A01979:2296
The whole-armour of GodThe vvhole-armor of God
The whole-armour of God: or A Christians spiritual furniture, to keep him safe from all the assaults of Satan First preached, and now the second time published and enlarged for the good of all such as well use it:whereunto is also added a treatise of the sin against the Holy Ghost. By William Gouge B.D. and preacher of Gods Word in Black Fryers London. ...The vvhole-armor of God: or A Christians spiritual furniture, to keepe him safe from all the assaults of Satan First preached, and now the second time published and enlarged for the good of all such as well vse it:whereunto is also added a treatise of the sinne against the Holy Ghost. By VVilliam Gouge B.D. and preacher of Gods Word in Blacke Fryers London. ...
London: printed by John Beale, 1619London: printed by Iohn Beale, 1619
THE Whole Armour of GOD. › Treatise 3 › Part 2 › Section 80: §. 80. Of prescribed prayer.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Object. The spirit is stinted hereby: neither can a man utter that which the spirit moveth him unto, when he hath a set form prescribed.
Obiect. The spirit is stinted hereby: neither can a man vtter that which the spirit moueth him vnto, when hee hath a set forme prescribed.
Answ. The spirit in him which prayeth by a set form, is no more stinted, then the spirit is stinted in those which hear another pray: for to them which hear others, words are prescribed. To the hearers it is all one whether he that prayeth useth a prescribed form, or conceive, and invent his prayer, for they go along in their hearts with his words.
Answ. The spirit in him which prayeth by a set forme, is no more stinted, then the spirit is stinted in those which heare another pray: for to them which heare others, words are prescribed. To the hearers it is all one whether hee that prayeth vseth a prescribed forme, or conceiue, and inuent his prayer, for they goe along in their hearts with his words.
They who simply and altogether condemn prescribed prayer, do think too childishly of God, and deal too injuriously with Gods little ones. They conceit God to be affected with variety, and make the power of prayer to consist in copy of words, and novelty of matter, which is many times an hinderance to true devotion: for while the mind is too much occupied in invention, the heart cannot be so free to devotion, as otherwise it might be. Prayer is not like a nose-gay, which is no longer sweet then the flowers are new and fresh: For the sweet savour of prayer consisteth in the sincerity of heart, and ardency of affection, whereby also the power of the spirit is manifested.
They who simply and altogether condemne prescribed prayer, doe thinke too childishly of God, and deale too iniuriously with Gods little ones. They conceit God to be affected with variety, and make the power of praier to consist in copie of words, and nouelty of matter, which is many times an hinderance to true deuotion: for while the minde is too much occupied in inuention, the heart cannot be so free to deuotion, as otherwise it might bee. Prayer is not like a nose-gay, which is no longer sweete then the flowers are new and fresh: For the sweete sauour of prayer consisteth in the sincerity of heart, and ardency of affection, whereby also the power of the spirit is manifested.