Amongst them that oppose a set form of prayer we may observe differences in opinion.1 The ancient brethren of the Separation (as Mr Smith calleth them for distinction) condemn all stinted forms of prayer to be used as a prayer. Thus they dispute against set or stinted forms of prayer, that it is a devise of man, an Idol-prayer, a stinting of the Spirit, the substituting of a book in the room and stead of the holy Ghost, 2a drawing nigh to God with the lips, when the heart is removed far from him: That if set forms be lawful, then one may make another's prayer, buy his prayers at a book-binders shop, carry them about in his pocket, with many the like. Which arguments, whatsoever their weight be, strike at all set forms, and not at this or that only, prescribed in this or that manner. Mr Robinson hideth the matter as much, as well he may, by such like additions as these of matter and manner. The thing, saith he, you should have endeavoured to ⟨p. 6⟩prove, 3is, That your Divine service-book framed by man, and by man imposed to be used without addition or alteration, 4as the solemn worship of your church, is that true and spiritual manner of worshipping God which he hath appointed. Again, That these stinted and devised forms do quench the spirit of prayer which God would have them use, stinting the minister, yea all the ministers of the kingdom, to the same measure of the spirit, not only one with another, but all of them with him that is dead and rotten: and so stinting the spirit, which the Lord giveth to his ministers for his church, and that so strictly, as till the stint be out, it may not suggest one thought or word otherwise, or when it is out, one more then is prescribed. Nevertheless his drift is, plainly to disprove all stinted forms, as it is evident by that he writeth in answer to some objections. For, Grant, saith he, that these words of Christ, PRAY AFTER THIS MANNER; AND WHEN YE PRAY, SAY, are to be interpreted as these men would have it: yet do I except against their service-book in a double respect: The first is, That the reading of prayers upon a book hath no justification from them. If it be said, that to commit a certain form of words to memory, and from it to utter them, and to read them upon a book, be all one; I deny the consequence: and though I approve not the former, yet is the latter far worse. And in another place;5
Amongst them that oppose a set form of prayer we may observe differences in opinion.1 The ancient brethren of the Separation (as Mr Smith calleth them for distinction) condemn all stinted forms of prayer to be used as a prayer. Thus they dispute against set or stinted forms of prayer, that it is a devise of man, an Idole-prayer, a stinting of the Spirit, the substituting of a book in the room and stead of the holy Ghost, 2a drawing nigh to God with the lips, when the heart is removed farre from him: That if set forms be lawfull, then one may make anothers prayer, buy his prayers at a book-binders shop, carry them about in his pocket, with many the like. Which arguments, whatsoever their weight be, strike at all set forms, and not at this or that onely, prescribed in this or that manner. Mr Robinson hideth the matter as much, as well he may, by such like additions as these of matter and manner. The thing, saith he, you should have endeavoured to ⟨p. 6⟩prove, 3is, That your Divine service-book framed by man, and by man imposed to be used without addition or alteration, 4as the solemn worship of your church, is that true and spirituall manner of worshipping God which he hath appointed. Again, That these stinted and devised forms do quench the spirit of prayer which God would have them use, stinting the minister, yea all the ministers of the kingdome, to the same measure of the spirit, not onely one with another, but all of them with him that is dead and rotten: and so stinting the spirit, which the Lord giveth to his ministers for his church, and that so strictly, as till the stint be out, it may not suggest one thought or word otherwise, or when it is out, one more then is prescribed. Neverthelesse his drift is, plainly to disprove all stinted forms, as it is evident by that he writeth in answer to some objections. For, Grant, saith he, that these words of Christ, PRAY AFTER THIS MANNER; AND VVHEN YE PRAY, SAY, are to be interpr•ted as these men would have it: yet do I except against their service-book in a double respect: The first is, That the reading of prayers upon a book hath no justification from them. If it be said, that to commit a certain form of words to memory, and from it to utter them, and to reade them upon a book, be all one; I deny the consequence: and though I approve not the former, yet is the latter farre worse. And in another place;
- 1Greenw. Against Giff. pag. 8, 9. I only laboured to show all men this error of reading mens writings in stead of praying, that they might learn how to converse, &c.Greenw. Against Giff. pag. 8, 9. I onely laboured to shew all men this errour of reading mens writings in stead of praying, that they might learn how to converse, &c.
- 2Smith, Differences of the Separation. Epist. Johns. Against Carpent. They communicate together in a false and idolatrous outward worship of God, which is polluted with the writings of men, viz st•nted prayers, homilies, catechisms, &c.Smith, Differences of the Separation. Epist. Johns. Against Carpent. They communicate together in a false and idolatrous outward worship of God, which is polluted with the writings of men, viz st•nted prayers, homilies, catechismes, &c.
- 3Robinson, Against Bern. pag. 456.
- 4The stinting, imposing mens writings upon public assemblies, to have them read over by number and stint, or any other way, as a worship of God instead of true invocation, is a mere device of man, and so carnal worship; as also all other reading of mens writings, publicly or privately in this abuse, for praying to God, Greenw. Answer to Gifford. Robinson, Justif. against Bern. pag 424. Idem, pag. 419. Idem, pag. 473.The stinting, imposing mens writings upon publick assemblies, to have them read over by number and stint, or any other way, as a worship of God instead of true invocation, is a mere device of man, and so carnall worship; as also all other reading of mens writings, publickly or privately in this abuse, for praying to God, Greenw. Answer to Gifford. Robinson, Justif. against Bern. pag 424. Idem, pag. 419. Idem, pag. 473.
- 5Idem, pag. 425.
