindicator here now tells us , He is not so void of all Reverence to God , as so much as to think so . I truely hope so , much less so void of all sense and Reason , but what then is that which our Answerer would conclude from thence ? That these things cannot prejudice Religion , he saith .

12. If we could once agree upon terms , I would hope all sober and good men would agree . That which makes us differ , is we use General terms of Religion , Piety , The Church , Schisme , Seperation , &c. and will never let one another understand what we mean by them . Piety and Religion here are these aequivocal Terms that deceive one party . We are here arguing about Prayer , as it is a part of the Instituted Worship of God , and in no other sense . Instituted Worship , is not what is commanded by the Law of Nature , but by the Will of God revealed in his Word . We say that it is thus commanded by God , not onely that we should pray , but that we should pray with the utmost Attention of our thoughts , to our work , and with the utmost intention of our mind , and pious fervour . This ( say we ) we profess we cannot do by forms . Yes ( saith our Vindicator you may , or else God would never have prescribed forms of Prayer and Blessing to the Jewish Priests , nor Christ to his Disciples . How doth this follow ? Is God then obliged , in a piece of Service , ( which is no service to him , but only because he so willed it ) to will it to all Persons and at all times , under the same Circumstances ? Who will deny a Prince the liberty to direct one Subject to perform his Homage to him one way , and another to pay it another way ; yea though the Act of Homage be specifically the same ? And shall we deny God that liberty , who is the most free of all Agents , and the King of Kings ?

14. So that the Answerer either very weakly , or very invidiously saith , That the sense of my Answer is , That the God of infinite Goodness , and Purity , may appoint , and enjoyn , and consequently may be pleased with such things as in their own Nature are hurtful to Piety , and oppose Piety and Goodness in the World : when as the sense of my Answer ( as is obvious to every understanding Reader ) is no more then this , That the God of infinite liberty to direct his Homage in what manner he pleaseth , may appoint several persons in several ages , and under several dispensations , yea , and several persons in the same age , to Worship him in the same specifical Acts of Worship , several ways as he pleaseth , and each of them because he so appoints them , shall be Pious , Religious , Good , and Pure , and that as to those Persons whom he so commands , most Good , Pious and Religious .

14. And upon this foundation it was , That it was Pious to the Jews to Worship God by the Levitical Offerings , &c. which to us would be impious , not only because he hath expresly forbidden them , but because he hath not commanded us any such thing : And if God or Christ did prescribe Forms of Prayer or Praise to the Jews , or to some particular Christians , under some particular Circumstances , the use of them as to them , or any under the same Circumstances , may be Pious , and Religious , and doubtless is so , and yet not so to others , who are or may be under other Circumstances , and other Precepts , relating to them as under such Circumstances ; and this is our very Case . Persons that have not Abilities fitly to express their Minds to God in Prayer , are under different Circumstances , from those who have such Abilities , and so may be under different Obligations of Divine Precepts in the case . God not commanding those to whom he hath not given the best means , to pray with the greatest Attention of thoughts , and Intention of Mind and Fervor , who are not able to do it , but only to do it so far as they are able . But in the mean time , these precepts oblige all to their utmost Ability to do it . And this is a full , or at least a sufficient Answer to what our Vindicator saith in his long Vindication of his Argument from his 113 to his 129 page . For , not to multiply words to no purpose , let men believe what they will , whether the Form of Blessing was to be used as a Form , and the Lords Prayer to be used as a Form , yea or no. ( Great Authors are in both sides in the case ) It proveth no more , then that Forms of Prayer are not in themselves so evil , that God himself cannot prescribe and legitimate them ; which none but mad men will say they are , or ( as this Author phraseth it ) that they are not in their own Nature hurtful , and so hurtful , as God cannot command the use of them , which is a degree of badness , which very few things have . In the mean time they may be sinful enough , as contrary to the Divine Will , and that tho not to all Persons , yet to some Persons ; which is all I contend for .

15. And here I must crave pardon of my Reader for giving some instances of things which God by his command could not legitimate , as to those persons to whom he gave the command . Murther and Incest , I admire how they slipt my pen ( tho our Vindicator who lasheth me sufficiently for much lesser Errors then this , taketh no notice of it ) for tho it be true , God cannot make Murther and Incest lawful , yet that is but trifling , because they will not be Murther or Incest when he hath commanded them . But God by a Special command to particular persons , may make those actions lawful , which if any others did without such a special command , they would be Murther and Incest , and unlawful : So it was lawful by vertue of Gods command to Abraham for him to think upon , and design the killing of his Son , to prepare means for it and go about it , and also to have done it . But I hope our Vindicator doth not think this would have been , or is lawful for any other persons , under the circumstance of no such special command ; and this will let the Reader see how little to the purpose the Vindicator speaks of this p. 116. I appeal to every man of Sense , whether that instance was not good enough to prove , That God by his command may make some things lawful , which without such command to those particular persons , had been unlawful , and are unlawful , as contrary to his Revealed Will , as to any others who have no such command , but his General Rule to the contrary . What but the special Command of God to Magistrates , makes it lawful for them to execute malefactors , or by their Souldiers to kill men in just wars ? What but the special permission or license of God , makes it lawful to kill men breaking open their houses , or in their own defence . The General Precept is , Thou shalt not kill . But this is abundantly enough to shew his poor Vindication of his first Argument founded on this Mistake , That we say , Forms of Prayer do in their own Nature hinder Piety .

16. The truth is , there are some things so intrinsically evil that God cannot make them lawful ; but these are very few ( nor are all men agreed in this ) for my own part I do agree with those who think , there are Eternal Idaea's both of Good and Evil ( I know it is a Subtil Question ) but I cannot think that God can authorize a person , to deny his Being , or to Blaspheme himself : God cannot deny himself , nor expose his own Essential Glory . But that God cannot make the same thing both lawful and unlawful , the doing of which at all , or in such or such a manner , does meerly depend upon his Will , is to me little better then Nonsense . Now whether God would be worshipped , or should be worshipped by Vocal Prayer or no ? certainly depends upon his Will , and nothing but his Will ; and if it be his will that all Persons should do it with the utmost attention of thoughts , and intention of mind , and fervor of spirit , they are able . And if one person be not able to do it , by forms prescribed by other men , and another be best able to do it so , it is plain that the Will of God in the case is different as to these two persons : and to tell us , that the first person may do it , without prejudice to his piety in the action , when all the piety of the action lyeth in Obedience to the Will of God , sounds in my Ears , very Atheologically , and awkly , to say no worse concerning it .

17. This miserable arguing makes me quite weary of replying ( my hand is in , and I shall go through , but I think never to take up a pen again in this Case ) p. 129. the Vindicator comes to Vindicate his Second Argument , which was from the lawfulness of Singing Psalms in Meeter , and Reading the Scriptures : We must put it into Form , or the Reader will never see the force or weakness of it . His Argument could be but this , If the Scriptures may be read with utmost attention of thoughts , and fervor of Spirit , and Psalms may be sung ( and that in Meeter ) with the utmost intention of Spirit , and attention of Thoughts , and they yet be Forms , and not the the dictates of our Hearts to our Lipps ; Then Prayers may be put up to God by Forms composed by other Men , not divinely inspired , with the utmost attention of our thoughts , and intention , and fervor of our spirits . — But. Ergo ,

The summ of my Answer was a denial of the consequence . My reasons were , and are : Because these were Duties of different species , and the same Motions , Affections , and Degrees of Affection , are not by God required of us in all Duties .

It is no Rule of Logick , or Reason , that whatsoever may be affirmed or denied of one Species , may be affirmed of another ; for then we might conclude in Animals , that an Horse can discourse , because Man can . It is as true in Actions , in Religious Actions . Worship here is the. Genus , Reading the Scriptures , Singing Psalms , Praying , Preaching , &c. are Species contained under Worship , as the Genus : We can neither affirm nor deny , all things concerning one of these Species , that we may affirm or deny of another . This is evident now to all , and might be justified in forty instances . The Question therefore is , Whether God requireth the same affections , and the same degree of fervor of Spirit , in Reading the Scriptures , and Singing of Psalms , that he doth require of us in Prayer ? If he doth not , the Argument is fallacious , because of the manifest Transition De Genere ad Genus .

18. It is plain he doth not . Prayer ( as I told him , p. 61. ) is in Scripture called , a crying to God , a wrestling with him , a powring out of our Souls , it must be with strong cries and groans . Is there any such thing said of Reading the Scriptures ? Or of Singing Psalms ? Attention of our thoughts indeed is required in all , so are such degrees of Fervor as are proper to those duties ; but what if God will require some degrees of Homage to be performed to him one way , some another , some in a way not capable of the like degrees of Attention and Fervour , as others are ( such I take reading the Scriptures to be ) is it not enough for us to do that duty , with such degrees of Attention and Fervour , as he requires in that duty , tho we do not do it with such degrees of Attention and Fervour , as in that duty he hath not required ? Or shall it be concluded by any man of reason , that the mean which God hath appointed by which we may serve him in one duty ( as in Reading the Scripture , it is nothing but the use of our ability to read ) which is not by reason of the infirmity of our nature capable of such an attention of our thoughts ( which will wander if they have the least liberty ) may be used in another duty of another Species , where God requires other degrees of Attention and Fervour : or that the mean which he hath given us for that duty is not necessary , but that duty also may lawfully be performed in the use of a mean , which doth hinder such degrees of Attention and Fervour ?

19. This was the substance of one of my Answers ( tho a little further opened . ) now what saith our Vindicator to this ? Truly little , what he saith is p. 135. in these words and no more . But what he saith That there are different workings of the Soul towards God in Singing , and in Prayer , I suppose he will upon further consideration discern to be an oversight , since the Application to God for the same things , require the same Pious Exercises of Mind , whether it be in Prose , or Meeter ; and it was another oversight , that he declares me to know and confess what he thus asserts , when I never declared any such thing , but know the contrary . — As to the last Clause Reader judge , see Libertas Eccles . p. 123. — Both in reading the Scriptures , and in Prayer , our hearts ought to be religiously moved towards God , tho in somwhat a different manner . Wherein have I wronged him here ? Neither see I reason to acknowledg the oversight : let him prove if he can , that we are obliged to Sing Psalms with an equal degree of Fervor of Spirit at all times , as we are to Pray . Though we may sing the Words of a Prayer , yet it is more then I know , that we are to make those words our Petitions , or to address our Souls unto God for the same things which are the matter of the Psalm we Sing . If I thought so , I should hardly sing many of Davids Psalms , having no occasion for the things he asked of God . Nor do I think Singing is the Application of our Souls to God for obtaining Mercies , but the Praedication of the Holy Name and Will of God , and only to differ from Reading the Scripture , as the first is done with the Modulation of the Voice , the other not so ; which Modulation is required , as having some force in it to excite several Affections , either of Joy or Grief , according to the matter sung . Further in the same page he saith :

Tho there be different Acts of the Mind exercised in these duties , yet that Consideration , Reverence , Faith , Submission , and other Gracious Dispositions , which suit the special parts of Divine truth ; doth require as much seriousness , diligence and care in reading the holy Scriptures .

But doth it require as much Fervour of Spirit and Affections ? That is the Question ; and the contrary was shewed by the Phrases wherein Prayer is in Scripture expressed : but as to this not a word , onely he had shewed before , that a Form of Words in Prayer doth not hinder any Exercises of Piety therein . What he hath formerly said , I have formerly answered . I leave the Judgment to any Intelligent Reader .

20. I had further told him , That the Scriptures are Divine Forms , and reading them is a Divine Precept , and the Forms we Sing , Divine Songs , and the Singing of a Congregation by a Form naturally necessary , and the duty impossible to be performed , but by a Form . The Question was only stated about Humane Forms , and in a Case where no such thing is necessary ; all the World will see the inconclusivenes of such Arguings . I shall not trouble my self to answer such things further , which nothing relate to the Question in issue , which himself owned to be plainly and cleerly stated . I wish I could say that on his side , it had been as plainly and clearly Argued against .

CHAP. V.

An Answer to what the Vindicator hath said in his Third Section of Chap. 3. concenring the General use , or Impositions of Forms in the Primitive Church . Some further things noted of the Canons of the Provincial Councels of Laodicea , Carthage and Milevis . Further Discourse upon the head of this Argument waved , because the Argument it self , if true , concludeth nothing , as to Lawfulness or Unlawfulness .

1. I am now come to the Argumentum Palmarium of our Adversaries ; in this Question the pretended Practice of the Church for 1300 years . Indeed I always looked upon the Practice of Men a very poor Argument , where the Question was about the Lawfulness or Vnlawfulness of an Action . And it is doubtless no Argument , tho Ex Abundanti . I did speak somthing as to that point , and since at the request of some Friends , have spoken much more in a Supplement to that Book . I shall now say little , but refer my Reader to my former Book , and the Supplement to it .

2. Our Author hath told us , That it is not probable that such excellently Devout and Judicious Men as the 4th . and 5th . Century abounded with , should not discern helps and hindrances of Devotion . — I told him it was possible . Like one in Cathedra , — he tells me , This is a rash and contumelious Expression . What is ? That some particular Men , may be mistaken in a particular point : This is all can be made of my words , and such a point too , as is of a mutable Nature : for I have shewed before , That that may be an hindrance to Devotion to one , which is not to another ( which is most certainly true . ) Is this a contumely ? when David saith , All Men are Liars , and tho he spake it in haste , yet it hath thus much truth in it , that there are in all Men grains of Falshood and Error and Fability . Did ever any modest and judicious man , talk at this rate ? When our Articles tell us , That the Churches of Jerusalem , Alexandria , Antioch , and all Rome , erred , both in matters of Worship , Ceremonies , and Doctrine . Artic. 1562. n. 19. may not we say it was possible that some Churches in the 4 and 5 Centuries might mistake ?

3. I am not concerned to make good what Smectymnuus said , tho I knew the Men that made that Book , and know that none of them wanted learning : but for the Commissioners of the Savoy , their saying they could find no intire Liturgies within the first 300 years , doth not argue that they found any then ; for I am sure they did not , but those being the times of the purer Primitive Church , they by their Commission were concerned to speak to no more . I do say it again that they might have said , That they find no Record of any Liturgy universally used , or imposed , and commanded to be used by all for 600 years , till the time of Gregory the great ; nor then by any imposed , but by Gregory the worst of all the Bishops of Rome before his time , whose Judgment and Practice in this case , signified little ; but under the Protection of Charles the Great , 200 years after that . I repeat not here an Answer to the Answerers silly Reflection p. 138 , I believe I knew what time Gregory the Great and Charles the Great lived , before our Vindicator could construe his Cato : and that his Book did not enlighten me with this glorious peice of Learning ; the Supplement will inform him , and all those who have a mind to laugh at such lamentable Exceptions . We must attend hereafter to what our Author can say to prove Liturgies of Prayer , generally used or commanded to be used , before the time of Gregory the great .

4. In the mean time he takes notice , that I will not allow that the three Canons which he quoted , that of the Councel of Laodicea cap. 18. of the third Councel of Carthage can. 23. of Milevis can. 12. had any res ect to Liturgies and their establishment . Where have I denied they had no respect to Liturgies ? Or what doth he mean by Estab ishment ? ( For still it is not our Interest I perceive to speak plainly and distinctly ) I have denyed and do deny that those Canons have the least tittle of proof . That Liturgies in the time when those Canons were made , ( and yet the last of these was more then 400 years after Christ ) were generally used , or commanded to be generally used ; one of which they must prove , before they have proved that my Opinion [ T●at the Vniversal use of Liturgies is not lawful in all probability is false , because contrary to the judgment of the Church for 1300 years past .

5. I had reason to say so , when the last of these Councels was not till 402 , and then made for a particular Church , and in a particular case ( which I have else where largely shewed and given a full account of it ) and for the Two first , Supplement p. 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36. it is doubted whether ever there were any such Councils ; and tho this Author produceth something out of Justellus to prove there was such a Council of Laodicea yet there is no Canon of it , enjoyning a Form of Prayers should be used morning and evening . Other Collectors of Councils , very ancient too , have no such Council ; there was but 22 or 42 at it ; and for the other 3 , Carthag . Justellus tells our Vindicator the 23 Cannon could not be theirs , for that Council made but 21 ; nor is the 23th to be found in Justellus his Code of the African Church , where it should have been if it had been of any authority : And our Vindicator tells us too , this Code was extant 451 , so as at that time they knew of no such Canon . And though the first mentioned Canon of Laodicea was taken into the Code , which Code was approved by the Council of Calcedon Anno 451. yet there is no proof that Forms of Prayer were then generally used , or imposed . For the Canon it self mentions no more , then a publick Ministry of Prayers ( as to which Forms are not necessary . ) In the late times in Colledge Chappels , there was morning and evening 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , where no Forms were used , but a certain Order observed , all the Week , and Year long . And indeed this is an usual Cheat in these debates , when Men hear or read of a Liturgy of Prayers , they presently think there 's a proof for Forms of Pra●er , when it is but of late years , that the term Liturgy hath been appropriated to signifie a Common Prayer Book . And admit there were such a Council of Carthage , and they made what is called the 23 Canon , which Justellus denieth , yet that ( as I have shewed in my Supplement ) determined no such thing ; that of Milevis or Mela indeed did , but in a very small Corner of the Church , and for a very particular reason , and the Vindicator cannot say these 2 Canons were ever brought into Justellus his Code , or confirmed by any general Council . But of this matter I have elsewhere said enough .

6. For what our Author objects p. 143. to prove the Laodicean Canon injoyned more then the same Ministry or Order of Prayer , even Forms . From the next Canon , it speaketh not a word of Forms more then the other , only three Prayers were made , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 are the words used , neither of them signifying the reading of a Prayer out of a Book by a Form . See at the end of the Book in the Review , a full Answer to all said by Dr. Faulkner on this head . Whereas our Answerer p. 144 , complains I have not read over or considered what he hath said , to prove that the Canon of Carthage ( contrary to the plain sense of the words ) commanded a Form , he will find it taken notice of in my Supplement , largely enough , p. 28. For the Councel of Milevis , it proves no universal use , nor any Vniversal Imposition . Now that Forms may be used by some Ministers and at some times , and that in some particular Exigent they may be Vniversally Imposed for a time ( which was the cause then ) I do not doubt : but enough is said of that Council , Supplement p. 30.31 , &c. I leave to any Reader to judge , whether it is not like a very great part of their Ministry were tainted with Pelagianism , whatever our Vindicator saith .

7. I shall not trouble my self further about this Section , the Argument , if it were good , concluding nothing as to the Lawfulness and Vnlawfulness . I have said in my Supplement as much as I think can be said , at least as I can say ; and so I think hath our Answerer : let the Reader judge who hath spoken with most probability , and from most Credible Authority . So far as we understand the truth of Church Affairs for the first 300 years ( which we can have no great certainty of , for the generality of our Editions are from the Papists , who would let us know as little of the truth as they could , where it was contrary to their Practice ) what was held , practiced , and retained in the Church ( not being matter of Faith ) within two hundred years after Christ , is no great guide to our Practice , tho I said and do believe , that Forms of Prayer were not generally used , nor by any Persons universally imposed on any considerable part of the Church , till Pope Gregories time Anno 600 , nor then , more then Canonically , till 200 years after this , and am assured of this by Durandus a Papist , and my Lord of Morney a learned Protestant ; yet whether this be true or false , is not a farthing matter in the case ; and I have something else to do then disputing De lanâ caprinâ , or whether it , or that be the truest Orthography . No understanding person that minds to keep the Protestant Religion , as to Rites and Ceremonies , will value any quotations at any rate , as to Rituals , which are out of Writers that lived at the distance of 300 years after Christ .

8. In his next Section , he doth not pretend to Answer any Argument of mine , but only to reflect upon some passages which ( how justly let my Reader judge ) he calls Reviling , and he hath ( if it be so indeed ) answered it , with full measure pressed down , and running over . I am not concerned to Reply to him , nor to the Authorities of Capelus , all whose words were no Oracles , as our Answerer himself also judgeth p. 180.

CHAP. VI.

A Reply to what the Vindicator saith in his 4 Chap. beginning p. 177. Whether in Vocal Prayer , words be not an Essential part of the Worship , which no Superiors can institute ? Whether things in Acts of Worship , by Gods Institution , left to liberty of Ministers , or People , may be determined by any , but those to whom the liberty is left ? About the Power of Superiors to command in Divine things , Whether he can command , what he judgeth to be indifferent , and the Inferiours judge Unlawful .

1. OUR Vindicator in his 4 Chap. which beginneth in his 177 p. pretendeth to Answer the Authors third Argument , which he had thus laid :

To use a Mean in an Act of Worship , which God hath neither directed by the light of Nature , nor by his Word prescribed ; no natural necessity compelling us so to do , is sinful .

But for us or any of us , to whom God hath given the Gift of Prayer , ordinarily to perform our Ministerial Acts in Prayer , Reasonable Account , p. 71. by the prescribed Forms of other Men , read , or ricited , were for us ( no natural necessity compelling us so to do ) in Acts of Worship to use means , neither directed of God by the light of Nature , nor yet by him in his Word prescribed . Ergo.

In proof of the Major I said , 1. That Divine Worship , is nothing else but an Homage performed to God upon account of his Excellency . 2. That it belongs to God to appoint those Acts , and Means by whom this Homage should be paid . 3. That God hath determined ( by the light of Nature , and his Word given us ) sufficiently both as to Acts and Means , of this Homage . 4. That he hath forbidden any other Means in the Second Commandment , where under the Notion of Graven Images , he forbids all Acts and Means of Publick Worship which himself hath not appointed ; and if this were not the sense of it , it were impossible to reduce to that Commandment , all the Precepts in Scripture as to External Worship and Adoration . I also further referred to what Mr. Cotton hath said in this Case , in his Advertisements upon a Discourse of Set Forms of Prayer p. 17. 18. &c. In my further Discourse upon this Argument , I was led ( in Answer to another ) into a discourse about The power of Superiors , in Gods Worship , to command , what they judged indifferent ; but their Inferiors or Parties commanded judged sinful , and unlawful .

2. Possibly that discourse , contained two Questions in Divinity , upon which the main hinge of this Controversie lay ; viz.

1. Whether man can lawfully institute at his pleasure Parts or Means of Divine Worship ? 2. Whether Superiors can command Inferiours , in Divine Worship , to do any thing , which they the Superiors judge indifferent , ( that is neither commanded , nor forbidden by God ) but the Inferiours judge sinful , upon Arguments which to them appear highly probable .

Let us but be agreed in these two things , and we shall in this Controversie have little to contend about . Our Vindicator , who ( in the Section immediately preceding , had spent 6 leaves in nothing but Reflections , spends but 8 leaves about this Chapter , which I doubt not but to shew him ( except he had spoken closer to the thing in question ) was much too little . But what doth he say ?

3. He granteth p. 177. That all the parts of Divine Worship must be such as the light of Nature , or the Revealed Will of God directeth . Tho this be very true , yet what is it to the purpose ? The Argument spake not of Parts , but of Means of Divine Worship , nor doth the second Commandment , speak only of Parts but of Means . Why doth he not either affirm or deny , that the Means of External Worship , must be directed from God , either by the light of Nature or Scripture ? But instead of this he runs to his usual way of Observations .

4. He first observeth , That this contradicteth what I had before said , That Forms of Prayer may be lawfully used [ by some men , and at sometimes ] what if it did contradict what I said before ? The Argument may be good enough , notwithstanding Nemo omnibus horis sapit . 2. But this is not so , for we are discoursing of what is lawful or unlawful , not as to what is meerly Mental Prayer , but as to Ministerial Vocal Prayer , which is the most perfect kind of Prayer : I have told him , that I believed , that he who prayed by the Vse of Forms , only prayeth in his Heart . Now as to that Act , Forms may be helps , and so lawful to be used by those to whom God hath not given due means for Ministerial Prayer , which must be Vocal , where the heart inditeth a good Matter , and the tongue ( the proper Secretary to the heart ) is as the Pen of a ready Writer . Now supposing ( what our Answerer so zealously contends for ) that God prescribed Forms to the Jewish Ministers , and that Christ Prescribed his Disciples Forms of Prayer to be ordinarily used . Means as to Heart-Prayer , are prescribed by God in his Word , as to which kind of Prayer , words are not necessary , for it may be performed without words , so as words are no parts of it .

5. Forms not directed by God or Christ , or any where in Holy Writ , cannot be an External Homage to God , or part of External Worship ; for our Author grants , that Parts of Worship must be directed by Nature or Scripture ; now such Forms are not directed by Scripture ; I am sure they are not directed by Nature . Besides , if they were an External Worship , or part of it , they must be never omitted . Now that Vocal Prayer is a part of External Worship , distinct from what is meerly Mental , cannot be denied ; for that Prayer which is meerly in the heart , I am sure is not the Publik Worship of a Minister in the Congregation .

6. Hence it followeth , That he who prayeth by Forms only , prayeth Mentally , as all the People do , who joyneth with him who Ministreth in Prayer : For the Ministers reading a Form , can be no part of External Worship , because in it , he is neither directed by the Light of Nature , nor by the Will of God in Scripture . It is only an help to himself or others , or both , to order himself , and people by , in their Mentall Prayers .

7. Neither can I see how it can properly be called a Mean ( unless the Form be particularly by God directed ) of Mental Prayer . For in reason , the mean of meer internal adorotion must be , an Ability so to adore which a man hath partly from Nature ; ( whence is his Ability to think and conceive ) partly from the influence of the Holy Spirit of Prayer and Supplication .

8. His next Observation is as idle , as his Reflection in that Paragraph founded upon it is impertinent : it is this p. 179. That according to this Argument , the conceptions and expressions of him who Prayeth without a Form , are as much forbidden as the use of Forms is pretended to be , because God hath not prescribed these Expressions . I had told him , that both the Light of Nature , and the Will of God declared in his Word , 1 Tim. 4.14 . 1 Pet. 4.10 . Rom. 12. have shewed us , That an ability fitly to express our minds that is our wants and desires ] to God in Prayer , is the means which God hath prescribed for Vocal Prayer ; how well he hath disproved what I said , let the Reader judge from my reply ; so that in further answer to this his Observation , I shall but oppose another observation , and commend it to my Reader ; viz. That he hath answered my Argument learnedly , by begging the Question , for this was the 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 betwixt us .

9. But yet because our Author hath no mind to treat of Means , and to grant us that Means as well as Acts and Parts of Divine Worship , must have a Divine Institution ; Let us take him at his own concession . That parts of Worship must have such an Institution ; this he yieldeth in terminis , p. 177. I say that words in Vocal Prayer , are parts of Worship ; his friend Capellus he owns hath affirmed it , That by keeping to the constant use of a Form , men make it a proper part of Worship . This he doth not like . But why then in the very same case about Forms of Prayer , doth he choke us with what Capellus hath said . Vindicat. p. 167 , 173 , 201. It is a just Rule in Law , That he who hath produced a Witness in the same cause for himself , hath granted him a sufficient Witness , and shall never be allowed to except against him as not such . I hope if Capellus his Authority be valuable against us , it is so for us .

10. But I have another Argument to prove , that Forms of Prayer Vniversally imposed , are parts of Prayer , proper parts of Prayer , that is Vocal Prayer , which alone is Ministerial Prayer : For the parts of that religious Action are Two ; The one is Internal , which lyeth in the Motions of the Heart and Affections : The other is External , which are Our words . And these are the two Essential parts of Worship in that Prayer ; take away either of them , and it is no Prayer , that is no Ministerial Vocal Prayer : And these or those words are essential parts of this or that Ministerial Vocal Prayer . Now if Men without express direction from God , may prescribe us words , they may prescribe an Essential part of Worship ; which our Vindicator justly denieth they may .

11. His third Observation , p. 182. is , That in his Libertas Ecclesiastica . 2. Sect. Chap. 1. He hath largely proved , That it is a false and dangerous Position to say that nothing may be used , or appointed in Gods Worship ( besides necessary Circumstances of humane Actions ) but what is appointed by God himself . — He addeth here , That it is destructive to Publick Worship and Religion . For since God hath commanded us to pray , but hath not in all Acts of Worship enjoyned our words , or the performance of this duty with or without a Form , it must needs according to this Position , be done neither by a Form nor without , because both by consequence are forbidden being not prescribed . Then he telleth us , That God hath not prescribed what sort of bread , or wine , should be used in the Supper of the Lord , nor what Psalms should be sang . To which I reply ,

12. I am not at leisure to reply to all he hath said in 72 pages of his Libertas Ecclesiast . but I do not remember that he hath there said , That Men may appoint Essential , or integral parts of Worship ; if he hath , I am sure he hath denyed it here , p. 177. Now I have both said , and proved , that words are an Essential part of Ministerial , Vocal Prayer . If there be no words used , there can be no such thing ; therefore by our Answerers own concession words in this Prayer , must be directed by the Light of Nature , or by the Will of God Writen in his Word . I have shewed , that Gods Will , is revealed in the cause , both in the Light of Nature , which directeth us to express our own thoughts in our own words , and by his Will revealed , commanding us to Minister our Gifts , and according as we have received the G●ft , or Grace . Neither do I remember that our Vindicator hath asserted , That Men not divinely authorized and inspired for that end , may appoint Means of Worship . I am sure in this Book he is very shy of it , if he hath said any such thing elsewhere , it is false , and contrary to the Second Commandment . For any appointments of other things , in , about , or relating to the Worship of God , we are not here disputing , nor was the Question stated , with reference to them .

13. It is rashly ( if no worse ) said , That there can be no Publick Worship or Religion according to that Position . For it plainly inferreth , That in the Churches of God in Scotland , Holland , France , New England , &c. there is no Publick Religion or Worship ; for it is certain that in all , or most of them , there are no Forms of Prayer Vniversally used or imposed , tho there be in some of them , some made and left at liberty to be used or not used .

14. Whereas he saith , That according to this Position , there can be no Administration of the Sacraments , because according to this Principle , all Bread , and Wine , is forbidden to be used in that Ordinance , because the particular kind of Bread and Wine is not prescribed : It proceedeth upon this Hypothesis , which is false ; That we say , That nothing is left to our liberty , in , about , or relating to the Worship of God , because we say no Acts , Parts , or Means of Worship , are left to liberty . We say , that particular Phrases in Prayer and Preaching , so the particular kinds of Bread and Wine , to be used in the Lords Supper , are left to liberty but yet words are not left to liberty . Nor whether any Bread or Wine should be used , are not left to liberty ; and where God hath left any thing to liberty , it ought not to be determined by Superiors ; because it was the Will of God , that his People should have liberty in the case , and that liberty is a part of the Institution .

15. In the Old Law , where a strict Prescription of all Acts , Parts , and Means of Worship can be modestly denyed by none , yet in the burnt offering of Fowls , Levit. 1.14 . the people were left to liberty , to bring either Turtle Doves , or any other Young Pidgeons , and in the Womans Purification , Lev. 12.6 . she had the like liberty . I would gladly know now if our Vindicator , or any sober man , thinks that the Superiors in the Church or State of the Jews , might have determined the Jews , and by their commands enjoyned all the Jews to bring none but Turtle Doves ? Or none but Young Pigeons of another kind ? Or what president there is in Scripture of any Ecclesiastical or Civil power , that ever arrogated and assumed such a liberty , or declared that they judged such a thing lawful ? This I think sufficient to have spoken to what our Answerer saith as to the first Question .

16. The Second Question was about the Superiors power of commanding in Religious Acts. A grave and weighty Question , an Agreement in which will bring us to a present issue as to all our Religious differences . Let us see what our Vindicator will grant in the case . He tells us p. 185.

That if any Inferior , or any person whatsoever , accounteth any thing to be forbidden , proceeding upon any good and true grounds , no such thing may be appointed , being in it self evil , whether the Superior think it not necessary or by a mistake thinks it necessary . We thank him for this , it is enough for us , nor shall we need repeat any thing more he hath in this Chapter said . I have onely this Question to ask , Who , as to the Inferiors Practice , must judg , whether the Inferiors judgment proceedeth upon just and true grounds . Let us but have this point freely and clearly spoken to . If he saith the Superior must judge , all this is just nothing , for those Superiors must be prodigiously wicked , that shall command their Inferiours to do that , which they judge the Inferiors upon good and true grounds judge unlawful . This were for him to command things , which he knew to be sinful .

17. If he saith ( as he must do if he will maintain the Religion of Protestants ) That tho the Superior be the judge of the lawfulness or unlawfulness of his commands , so far as concerneth his own Act in commanding ; yet every Inferiour must judge of the lawfulness or unlawfulness of his Act , in obeying , and the truth and falshood of the grounds upon which he proceeds . It is what we hold and agree in .

18. But still the true Question remains , upon supposition , That the Superior and Inferiour differ in their Aprehensions of a thing , the Superiour thinking upon such as he thinks good and true grounds , that the thing is lawful , The Inferior judging upon ( what he thinks ) true and good grounds , that it is unlawful .

Whether the Superior can command his Inferiors such things in the Worship of God , Qu. which he judgeth not necessary from the Light of Nature , or Revealed Will of God , and the Inferior judgeth sinful and what he may not do . So then there are two things we yield in the case .

19. That as to things which are meerly Political and secular , the Magistrate may command what he judgeth necessary , or expedient , for the ends of his Government ? of which things , he hath no Judge ( save God alone ) Superior to him , and the Inferiour must obey him , where Gods Will doth not plainly controul ; and if it doth controul him , he must patiently suffer the penalty for not doing them ; for his private Conscience is no Judge of these things further then as to his own practice , whether they be contrary to the Rule of Gods Word or no.

20. That as to things of a more Spiritual Nature , which concern the Worship of God , the Magistrate is bound to command , what he , after diligent inquiry into the law of God , judgeth necessary ; that is commanded by God in his Word : and to forbid , what he judgeth there forbidden , and in these things the Inferiour is bound to obey . If in these things he judgeth diversly from his Superiour , he cannot do the things , but must patiently suffer , and the matter in difference must be by God determined at the last day , where the Magistrate ( tho it then appears he was in a mistake ) may hope for Mercy , because he did what he did , in the integrity of his heart , provided he neglected not due means for finding out of the Will of God , nor in his Punishment for disobedience , exceeded the Rules of Scripture , and right Reason , and Justice .

21. But we do not think , that in the Worship of God , especially as to the Acts , Parts , or Means of it ( those being things of the truth or falshood of which the Will of God alone can determine , and which he hath sufficiently determined in his Word . ) The Superior without sin , can command , what himself doth not from the will of God judge necessary , but he knoweth the Inferiour judgeth to be sinful .

1. Because he hath no power in commanding things of this nature , more then the Kings of Israel and Judah had , who had no power to bind up all the Israelites to bring Turtle Doves , when Gods prescription had left them at liberty , either to bring them , or young Pidgeons ; nor was ever any such power assumed by Magistrates under the ordinary Circumstances of Magistrates ( that is being no Prophets , and divinely inspired , as were David and Solomon ) who both were Pen-men of Scripture .

2. Because such commands must necessarily be for Destruction , not for Aedification , and the Apostle declared he had no such power , 2 Cor. 13.10 . such commands must necessarily be against Charity , tending to destroy Peoples Souls .

22. But as to this , our Vindicator tells us , That real Charity providing for the good and profit of the Souls of Men , is of far greater value , then that which I call Charity gratifying and complying with men in their mistakes .

How properly this is spoken , and how prettily the Question here begged , let any ordinary Reader judge ; was not I arguing for the good and profit of Peoples Souls and Bodies too ? That which I call Charity is what the Apostle calls so , Rom. 14.15 . If thy Brother be grieved with thy Meat ( which thou mayest eat , or let alone ) now walkest thou not charitably ( that is in eating and so giving him occasion to sin ) destroy not him with ●y meat , for whom Christ dyed . Can any Divine think that God in that Text hath not said to all Magistrates , in the matters relating to my Worship , make not him to sin by thy commands , which thou mayest or mayest not ( as thou thinkest ) at thy pleasure give out , for whom Christ dyed .

23. I appeal now to all rational and intelligent persons , whether the Vindicator or I , have spoken here most sense and pertinencies as to the matter in Question , Whether Forms of Prayer in the publick Ministry , may be universally used or imposed . This is all which I can find in this Chapter of our Vindicator worth any notice as to the Question in hand ; for what is spoken , as to other Rites , Ceremonies , and Gestures , the lawfulness , or unlawfulness of them , it doth not concern our present purpose . Let us first have done with this single Question , and then we will if he pleaseth , discourse other things ; in the mean time I intend not to swell a Book with Discourses De Omni Ente . Besides it may be , that by our close discourse upon this Question , we shall be better prepared for others , which in my mind are much lighter , by understanding upon what principles we distinctly argue , and first exposing the truth or falshood of them to the judgment of the World . Our Vindicators Principles in this Chapter seem to be , 1. That words in Vocal Ministerial Prayer , are neither parts nor means in that Worship . 2. That Superiors may determine whatever he judgeth God hath left at liberty in his Worship , though the Inferior thinks they are not there left at liberty . I am not of his mind .

CHAP. VII .

Containing a Reply to what the Vindicator hath said Chap. 5. p. 193 , &c. The Vindicator grants , the Superior may tye up Ministers and People to Forms in the publick Congregation , and in Families , but not in Closets . His reason , why not in Closets , holds , as to Congregations and Families . They have new Emergences daily . The Evil of tying up , all to Forms expressed , exemplyfied , in the neglect or omission of Praises to God for deliverance from the late Hellish Popish Plot , and of Prayers for the perfecting of that Salvation : The Vindicator saith nothing cogent to prove that Forms of Sermons ought not to be as Universally imposed and used , as Forms of Prayer .

1. THe Answerer p. 193 , comes to my fourth Argument , which I laid thus :

To agree a Principle , which ( being agreed ) is of sufficient force to restrain the total exercise of the Gift of Prayer , is sinful . Reaso . Account p. 93.

But to agree it lawful for Ministers ordinarily , in their Solemn Prayer , to perform their Acts of Prayer by the prescribed Forms of other Men , were to agree such a Principle . — Ergo.

I supposed , none would deny the first Proposition , because it could not be denid● without allowing man , to suppress the total exercise of a most eminent Gift of the Holy Spirit of God . I proved the Second Proposition , by an inductio● of the several kinds of Prayer , and shewing , That the Superior had as much Authority to command the use of Forms in the Pulpit , as in the Deske , in our Families as in either , yea ' and in our Closets too , and the Inferiors Obligation to Obedience would be as much concluded as to one place as another , because it related to the Superiors Dominion ; and so far as that extended , so far the Inferiours Obligation to Obedience must extend . This was the sum of what I said , what saith our Vindicator to all this ?

2. Will he deny the Major ? I find not a word in his whole Chapter that way . But it is the Minor which his loose discourse seemeth to deny , but before he doth it he must again be premising . 1. That he hath before shewed that Mens Ability of Expression ( which is not properly the Gift of Prayer ) are not on other accounts necessary to be used , unless where they be requisite for the better performing the Worship of God . What he hath said about the Gift of Prayer I have answered , and proved , That an Ability fitly to express our minds to God in Prayer , is properly the Gift of Prayer , if we speak ( as we do ) of Vocal Ministerial Prayer ; For the other part of this sentence , besides what I have further said before to prove them a Divine , Natural , Proper Mean , I would again know of him , whether every man , as to his own practice , must not be judge of his better performing the Wo●●hip of God ; if he must , he hath said nothing .

3. As to his premising that he hath before shewed the usefulness of set Forms in themselves for the Pablick Offices of Religious Worrship . I have pr●ved that as to Prayer , they cannot be established 〈◊〉 without mans taking upon him to appoint one Essential part of Worship in Vocal Prayer , which himself denieth man a power to do : I have also proved , Gods Institution of another mean , viz. our own Abilities .

4. But he tells us , That he not founding their lawfulness and expediences meerly upon obedience to Superiors , can be no ways concerned to determine and enquire after the extent or boundaries of the Authority of our Governours in this thing . But yet I hope we neither being able to see , nor yield any such usefulness of them for all Ministers , must enquire , whether we be not obliged to the use of them from the meer command of Superiors , and if in that thing they be not our Superiors , that is , have no power to command , we can have no obligation upon us to obey ; nor are any of those great Topicks from an Obligation to Vnity and Submission to be used towards us ; for why should not those who are so Zealous for Forms , as well unite with us , as we with them , especially considering that words in Vocal Prayer are an Essential part of Worship , the Calves of our Lipps , which must be creatures onely of Gods making . If our Vindicator will only argue them lawful , because they are useful , we are not of that mind : so let it be a Problematical Question , but then let not us be railed at as Schismaticks and sinfully disobedient to Governours , who judge them not lawful , and so not the object of Superiors power .

5. Besides , in so tender a thing as Gods Worship ; every thing as we can fancy useful is not therefore lawful . Indeed the usefulness of things in Gods Worship , must be concluded from a preceeding Prescription of God . No Act , Part or Mean of Worship is useful , which God hath not directed by the Light of Nature or in his Revealed Will .

6. As to what he tells me , p. 194. n. 4. I answer , That no good Christian can yield a Reverence to Superiors , where he cannot save his Reverence to God , in the first place ; and that he cannot do , till he be satisfied , that his Superior is his Superior in that case ; i. e. That God hath given him a power to command and to determine him in the case , if it be the Will of God , that another Mean should be used in that case , by those that have it ; Or if it be the Will of God , that as to any Act of Worship a mean should be left to his Peoples liberty as under the Law it was in case of the Turtle Doves , or young Pigeons , before named . It is no Reverence to , but a sinful flattering of Superiors , to tell them by our Tongues , Pens or Practice , that they may appoint such means , as God hath not appointed , or that they may appoint and determine where it is the Will of God that his Ministers or People should be left at liberty . And Christians ought not to yield Principles , which are improveable against them , to carry them on to further sins .

7. But in the next place he comes to consider , Whether it be not lawful to forbear Prayers , ( conceived Prayers at least ) before and after Sermons , he thinks it is . Well then if it be lawful ( say our Conformable Divines ) it may be commanded by Superiors , and such commands ought to be obeyed by Inferiors . Then it is true which I said , That Superiors may wholly in Publick Worship suppress the Gift of Prayer .

8. But what shall we say for Families ? p. 200 , he thinks a well composed Form may be used in a Family . I think so too , if he that Ministreth hath not the Gift of Prayer , or if it be a form composed by himself . But the Question is , Whether Superiors may command the use of such , and no other . He seemeth to conclude they may , for he determineth them lawful , and according to the Principle , That Superiors may command even in the Worship of God what is lawful , not what is necessary only ; They may also as to Families suppress the use of our Gift of Prayer , or Ability to express our selves to God in Prayer . So it is granted , that by a Superiors command , the Exercise of the Ministerial Gift of Prayer may be shut out of all Churches and all Families ; and indeed it is so as to a great many .

9. Well then , may we pray otherwise then by Forms in our Closet , admitting Superiors did command us also there to pray only by Forms ? He tells us p. 203. That Forms of Prayer are of excellent and singular use in Families and Closets ? But p. 202. he tells us as to Closets , That if any Superior should forbid all such Confessions and Petitions [ in Closets ] this being against the duty of a Creature and a Christian , ought not to be submitted to . So then , the Superior in this case is no Superior : But I pray why ? Where hath God given the Superior a licence to determine the words of Vocal Prayer in one place , more then in another ? I am sure it is not in Scripture , and I cannot conceive how it should be in Nature .

10. Our Answerer offers but one thing in reason for it , Because there are many things concerning the Persons own particular wants , which cannot be comprized in a Form , are needful matters of his private and retired Devotions ; p. 201. Will not the same reason hold for leaving Forms of Prayer at liberty to be used or not used in publick Congregations ? What State , what Church almost is there , that every Month hath not some new particular wants , I will not say which cannot be comprized in a Form , but which cannot be comprized in the same Form ; and if Forms for the Publick must upon this account be renewed every Moon , why may they not , or should they not , for persons be renewed every night ( that is only matter of trouble . )

11. Here 's one great evil of standing Forms , they cannot provide for the greatest Emergencies . Within these Two years last past , we have had as great issues of Providence , with reference both to our most Sacred Soveraigns Life , our Religion , and Civil Government , as ever any Nation or Church in the World had : as great things to give God special thanks and great praise for : as great things to begg of God , for our Bodies , our Souls , our Posterity . What hath there been in all our publick Forms for it ? How many Congregations have there been , where God hath not had one Thanksgiving for so great Discovery ; or one Prayer imploring him either to avert the dangers feared , or his assistance to our King and Councels for the fuller discovery of the wickedness , and perfecting our deliverence . I believe since Christ had a Church upon the Earth and an interest in any Kingdom , of the Extent of ours , an instance cannot be given , where the King and Parliament , unanimously and without any persons contradiction of it , declared , That they were fully satisfied by the proofs they had heard , that there then was , and for divers years last past ●ad been , an Horrid , and Treasonable Plot , and Conspiracy , contrived and carried on by those of the Popish Religion , for the Murthering of his Majesties Sacred Person , and for subverting the Protestant Religion , and the Ancient and Established Government of the Kingdom . Which was done both in October and November 1678 , and again March 25. 1679.

And God received so few special Praises for our deliverance , or heard so few Special Petitions in reference to it , from multitudes of the Ministry of the Nation in their Publick Services ; nor indeed could it be helped , considering they were tyed to Publick Forms , composed many years before any such thing appeared .

12. Another mischief is this , That upon publick Emergencies , all Ministers are tyed to such Petitions , as those who make the Forms will prepare , which very little , or nothing at all concern the special providence , and where they concern it , very little , or nothing at all . How much is God either mocked or deprived of his Glory ? We have had so late and famous an Instance , as no more plain one can be . The King and Parliament in Nov. 1678 , had declared their full satisfaction as before , and the Parliament applyed themselves to his Majesty for a Solemn Publick Fast . His Majesty proclaimed it : 13. No. 1678. and in order to it , gave Order for Forms of Prayer proper for it to be made . One Form was made , in which was not any thing new of that nature . This was complained of in Parliament . They Voted another Address , complaining of it , and desiring some special Forms might be made , taking notice of an Horrid Popish Plot , &c. His Majesty gave present Order accordingly . A Second was made , which came out but 4 or 5 days before the Fast day , but time enough to be sent into the Country . But on the Lords day a Member of the House complained to the House of Commons that in that , there was not one word of Popish Plots , &c. upon this the House Voted a third Address to his Majesty about it , his Majesty presently Ordered it , then the words Popish Plots came in , but it was too late to send it in that Form all over England . We trust the King and Parliament of England will from hence conclude , how unreasonable a thing it is , to tye up all Ministers to Publick Forms . Since that time , how many occasions have been for special Petitions and Thanksgivings , but in very many ( I will not say most ) Congregations , God hath lost that acknowledgment of his influence upon Humane Affairs , because the Ministers have been tyed to their Old Forms . And from hence I doubt not to say , but in a great measure it is , That not a few Ministers , and multitudes of People , have found no difficulty , either to deny there was any such Plot , or is any , or to lessen it , and turn it to a ridicule , or to insinuate that honest Protestants were the Plotters . The often repeated Declarations of it by the King and Parliament , the several Declarations of the Council , the proceedings against the Plotters by the Reverend Judges , are not enough to make these Men believe a matter of Fact so often proved before them . Let this be in answer to the Provision for particular Emergencies by Collects , p. 199. This is enough to have spoken to this Chapter of our Vindicators ; where the Principles we seem to differ in are , 1. That all Ministers may be lawfully tyed up to Forms of Prayers made by others , in the Church , and all People in their Families ; and they are useful for those who have Abilities to Pray in their Closets . 2. That Forms of Prayer for any States and Churches , may be made , comprehending all wants of Churches and States , upon particular Emergences of Providence . I utterly deny the former , and the latter too , if there be not a renewing of them every Month or Week .

CHAP. VII .

A Reply to what the Vindicator hath said , Chap. 6. p. 206 , &c. The Vindicator's great esteem for reading other Mens Sermons instead of Preaching . The tendency of Principles to be considered , before we grant them by our Practice . He hath said nothing cogent to prove that Superiors may not as well impose Forms of Sermons , as of Prayers . His Notions about Mans power to Spiritual good examined , as also his Notion , as to Justification , and the imputed Righteousness of Christ . How consonant to the Articles of our Church , and those of Ireland . The mischief of the Scheme of Doctrine which he in this matter defends .

1. I laid my fifth Argument thus , To agree a Principle , which agreed would also allow a power in man , Reasonable Acco . p. 98. when pleased to suppress all Ministerial Gifts in Preaching ; is sinful .

But to agree , it is lawful for Ministers to obey Man , in performing their Ministerial Acts in Prayer , by the prescribed Forms of other Men , is to agree a Principle which agreed , would allow man a power when he pleased , to suppress all Minsterial Gifts in Preaching . Ergo , The Major is evident upon the Principle before laid down , That it is not in the power of Man to suppress , extinguish or render useless , any Ministerial Gift ; for this were to frustrate Christs design in giving them ; which was not to be laid up in Napkins , but to be used for the good of Men. Nor will our Answerer say , that it is lawful for Superiors to suppress all Ministerial Gifts in Preaching , and tye Ministers only to read other Mens Sermons . He saith p. 211. It is lawful to cite other Mens Sentences . Or to use a larger Portion of other mens Discourses , owning the Authors . All this is true , but what is it to the purpose , which is not about sentences and quotations , but about the whole contex●ure of Sermons .

2. Nay further then this , It is lawful to read to People whole Sermons , and H●milies , but this is no Ministerial Act , tho it be a good Action , and the People had better have this means of Instruction then none at all . But every good Action is not a Ministerial Act. By a Ministerial Act , I mean an Act which Christ , or any of his Apostles required of , or directed the Ministers of the Gospel ; not that which Christ meant when he commanded his Disciples to go and Preach , nor ( as it appears by their Practice ) did they so understand it .

3. Our Answerer seems to deny the other Proposition , but for Answer to it , he first referreth to what he premised to his Answer to the former Argument , as to which I shall also refer to my former Answer , only adding this : That whereas out of Reverence to Superiors , he seemed to hint , that we should first stay till any such thing be commanded . The plain English of that is this , Stay till you have condemned your selves , and shall have nothing to say if such a thing be commanded ( having first granted the Principle on which it is founded ) and then complain , that is , When the Steed is stollen , shut the Stable door ; let us first hook you past escaping us without rending your jaws , and then if we catch you and pull you up , complain . Every wise man ought to consider whither his Principles or Practice will carry him , before he alloweth the one , or ingageth in the other .

3. Next he tells us , That he hath manifested , the ordinary and constant usefulness of Set Forms in Prayer , in Publick Worship , for the advantage of Religion , if I be able to prove the same concerning the ordinary using the discourses of others in preaching , he hath then , and not till then made the Cases parallel ; but this he thinks I never can . Let me try a little . I remember p. 87 , 88 , he hath given us a summary of these pretended advantages .

1. To ascertain the people , that nothing shall be prayed for by the Ministers , but what they can say Amen to . And is it not as great an advantage from Forms of Sermons , that then the People shall hear nothing , but what they may afore-hand consider , and be assured they may by Faith agree to ?

2. That the people might be under no Temptations to give their minds a liberty for ill ends to observe Expressions , and the manner of composure of the Prayer . And is it not of as great advantage there should be Forms of Sermons , that Ministers may not have a Temptation to make their Preaching , a business of Rhetorick or of Raillery , or meer Philosophy , which too many have done , and do do : Witness Mr. Hickringill's Curse ye Meroz .

3. That there may be an Vnity in Prayer . And is not an Vnity of Faith and Doctrine of as much advantage to Religion , as an Vnion in the words and syllables of our Devotion , and something more too ? Might not Forms of Sermons both contribute to , and also testifie that ?

4. Dull Capacities would be so helped . And are not people ordinarily more dull in comprehending the Mysteries of the Gospel , and the Doctrines thereof , then in understanding the words of a Prayer ?

5 To prevent Impertinencies , in advised Expressions , results of Passion , Imprudence , Negligence , Weakness , bad Principles , Erroneous Opinions . Would not Forms of Sermons as much advantage Religion , by preventing all these ten times more ordinary in Sermons then in Prayer ? Thus I 〈◊〉 made ●he Cases parallel I think . But 〈◊〉 Divine Institutions we argue without ●●●rd to the Will of God as the only Di●ect●● in the case from such things as we ●a●●y would be advantages of Religion , we d ● but set the Sun by the Dial , God knew better than we , what would be advantages to Religion : There 's no arguing in these cases , but concerning the Will of God in the case . They are not our fancied advantages , that will prove the Will of God in these cases .

4. In the next place he tells us , The Ancient Church appointed Forms of Prayer , but not Forms of Sermons . Admit this were true , that the Ancients for 500 years after Christ did either generally use , or impose Forms of Prayer , ( which I am very far from believing to have any truth in it ) and not Forms of Sermons ; doth this prove that the one is more lawful then the other ? Are the Opinions and Practices of Men , things to be urged argumentatively to prove a thing Lawful or Sinful ? They may be urged indeed to put us upon a strict Enquity , but no further . I may consider these differences , when I believe the thing is true in matter of fact ; but I shall never so consider them , if I knew the thing was true , as to determine lawfulness , or sin from them .

5. But Preaching is directed to Men ( therefore there must be no imposing Forms as to that ) but Prayer to God ( therefore Forms may be appointed as to that . ) Can any Mortal understand , why there should be more care taken , what a Minister speaketh in mans name unto God , then in Gods Name unto Man ? Hath not an Embassador more reason to take care what he speaketh in the Princes , name unto People , then what , and how he speaketh , in ordinary Petitioners name unto his Prince ? But Men may be taken with varying of Phrases , but God cannot . But God may be pleased I hope with the doing of his Will , and by the exercises of those Abilities in his Service , which he hath given us on purpose for that Service ; and it speaketh no great Reverence for God , for any to express these things by the Puerile expression of Varying Phrases .

6. The next thing he saith p. 208 , is very admirable , That Erroneous Notions and Practices , cannot be so well beaten down by Forms , as by every Ministers Abilities . This is to say that Errors may be better confuted , and Arguments for them better answered by any Ministers private Conceptions and Expressions on a small premeditation , then by a Book or Forms , deliberately by many composed and written ; for Forms may be made every Month of this nature , if they be lawful and necessary .

7. He tells us thirdly , p. 209. That by leaving men to the use of their own abilities , in Preaching , Ministers may acquaint People with such things as are suitable to them , and in a Phrase suitable : It is much , that he could not consider also , that if Ministers were left to pray by their own Abilities , they might also pray to God for such things as new Emergencies make needful for them ; which they can never do by Forms , except they were renewed every Week . And surely God never left his Church so ill provided for , that if at any time he bestowed a new Mercy upon them , or the particular Members of any particular Congregation , either preventing or removing some great Evil , or conferring some great benefit , or by his Providence brought them into some great distress , they could not obey his command , calling upon him in the day of Affliction , that they might be delivered ; nor being delivered praise him , till a Council was called to make a Collect for the purpose .

8. Our Vindicators next difference , or further need of Forms of Prayer then of Sermons assigned by him is , Because in publick Prayers , must be comprehe●ded Adoration , Thanksgiving , and Supplication , for all ordinary good things , 1 Tim. 2.1 , 2. ( what he means here by Adoration , as a part of Worship , distinct from Confessions , Supplications , and giving of Thanks , I cannot imagine , the Apostle 1 Tim. 2.1 . speaks of nothing but Supplication , Prayers , Intercessions , Thanksgivings . I hope he doth not mean bowing at the Name of Jesus , or towards the Altar , for they are neither of them mentioned , 1 Tim. 2.1 , 2. For such things indeed , there is need , ( yet not so much of Forms of Prayer , as ) of a Rubrick ; for there is nothing about them , In Albo S. Scripturae . — He saith to secure this Comprehensiveness , there is need of publick Forms , But it is no way ( he saith ) neeedful that every Sermon should contain all the necessary points of Doctrine and Practice . Now here all the Fallacy lies in the term every Sermon , for there is the same need of one as of the other but not indeed in eve●y Sermon . But how doth this prove , that there is no need of Forms of Sermons ? Suppose that in a thousand such forms there might be all comprehended , were it lawful for the Superiors to impose them ? Or Ministers to use them , when all Ministerial Gifts in Preaching must necessarily be so supprest ? He seems to think it is ; for his next words have a scurvy hint , that the contrary liberty is but indulged to comply with the humour and temper of the present age : And he saith much more in his 6 and 7 Paragraphs p. 210 , 211 , in commendation of instructing people by Set Forms , as a Ministerial Act.

9. He is not pleased , p. 212 , that I should call Preaching the greatest Ordinance of the Gospel , or from the Commissioners at the Savoy tell him , That Preaching is a speaking in Gods Name unto People , so that if we speak falshoods there we make God a lyar . I must confess ( so dull was I ) that I did say so ; for if that be not , what is ? Preaching is the publishing of the great glad tidings of the Gospel , to the Children of Men. It was Christs great work , for he left Baptizing to his Disciples , and himself Baptized none John 4.2 . and St. Paul tells us , 1 Cor. 1.17 . That Christ sent him not to Baptize , but to Preach the Gospel , that is , the administration of the Sacraments was not his principal work , for he tells us there v. 14.16 . That he did Baptize Crispus , and Gaius , and the houshold of Stephanas , and v. 21. he tells us , that Preaching is Gods Ordinance to save them that believe , and Rom. 10.14 . How shall they believe on him of whom they have not heard , and how shall they hear without a Preacher ? Is there any such things spoken of any other Ordinance of the Gospel ? Or are there any other greater things , then saving of Souls to be expected from any Religious Institution ? And to speak Vntruths in Preaching is ( as much as in us lieth ) to make God a lyar , for it is a speaking to People in the name of the great God . The Commissioners at the Savoy it is like , understood as much as our Vindicator what Preaching was , and whether our Vindicator be of their mind or no , signifieth not much . I must confess from some Mens Sermons which I have heard and read , I have seen reason to suspect , that they , and others , have had a vastly different Notion of Preaching from us . The Noncon . generally ( and very many Conformists too ) looking upon it as a great Institution of Christ , for the publication of the Grace of Christ and perswading Men to the acceptance of that Grace , to Repentance , Faith , and Holiness , without which none can be saved . Accordingly they have preached Scripturally , and proved from thence what they say , and the bent of their Sermons is to perswade Men to a life worthy of the Gospel , to Acts of Morality , out of a Principle of Faith in Christ , Love to God , &c. Others looking upon it , as a meer Exercise of Wit , or an entertainment for peoples ears , or an opportunity to discharge their lusts and passions , have call'd a flanting piece of Oratory , a Lecture out of Aristotles Ethicks , or Plato or such a discourse as lately was made before my Lord Mayor ( to the admiration of all men ) Preaching ; which is just such Preaching as before the Reformation , the people had from the Popish Priests , whose Preaching was but a Lecturing out of Scotus and Aquinas , or a story out of the Legend , and ( as the story of that age tells us ) they had not onely the brutish impudence to do this , but also to Petition Magistrates for a liberty to do it , when the common people discerned the folly and madness of it , and would no longer endure to be so abused and deluded .

10. In his 214 p. he groweth very angry , that I should say , How many discourses of late years have we had in Pulpits , pretending to prove Men have a natural power , to things Spiritually good . That we are not justified , by the imputed Righteousness of Christ , but by our own works ? How many perfect Sat●res , Raillerys , and Evomitions of the Lusts and Choler in the Preachers hearts . To this he subjoyneth ,

These are the kind words , and meek Expressions of one who judgeth and censures the sharpness of other Men. Then he comes to defend those who have spoken for Mens Natural power , to Spiritual Acts , and against the imputed Righteousness of Christ . These things must not pass unexamined .

11. Will our Answerer say there have been no such discourses of late years ? I appeal to thousands , and ten thousands of Witnesses . Will he say , Ah , but they should not have been spoken of , because they reflect on the Ministry of our Church . That is false , they refl●ct not on the Ministry , tho upon many Ministers of our Church , or who call themselves so . The Ministry of our Church are those who Preach according to the Doctrine of our 39 Articles ( which these Doctrines are not ) others are but Intruders , whom our Church owneth not ; they are but our Churches Natural Sons . Our Church hath declared against them , in her Articles and Homilies .

12. Besides , did not our Answerer inforce me to what I spake , he had before often told us , of the Impertinencies , Errors , Nonsense , Blasphemy , to which conceived Prayer gave a scope , and That a Prayer may be put up , and the People could not joyn in one Petition . I told him , Reasonable Account p. 106. That was a rare and an hard case . 2. That their not joyning might be from the Lusts and Error of their own Hearts ; 3. That it was the same case as to Preaching , and therefore the Argument was as strong for Forms of Sermons to be Vniversally imposed and used . He told me there had been many such Prayers : I told him there had been also many such Sermons . But must our Vindicator , who knows this , plead for it too , as he doth now to the end of this Chapter . p. 215 , 216. Let us hear what he saith .

13. He tells us that all our Ministers own Christ to be the Saviour of the World ( so did Pelagius ) and that the New Covenant of Grace is confirmed through him ( so did he for ought I ever heard or read ) and that in this day of Grace God gives his Aids and Assistances , besides the Instructions of his Word , the mighty motives of his Gos●el , and the benefits of the Ministry of Reconceliation , and his Holy Sacraments . Hold here a lirtle , for here lieth the pinch . What doth our Vindicator mean by Aids , Helps , and Assistances , besides the Instructions of the Word , and Motives of the Gospel , &c. doth he mean any more then the Remonstrants have in their confession 1622 thus expressed , Chap. 17. n. 8.

That the Holy Spirit gives to all , and every Man to whom the word of Faith is ordinarily preached , so much Grace , or is ready to give so much , as is sufficient for the begetting of Faith . — If he meaneth no more by those terms , then this , he meaneth no more then a common Grace , granted unto all men that are in the Church ; and tho this indeed be more then a Natural Priviledge , yet I do not understand how it is more then a Natural Power under the advantage of those Priviledges . For Natural here is opposed to Adventitious , and such adventitious assistance , as is more then the improvement of meer natural Abilities , by ordinary and common Means . Which improvements , we commonly call The common Gifts or Grace of the Holy Spirit . All these are comprehended under the term of a Natural Power , and are opposed to Spiritual , which here signifies the mighty workings of the Spirit of God , in a way of special and distinguishing Grace , inabling the Soul to do some truly Spiritual Acts , which it cannot do ( without the Assistances ) either from the powers of meer Nature , or improved Nature , but must be done from a Soul changed , born again of the Spirit , renewed , transformed , &c.

14. I am sorry to read our Answerer declaring , That he cannot understand the End of Preaching , unless a man under no special Circumstances differencing him from none who lives within the Church , hath a power to believe and work out his own Salvation , and to live Godlily , Righteously , and Soberly . I am sure no man can truly believe what he hath no sufficient Evidence of the truth of ; and our Saviour told Peter Flesh and Blood had not given him a sufficient Evidence . That Christ was the Son of the Living God . Matth. 16.17 . But what our Author saith , is the Arminians Argument , and hath been sufficiently answered in multitudes of Books ; and what our Vindicator saith , is confuted by the experience of many good Christians , who will own the quite contrary ; and I am sure the Church of England saith in her 10th Art , We have no power to do good works pleasing and acceptable to God , without the Grace of God by Christ preventing us that we may have a good will , and working with us when we have that good will . And Art 13. Works done before the Grace of Christ , and the Inspiration of his Spirit , are not pleasing to God , because they spring not of Faith in Jesus Christ , neither do they make men meet to deserve Grace .

15. As to the point of Justification , our Author saith thus :

We disclaim every where merit in our own works ( so do the Socinians ) and acknowledge , Vindication p. 217. that our Saviour hath as our Mediator interposed by his Obedience , Righteousness , and Sacrifice , to expiate our sins , give the Sanction to the New Covenant of Grace , and Righteousness , and to assure the Mercy of God , and Pardon , and Forgiveness , upon the Terms of it . But if we speak of the Gospel condition of Justification , that must be performed by our selves ; and we do account , that as Repentance which includes ( that I dare say he meant not Excludes as it is Printed though he hath not been so charitable to me , as to think I meant the Opinion and Practice , not the Person of Gregory the great , was protected by Charles the great ) is a necessary condition to the obtaining of Pardon of Sin , so consequently it is necessary to our being justified . — Nor shall I examine ( tho I cannot find it out ) the sense of the next words , but take him up again , where I do understand what he meaneth . — And that a renewed Holy Life is necessary to Justification , is manifested from that wrath , and threatning denounced against workers of In●quity , yet he tells us , p. 218. That the Gospel Justification is through the Redemption of our Saviour and Faith in him , and from the benefit of his Sacrifice . —

But it cannot be that the Righteousness of Christ should be so imputed to us , as that we should be looked upon as having done or suffered what he did , or suffered , — for then we should be looked upon as Mediators , — and might be invocated . — And he can see no other blame in this Doctrine , then that it is consistent with it self , and with what was delivered by the Apostle .

16. I will begin my Answer , with the 11th Article of our Church , We are accounted Righteous before God , only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by Faith , and not for our own works or deservings ; wherefore that we are justified by faith only is a most wholesome Doctrine , and very full of comfort . — and that they may not say that by Faith is understood Works , or a Practical Assent . Faith in the two next Articles is made the Spring and Fountain of all good Works .

The Articles of the Church of Ireland are yet more plain , Artic. 34 , 35 , 36 , 37. I shall only mention one clause Art. 34.

This Righteousness which we receive of Gods Mercy , and Christs Merits , imbraced by Faith ( which Faith Artic. 37 they declare to be a particular Application of the Promises of the Gospel , to the comfort of our Souls , whereby we lay hold an Christ , &c. ) is taken , accepted and allowed of by God , for our perfect and full Justification .

17. Our Answerer knew well enough that by imputed Righteousness we did never understand , that the Acts or Sufferings of Christ as Mediator were imputed , so as to make them as if we had done them . This ( Reader ) is just such another Argument , as if a Prince should employ his Embassadour to pay a Redemption Price for an 100 Slaves at Algiers , and he should do according to his Commission ; and when he had done , some learned Musselman , should come to prove that the Embassadors Action in Payment of the Ransome , could not be reckoned his , or as if he had done it , because he was a Mediator for an 100 , neither did he actually pay the money . Certainly the Slave would tell him , that his Action , so far as concerned him , might notwithstanding be imputed to him , that is reckoned as if it had been his Action .

18. But it may be this is but a word-bait a contest De Lana Caprina , it may be what they grant is enough to express the end of Christs coming into the World , the Mercy of God in Christ , and to secure the Salvation of Souls . Doth he think so ? I would gladly then have him answer these Questions , Whether the Righteous Lord can clear the Guilty without a satisfaction given to his Justice , contrary to Exod. 34.7 . If a satisfaction must be given , for every Mans sin , to make him in a capacity to be declared Righteous ( that is justified ) before God , who could ever satisfie but Christ ? 3. Whether this satisfaction ( which we call Christs Righteousness ) could ever be ours , without a gracious Act of God so reckoning it , as if we our selves had made it ? Whether , therefore it be possible that the Righteousness , whereby any Soul can be in any capacity to be declared Righteous b● God should be any other then the Righteousness of Christ , and any Righteousnes of our own , can possibly be antecedaneous to our Justification ?

19. In the mean time , we grant that God pardoneth no Souls Sins , but theirs in whom he hath wrought so much Repentance , as lies in a Resolution through his Grace to leave sin and to do good ; but this may be separated from all Actual good works , and is no more then an habit of Sanctification which God gives at the same time , that he justifieth the Soul , but he doth not for that justifie the Soul . That is very far from the Righteousness for which God in this life , declareth any Soul Righteous , and pardoneth its Sin . It is true , no Soul in the day of Judgment shall be justified , but that Soul , that hath wrought Righteousness ; and every Soul which hath in sincerity done that , tho not in a legal perfection , shall be acquitted from guilt by vertue of the Covenant of Grace , founded upon the satisfaction of Christ , who in this sense is called , The Lamb slain from the Foundation of the World .

20. Nor is the contrary Opinion ( so finely blended by our Vindicator ) so harmless , as he would make it , much less so consonant with the Apostles Doctrine . 1. It makes Justification a meer Act of Grace , which the Scripture makes also an act of Justice and Righteousness in God ; Rom. 3.25 , 26. To declare his Righteousness , for the Remission of sins , to declare I say his Righteousness , that he might be just , and the Justifier of him who believeth in Jesus . 2. It gives Christ no place in Mans Redemption , but that of establishing a Covenant upon which God might exercise his Grace . It indeed talks of his Redemption and Merit , but takes away the work of a Redeemer , and maketh his Merits needless . 3. It maketh Faith , as it is an Application of the Soul to his Righteousness and Merit , needless , tho the Scripture makes an inseparable connexion betwixt it and Salvation . Hence it is very rarely that we hear the necessity of such Faith urged . 4. It gives man the principal parts in his Justification , for they are his works for which God justifieth , tho indeed it be upon the account of a Covenant established by the Blood of Christ . Much more might be said : In short , it alloweth Christ to be a great Prophet , a great Benefactor to Man-kind , but denies him to be a True Priest , such a one as atones by Blood ; he onely doth it by Mediation , Intercession , and a Covenant . According to this Doctrine , his Blood only sealed a Covenant ; in what sense they call his Death a Sacrifice , they know best .

21. In the mean time , no sober persons deny good works their due place ; without them no Soul shall be justified in the great day . They are necessary to Salvation , and that final Justification . Ambsdorsius is the only Protestant I have met with ; who indeed in one place denies them to be necessary to Salvation ; no valuable person hath since ( that I know of ) approved his wild saying . But they have no place in the justification of a Soul in this Life , unless in the Justification of its Faith , to be true , and not counterfeit . And a Soul may be declared Righteous before God , and have its sins pardoned , before it hath actually done any good works , tho not before it be prepared by God for them by a disposition wrought by Gods holy Spirit in the heart , and a resolution to do them ; which is indeed Repentance in the Seed , but such a Seed as must necessarily afterwards produce its Fruit. For it is as impossible any Soul should truly trust and hope in Christ for that Eternal Life which he hath only promised to an Holy Life , and not live such a life ; as it is that a man or woman should truly trust and hope in a rich man for an Estate , without doing the things to the performance of which he hath made the promise ; which is even naturally impossible for any to do , tho they may pretend to it .

CHAP. VIII .

A Reply to what the Vindicator hath said , Chap. 7. p. 219 , &c. The Vindicator will not understand , that the Question was at first stated only as to Vocal Prayer , nor speak to the thing in difference . Two Errors running through all the Vindicators Book . He hath brought no sufficient Reasons , for a different Interpretation of the Divine Precepts for Prayer and Preaching . He trifleth in applying what I said as to Reading to a recitation of anothers words , tho it be without Reading . The impertinent ways of modern Answerers ; the Vindicator too much followeth them .

1 IN the 7th Chap. p. 219. Our Vindicator comes to Answer my Sixth Argument , which I had thus laid down :

To pretend to perform an Act of Worship , Reasonable Acc. p. 115. and yet not to do it at the same time , is sinful .

But for Ministers furnished by God with the Gift of Prayer , to perform their Ministerial Acts in Prayer , by the prescribed Forms of others , is to pretend to the performance of an Act of Divine Worship , and at the same time not to do it . Ergo ,

The Major I conceived needed no proof , for to do such a thing were but to mock God , and to deceive our own Souls . The Minor I proved , 1. Because we so interpret the precept for Preaching , not Go read other Mens Sermons . 2. If he read such Prayers . I said it was a further question , because in all languages the words used to express Reading are different from those used to express Praying . I said we laid a greater stress upon other Arguments then upon this yet we could nor think thi● vain an● impertinent . I said at first , That the question is not about Prayer in the general , but about Vocal Prayer , p. 115. again p. 117. We are speaking of Vocal Prayer , and what is the Will of God relating to that species of Prayer .

2. In our Vindicators Chapter relating to this Argument , two things are considerable ; 1. The Answer . 2. The Reflections that have nothing of an Answer in them . I shall only inform my Reader● , that it may appear by the Title of my Book , and by the conclusion of it , and by many passages in it , that I did not pretend in this case to define , but only to argue ; not to determine what is lawful and unlawful for all Men , in it self , absolutely , but to give our Reasons , why we judge this thing unlawful : leaving others to the conduct of their own Consciences . Nor had I done this , if the World had not been so often , and so impudently told , That we grant these things lawful , That we have no reasons , nothing to say ( Wisdome , Reason , and Learning , were all born with them , and with them alone they must dwell and dye . ) Now these things being first called to mind , let us hear what our Answerer saith to the Argument .

3. First he saith , This is an heavy Charge , a false Accusation , a Slander , a Calumny ; but whom doth it accuse ? Not a person in the World . Do I , giving my Argument why I so judge a thing unlawful , condemn others , who think the same thing lawful , especially when I profess against it ? p. 164. n. 2. Next he saith , I contradict my self , having granted before , Forms in themselves lawful , and may lawfully be used by Ministers in some cases . Very pretty , and I contradict my self ( forsooth ) because I now say , that I think it unlawful for Ministers furnished with the Gift of Prayer , and in a capacity to use it , nothing naturally hindring . I would gladly know in what degree of opposition these Propositions are . Shall we continually be troubled with Arguments , Ex ignoratione Elenchi , not concluding against the Question , or to whom do such Arguments signifie any thing ? Let the Reader see the Question stated p. 5.

4. But at length our Vindicator thinks he shall speak to the point , telling us , That there is not the same reason to interpret the precept of Preaching , as the precepts for Prayer . Very good , why did not he say so at first ; I do think there is , how doth he prove there is not ? He saith ( instead of every precept is to be interpreted ) every duty is to be performed , suitably to the Nature of the Duty it self , or in such a manner as may best tend to the pleasing of God , and the exercise of true Piety . Very true , it being always understood , that those things best please God , and are the truest exercises of Piety , which are according to his will . For to talk in matters of External Worship , of any thing pleasing to God , being an Exercise of Piety , or any vertue in them antecedent to , or separate from the Divine Will , is very odd discourse . God hath not willed acts in External Worship , because they are good and pious , but because he hath willed them , therefore they are so .

But he tells us , That in Publick Prayer , Religious Devotion and Gracious Dispositions and Desires towards God , are the great things to be practised , and to that end the use of a Form is well accommodated . I suppose he means for all Ministers , for otherwise he saith nothing .

8. We are speaking ( as I said at first ) not of Prayer in the general , but of Vocal Prayer of which ( as I have proved ) words are an Essential Part ; and being so , our Author hath told us , None but God can institute what words we shall use . If he hath appointed any Forms of this Nature , they are therefore lawful and best , because he hath appointed them . If he hath left us some , but not commanded us to use them ; but leaving us at liberty to use them , or others to that sense ; Man can no more determine , then in the case of the Turtle Doves or young Pigeons . If he hath only Instituted words as a part of Vocal Prayer , but left it to the liberty of his Ministers what words to use , only requiring them to ask nothing contrary to his Revealed Will ; it is not in the Creatures power to determine to another what words he should use .

6. Two Errors and no small ones , I have observed running through all our Vindicators Book . He seems not to allow of Vocal Prayer to be a distinct species of Prayer , from what is meerly Mental , which it must be , or it would be sufficient for a Minister in the publick Congregation to Pray Mentally , and 2. Prayer would be no Homage of our Lipps , and outward man . And if it be , there is something else required to it , besides Gracious Dispositions and Desires towards God , viz. Audible words , and they must be an Essential part of it , as being that which alone distinguisheth it from the other Species .

7. Secondly , Our Author all along this discourse , seemeth to talk of a Piety and Devotion in External Worship , antecedaneous to the Will of God revealed concerning that Worship . Hence he thinks to conclude Forms according to the Will of God , because ( in his opinion ) they tend to promove Piety and Devotion , yea and pleads these things in barr to our proof , that It is the Will of God that his Ministers who have the Gift of Prayer , or an Ability fitly to express their minds to God in Prayer , should use that Gift in Praying . We think that that Duty in External Worship which is performed most strictly according to the Will of God , is performed with most Devotion and Piety ; otherwise the Papists have more to say for their Images then I think they have .

8. But he further addeth , That Ministers are to teach People what they before understood not . This is in part true , but this is not half their work in Preaching . We are not to acquaint God in Prayer with what he before knew not . Therefore the precept for Preaching may not be interpreted go and read another Mans Sermon ; but the Precept for Prayer may be interpreted , go read another Mans Prayer . We cannot indeed in Prayer tell God what he is not acquainted with : But how doth it therefore follow that therefore we must not interpret the precept of God as to Ministerial Prayer , Go , and study the Mind and Will of God , and according to the Abilities I have given you , express your and others thoughts to me , as to the things which are according to my Will ; seeing it may be done by words conceived in our own hearts , and I have proved them most Natural , most proper and very probably the Will of God ; and considering words are an Essential part of this Worship which no Man can institute or determine , if Gods Word hath left the particular words to our liberty , and that the matter of Prayer is more variable then of Sermons ?

9. I had said p. 118 , That the words in both Languages in Scripture used to express Reading , are quite other , from those used to express our duty in Prayer . — In the same page I had repeated the same : We will not be too confident of it , but we are not aware of any Text in the Old Testament where 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 signifieth that kind of Speech , which is but the recitation or repetition By Reading of the words of others . Either the Printer , or perhaps my self carelesly ( having plainly expressed my mind before , in the first lines of that Paragraph ) left out those words , by Reading , which manifestly was my sense , as appears from what I laid down at first and was proving . I had also said , That the Hebrews had a great penury of words , and it was hard to establish an Argument from proper and significant words in that language . But I did not remember any text in which 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 is translated Read . Here he mightily triumphs over my unhappiness in Critical Observations ; nor do I much pretend to them , or affect them , but yet shall tell him that 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the three Texts he hath brought Gen. 32.4 . Deut. 26.5 . Deut. 27.14 . cannot be proved to signifie Reading , which is that I undertook ro prove p. 118. n. 3. For the Greek words it is plain . Here he cryeth out what meaneth he ? That which our Vindicator had no mind to understand , and which I plainly enough exprest . That the Greek words signifying to read are never used to express the Action of Prayer , but instead of them words that signifie a recitation of a thing , without the help of our eyes Instanced in 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , as Exegetical ( in part ) to 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Now where shall we find that word signifying to read in Scripture 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 we may find , but all this referred to the Reading of Forms , and touched not the pronouncing of them by heart . I do not think an Argument from words and the usages of them alone conclusive ; but it is not so slight as our Author would have it , Quae non profunt singula , juncta juvant .

10. I have done with what in this Chap. pretends to an Answer . I come now to consider the Reflexive part of it , and indeed this is the way of answering in these Cases , 1. To look if any words can be catched at , to suggest the Adversaries Irreverence or Disobedience to Superiors . 2. Next if any can be found to bring the Adversaries under Odium , or Envy or Prejudice of any multitude . 3. If any lapses of Pen , or otherwise can he found to make the Author appear Ignorant , Silly , Self contradicting , Vnlearned . 4. To put the Ergo before the premises , beginning with telling the Reader , there s no weight , no strength in the Authors Arguments ; they are slight , trivial , trifling , inconclusive things , Quod erat demonstrandum ; which ought to have been the conclusion , after a good answer had been given to the premises . Our Answerer is too much guilty of it , as hath appeared all along in his Discourse in this Chapter .

11. He first entituleth his Chapter , Praying by Forms is very rashly and injuriously charged with mocking of God . There is no such thing in my Argument as the term mocking of God , nor is it named but in proof of my Major . 2. Nor doth it refer to any but Ministers who have Abilities to express themselves fitly to God without them . 3. Nor is it asserted , but as the private opinion of some Ministers not satisfied in the use of them , and a reason ( and that of which they were least confident of the strength of ) why they cannot judge it lawful . And the same Men tell you , p. 264. n. 2. They take not themselves to be Infallible , they onely speak as they believe , condemning none that judge or practice otherwise . But this was a fit title to expose the Author by .

12. Next he tells the World this was an heavy Charge and Accusation , tho no single person was charged , only a private opinion declared . Then the Reader is told this is a trifling Argument , and the Reader must be asked pardon for giving him the trouble to peruse a thing so very inconsiderable ( he should have said in my opinion , for he is not infallible ) as this . Lastly he must be told of great swelling words , extravagancy enough , words supported , or not supported by weak , feeble , and impotent Arguments . That is , such as our Vindicator thinks ( and it is his interest to think ) such .

CHAP. IX .

A Reply to what the Vindicator hath said , Chap. 8. p. 225 , &c. Ministers main work , described in their Commission . The Priests and Levites work , more then the Vindicator owns . They were a whole Tribe in Israel . Their maintenance proportionable . No arguing from Gods appointments under the Law . The Vindicators dirt thrown on the Author , wiped off , himself rebuked , for calling an Ability to express our selves fitly to God in Prayer , a Varying of Phrases . A fear suggested , lest by it he should have vilified Gods Holy Spirit . 4 New Arguments against the Universal Use , or Imposition of Forms of Prayer .

1. MY Seventh Argument was thus stated ,

That Principle , which levelleth the performance of the great and sacred Office of the Ministry , to the capacity of the meanest of the People , cannot be a true Principle .

But this Principle , That it is lawful for a Minister of the Gospel ordinarily to perform his Ministerial Acts in Prayer , by the prescribed Forms of others , doth this . — Ergo.

This I proved p. 121 , 122. I first presumed it would be granted that God had appointed an orde● of Men in his Name to declare his Will unto his people , and to intercede with God on their behalf . 2. That he would not have done it , if they had nothing to do , but what any of the people might do . 3. That any who could read well might read printed Forms . 4. That it is not probable , that God would have reserved Honour or Maintenance , and by a Law established it , for such a kind of Ministry . What saith our Vindicator ?

2. He answereth by five Observations . His first is , That I have given a very defective description of the business of the Ministry . Indeed I should have put in administring the Sacraments , but let it be added , and then I think I have a good Authority for it , from the Commission given them , Matth. 28.19 . Go , teach all Nations , Baptizing them in the Name of the Father , the Son , and the Holy Ghost , Teaching them to observe all things which I have commanded you , and lo I am with you always to the end of the World . Here Teaching and Administring the Sacraments , are made their great work , for that both the Sacraments are there included is plain , from the precept Do this in remembrance of me , given them Chap. 26. We will also grant Prayer from the Apostles Authority , 1 Tim. 2.3 .

3. He tells us p. 226. It must be their Exerci●● of a special power of Office , that is the doing the same things , but in another notion ( as Officers ) but were we speaking of the Material or formal part of their Works ? we were speaking of what Ministers are to do ; not under what N●tion , Character , or Capacity . So I say , take their Materiall Actions ( supposing such Forms lawful ) they have no more to do , then the meanest of the people have a Natural power to do ; which is all I asserted .

4. Who denies that these Acts done by persons called of God , to do them in his Church , are quite of another vertue and efficacy then as done by persons not so called of God ; but my Argument was , That it is not probable , or to us it appears not probable ( for the pretended demonstrations , doubtlesses , and certainties of others in such cases , are no more then confidences ) That God would have instituted an Office for the doing of such Acts as the meanest people might do .

5. He tells us p. 227 , That his work is also to Preach ( but in the Argument Forms of Sermons were supposed as lawful as Forms of Prayer , and I have largely answered what our Vindicator hath said , to prove more need of the one , then of the other . ) For the other things he mentioneth , dispensing Absolution and Remission , guiding Mens Consciences , directing and obliging men to observe due Rules and Exercises of Repentance , convincing Adversaries , watching over their Flocks ; By his leave , if we either be guided by the practice of Christ or his Apostles , considering them as things distinct from Preaching , they are the least works of a Minister ( I am sure some of them are least attended : ) Private satisfactions of Mens Consciences , is the work of a Minister , but no piece of his publick servie , ( about which we were speaking ) nor what a private Christian may not do to his Ability . Nor do I think that in those works a Minister doth any thing Authoritatively , nor that his Counsels or advice will be found a jot more effectual , then he can make it appear that what he saith is the Will of God .

6. In his third Observation he tells us , That when Litues rgi we●e laid aside in England , many of the meanest of the people , both of mean Abilities , and of bad and erroneous principles , were thought fit to be taken into the Ministry , yet could Pray , and Preach popular Sermons in my method and to great satisfaction . What is this to the purpose ? comparisons are odious , and it is too true that in the late times too many such persons Prayed and Preached in Publick , but that there were more admitted into the Ministry then since , will be very hard to prove . I could tell him stories enough of my own personal knowledge to make him excuse those admissions into the Ministry which were in those times . But then I should be exclaimed against by our Vindicator as a great Slanderer of the Church of England , though I know ( if our Vindicator doth not ) that the Bishops cannot help it . We desired to mourn for , and to throw out in those times any sottish Persons , that by their Hypocrisie in those times crept into the Ministry , when they once appeared so , we never called them the Brethren or our Brethren , but look'd upon them as the Scabs and Deformity of the Church . For their Abilities , there was no defect of Tryal of them in any Presbyterian Ordinations , that hath been amended since . There were none then ordained but were examined of their skill in Greek and Latine and Hebrew ( if they had any , otherwise they solemnly ingaged to study it ) in Church History , a great part of the Body of Divinity : none , but were put to make a position in Divinity , and then to defend it against the Arguments of several learned Men. Let us therefore hear no more of that .

7. Our Vindicator p. 231 , 232 , 233 , 234 spends many words to prove that God did under the Law annex a great and honourable Revenue to those that were his Officers , tho their work was none other , then what other persons had a natural capacity to do . But 1. How doth he prove that the Priests ordinary work was nothing else , but to offer Incense and Sacrifices . They were to Teach , Micah 3.11 . Their Lipps were to keep knowledge , Mal. 3.6 . They were to resolve Questions concerning the Law , Hag. 2.11 . But further let it be considered ,

1. That Gods Provision for the Priests , was a Provision for a whole Tribe in Israel . The Males of the Levites only at the first settlement , as appears from Num. 3. were near 22000 Men , besides Women , and Children under a Month old , they cannot reasonably be thought much less then 50000 Souls , besides the Priests .

2. It was not reasonable that their Maintenance should be less then was assigned to the other Tribes : but more , because they were taken off from other means of lively-hood .

3. Their imployment took up their full time .

I will not examine how great it was , but doth our Answerer think that it is a good Argument to conclude ( if he could do it ) that because God under the legal dispensation allotted a great Maintenance to persons meerly for doing what any ordinary people could have done ( which yet is not so ) and because they were one of the Tribes of Israel , no otherwise provided for ; that therefore under the Gospel , where that Worship is wholly altered , and a new Worship instituted , for one part of which the great Apostle cries out , Who is sufficient , that God should erect a particular Order of Men , and lay such severe charges upon them , to give attendance to Reading , Exhortation , and Doctrine , not to neglect their Gift , to Meditate on Divine things , and give themselves up wholly to them , to take heed unto their Doctrine , to Preach the Word , to be instant in Season and out of Season , to Reprove , Rebuke , Exhort , to make Intercessions , Supplications , Prayers , and to give Thanks for all Men , &c. That he should give so strict Rules for their Qualifications , that they should be able , as well as faithful , before the Office was committed to them . Apt to teach , &c. and that these men should have no work to do , or the main work they had to do at least , should be no more , then the most of their people might do ? Will that Maxime , The Labourer is worthy of his Hire , the Workman of his Wages , prove that those who do no work in the Ministry , should have Wages ? But of this enough , and more than enough .

8. I had instanced in one thing more , viz. The Vnblest Effects we had seen , of an Vniversal practice of this Nature . The first was , The filling the Church with an ignorant sottish , and lazy Ministry . The second was The loss of Ministerial Gifts and Abilities . The third was ( a consequent at least ) — A flood of Iniquity . As to the two first I acknowledged , that we have very many learned , diligent , holy Men , that yet use Liturgies . I added , Far be it from us to say or think otherwise . But I said , The establishing of Forms of Prayer for Vniversal use , opens a door for such persons to enter in . — And while such a door is open , it is not to be expected but they will enter in , and it is evident many such have entred in , and experience tells us , that Conscience is not enough to oblige all men to their duty , the best of men had need of all Obligations , &c. p. 124 , 125. I proved the second and the third , from Experience not to be denied .

9. The man raves at this in no less then 6 pages : He calls it an Open notorious shameless Calumny , and makes me for saying so even the Vilest of Men. But what is the matter ? Have we not very many ignorant , sottish , and lazy Men in the Ministry ? If he hath a mind to impose such a belief on the world , let him first try if he can perswade the world , that the Sun enlightneth not the World at Noon day ? Did I say any more ? Yes I said our Church was fill'd with such , and that signified the main Body of the Church was such , when within ten lines I had expounded my self by many , but besides ( all due reverence first paid to the Doctors of Proprieties ) I hope it is proper enough to say , A Garden is full of Snails , though I know there is five times the number of wholsome leaves , or more innocent Worms in it , or that a Beggar is full of Lice , tho they do not cover the fortieth part of his Body . I would fain know the difference betwixt is filled , and is full . But it is a reproach upon our Church . What do we mean by that ? I hope we do not call such men our Church . I have owned that we have very many others , and why may not those very many others be the main body of the Clergy as well as the very many of these , who can pretend no Relation to our or any other Church , but Titular & Secundum Dici . Upon the people it can be no Reflection , who generally loath such . Thus we speak Parables : But it may be he thinks it is a Reflection upon the Bishops , for admitting , or suffering such : If he doth , he is ignorant of our Law , and so are any that say it . Let him or them consult any Law Books or ask any Lawyers , and see if they will tell him That it is in the power of any English Bishop to deny Institution to any , that can but bring any Testimony under the hands of three Ministers for their life , and for their learning , can evidence it by doing as much as a School-boy may do at 12 years old ( that is turning into Latine 10 or 12 lines of the Articles of our Religion ) and whether he can depri●e any ( who hath once read the Articles ) for any Crimes , but being a Jew or a Schismatick ? I must confess it is some Reflection on our present Political Constitutions relating to our Church , which in this point are nothing altered from what they were in the times of Popery ( notwithstanding the excellency of them we were so often told of . ) Nor is it a Reflection upon any Protestant Legislators ; for those who know any thing , know that from Queen Elizabeth's time , our Parliaments have been about Bills against Pluralists , and Non-residents ; and for the Regulation of the Laws of Ministers , there have been Debates upon Debates , and Bills drawn and read against Scandalous Ministers , but either the Parliament hath been turned off to some other momentous business , or not sat long enough to bring the Bills to perfection , something or other hath as yet hindred . My Lord Cook observes , No good motion ever d●ed in Parliament , which if it be true , and hold so ; it may be a ground of hope to us , that we shall have something done at last in cases which concern the Eternal Salvation of so many Souls , and people shall not always perish through want of Vision , and not any be suffered in a place where their business is by Life and Doctrine to shew men the way to Life and Salvation , by Life or Doctrine , or both , to shew them the way to Eternal Death and Destruction . Nor will this be ever hindred , but by taking out of the Church Pluralities and Nonresidency ( those two great Pests of the Church , so acknowledged and complain d of in all ages . ) By the first I mean Ministers enjoying two or more livings at such distances as they cannot possibly watch over the Flock in them , or perform any thing of their duty to them ( for contiguous Pluralities , where livings are small and people few , and dwelling so near together , that they may meet together in the same place to Worship God , I know nothing to be said against them . ) But while our Constitution is such , that Ministers may have 2 , 3 , or more livings at greater distances , they must have Curates to supply them , and it cannot be expected that while they will not allow men half a lively-hood for their pains , they should have generally very Learned , Diligent , and Sober Men. The good Lord put this thing into the Hearts of our Civil Magistrates .

10. Hence it appeareth that what I said , was no such Calumny , as to be a Reflection on any one good man , nor upon the Governours of our Church , nor yet upon the Political Magistrate . What makes our Adversary here in such a rage , as for this twice to call me Devil , once by craft , p. 70. another time by Periphrasis p. 235. ( for we can understand the term 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 and that of The grand Accuser of the Brethren , tho while he thinks not fit , that Ministers in publick Services should use their Gift in Prayer , he can yet think it fit , to express his Charity , by his two gifts , of Tongues and Oratory . ) Yet in thus abusing me , he as much abuseth no mean persons of his own Brethren , for he who wrote The Causes of the contempt of the Clergy , and those who in their Sermons have complained of the Debauchery of the Clergy ( and they h●ve not been few ) have said as much possibly very much more then I have said . I neither said , that the main body of our Clergy were such , nor yet that they were Learned , Diligent , and Sober Men , I had no reason to say either , because I do not know the tenth part of them , but I know very many both of the one , and of the other , and amongst those that I know on either side , those whom I know of the worser sort , are most generally the greatest Zealots for Liturgies and greatest Railers , against those that are of another mind . I say most generally , and the main body of them are so ( Tho there be some learned and sober men , are warm enough too in this case ) and for the truth of this I appeal to the knowledge of all our English World .

11. Certainly it had been more worthy of one who hath had the repute which our Vindicator hath had , to have owned the thing , which every eye seeth , and declared his sad sense of it , and acknowledge the defective Constitution of our Church , having not had leisure and opportunity since our Reformation from Popery to provide against it ; and to have told us , That altho the preparation of Ministers work for them had been , or may be a Temptation to Men whose hearts are viciously inclined to indulge their Lusts ; yet a Liturgy is no necessary cause , of this , nor this a necessary consequent of a Liturgy . This had been true , modest , and ingenious ; by what he hath here said , he hath not exposed me but himself ; but if he had so spoke , he had found me agreeing with him , and saying the same thing , p. 124.

12. As to the second Effect which I mentioned , viz. The loss of Ministerial Gifts . He dare not say , That the totall disuse , or general disuse of the Ministerial Gift of Prayer , is not the next way to lose it . But he tells us , Blessed be God , in our Church , there 's no loss of any Abilities requisite for the due discharge of the Ministry . No loss ? If he had said No want , I should not have contradicted him . But is there No loss ? Are there none , or have there been none , who before this tying themselves to Forms , could have fitly expressed themselves to God in Prayer , but now cannot without their Book Pray with a Sick Person , or upon any Emergent occasion ? I appeal to the Experience of the World . And as much as he in his next words , and indeed all along in his Book , contemns , and slighteth an Ability fitly to express our minds to God in Prayer , I believe there are thousands , and ten thousands of Ministers and Consencious Christians , that would not want it for all this Worlds good , and perfer it to the knowledge of all Fathers and all Languages , and take it to be one of the Best Gifts which every one who feareth God is obliged to Covet . The Lord lay not to his charge , his scorn and contempt of it . I am afraid , that when he and I shall appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ , he will find it a graver thing then a Childish varying Phrases . He hath read of words which the Holy Ghost teacheth , 1 Cor. 2.13 . Is he sure , that none of the words which a Godly Minister or Christian powreth out from the Conceptions of his own heart , first inflamed with the sense of his daily renewed Sins , and Wants , and Mercies , are not words which the Holy Ghost teacheth ? It teacheth expressions in Sermons , 1 Cor. 2.13 . in Confessions before men , and therefore our Saviour bids his Disciples take no thought before hand what to say , for it shall be given you in that hour what you shall say , Mar. 13.11 . Luke . 12.11 , 12. and Matth. 10.20 . it is expresly said , For it is not you that speak , but the Spirit of your Father that speaketh in you . May it not be the Spirit of our Father , that speaketh in a good Christian , praying from the conception of his own Heart ? Or in a Pious Minister praying for the people of God ? Especially considering that that Spirit is the Spirit of Supplications , and Rom. 8.15 . the Spirit of Adoption , by which we cry Abba Father , and v. 26. The Spirit that helpeth our Infirmities , for we know not what to pray for as we ought , but the Spirit it self maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered . He can have no Plerophory , that that Text restraineth the Operation of the Spirit there to Impressions upon the Affections . The Spirit may as well speak in us in Prayer , as ( which our Saviour asserteth Matth. 10.20 . ) it spake in his Disciples in their Confessions , which could be no otherwise , then by prompting them what to say , and so it is expounded , Mark . 13.11 . Whatsoever shall be given you in that hour that speak ye . They spake , but yet the Spirit did so eminently influence their speech , that Matth. 10.20 . Christ saith , It is not you that speak , but the Spirit of your Father which s●eaketh in you . The case standing thus , I durst not for all this World have said : This was nothing but a School-boys Varying Phrases ( which our Answerer hath often told us in his Book ) for fear all understanding Christians should have judged me Prophane , and little understanding Communion with God in that duty . What apprehensions , or confidences others may have , authorizing such expressions , I know not ; but shall in secret mourn for .

13. I had instanced in a thi●d Fruit or consequent of Liturgies universally imposed , which I called a Flood of Iniquity . I did mention some drops of that flood . Bitter words in Pulpits and Sermons , and Printed Books , ungodly representations to Superiors of men , of whom the World was not worthy , suspensi●ns , silencings of many godly Ministers , Ruins of many eminent Ministers of Christ with their Families , separations of Christians one from another , Imprisonments of man to their undoing , Revilings . I might have aded Blasphemings of the Holy Spirit of God in his Operations ; much of which , if not most , had been prevented if Liturgies of Pra●er , had not been imposed or not universally imposed . Here now our Vindicator runs a division of 4 pages ; and when he hath said all he can , he must needs say , I have said what is truth . But this is to charge a great deal of Evil on our Laws and Governours . And may not a great deal of evil be the fruit of some humane Laws , which when Governours see , it is their duty to repeal such Laws ; tho they made them in the simplicity of their Hearts , not foreseeing such effects , and consequents of them ? 2. He saith they must be guilty , unless they root out all Liturgies : Is there a word by me spoken to that purpose ? See the contrary said by me , p. 164. n. 4. Confusions , Heresies , Blasphemies came in , when Liturgies were shut out But the question is , Whether if Forms of Prayer had been admitted , and not Forms of all Sermons , it had been any proportionable means , to have prevented them ?

14. For what he further inlargeth upon p. 239 , 240. I shall only tell him , That not one of ten of those who are now against universally used , or imposed Liturgies of Prayers , had any concern in the things he mentioned , as things done when Liturgies were shut out . For my own part , I appeared not as a man to the World , till the year 1645 , so could have no concern in imposing , or perswading the imposing of the Covenant , the Ejection , Sequestring , or Imprisoning any for refusal of it . If I remember right , I saw not London from 1645 twice , till 1659. I never saw Olivers face , never came near an Army . I did very well know all the persons who are said to have wrote the Book called Smectymnuus , and did know that they were all persons , not short of our Vindicator for Learning , Pity , Ministerial Abilities , and all which was good , and much his Superiors in age , and that there is no such words or sense of theirs expressed in the 83 and 84 p. of their Answer to the Remonstrance , nor any where else that I know . I am not bound to read over all that Answer , because I am not bound to justifie every Phrase of theirs .

15. For what our Vindicator seemeth to threaten , p. 238. telling me of Exposing my self to outward Inconveniences ( by which I suppose he meaneth sufferings . ) I must confess such a political consideration might have had , and it may be had too much influence on me 15 or 16 years ago . But having nothing capable to be impaired , but my Name and Repute , my Estate , my Liberty , and my Life ; and having experienced , that notwithstanding all my Candor , owning the Lawfulness of Forms in General , the Lawfulness of People joyning in Prayer with those that use them in Devotion , my self doing so very often , not condemning any Ministers who judge it lawful and more expedient to use them , only forbearing my self to do it , because I judge it sinful for me , and giving my reasons for judging it so ; yet because I think it my duty to Preach the Gospel , and have sometimes done it ; I have not escaped the rude Tongues of some who are Zealots for it ; nor been able to enjoy my Estate and Liberty , without a very considerable impairing , by Imprisonment , most malicious and vexatious Prosecution , without any colour and pretence of Law ; I am much hardened against and prepared to answer such little Topicks ; and tho I yet think it my duty to use all lawful means to preserve my self , yet I see reason to suspect , I may have been mistaken , as to the lawfulness of some of my prudentials , and to be more confirmed in what our Saviour hath taught us , Matth. 16.25 , whosoever will save his life , shall lose it , and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall save it . Yet I trust I shall be always careful , not to suffer as a Murtherer , or as a Thief , or as an Evil doer , or as a busie body in other mens matters , Pet. 4.15 . but as a Christian , and not be ashamed , but to glorifie God on this behalf .

16. I shall conclude this Chapter with minding my Reader of a fable which Luther makes use of , in his opposition to the Papists , in the beginning of the Reformation . There was a City ( saith he ) in which was a Law That none should come into their great Meetings that had any bodily imperfections . If he did , he was to pay a Fine . It happened on a day one came in , in whom those who were set to take care to the Execution of that Law discerned one imperfection ; they demand his Fine , he denies and struggles with them , till they had discerned four Imperfections he had , and then stood upon four Fines . Our Vindicators struggling with me to this degree and in this manner , in this case , putting me upon a more narrow inquiry , into this matter , hath helped me to two or three new Arguments which I before hardly thought of : I will but propound them , let who will improve , or answer them . I think I shall hardly take up a pen again in this cause , having said much more then I judge answered , or capable of a solid answer .

1. To institute any part of Worship , is not lawful for any Superiors .

But to institute words in Vocal Prayer , is to institute a part of Divine Worship . Ergo.

2. To determine in Acts of Worship , what God hath left at liberty to his Ministers , is unlawful .

But to determine Ministers , what words Ministers shall use in publick Ministerial Prayer , is to determine to them , and that in an Act of Worship , what God hath left at liberty . — Ergo.

3. To submit to the use of any thing in the Worship of God , which God hath not by his precept made necessary ; and many in the present age make a meer Idol , thinking and declaring by their words and actions , that no other way of Prayer is acceptable to God : is sinful — But , &c.

4. To submit to such a method of Prayer , as must necessarily shut out the immeditate Influence of Gods Spirit , as to words in Prayer ( which may be , and often is ) is sinful and unlawful .

But there may be and often is an influence of Gods Spirit upon Ministers even as to Words of Prayer , and such a thing is ( probably ) promised ; and to tye our selves to Forms of Words prescribed by others , manifestly shuts out such an influence , or the use of it . — Ergo.

But thus much shall be sufficient to reply to our Vindicator , answering my Arguments . Let me now inquire how happily he hath Vindicated his own , or other mens , from my Answers , Chap 9. of the Reasonable Account .

CHAP. X.

A Reply to the Vindicators 9 Chap. p. 241 , &c. The Vindicators Fortification of the 10 Arguments for Forms of Prayer before battered , beaten down , and himself proved to have alledged no reason in his five Reasons , cogent for the general use and imposition of Forms .

1. I took notice of Ten Arguments brought for such Forms of Prayer , and such an use of them , as I had been speaking about .

The first was , because Forms are not by God forbidden . p. 135 , I told them , They were forbidden , by the Second Commandment , and three sorts of Texts more . He tells us , He hath answered before all I said to justifie this . So I have answered now all that he hath said .

2. He Vindicates the Second Argument mentioned by me from my Answer to it , in the same manner . I in like manner say , What he hath said in his Vindication to those purposes , I have answered before , in this my Reply to his Vindication .

3. To their third Argument from the common Topicks of Order and Decency , I answered Order onely respects first and last : he thinks 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 signifieth more . It is hard to prove : but be it so ; In Divine Worship , nothing is Order but what God hath prescribed in the Law of Nature or his Word . As to Decency , I had told him nothing was Decent , but that whose contrary is Indecent : for betwixt Decency and Indecency there is no Medium participationis . He denieth this , and thinks to prove it , because white and black are contraries ; yet a white Garment may be Decent , and a black Garment not Indecent . But doth he think that it is good arguing from Accidents to Substances , or amongst Accidents from Quantities to Actions ? Surely he should have instanced in some Actions in Gods Worship , which are both Decent and Indecent at the same time . He doth not like I should say , That Forms are no circumstances relating to the Action of Prayer , as it is a meer humane Act , because it migh● be performed without them ; why ? Because standing or any other gesture , is a Circumstance , and some gesture is alwaies necessary . So words are necessary to all Vocal Prayer , but yet Forms of Words prescribed by others are not so . Though standing or any other gesture be a Circumstance , yet I hope a particular gesture is no necessary Circumstance of Prayer , considered meerly as an humane Act. He tells us again , There can be no publick P●●●er without any words , nor unless the words be determined by some . Both these things are true , but nothing to the purpose ; for our question is about forms of words , prepared by others : and if ( as he saith truly ) there can be no Prayer in Publick without words , then words are a part of that Worship ( they are the Homage of the Lipps and outward Man ) the External Part of that Worship , must be words , and no part of Worship may be prescribed by man . He saith true , the words must be determined by some body . God hath left them to the liberty of his Ministers determination , and what God hath so left at liberty , is the Ministers liberty and priviledge . I shewed before that Man must not determine in the Acts or Parts of Worship , what he hath left at liberty ; so that they may ( acceptably to him ) do this or that : whether this be trifling , let the Reader judge .

4. He hath said nothing to take off my Argument to the fourth Argument , but what I have before taken off , he is again at it , That no pious man can think that the Will and Pleasure of God , is , that mens abilities should be exercised meerly to shew their parts . All the strength lies in meerly , the falshood and vanity of which suggestion , I have sufficiently before shewed .

5. I shall say nothing to what he saith to take off my answer to the Argument , from the 1 Tim. 1.2 . because our Vindicator himself will not say it is conclusive in the case . I do not think it probable , nor the more probable , because of the general use of them in the earliest ages of Christianity , which I do not believe either proved , or capable of proof .

6. In his p. 247 , 248. he comes to take off what I had said to the 7th Objection , That Superiors may determine us to whatsoever we may determine our selves . He will acknowledg this not to be Vniversally true . Two cases he excepts . 1. When the Superiors commands take away the just civil rights and freedoms of the Subjects . Saith he so ? May not the Superior determine me , in a case where I may determine my self , if his determination takes away my Civil Rights ? And may he determine me in a case , where my Spiritual Rights and Liberties are concerned , and therein may determine my self ? Oh how cheap are Mens Spiritual Rights and Liberties in the eyes of some , and that in matters , where their Souls are so highly concerned in their standing fast in their liberties ? Are Civil Rights more to be contended for then Spiritual Rights ? And may they be contended for against a Civil Superior ( tho they be in matters which are his proper Sphere ) and may not Spiritual Liberties be contended for , which we derive immediately from God , and of which no Magistrate as to my practice is under God the proximate judge ? 2. His other case is , Where the thing commanded is against the Rules of Conscience , But surely every man in such things is determined , and hath no power to determine himself ; but it is true , these things are no matte● of a L●w. Th● Question still is , Who as to my practice shall be the judge , what is against the Rule of Conscience . If he saith my self , he ha●h determined the case to my sense . Here he speaks something , if ●he Inferior doth not believe ●he ●hing sinful but if he doth he hath said nothing at all to the purpose ; and that every one may easily discern .

7. It is worth our Readers observation , how ingenuously this V●ndicator de●leth he saith that p. 147. I have told them . That the Author of that Argument , would perswade us to be Papists , in that he would have men to think , That the judgment of Superio●s is better then our own . My words are these : It is worth our Readers observation how the afore-mentioned Author , and h●t in the pursuit of this Argument , would perswade us to be Papists acting contrary to the singular judgment of our own Consciences , out of an abounding voluntary Humility and judging ( and that as to matters of our particular practice ) upon which our Eternit depends as the miscarriage in them may lay the Soul under the Guilt of Sin . That the judgment of our Superiors is best , whence he would infer , not only a lawfulness , but a necessity incumbent upon a reasonable Soul , which is by its principles obliged to follow that which is best to obey men that are our Superiors , contrary to our own Opinion and Judgment .

What Faithfulness , or Ingenuity is to be expected from such a Writer ? If he ha●h but so quoted the Ancients for Forms of Prayer being generally and universally used , he may have ( after his manner ) proved what he would , for ought I know . I say it again , That he who perswades me or any other Christian that it his duty in the things of God , contrar● to the opinon and judgment of his own Conscience , to obey Superi●rs , because it is best , doth a thousand times more to promove Popery , then if he should perswade men , to believe T●ansubstantiation or Purgatory , or any particular Doctrines of Popery ; the great Arguments for which are in this Root . And if I could believe , that I ought to do , or believe what the Church or my Superiors believe , because they so believe or do , or command me to do so , tho I veril● believe it sinful ; I should think it most eligible to be of that Church , which pretends to an Infallible head .

7. And I humbly offer it to the Consideration of those who are , or who are like to be our Legislators , whether it be possible that that Religion can long be kept out , if men may thus teach Blind Obedience ( the very mother of it ) and ( as others have done ) confidently assert not only a Real but a Corporeal presence of Christ in the Sacrament , ( so ascribing such a body to Christ as is no true body , invisible , illocal , multi present , &c. ) yea and Purgatory too , leaving order for Prayers to be made for their Souls departed ( as others have done ) to instance in no more particulars of very many ; and when they have defended themselves , with the most nice , unintelligible distinctions they can , the best of this is but to teach people , Quam prope , ad peccatum sine peccato licet accede re , which it is a thousand to one if people ( the generality at least ) can understand .

8. To take off my Answer to the 10th Argument ( for the 8th and 9th he will not own ) he refers to what he said before , concerning the necessity of Vniformity , which I denyed . I shall also refer my Reader to what I have before said . I do presume my instance from the Decree of Darius , was good enough to prove , that all Superiors Precepts for Vniformity in Worship are not lawful .

9. What he saith p. 253 , upon my quotation of Heb. 5.1 . to prove the due notion of a publick Minister in the Worship of God , He is a person taken from amongst men , and ordained in things pertaining to God , to offer up such services as God had instituted ; which as to the Jews were Gifts and Sacrifices , as to us are Prayer , Praise , Preaching , Administring the Sacraments . He had no mind to understand I designed from thence to conclude , that we having twice ten thousand Christians , that wanted not the Gift of Prayer ( blessed be God ) our Church could not want sufficient Ministers for that work , seeing she had such Men , and it was her own fault if she did not call them to it .

10. Our Vindicator comes in the last place to reinforce his own 5 Reasons against the Batteries I had given them . His first was , p. 253. That a true , right , and well ordered way of Worship in address to God , might be best secured to the Church in the publick Service of God .

To this I replyed , 1. That is onely a right way of Worship , which God hath instituted . He saith God hath not instituted the very words we are to use , but he hath instituted , That we should use words in Vocal Prayer , and left the particular words to his Ministers liberty . Words are an essential part of his Worship , man cannot institute them , nor determine , what of that Nature God hath left to liberty . I mean no other men besides he that Ministreth in Prayer , which appeareth to be a part of his Institution , because he hath directed no other way . 2. I had told him that the security he talked of was not possible , nor attainable by Forms . He tells me it must be secured as much as may be ( that is his sense ) but I hope not by depriving Ministers of the just liberty and rights which Christ hath left them , not by making Ministers , the Ministers of Men , to read what they have prescribed , instead of the Ministers of Christ , doing his work by the means he hath in Nature and by Scripture directed . 3. I told him that in Hundreds of Congregations , for twenty years together , the Worship of God was in England well , and orderly performed without Forms . I here add , and hath been , and is in Scotland , New England , Holland , so as admit what he saith were true in the late times of all the Congregations in England , ( which it is very far from ) yet there is proof enough , ro overthrow his Reason .

11. His second reason was , That needful and comprehensive Petitions , for all Spiritual and outward wants , with fit Thanksgivings , may not in the publick Supplications of the Church be Omited ; when as the tying of all men to the Forms , is the ready way to have them Omitted , as we have had now the experience of two years last past , for a sufficient proof ; nor are the ordinary and common wants of Christians , proportionable to the particular renewing wants of States and Churches , Congregations , and Persons .

12. His Third Reason was , That the hearts of Pious Men , might be more devout , and better united in the Service of God , by considering before-hand what Prayers and Thanksgivings , they are to offer up , and come the more ready to joyn and prepared to joyn in them . And when they come , not hear one word about the particular Sins , they have been thinking to confess , but onely sins in general ; nor of their present and renewing wants , nor of their lately received mercies , how great soever they be , nor how Universal soever , for which God certainly expects a particular Recognition and Thanksgiving ; but onely words of General Thanksgiving , for all Mercies , and general Confessions of all Sins , and general Petitions for all good things .

13. He seems displeased that I should tell him , Forms may be read falsly . This he saith is very unlike , but I my self with a hundred more , have heard it more then once ; I could name him the particular persons , times and things , but then I should be exclaimed against again for reflecting , yet it is not yet 14 days since I heard it from one , who ( as one would have thought ) read the Forms with great Zeal . But then he saith the people may help themselves , having often heard and joyned in the Form ; that is , provided they have the most by heart , which not one hath of Ten thousand ; and 2. then not without great distraction , for they have great reason to believe , their Leader can Read more perfectly then they can remember .

12. His fourth Reason was , That such difficult parts of Church Offices as Baptism and the Supper of the Lord , the matter of which requires great consideration , may in composing a Form be so framed , that men of greatest understandings may with readiest assent , entertain them , and that they might be sufficiently Vindicated ( from the Calumny I suppose he means ) of the boldest Opposers . My Answer was to that sense , That these were the easiest parts of a Ministers Office , as to External work , for besides the use of his Natural Motions of his his hands , he had nothing to do but to repeat the words of our Saviour , which are very short Forms , of Divine Institution , and to apply the general acts of his Office , Prayer and Exhortation to that Work . This now our Vindicator denieth not , but he would have security , that men should not Vary . Let him have a Law with all our hearts : But he rhinks that according to mens different Notions , they may vary in their Prayers and Exhortations . So they may in their Sermons , before the Sacrament , and what help for that .

12. His last Reason was thus delivered , That this may be an Evidence to other Churches in future times , after what way we Worship God , and that such a Church is in its measure a pure and incorrupt Church . I answered where hath God required such an Evidence ? He tells me , We need not any special command for every good thing . Nor need every good thing be brought into Publick Worship , and made a part of it . I always took the recital of the Creed to be a good thing , but no Part of Worship , and thus himself answers what I next said . That to this end Forms of Sermons are also needful , on this Account . I told him a publick Confession of Faith is a sufficient Testimony . He tells us it is so as to our Doctrine , but not as to our Worship : Well let the● be then a Law made with all our hea●●s , That none in the publick Worship of God , should do any other Act , nor use any other mean , but what God in his Word hath established . We should think this Act as good an Act as ever was made : And this would give a better Evidence to the World then Forms can , how we Worship God .

And now I am come to an end of my long journey , where I have not been tyred with the length of my way , but for want of one Stile or Difficulty , to give my hand or pen the least stop . I am resolved ( without great reason ) to tread this path no more , I see there is no end of Writing , where Men will take a liberty to repeat what is said , as they please , and run Vagaries , nothing concerning the matter in hand , onely studying to divert the Reader from understanding the truth , and how to expose those that will venture to contradict their Sentiments . Let those who have a mind to talk at this rate talk on , for all me , and please themselves with the noises themselves make , and with having the last word .

FINIS .

〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , A REVIEW Of the Third Section of the Third CHAPTER OF THE VINDICATION OF LITURGIES , Beginning Vindicat. p. 136.

1. THose who are but meanly versed in this Controversie , will easily understand that our Adversaries three great Topicks are Vnity , Authority , and Antiquity . Themselves know as well as we , and will sometimes confess , that to argue from the Institution of God , and Chri● , to the Institutions of Men is very weak ; and the Pleas from Christs using the same words ( as we translate it ; ) from the Precepts , for speaking the same thing , and glorifying God with one Mouth ; from the command to Timothy , That Intercessions , and Prayers , and Supplications , should be made for all Men ; from Pauls order for bringing the Parchments from Troas ; are such , as none of them would offer to bring in the Schools , being fit only for a Countrey Auditory . They also know , that not one of their pretended Arguments from Reason , will conclude either necessity or lawfulness , but Vnity , Obedience to Superiors , and Antiquity , are the three great Bulwarks from which they think to Batter us who are of another mind . Indeed none of all these , will conclude the general use of such Forms of Prayer as the Question speaks of , either necessary or unlawful , nor can have any force upon an Intelligent Soul till the point of Lawfulness be determined within it self ; for Peace is no further required of us , then as it can be kept , together with our Peace with God ; and who so perswades another by Sin to seperate himself from God , that he may keep an Vnion with Men , hath not learned his Doctrine from the Old or New Testament , which commands us to follow Peace and Holiness ( which certainly lies in a first respect to Gods Commands ) and no further then as much as in us lyeth , and as far as it is possible to have Peace with all Men , which must certainly be interpreted not concerning our Natural , but Moral Power ; nor are we to obey man , but in Subordination to God : and in my preceding Discourse , I have ( I think ) made it appear , That no man hath power to appoint an Essential part of Worship ( which in Vocal Prayer , words must be ) nor when God hath prescribed One Mean in Worship , to direct another ; nor yet when God hath commanded us to serve him with the utmost Attention and Fervency ; and consequently to use all means he hath given us in order to that end , can any command of men , limit us to a Mean , which we upon experience find , hinders our Attention and Fervency ; nor yet when he hath in any duty promised the influence of his Holy Spirit , can Man command any such mode of performance of that duty , as must necessarily shut it out ; which must be in the present case , if any influence of the Holy Spirit upon our Words in Prayer , be any part of his promise . And for the Practice , and Examples , or Opinions of good and Holy Men ; it is impossible they should further lay hold upon our Consciences in this matter , then to double our thoughts upon the matter in question , to make us seriously to weigh on what grounds they Act ; our selves being as likely to be mistaken as they . This made me pass over our Vindicators third Section of his Third Chapter , wherein he laboureth to load us , with the prejudice of the Constant Practice of the Church against our Opinion and Practice ; something slightly looking upon it but as loss of time and paper , to reply to an Inconcludent Argument ; and seeing , that the question being about Sin or Duty , no Practice could conclude on either side .

2. But yet as the most of Men , so I my self have a great Reverence for things that can be made out to be Vniversal Traditions . Of which nature I hardly know any thing not plainly revealed in Scripture , except the observation of the Christian Sabbath , and Infant Baptism , neither of which stand upon that single foot ; much less do I think , that there is any such thing to be pleaded , for Ministers Vniversal porformance of their Ministerial Acts in Solemn Prayer , by the prescribed Forms of other Men. Though therefore enough is said , partly in the Reasonable Account , partly in the Supplement , to answer whatsoever hath been said of this nature , yet having my pen yet in my hand , I shall add a few lines , to justifie what is before said , against the Attaques upon it , and to shew the weakness of what is brought a-new in the Vindication .

3. Only because we are so apt to vary from the Question , I desire the Reader would first consider what we do not deny , and therefore needeth no proof . 1. We deny not but from the beginning Publick Prayers Were made by the Minister and Congregation . 2. We also believe , That very early the use of the Lords Prayer was general in the publick Congregations ; tho we find none enjoyned it under Penalties . 3. We do believe , That even from the first there were Orders Set for Churches meeting together for Prayers , in certain places , and certain times . 4. Nor do we at all doubt but from the beginning , many good Men in imitation of John the Baptist and of Christ , did compose Forms of Words , which might instruct the weaker in the due Method and Matter of Prayer ; which forms also some particular men ( not having attained to an Ability fitly to express their minds to God in Publick ) might use , or let alone , as they saw reason . But none of these touch the Question , which is , Whether Ministers who have an Ability fitly to express their mind to God in Prayer , may ordinarily without sin , use the prescribed Forms of other Men ? This our Vindicator must prove . In order to the proof of it , he suggesteth , That they have been used in all Ages in the Church , and it is unreasonable therefore to think them not lawful , or that they any way hinder Devotion . Now to make this good , every one seeth that ( I will not say an Universal , but ) a general use of them must be proved . For if some particular men did use such of their own accord , it proveth nothing ; we agree they may do so still .

4. I cannot see how this is capable of proof , for it is very unreasonable to imagine a general use without a general Imposition . Can any one think , that all , or most Ministers , for more than 300 years after Christ , should fall into a Practice , to which neither the light of Nature , nor any Precept in Scripture , or Practice of the Apostles , guided them without some command from the Governours of the Church ? This command must either be from all who were Bishops over many Churches , or from all the Synods of particular Churches , or from the Fathers in some general Council , or from the Magistrate . It is certain it was not from the Magistrate , for there was no Christian Magistrate till more then 300 years after Christ . It could be from no general Council , for there was none till 325 years after Christ , when the Council of Nice Assembled . The next was that Assembled at Constantinople 380. The next was at Ephesus 431. The fourth at Chalcedon , 451. There is no pretence for any such establishment by any general Council , till we come to that of Chalcedon , nor there , but by Implication ; and the probability of that I shall examine by and by .

5. Besides the Councils mentioned in Scripture , there are 17 Provincial Synods we read of before the Council of Nice , 36 more betwixt that and the next general Council at Constantinople , Anno 380. 17 more , before the General Council at Ephesus , Anno 431. ( 12 of which were before that of Milevis ) 8 more before that of the Council of Chalcedon Anno 451. In all 78 lesser Synods , and 3 general Councils were before that of Chalcedon . Of all these 78 , there are but three pretended to have made any Canon in the cause . That of Laodicea Anno 364 , the third Council of Carthage , and that of Milevis Anno 402 ; All Provincial Councils , whose impositions could reach no further then their own Provinces ; and I have shewed and shall shew further , That the first decreed no such thing , onely that Prayers should be in their Churches Mornings and Evenings . As to that of Carthage we have shewed that it is doubtful , whether there were ever such a Council or no ; if there were , it is certain , it made but 21 Canons , this is the 23d . Nor do the words of the pretended Canon prove any such thing , but rather the contrary . That of Milevis indeed is plain , but it was made upon a particular occasion , and reached no further then Numidia ; and by their assuming a power to make a Liturgy for that Province , they have told us that there was none made by Peter , James , Mark , Andrew , Clement , &c. nor any then of any general use in the Church , for if there had , they could easilier have directed the keeping to that alone : and it is plain from the words of that Canon , that till that time there was a liberty of composition left to the Ministers of Churches .

6. I therefore humbly offer it to my ordinary Readers observation , how impossible a proof they undertake , who undertake to prove a General use or imposition of Forms of Prayers for more then 400 years after Christ ; being neither able to prove it , from Vniversal Practice of particular Men , nor from more then one of 78 Provincial Synods ( and that in a particular case of great Exigence ) nor from any Canon of any General Council , and I am sure much less from the commands of all particular Bishops in their Diocesses , or the 40th part of them : indeed I know not of one . And I most humbly offer it to our Superiors , whether in a time when they are struggling for the very life of our Religion against Popery , they can shut out Eminently Learned and Pious Men , because they durst not submit to this Injunction , which most certainly can pretend to nothing of Antiquity , elder then the Council of Chalcedon 451 years after Christ , when abundance of Superstition and Popish trash was crept into the Rituals of the Church . Nay I hope to make it good that no such thing had establishment by that Council .

7. I have not the Councils at large , only 2 or 3 abridgments of them . Caranza gives it us in these words :

Can. 1. A Sanctis Patribus in unaquaque Synodo , usque nunc prolatas Regulas tenere statuimus ; i. e. We determine to keep the Rules established in every Synod until this time . Justellus in his Code of the Vniversal Church ( whom I think we may trust , and the rather , because our Vindicator hath given us such a warrant ) hath it in the s me words almost , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . By this the Canons of all Provincial Councils before that time , were not brought into the anons of the Vniversal Church and established by it , but only those mentioned in Justellus his Code .

8. The Code of the Vniversal Churches Canon , begins with the Council of Nice , and confirms 79 Canons made by them . It goes on with 25 Canons of the Synod at Antioch , in the year 341 ; then it confirms 59 Canons of the Synod of Laodicea made 364 , and 7 Canons made by the Council at Constantinople , made in the year 383 , and 8 made in the General Council at Ephesus , in the year 431. Then comes the Council of Chalcedon in the year 451 , which made 29 Canons , the first of which was confirmative of those before mentioned , and no more . Then comes the Novella Constitutio of Justinian made about 531 , or 532 , that is added to Justellus his Code , in these words , We ordain that the Holy Ecclesiastical Canons , which were propounded and confirmed , by the four Holy Councils , V. Justelli Codicem Ecclesiae Universall , p. 128. viz. that of Nice consisting of 308 Holy Fathers ; that of the Council of Constantinople consisting of 150 Holy Fathers . Those of the first Council of Ephesus where Nestorius was condemned , and that of Chalcedon , where both Eutiches and Nestorius were condemned , shall have the Authority of a Law ; for we receive the Decrees of the aforesaid Holy Councils , as Holy Scripture , and observe their Canons as Laws . This Constitution was made about 541.

9. But we are yet inquiring what Ecclesiastical Sanction Forms of Prayer to be Vniversally used by Ministers , had by the Council of Chalcedon . I observe first , that the Canons of the Council of Milevis are not in the Code , so not confirm d at all by it . The Canon of the Council of Laodicea indeed is . Let us then hear that Canon as Justellus hath it , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . That is , We ordain , That the same Liturgy of Prayers , should be made every where both at Nine of the Clock and at Evenings .

Thus much we agree was confirmed by the Council of Chalcedon in the year 451.

10. But what is this to the purpose ? It should have been 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , the same Forms of Prayers , that indeed would have been something . Here s nothing but an idle playing with a modern usage of the Term Liturgy , which indeed we here in England of late years have appropriated , to Forms of words to be publickly used in Prayer , and it may be the Church of Rome before us ; but alas the word signifieth no such thing . In regard the stress of several Arguments from Antiquity lieth upon this poor word , I will once for all disabuse my Reader as to the true sense of it ; I will do it from a great Authority , that of Melancthon and all the Saxon Divines , who agreed in writing their Apology for their Confession tendred to the Emperour Charles the 5th at Ausburgh 1530 , which was answered by the Popish Divines Eccius , &c. Eccius and his Associates had catch'd hold of this word , and contended that the Mass was a Sacrifice , because it is by the Ancients called 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , a Liturgy . Melancthon in that Apology printed 1535 , in the beginning of the Chapter De Vocabulis Missae , thus answereth , The word Liturgy , signifieth only a Publick Ministry , and doth fitly sute , what we hold , That one Minister should in the Sacrament consecrate the Elements , The meaning of the word Liturgy . and give the Body and Blood of Christ to the people ; as one Minister preacheth , and offereth the Gospel to all the People , according to that of Paul , Let a man so judge of us as Stewards of the Mysteries of God ; and again We are Embassadors of Christ ; so the term Liturgy excellently agreeth to the Ministry . For the word is an old word used to express publick civil Ministries . The Grecians used it to express any publick Taxes , Burdens , or Tributes , the Charges of setting out Navies , &c. as may appear from the Oration of Demosthenes 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ; which Oration is wholly spent about publick Offices and Immunities from them , where he saith , That some unworthy men finding themselves priviledged , In civil Authors . studied , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , to decline publick Liturgies , that is Services . So they spake amongst the Romans , as appeareth by the Rescript of the Emperour Pertinax F. de Jure immunitatis . Tho ( saith he ) the number of Children doth not free . Men 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , from all Liturgies , that is publick Services . And the Commentator on Demosthenes saith , Liturgy signifies a kind of Tribute to defray the charges of publick Plays , Navies , Schools , and such things as the publick stock was concerned in — And ( saith he ) it is plain from the diphthong 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 in it that it is not derived from 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , which signifieth Prayers ( from whence the word Litany is derived ) but from 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 which signifieth publick Goods . Thence 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 signifies to take care of publick things , and 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 signifieth such an Officer . Thus far they .

From this account of the civil usage of the word , it may easily be in Scripture gathered , In Scripture . what it signifies in sacred things , and proved from Holy Writ . It is used , Luk. 1.23 . to signifie all Zacharies publick Service in the Temple . We there translate it truly Ministration . It is used to express Pauls publick Service to the Church in suffering , 2 Phil. 17. Surely that Text is not to be translated , If I be offered upon the Forms of Prayer of your Faith , but ( as we do ) upon the service of your Faith . So the Apostle speaking of Distributions to the poor , he calls it the Administration of this Liturgy , we translate it Service ; so Phil. 2.30 . to supply your lack of service to me . Gr. Liturgy ; he speaks of Timoth's coming to him . Heb. 8.6 . Christ saith the Apostle obtained a more excellent Liturgy , we rightly translate it Ministry , Heb. 9.21 . all the Vessells of the Liturgy , that is of the Jewish Ministry ; it cannot be of the Jewish Forms of Prayer . The Canon of the Council of Laodicea ( confirmed as being part of the Code by the 1 Canon of the Council of Chalcedon ) decrees , That the same Liturgy , that is publick Ministry of Prayers , should be performed at Nine in the Morning , and in the Evenings ; which I hope might be without Forms of words , of which it speaketh nothing .

11. But he tells us the next Canon in Justellus proves they understood Forms of words in Prayer . I answer , that is not so : the next Canon indeed , directs an Order of the publick Ministry , viz. That after the Ministers Sermons they should pray a part with the Catechumeni , then with the Penitents , after this thrice ; with the Believers once silently , twice speaking out , &c. but in that Canon 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 is not used , nor any words like it , but 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Prayers and Oblations . But Zonaras and Balsamon so interpret the Canon . I doubt it not ; but the one lived 600 , the other 700 years after that Canon was made , and either of them in ages when Popery had prevailed 4 or 500 years , and they knew no other publick Prayers but by Forms . I doubt not but in that age 100 more would have so interpreted it , to make it justifie their Practice ; but what is this to the purpose ? So , many now where they meet with the Terms Liturgy , Prayers , Offices , Litanies , presently dream of a proof for Forms of Prayer , which none of those words are restrained to . Thus we see there was no establishment of Forms of Prayer by the Council of Chalcedon , 451.

12. We must therefore come to Justinians Novellae Constitutiones . I presume every one knows that great Emperours , neither use to write out Folio's , nor to draw Prefaces to them . The Imperial Law in that Emperors time ( say the Centuriaters and Moxia ) was scattered in near 2000 Books ( it was time to abridge it ) the Emperour Justinian employed in it three Lawyers , the principal was one Tribonianus , Sleidan saith of him , He was a covetous profane man , and reported for summs of money given him , fixisse & refixisse leges , to have made and unmade Laws at his pleasure . He drew the Imperial Law into three Books , called after Justinians Code , to which were added , the Digesta , and last of all the Novellae constitut . the former contained the Laws of all former Emperors ; the last such as he himself , and some few Emperors next before him made . Justinian confirmed these Books , so they became the Imperial Law , from the year 542. By the way , tho this Justinian did many good things , yet he was an Heretick , and had many great Vices ( It was he who put out the eyes of Belisarius that great Commander ( by whom he indeed did whatsoever he did worthily in his Wars ) &c. so as he was inforced to begg his bread before he died .

13. Out of the Preface to these Novellae , our Vindicator hath taken something he thinks for his purpose . If he had given us the words of the Prefacer , for I cannot find them in Gothofred , I could have spoken distinctly to it , but I suppose he hath given all that were for his turn . ( Speaking of his Monks and Clergy ) he saith they would have done otherwise if they had acquainted themselves 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ; that is to learn the way of the Holy Ministrations ; as to what he saith , cap. 2 , and cap. 6 , having not the Book , I can say nothing unless he had given us the Greek words . I suspect them to be but 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , which prove nothing . But it is not worth the while , for admit these proofs prove the thing , it proveth no Sanction of Forms of Prayer before 542 : So I lose but 59 years . Nor do I understand what need Pope Adrian had 259 years after this , to get a Civil Sanction from Charles the Great ; if one were 259 year old made by Justinian , and made a part of the Imperial Law .

14. But I cannot but observe by the way how our Author fetching his Ecclesiastical Sanction but from the Council of Chalcedon 451 , and Justinians Novellae 541 , hath quite destroyed his instance out of Eusebius de Vita Constantini , c. 17 , 19 , 20 , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 for if the English of that be Prayers by Authority appointed , we must find an higher Authority constituting their use , then that of Justinian , who did what he did 542 ; and Constantine had been dead 200 years before . Nor was the Council of Chalcedon of 130 years after Constantines death , so that it should seem only the Prayers were constituted of which he speaks cap. 17 , not the Forms also ; but I shall meet with that anon : besides this Civil Sanction of Justinian being in his Novellae ( which contained only his own Laws and some Emperors that went immediately before him ) it is a certain proof there was no Ancienter Civil Sanction by Constantine and Theodosius , &c. we should then have found it in Justinians Code , not in his Novellae ; for any Ecclesiastical Sanction there is no pretence to any until the Councel of Chalcedon , and I have shewed there is no proof to be fetched from thence : besides the Canon of the Councel of Milevis being not brought into the Code of the Vniversal Church , is a sufficient Argument , there was no such thing confirmed by the Councel of Chalcedon ; for that Canon is the only plain Canon in the case .

15. But ( Dato non concesso as we say ) admit , That from the year 541 , they had been so imposed by Justinian , and made a part of the Imperial Law , what then ? I had been mistaken 59 years ( which I am far from believing or seeing the least ground for . ) Will any one say that the practice of a Romane Emperor in that age , or indeed the Church under his Government , was a Copy for any Protestant Church in all things to write after ? I refer my Reader to the sad account given by the Centuriators ( who were all Learned Protestants ) of the most corrupt state of the Church in this Age ; see Magdeburg . Centur : Centur. 6. ap. 137 , impr . Basil . I think any one who is a Protestant , will be of another mind . The Pope indeed at that time was not well set in his Saddle , it was 6 or 7 years after that age , before he got the Title of Vniversal Bishop , but his foot at this time was in the Stirrop , and the Bridle in his hand .

16. But our Vindicator will go higher with us ; he will prove them from the year 400 to the year 500. I hope he means generally used in publick Devotion or imposed for such use , or he proveth just nothing . To prove this , he again brings in the Canon of the Council of Chalcedon : I have already said enough to that . Next he brings in Proclus Bishop of Constantinople , and he finds his Writings in Bibliotheca Patrum ; he tells us he declares Forms of Divine Service , ( what is the Greek word ? ) To have been delivered from St. James , and St. Clement , and to have been ordered by St. Basil , and St. Chrysostome . That there was one Proclus Bishop of Constantinople soon after Chrysostome , Eusebius tells us : But that he left us any Writings must be proved from better Auhority then that of Bibliotheca Patrum . However , he saith as much for St. James and Clements Forms of Prayer , as he doth for Basils or Chrysostomes , and as to them our Author declares his not giving credit to him , nor is it reasonable he should ; for it is not probable , that had there been any Apostolical Liturgies , Chrysostome and Basil would have made any . Nor was Proclus a likely man to impose any ; for Eusebius l. 7. c. 4. gives us this Character of him :

He vexed no Sect , but preserved and restored to the Church the great Jewel of Meekness , which is best for the Church ; wherein he imitated the Emperor Theodosius : for as he would not exert his Imperial Power , against any accused for Religion , so neither did Proclus concern himself , as to those who held a diverse Doctrine .

17 Our Vindicator riseth higher , and will prove something from the year 300 to the year 400 ; but I observe he never tells us what : will he prove the Lords Prayer was used ? Or that some Forms were made by others ? Or that some men used some Forms ? None denieth all this . But that which he is to prove , is , That such Forms were generally used by , or imposed upon all Ministers in any considerable part of the Church . All his proof is from the Liturgies of Chrysostome and Basil . Julians speaking of 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , an Order amongst Christians in Worship , which Sozomen calleth 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , and Nazianzene Orat. 3. p. 101 , 102 , calls them 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ; considering what himself had quoted out of Eusebius , and from the Council of Laodicea , n. 5 , 6 , 7 , 8.

18. What he hath said out of the Council of Laodicea , hath had its full answer ; what he hath said from Eusebius hath had an Answer in part , and anon shall have a fuller reply to it : at present I will onely concern my self in the other . For the Liturgies of Basil and Chrysostome , admit they did make any , I would fain know what line of proof we have , that made they were not left at liberty ; we have before proved there could at this time be no imposition of them , doth any think there were not many in their Diocesses that needed Forms of Prayer both for their Instruction , and to help them in their Devotion ? How doth it appear that Chrysostome or Basil did themselves use any ? 2. This cuts the Throat of all the fictitious Apostolical Liturgies . Had there been any such things found out in their times , there is no doubt but they would have rather recommended them then any of their own unto their people . 3. Both these great Men flourishing in the time of the Milevitane Council , it is not likely had there been known Liturgies by so famous Men as Basil and Chrysostome , that they would not without any more ado , have ordered the reading of them , they especially living at that time or a little before . But 4thly , As I have before said , what imaginable proof can there be more then we have , that those Liturgies were none of theirs . The Copies do not agree , there are Doctrines in them quite contrary to their Doctrines , hymns not used in their times , words not then in use , Prayers for Persons living 500 , 700 years after their time But there is enough said by my Lord of Morney in the case , by Learned Rivet in his Critici Sacri Specimen , in the Reasonable Account , p. 67. Supplement p. 43 , 44.

19 As to our Vindicators Quotation out of Sozomen , concerning Julians design ●o bring the Pagan Religion in credit , the Reader must be wary , for 1st . Sozomen tells us the summ of what Julian did in his own words , then for the proof of it he referreth to Julians own letter to the Pontesee of Galatia , which he giveth us at large . The words our Vindicator quotes ( as they are in Sozomen ) for he doth not love to give us his quotations full ) are these . ( Soz. l. 5. c. 15. )

He ( saith he , that is Julian ) determined to adorn the Gentiles Temples , both with utensils and furniture ( Apparatu saith the Latin Translator ) and the order ( 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ) of the Christian Religion ; and besides with Seats and Pews for the Teachers and Lecturers of the Pagan Doctrine , and Exhortations , and with Prayers prescribed for certain days , and hours , and Monasteries . — Then he referreth for the proof to Julians own Letter , where is not a word of Prayers . — What is there in this , to prove the Christians had at that time Forms of Prayer in the Church . Because they had 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 an Order in Worship , and because the had some set days for Prayer , they ordered Prayers on certain days , and hours , must they needs be Forms ? Nor do I believe was the Common Prayer Book of Julian made for the Heathen , ever yet seen by any learned man , at least , I never heard of it . But what our Vindicator means by his next words [ which Nazianzene calls 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , which ( with all submission to his skill in Critical Learning ) I think is better tranlated partly a Form of Prayers , then as he doth Forms of Prayers in parts I cannot Divine . Doth he mean that Naz. expounded Sozomens 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 That could not be , without a Resurrection , for Nazianzen died 389 , which was above 50 years before Sozomen wrote , ( was not this as great a miracle as Gregorius Magnus , his living 200 years ? ) What then ? Did Nazianzen expound Lucians words ? There is no Evidence he ever spake any such , only Sozomen so phraseth what he did , but Lucian in his Epistle saith no such things , or at least hath no such words . Indeed 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 is more properly expressive of the thing in Question , Forms of Prayer , then 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . But Nazianz. is not by our Author quoted to have said any such thing was established , only to expound the words of another Author who wrote 50 years after he was dead , or Julians who never appears to have used such words . So he●● is a fine flourish of words to no purpose , but to delude the Reader .

20. Our Vindicator is now come to his proof from the year 200 to the year 300 , where he refers to his proof in Libertas Eccles . from what he had of Origen and Cyprian , and I refer to my answer , in my Supplement , p. 21. 22 , only minding our Vindicator that there is a great deal of difference betwixt 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 : Prayers appointed , and Forms of Prayers appointed . The latter is not in Origen , but the former , which proves no appointment of Forms ; but that there should be Prayers at such times .

21. For what he addeth out of Tertullian , of their having a Form of Renuntiation in Baptism , and H mns , and the Council of Antioch censuring Paulus Samosetanus , for disusing the Hymns : It had been proper to have told us the Nicene Council also established a Form of Confession of Faith . Are we arguing about Hymns , Forms of Confession of Faith , and Abrenuntiation of Idolatry , or about Forms of Prayer to be used in Devotion ? Were the other Acts of Worship , as Prayer is ( I mean the two first , for singing indeed was ) from the instance of the Ennuch and Philip , Acts 8. it seems to be an appendant to the Ordinance of Baptism , that grown persons offering themselves to Baptism , should profess their Faith in Christ , which could not be without a Renunciation of Idolatry . But surely those were no Acts of Adoration or Devotion : So as these instances are meer Transitions , from things of one kind to things of another ; from whence no proper conclusions can be .

22. The Argument from Singing by Forms is as improper , for a Form is necessary there , how else can a whole Congregation sing the same thing ? But it is not necessary in publick Prayer , by any necessity of Nature or Divine Precept . Now it is wide Arguing , to conclude from the use of Forms in an Act of Worship which cannot be performed without Forms ; to the lawfulness of them in another Act of Worship , which may be performed without them .

23. I must confess , I never was for Singing any Hymns or Psalms or Spiritual Songs in Publick Worship , but what were Scriptural . My reasons are , 1. Because I take singing to have a cognation with Reading , only with a Tuneable Voice , now I know nothing but the Holy Scriptures , which can be read as an Act of Homage to God . 2. Because it is needless , we have Scriptural Hymns , Psalms , and Spiritual songs enough . 3. Because I know none specially commissionated to compose them , and Psalmistry is no ordinary gift . 4. Because it hath proved and may prove of very dangerous consequence , and I am much mistaken if I have not read some Ancient Canon prohibiting it , tho I know it hath been since admitted in some Churches by Canons .

24. For the first 200 years after Christ , he speaketh faintly , saying only that Justine Martyr and Ignatius have two expressions which seem to favour it . He only further mentions Hymns , and proveth the use of Hymns of Ecclesiastical composition from Pliny and Lucian , no very competent Witnesses of the Christian Churches affairs . The early use of the Lords Prayer is easily yielded him , but it is a strange proof of a Form of Prayers composed by other Men , and generally used , or imposed , to prove ( as p. 158 ) That they began in some Churches with the Lords Prayer , and ended with the Hymns of many names , which Mr. Gregory thought was the clause at the end of the Lords Prayer , and he doth but guess it some other . The Lords Prayer cometh not within our question , be it a Form or not a Form .

25. Whatsoever he saith à p. 160. ad p. 164. is rather ad pompam then ad pugnam , it all referreth to the use of Forms of Prayers in the Jewish Church . To it all , I shall only add 2 things .

1. It is very improbable , and will appear so to every considerate Christian , that we should have in Scripture a full account of the Jewish Church from its Cradle to its Tomb , and so particular an Account of the way of Worship which God established amongst them , from which they might not vary ; and they should have Forms of Prayers established for ordinary use , and the Scripture not mention any thing of them : we read in Scripture of other Books they had , some of which are perished , some preserved for our Instruction , and Guidance . We read of the Book of the Law many times , but never of their Common Prayer Book , nor of any person that used the 18 Prayers . We read Nehemiah 8. That in a solemn day of Worship , the whole Congregation met , and called to Ezra for the Book of the Law , he brings it , they read in it from the Morning to Mid-day , v. 1 , 2. After this we read of many Priests and Levites who read in the Book of the Law , distinctly , and gave the People the sense of it , and made them to understand the reading thereof ; but we read not a word of their Book of Prayers , either there , or in any other part of Scripture : We read in Luke that when our Saviour came into the Synagogue on the Sabbath day , they brought him the Book of the Prophet Isaiah , he read in it and preached out of it , but neither there do we read of the Book of 18 Prayers brought forth . I must confess that in ordinary cases it is not a good Argument , That this , or that thing was not in being or in use , because there is no Sacred Record of the being or use of it : But certainly concerning Gods Worship amongst the Jews , it is a good Argument , to prove there was no such thing established in their Worship , because in the Holy Scriptures , where we have the full story of that Church , a full account of their Worship , either by Moses , or David , so many charges to them not to add thereto , nor to diminish there-from , there is not any mention of a Book of publick Prayers , which God directed for that Church : we read only of a blessing which looketh like a Form ( tho some have been of another mind ) of Gods own directing , tho we often read of the Book of the Law , called for , brought , read in , and often read of the Servants of God Praying publickly , yet not the least mention is made of a Book , or Forms by which they prayed . Admit they had had Forms , if God had prescribed them , it had been out of our question , who will freely allow God to prescribe his own Homage and Worship ; but to think that any of the Jews , or the whole Sanhedrim , had Authori●y to make any for universal use , when God gave such punctual directions both to Moses for the Service of the Taberncale , and all things therein , and to David for the Service of the Temple , that it is expresly said Exod. 39.42 . 3. That the very structure of the Tabernacle was according to all that the Lord commanded Moses , and Deut. 4.2 . there is so express a command : You shall not add to the word , which I command you , nor shall you diminish from it ; which is repeated , Deut. 12.32 . and David saith , 1 Chron. 28.11 , 12 , 13 , 19. All this the Lord made me to understand in Writing by his hand upon me , v. 12. the pattern of all that he had by the Spirit . When we read of Nadab and Abihu , being struck dead , Levit. 10. for but using ordinary fire in a Sacrifice , and of Vzzah being struck dead for but touching the Ark when it shook in the New Cart , it being Gods prescript that that Family of the Levites , should carry the Ark on their shoulders , Num. 4.15 , 7 , 9. I say after all this , for any to go about to prove that the Jews in their Worship had Forms of Prayer not prescribed of God , which their Ministers were bound to use , and of which is no mention in Scripture , is an undertaking fit for none but those who think they can prove Quidlibet e quolibet ; nor to be believed by any , but such as are very credulous . Our Vindicator saith their very Sacrifices were Rites of Supplications , and as to them they were limited , and used no such Variety . Rites of Supplication , and Supplications are two things , and these Rites were limited by God , not by the Sanhedrim , I hope , nor were they without some variety in them . For his instance 2 Chron. 29.30 . It is said , They praised God with the Words of David , and Asaph the Seer . Asaph was a Prophet , David told us , he ordered nothing but by the Spirit of God , what he understood by the hand of the Lord in writing upon him . For Joel 2.17 . which he quoteth , surely Joel was divinely inspired , nor is that Prayer surely of length enough for a whole Office , nor was it more then a general direction for matter to be inlarged in words , as the Jewish Minister thought fit . For what Dr. Lightfoot , Dr. Outram , Scaliger , Buxtorf , Ainsworth , tell us , they have had their Intilligence from the Rabbies , the eldest of which ( of whom we have any Record ) was ( saith Alstedius ) after the world was 3380 years old . The Hierusalem Talmud was finished by R. Jochanan 250 years after Christ , the Babilonian Talmud not till 500. The most of the Writings of their Rabbins , saith Alsted , appeared not to the World till 1000 years after Christ . Now how competent Witnesses these are ( whose Books also are as full of Fables as leaves ) of the practice of the Jewish Church before Christ , or in its incorrupt state ; let any judge who are men of sense .

2. But admit it were a thing capable of proof , that the Jews in their incorrupt times , and that by Gods command , ordinarily used Forms of Prayer in their Worship , and that such as were neither prescribed by God nor any Prophet , or Penman of Holy Writ , or that in and about , and since Christs time , they have used such Forms of Prayer ought this to guide the Practice of the Christian Church ? Or will it prove that the same thing is lawful in the Christian Church ? I judge not : For the Jews had by Gods prescription a Worldly Sanctuary , and as some Typical so many Carnal Ordinances ( as the Apostle speaks ) which are to continue but till the time of Reformation . Musick , which was one of the things directed by David , by the Spirit of God upon him , to be used by the Jewish Church , was no Typical Ordinance , but it was a Carnal Ordinance , upon which the primitive Church disused it , retaining singing only as Justin Martyr tells us Quaest & Resp. 107. where he calleth it a Service 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 for Children ( with allusion to the Apostle , who compareth the state of that Church , to the state of Children under age ) therefore the Gospel Church threw it out ; but he tells us that 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 plain singing was not so ; and it was therefore retained : besides it was justified by our Saviour , commanded by the Apostle , &c. In that very Chap. Joel 2. where at the 17. v. Our Vindicator thinks he hath found a Collect to be used in the Jewish Worship , he might have also found a Promise at v. 28. relating to the days of Pentecost , ( as appears by Acts. 2.17 . I will power out my Spirit on all flesh , and this Spirit Zech. 12.10 . is a Spirit of Supplication , a Spirit of Adoption , teaching us to cry Abba Father ; and because we know not what to pray for , helping our Infirmities with strong cries and groans which cannot be uttered , Rom. 8. It is therefore very ill arguing , to argue Divine Institutions under the Gospel , and the modes or means of them , from the Institutions under the Law . But far worse , to argue not from the Institutions of God , but the Traditions and Practices of Men in the Jewish Church . Are we then ignorant how severely Christ taxed the Traditions of that Church in his time ? Telling them they had by them made the Law of God of no effect . For which tho our Saviour did not wholly desert their Church , but was often with them , heartily joyning with them in his Fathers Institutions , yet he doubtless never approved nor joyned with them , in such Traditions as he had so declared against .

26. Our Vindicator in the close of this Section hath a passage out of Melancthon , from whence he would make us believe , that Melancthon judged that Forms of Prayer were always used and commanded in the Church : I shall the more diligently examine this , to learn my Reader not over much to trust the Vindicator , without looking himself into the Authors he citeth , and because it hath had so contrary an influence on me : That whereas before I was something doubtful , whether the Saxon Churches ( since the Reformation ) had not an universally imposed Liturgy , knowing that Luther did at the beginning reform a Missal for them , upon reading the common place of Melancthon from whence our Vindicator takes his quotation ; I begin to be of another mind , and to think that even those Churches ( tho of all other most imperfectly Reformed ) had no other then a Book of Prayers composed , and left at liberty . The place he quoteth is in Melancthons common place , De Precatione . The words of our Vindicator are these : And upon a view of what I have now produced in this Section , the Reader may see reason to believe the truth of what was asserted by Melancthon concerning Forms of Prayer . In loc. Theol. de Precat . Ecclesia semper eas proposuit , & publice & private in eas exerceri jubet . The Church of God hath always proposed them , and thought them fit to be used both publickly and privately .

27. Melancthon was a great Light , and one of the first threes in the Reformation of Germany from Popery , of the perswasion of Luther and the Saxon Divines , who differed much , both from the Suitzerland Churches , and the five Imperial Cities , and many others , both as to the indifferency of Rites and Ceremonies , which had been used in Popery , and in the great point of the True Corporeal presence of Christ in the Lords Supper . This is manifest in the whole History of those times , wrote by Scultetus , Hospinian , and Sleidan . He published two Editions of short Com. Places , the one 1535 , which he dedicated to Hen. VIII . King of England , the other largely printed 1543. In both which is a common place about Prayer , but in the first no such passage as our Vindicator quoteth . In the latter I find something like it , p. 558. In these words .

Sed quia difficilis est Attentio , in recitatione ideo ignavi fugiunt recitationes : At Ecclesia semper eas proposuit , et publice et privatim eas exercere jubet : Ideo Psalmitraditi sunt , summo concilio compositi & Christus ipse formam precandi proponit , ac nominatim inquit ; Luc. 11. Cum Oratis Dicite : verba , et Recitationem certam prescribit ut antea praescripserat Johannes . Teneamus Ergo et recitemus formam Divino consilio traditam . In English :

But because in recitation attention is difficult , therefore lazy persons decline Recitations , but the Church always proposed them and commanded them to be used both in publick and private . The Psalms were therefore composed with the greatest wisdome , and Christ himself proposeth a Form of Prayer , and particularly saith , Lu. 11. When you pray say . He both prescribeth words , and a certain Recital , as before John had done . Let us hold , and recite that Form which our Lord hath given us . — Then he largely expounds the Lords Prayer .

28. It is manifest that Melancthon here speaketh not one word of such Forms of Prayer as are within our question , which are Forms composed , and prescribed by other Men not divinely inspired , or commissionated by God , to order things in his Worship . He neither here , nor ( that I can find ) in any part of this common place , mentions any but the Lords Prayer , the Psalms of David , or some other parts of Holy Writ , the use of which we most freely allow even to the best of Ministers , tho it may be we have no such opinion of the necessity of the use of the same words and syllables , as some others have had , or have .

29. Neither doth he by Recitations ( which he saith the Church always commanded ) mean Forms of Prayer ( as our Author suggesteth ) it is a most unaccountable thing why lazy persons should ( as he saith ) decline Forms . But the thing he is speaking of is Vocal Prayer , in opposition to the Popish Practices of Priests in Publick Worship , Muttering Prayers in secreto , making the people believe that whether they heard what was said or no , joyned in one Petition or no , yet they were the Prayers of the Church , and upon that account heard for them . This is it he opposeth , and saith the contrary was always ordered and commanded by the Church . That Christ ordered it otherwise , he bids them in Praying say , not mutter to themselves only ; and that the Psalms were made to be sang out , not mumbled over in secreto ; and this is all can be made of that Paragraph .

30. From the whole method and structure , and matter of that common place it appears plainly that Melancthon did think All Ministers might not perform ordinarily their Ministerial and Family Acts of Prayer , by the prescribed Forms of other Men , for his whole business is to instruct Students for the Ministry in the true nature of Prayer , the parts and methods of it , the understanding of the Lords Prayers , &c. He first determines , Supplications and Thanksgivings the two great parts or species of Prayer ; then p. 532 , 533 , he goes on , shewing the difference betwixt the Prayers of Christians , and those of Pagans , Jews , and Mahumetans , directing the first to distinguish themselves , by praying in the Name and Mediation of Jesus Christ . After this he casts his discourse under 5 heads , of all which he discourseth severally . 1. In order to a due Compellation of God he adviseth a Premeditation , what God is , who Christ was , what he hath done , &c. 2. He adviseth a Meditation concerning the Precepts enjoyning Prayer , several of which he mentioneth . 3. He adviseth the consideration of the Promises , for this life , and that which is to come , and instanceth in many , p. 536 , 537. 4. He sheweth the necessity of the exercise of Faith in Prayer , and directeth the different exercise of it in Petitions for Temporal and Spiritual , and Eternal good things , 538 , 539 , 540 , 541. Then he comes and directs men what to pray for others , and how . 5. He directs that the matter of Prayer , Cogitetur ac Ricitetur , should not only be Endited in and by the Heart , but Recited by the Lipps . He again repeateth the Matter , and Order , and Method , and justifieth the lawfulness of begging Temporal good things , and giveth reasons for it , answering the Arguments of some against Praying for Temporal good things , to p. 555 , and 556. He tells us there may be Prayer Gemitu by a sigh ; but it is profitable both for the Younger and Elder to keep a well ordered Form in Compellation of the true God , that they may distinguish true Christian Prayers from those of Jews , Turks , and Pagans , minding us of the Divine Promises , and comprehending the certain matter of Prayer . Such he saith were Jacobs Prayers , and many others Recorded in the Prophets : p. 557 , he saith let us therefore accustom our selves to Recital , and we may use well composed Forms without Superstition or Magick ( that is provided those Forms have no Superstition in them , nor are thought to have a Magical Vertue or Operation from the meer sound of such and such words rather than other , for which no reason can be given . ) Let us not ( saith he ) recite the Hymns of Homer , Orpheus , or Callimachus , but let our Souls move towards God , with a confidence in Christ revealed . He adds in the same page many Lazy , Drunken , Careless persons contemn Recital in Prayer , but ( saith he ) let good Men be perswaded to accustome themselves to others , for which he giveth Reasons ; after which come in the words at first cited . I can understand nothing by this , but that many Lazy , Drunken , Careless Papists , both Priests and others , despised Vocal Praying , some of them pretending they prayed in heart , others perswading the people that if the Priests muttered over the Church Prayers , tho the People heard not a Petition , nor understood none of them , yet it was well enough , the Church Prayers were said , and they were of avail enough for them .

Melancthon doth indeed say ( but it is three sides before in my book ) That a well ordered Form may be useful both for young and old , provided men did not use it Supe●stitiously ( which they must do who judge it Universally necessary ) nor have any Magical Conceit of it , as if the very words in it were acceptable to God , tho no reason could be given why those words more then others , expressing the same mat●er should be so . But his immediate oposing that to that Prayer , which he saith may be by a meer sigh , and opposing Cogitetur and Recitetur , makes it apparent that he meaneth no more then a Vocal Prayer opposed to what is meerly Mental , and as may be seen by what there followeth , he chiefly referreth in that place to a Form of Compellation of God , whether Scriptural , or according to the sense of Scripture . This was to bring off such as were newly converted from Popery , from Prayers to the Virgin Mary and other Saints . Yet Melancthon afterward doth indeed direct the use of the Lords Prayer , ( which he largely openeth ) but saith nothing of any Forms but those upon a Scriptural Record , and commendation ; not a word of St. Peter's , St. James's , St. Marks , St. Andrews , St. Cl●ments , St. Ambrose , St. Basils , or St. Chrysostomes or Gregory's Liturgies . Yet indeed in that State of the Church the Proposal of some Forms of Prayer composed by men was necessary in Publick Service , tho not for all Ministers ; they were newly come , and still coming off from Popery , where in their Publick Worship they had no other Prayers , nor any liberty for others , and the generality of their Priests were very unfit for any thing but Reading a Prayer . In this case what is necessary is lawful , tho not the full duty of Ministers in Prayer , nor to be rested in , and transmitted as the only way of Worship from age to age .

32. Which Melancthon was manifestly far from , for it is his whole business in that common place to fit Ministers and Christians for Prayer , by instructing th●m in the Nature , Parts , Matter , Method of it , giving them Copies of Forms to imitate , largely giving them the sense of every Petition in the Lords Prayer . This ( as I said at first ) confirms to me , that tho Luther made a Missal at first for the Reformed Churches in Saxony , yet it was left at liberty ( nor did other Reformed Divines so well like it when it was first made , as all to write after his Copy . ) Yet I will not be too confident of it . But Melancthon speaketh of no Forms which the Church proposed and willed to be used both publickly and privately , but the Lords Prayer .

33. Now I should have done with the Vindicator , but that I remember p. 152 , 153 , he heavily complained , that I took but a slighty notice of his weighty Evidence for proof of Forms of Prayer in the times of Constantine , for which he quoteth Eusebius de Vita Constantini , Cap. 17 , 19 , 20. He shall complain no more , I will be at the pains to transcribe all the 3 Chapters and to leave it to the Reader to judge what he can make out of them , for the Vindicators purpose .

But you may see much more noble things then these , If you consider how he ordered his Court , like unto a Church . Eusebius de Vita Constantini Cap. 17. Himself when the rest were assembled beginning , He took the Books into his hands , and either applyed his mind to Meditate on the Scriptures , or prayed 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , with the whole Church .

He diligently also taught his whole Army to reverence the day which we call the Suns day , Ibid cap. 19. or the Day of Light . For those in his Army who were Christians , he gave them a free liberty to go to Church and to pray without let . For the others , who were no Christians , he ordered they should be drawn out into the fields , in the Suburbs , and there one calling them together by a sign , they should all use the same Prayer ; for he said , they ought not to use their Spears , and to place all their hope in their Arms , and in their own Strength , but spreading out their hands , and lifting up their hearts to the King of Heaven , they ought to render him Prayers ordained , and thereby recognize him who is the God of the World , as the Author of all good things , and even of Victories themselves , and by Prayer to implore him , who bestoweth Victories on us , who is our Preserver , Keeper , and Helper ; and himself commanded a short Form of Prayer to be by them used in the Latine Tongue .

We acknowledge thee O God alone , and own thee as our King and we invoke thee as our Helper : Ibid cap. 20. By thee we have gained Victories ; By thee we have overcome our Enemies ; we confess that by thee we have obtained our present good Estate , and hope to obtain future happiness . We all beseech and begg of thee to preserve our Emperor Constantine with his Pious Children in Health , and as a Conqueror . — He generally ( saith Eusebius ) made such Edicts , and commanded his Souldiers to pray in such like words .

34. Mr. Falkner in his Libertas Eccles . had brought this as a Weighty Proof , to prove the general use and imposition of Forms of Prayer , as he doth here p. 152. I have replyed shortly to it in my Reasonable Account p. 67 , and more largely in my Supplement to it , p. 22. The summ of what I said was , That this was a good Argument to prove that at that time there were no Stated Forms in the Church , for then Constantine needed not to have made any . In my Supplement I repeated this , and further added , That had there been Stated Forms , the Chaplains of his Regiments surely would have used them , and thought it piacular to use others ; ( as ours do now . ) 2. That these Prayers were not by Constantine made for his Christian Ministers but for his Pagan Souldiers , who could not be presumed to have an Ability fitly to express their Wants to God in Prayer . So that this was nothing to our purpose , which only is about the lawfulness of the use of Forms made by other Men for those Ministers who have an Ability fitly to express their Minds to God in Prayer . To instance thus , is perfectly 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 .

35. I must confess I did not look into Eusebius to examine this Quotation , partly because I had him not in Greek , partly because both Helvicus and Alstedius and others assure us Eusebius was an Arrian Bishop , and so no very fit man to give us a good account of the practice of the sound part of the Christian Church . Alsted saith St. Hierome saith he was the very Principal and Standard bearer of the Arrians 3. Because he is noted by Dr. Rivet and others , as a most Hyperbolical Flatterer of Constantine , who tho he was an Excellent Emperor , yet had his great Errors . 4. Because I know his story is by sober men concluded to be full of Fables , and not wrote till 300 years after Christ and upward . 5. And Principally , because his design in that Chapter is not to shew us what Prayers the Church used , but how Constantine was as to his Domestick Devotion . Now men use to be very careless of words they use , that do not strictly relate to the thing they have in hand : Eusebius his design was to tell us how Constantine behaved himself in his Chappel , joining with the Church in Prayers ; not to tell us whether the Ministers Prayed by Forms or no. But considering that Eusebius lived in the time of Constantine , some may cry him up for a pretty competent Witness in matter of Fact , and so we will allow him , as to what he design'd to speak to , Viz. That the Emperor was very devout in his Chappel , spending all his time ( when there ) either in private Meditations , and Reading the Scriptures , or injoyning with the Church when Praying .

36. Eusebius saith , That when Constantine was abroad with his Army , part of which were Christians , part Heathens ; He was wont on the Lords-days to give order the Christians should go to the Publick Congregations of Christians : For the Heathens ( who could not be admitted there ) he himself made a Prayer ( of which cap. 20. is a Copy ) and ordered those Souldiers by beat of Drum or sound of Trumpet or some such ( probably Military ) sign , to be call'd together , and one to read the Prayer to them , which Constantine had made for them who were not able to pray for themselves . What is this to the purpose ?

This ( as Eusebius saith ) was admirably done , and no more then we do for our Children , or Neighbours ( who have not Ability to pray without a Form ) and allow to be done for any such who in the present State of any Church are to be allowed as Ministers , tho they are deficient in Ministerial Gifts . Only one Question cometh into my mind . Suppose there were Publick Forms then used in the Churches thereabouts : Was there a Collect for Constantines success in his Wars at that time , or in general , and a proportionable thanksgiving yea or no ? If not , then surely Forms are not so comprehensive as Prayers in a Publick Service of God should be . If there were any such Collect , why doth Constantine make another and not take that ? It is a great Presumption that in that age there were none , and Ministers being left to their Abilities to pray in the Christian Congregations ; there was gteat reason Constantine should otherwise provide for those that might not come in the Christian Assemblies . Let the Vindicator take which tine of the Fork he pleaseth , it killeth , instead of helping him in the case of Set Forms .

37. For what Eusebius saith cap. 17. That Constantine ordered his Court like unto a Church , neither will that help . For if Constantine made the Prayers which were there used , it is what we plead for ; That Ministers may mak● their own Prayers . If the meaning be no more , than that he kept 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , a Ministry or Order of Prayer , this proves nothing for Forms , for a Ministry of Prayer might have been as well without Forms as with them . The upshot of this Weighty Evidence is , here is not in it one Tittle of pretended Proof for the matter in Question , unless it be in the word 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Now if that can be evinced to signifie nothing but Ordained by Publick Authority , it will prove what none denies , That the Church in obedience to Gods command had ordered Publick Prayers to be offered up to him , but not that it had ordained 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Forms of Prayer : for Prayers and Forms of Prayer are not convertible terms sure . Besides , I have before proved , that there is no evidence that at this time , ( which was betwixt 306 and 335 ) there were any Forms of Prayer constituted , either by any Imperial Law , or by any General Councel , or by any Provincial Council The first Provincial Council that did any such thing , was that of Milevis , more then 60 years after this : that supposed one of Carthage was above 30 years after : That of Laodicea ( pretended ) 30 years after : the General Council of Chalcedon more then 200 years after . Justinians Imperial Law 200 years after . So that if any in Constantines time ordered any , it was himself for his Family , which is nothing to our purpose , admitting it were true ; for we will allow any master of a Family or any Minister apprehending that he or others are not able , fitly to express their own , or o●●ers wants and desires to God in Prayer , to compose a Form or Forms for themselves or others to be used , by him or them until they shall have attained to such an Ability . God forbid persons should not pray as well as they can , because they at present cannot pray so perfectly as they ought to do and to strive after .

Nor can I possibly understand by what Authority , our Vindicator interpreteth 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 : Prayers which had received Authoritative Sanction , as he doth p. 152 , and unless it be necessarily to be so translated , the Weight of this Weighty Evidence he speaks of n. 18 , is not above the Weight of a feather : Every body knows that 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 is but a compound of 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , and can signifie no more then lawful or within a Law , and so all the Lexicographers ( which indeed are but 3 or 4 ) which I have , translate it . They make 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 & 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , all to be Synonymous . Only they seem a little to differ in the Etymology of 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 some making 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 to be equipollent to 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , laws given : others , to 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Divine Laws . Any Child that looks into Scapula will find that he expounds the word of any Laws whether they were wrote in Mens Hearts , or in Tables , or confirmed by Custom , that Plutarch in Romulus hath 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Sacred Laws , and Xenophon 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ; Divine Laws , and Hesychius again and again expounds 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 by 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ; Divine Laws ( and all know Hesychius is no invaluable Author for giving the true sense of Greek words . ) Constantine ordered his Court like a Church ; he had in it , constant Reading of the Scripture and Prayers : Himself was present at the Worship of his Family ; and being there he spent his time either in Reading the Scripture or Praying as God had appointed . What is all this to prove that Forms of Prayer were used or appointed ? This is the utmost of this Weighty Evidence , which surely would not have been called so , had not the Vindicator suspected all his Evidence to be very light .

39. The Case is now tryed , I will but summ up the Evidence , and leave the judgment to the whole Intelligent World as the Jury . The Question is , Whether the Nonconformists have not probablet Arguments on their side to induce them to judge , that the Church of God for six hundred years after Christ , never by their general Practice of its Ministers , nor any general Impositions upon its Ministers , judged it lawful for all Ministers , ordinarily to perform their Ministerial Acts in Publick Solemn Prayer , by the Prescribed Forms of other Men , not directed in Holy Writ . They think they have ; the Vindicator thinks the contrary . The Evidence on the Nonconformists side is this .

Within the first 200 years after Christ . 1. They find no Forms left them by Christ or the Apostles ( the Lords Prayer only excepted , if that were so intended to be used after Christs Resurrection : ) But on the contrary they find that Justin Martyr saith that in the Christian Assemblies the Minister prayed 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , which they translate , [ as he was able : ] The Vindicator , [ wi h all his might . ] They are sure it is truly translated so . The Vindicator is not Infallible , assertin● it must be translated with all his might . The Non-conf . also have Tertullian telling them that in those days , they prayed without a Monitor ; because from their hearts . The Vindicator saith , without a Monitor cannot be without a Form , because a Monitor is a person : They conceive those that make Forms are Persons , and that mute things are very ordinarily called Monitors , doing the things which persons that are Monitors do . The Vindicator thinks he hath some advantage from Ignatius and Justine Martyr , telling us the Christians made 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , the Non conformists say , The Supplications and Petitions are common in a Congregation when the People make use of the words of one that ministreth , whether , he speaketh from a Form or no.

In the next 200 Years , The Vindicator tells us . That he finds in Cyprian , Lift up your Hearts , We lift them up to the Lord . That Origen speaks of Prayers Ordained , and quotes an usual expression in their Prayers — Almighty God give us a part with thy Prophets , and that they sang by Set Hymns ; the Non-con . answer , That this will no more prove the Ministers Prayed by Forms , then it will prove that we do so ; who ordinarily begin our Prayers , with , Let us Pray , Let us lift up our Hearts to the Lord ; and usually in our Prayer , say , Lord forgive us our Sins , and use several such general Petitions constantly . They say it is impossible without Forms of Psalmes or Hymns for any Congregation to Sing , but they ought to keep only to Scriptural Forms left us on Sacred Record for that purpose .

From the Year 300 to 400. the Vindicators proof is from Liturgies pretended to be made by Basil and Chrysostome , from the Councils of Laodicea and Carthage . The Non-con . say , That Basil and Chrysostomes making Forms , prove nothing unless it can be proved they were by them imposed , or used by all Ministers . 2. That very learned Men have denied the Liturgies going under their names to be theirs ; and the Vindicator himself will grant , That the Liturgies we have , could not be theirs . only he thinks they made some , tho much hath been foisted into them since , which is impossible to be proved , the corruptions come to us on the same credit , the whole comes . The Non-conformists prove that the Council of Laodicea onely ordered Prayers not Forms of Prayer to be Morning and Evening : Either there was no such Council of Carthage in this age , or they made no such Canon , saith Justellus , nor is it brought into the Code of the V●iversal Church , so could concern one Province only ; nor doth the Canon establish Forms of Prayer . The Vindicator saith , Constantine in this age made a Prayer for his Pagan Souldiers , who were not able to Pray for themselves , nor might joyn with Christian Congregations . And that he Prayed in his Family . The Non-conformists say , They allow those may use Forms to guide their Mental Prayers , who cannot Pray Vocally , therefore Constantine did well to make a Form for such ; and tho Eusebius saith Constantine in his Family Prayed , yet it cannot be proved it was by Forms not of D●vine Institution . Prayers were appointed , but not Forms of Prayer . He quotes a speech of Sozomen relating to this Century , and a Phrase of Nazianzen which he maketh expository of Sozomen or Julian but the Non-conformists say , Nazianzen was dead many years before that Sozomen wrote , and so could not expound his words .

From the year 400 to the year 500. He quotes the general Council of Chalcedon 451 , confirming the Canon of Laodicea 364 ; but the Nonconf . say that the Canon of the Council of Laodicea ( as appears by the words ) ordered not Forms of Prayer , only a Publick Ministry of Prayers Morning and Night . He quotes Proclus also , asserting Liturgies delivered by James and Clement , Basil and Chrysostome . The Nonconformists say the Vindicator himself rejects the Authority of Proclus , for St. James and Clement , and they may as well do it as to the other ; and that the pretended Writings of Proclus are of no Authority . On the contrary the Nonconformists say , That in this Century Sozomen saith there were no two Churches to be found which spake the same words in Prayer .

From the year 500 to 600 , he quotes Justinians Novellae confirming the Canons , of Chalcedon : But the Nonconformists say , They have proved that Council established no Forms . He quoted indeed before this the Council of Milevis , but the Nonconformists say , It was a particular case of a particular Province infected notoriously with Pelagianism , nor was that Canon by the Council of Chalcedon 451 , taken into the Code .

After the year 600 , the Noncon . wil agree that Gregory by his Canon Law established Forms of Prayer , as far as his Authority went , but with so bad success that if Adrian the Pope 200 years after had not obtained of Charles the Great to protect his Canon by a Civil Sanction , and by an horrible Persecution to inforce it , it had never obtained amongst Christians . But they say at this time the true Christians were fled into France , the Vallies of Piedmont , Alsatia , and Bohemia , where we read not that their Ministers generally prayed by Forms .

Now upon this Evidence , let all the Consciencious and Intelligent World judge and bring in their Verdict as they please , whether this Question can be determined against us by any valuable Practice of the Church in the purer primitive times , and whether Our Reasons be not much more valuable to prove the Vnlawfulness , Viz.

1. Because we that are Ministers cannot do it , without omitting a mean God hath given us for the Action , and using one under no special divine Prescription .

2. Because in doing it we cannot pray with the like Attention and Intention of heart and Fervent affections .

3. Because we judge words an Essential part of Vocal prayer , and these or these words an Essential part of this or that Vocal Prayer .

4. Because in an Act or Part of Worship , where God hath left a liberty to Ministers or Christians , other Men cannot determine them .

5. Because in doing it we must grant a principle improveable to the total Suppression of Ministerial Gifts .

6. Because the Holy Spirit hath or may have , an influence on our words as well in Prayer , as in Preaching , or Confession ; and it ought not to be shut out unnecessarily .

7. Because we cannot understand why the precepts for Prayer , should be interpreted differently from the Precept for Preaching , which was never by the Church expounded . — Go read another Mans Forms .

8. Because it transforms Ministers , from Ministers of Christ , to meer Ministers of Men.

9. Because it makes the highest performances of Ministers , to be such as ordinary people may do , so as there were no need of such an order of persons .

10. Because by Experience we see , That many idolize Forms of Prayer , and think there is no other right Praying to God ; which is an horrid Error not fit for us to give the least countenance to .

This is the Summ of all . Let the Reader , read and judge , and we trust , he will be so candid as to think we have something to say for our Dissent in this Cause .

The Conclusion .

IT is now Reader high time to have done drawing this Saw which will goe no further . I remember in the Ancient Practice of the Canon Law , after the Pars Rea or ( as we call him ) the Defendant , had put in his Answer to the Promoters Libel , so as there was Lis contestata ( as we call it Issue joined ) the Promoter or his Proctor took an Oath which they called Juramentum Calumniae , and expressed in these terms : Illud juretur , quod lis tibi justa videtur . Et si quaeretur verum , non inficietur . Nil promittetur , nec falsa probatio detur Vt lis tradetur , dilatio nulla petetur .

That is the Promoter was to swear , That he believed he had just cause of action . That being asked he would not deny the truth , That he would promise no Bribe , nor bring in any false Testimony , nor without just cause delay any proceedings . I have observed likewise some Writers of late interposing some Solemn Professions and Protestations ; amongst others our Vindicator saith thus , p. 21.

I do freely profess , that besides what concerns the Laws of the Church and of the Realm , that I account my self to have as plain Evidence from the Laws of God and the Constitution of the Christian Church , that Schism and Vnnecessary Separation , is a sin in the breach of Christian Unity , as that Adultery is a sin , in the breach of Wedlock . And I account my self to be as certain that if ever there were , an unwarrantable Separation from any known Church since the Apostles time , the separation from the Church of England is such , since our Church is truly as free from any just exception in its Constitution , Doctrine , and Worship , as any other since that time , either was or is . — A very large Assertion .

I shall only in like manner enter my Protestation .

1. That I do believe all unnecessary Separation from any Church of which we are , or have been Members , is Sinful .

2. I am equally certain , That Seperation is necessary , where Ministers or People cannot keep communion without sin , or so far forth , as they cannot do this .

3. I have the same certainty , That the practical judgment of Ministers or Peoples Consciences , must ( as to their practice ) determine what is lawful and unlawful ; tho it be a fallible judgment ; and they are therefore bound to use the best means they can for information , before they form it .

4. I do in like sincerity profess , That I have wilfully omitted no means of a true Information , as to the Will of God in this Cause , and I do truly believe it is not lawful for me as a Minister of Christ ordinarily to perform my Ministerial Acts in Publick Solemn Prayer by the prescribed Forms of other Men , not Divinely Inspired ; nor yet , being Solemnly set apart to the Ministry , wholly to forbear Preaching

5. There are many other things which I cannot but judge sinful , without the doing of which I can have no station in the National Ministry . Reordination , Assent , and Consent , Ceremonies , Promiscuous Administration of the Lords Supper , &c.

6. I do believe the Vindicator hath not given a just Answer to one Argument I brought in this cause , and I profess my Arguments remain still such as I cannot Answer .

7. I do finally profess , That I have not wilfully brought any thing in any of my dicourses on this Argument ( laying any stress upon it ) which I have not believed to be true : Nor have I been bribed , with any hopes of Reward , or Preferment . Nor have I quoted any Author ( to my knowledge ) falsly or partially , hardly three which I have not seen with my own Eyes , unless I have told the Reader otherwise : Nor have I done any thing to keep my Reader from a true understanding of the thing in Question , nor gone about to blind him with Digressions , Prejudices , or Impertinent Observations , nor ( further then the Nature of the matter doth it ) have I loaded my Adversary with Odium , Envy , or Prejudice .

Whence all may observe , what need we have for to exercise a further Charity then is yet to be found amongst us , and a greater liberty in Religious Worship then we are yet so happy to injoy ; and that without it we are never like to come to our desired Peace and Vnity . If there were only this single point in difference , East and West seem to me as likely to unite as Dissenters , and those of our Vindicators perswasion . The good Lord shew us a more likely way for Vnion , then all Ministers using the same Words and Syllables in the Acts of their Publick Worship ; which is a kind of Union , no where required , no where promised , no where found , nor ever to be expected , and of which there is no necessity at all .

FINIS .