A02990:58
A friendly trial of the grounds tending to separation in a plain and modest…A friendly triall of the grounds tending to separation in a plain and modest…
A friendly trial of the grounds tending to separation in a plain and modest dispute touching the lawfulness of a stinted liturgy and set form of prayer, Communion in mixed assemblies, and the primitive subject and first receptacle of the power of the Keys: tending to satisfy the doubtful, recall the wandering, and to strengthen the weak: by John Ball.A friendly triall of the grounds tending to separation in a plain and modest dispute touching the lawfulnesse of a stinted liturgie and set form of prayer, Communion in mixed assemblies, and the primitive subject and first receptacle of the power of the Keyes: tending to satisfie the doubtfull, recall the wandering, and to strengthen the weak: by John Ball.
Cambridge: printed by Roger Daniel printer to the University of Cambridge for Edward Brewster, 1640Cambridge: printed by Roger Daniel printer to the Universitie of Cambridge for Edward Brewster, 1640
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.
The proposition we grant,1 if rightly understood: otherwise symbolical and analogical arguments, if the proposition be not rightly taken, are very dangerous. But a stinted form of prayer is no strange manner of worship; because in it all things required to the nature of true prayer may be observed. In the word of God we have direction given, to whom, for what, with what heart and affection, to what end a man ought to pray: but in what method or frame of speech he is to be a petitioner, we find nothing prescribed in particular, neither do we judge any thing necessary, more then this, That order, decency, and edification be observed. That which hath the common nature, definition, use and end of worship, but wanteth Divine authority and institution to make it approved and true worship, that is strange in the worship of God: But the method and phrase of speech hath not the common nature, definition, use or end of worship or prayer belonging unto it. As conceived prayer so a set form of prayer is for substance and nature agreeable to the rules of direction delivered in the word of truth, though for method and words both the humane. Let our brethren set down out of the word of God what is necessarily and essentially required to the nature and being of true prayer, & show (if they be able) that some one or other condition or requisite cannot be observed in a prescript or stinted form. If this ⟨p. 36⟩cannot be done (as I think it never hath nor can be) how dare they esteem or style it a strange worship? They tell us, God hath not ordained that manner of worship. But this phrase, the manner of worship, is used two ways: first, as it noteth the substantial means of worship ordained of God by special institution: secondly, as it is put for the outward order or form how this worship or means of worship is performed. A third signification might be added, as when we say the third commandment teacheth in what manner the name and ordinances of God are to be used. Now if it be taken in the first or third signification, the outward frame of words, order, and method is neither means nor manner of worship, either in preaching, prayer, or administration of the sacraments. If in the second, the word of God doth not prescribe any particular form,2 stinted or not stinted, as necessary, but doth warrant both as allowable: