Seven treatises containing such direction as is gathered out of the Holy Scriptures, leading…Seuen treatises containing such direction as is gathered out of the Holie Scriptures, leading…

If it be said, how can men repeat the same form of words daily, as they do in the reading of public prayer, but it must needs be coldly done, and so abominable to God? I answer, it is not the oft praying for the same things, that maketh it odious to God, but when it is done with an unreverent, unprepared, and corrupt heart; for custom, not fervently and in faith. And further to satisfy them, they may know that in all Churches, and the best reformed that they would allege, there is a prescript form of prayer used: and therefore they who are of mind, that it ought not to be, must separate themselves from all Churches. Also if a set form of prayer were unlawful, then neither were the Lords prayer (which is a set form of prayer §Gprescribed by our Saviour himself) to be used. Which yet though it be sometime to be used in the form wherein it is set down: yet speaking of it by this occasion, I think it not amiss to add this one thing. That though our Saviour tied us to the matter of this prayer, as being perfect and full: yet he tied us not to the words themselves, seeing we cannot either think on, remember, or desire at one instant, all the particulars contained in the same. And besides, we by craving particularly the things which we stand in need of, are more stirred up and moved.

If it be said, how can men repeate the same forme of words daily, as they doe in the reading of publike prayer, but it must needes be coldly done, and so abhominable to God? I answere, it is not the oft praying for the same things, that maketh it odious to God, but when it is done with an vnreuerent, vnprepared, and corrupt heart; for custome, not feruently and in faith. And further to satisfie them, they may know that in all Churches, and the best reformed that they would alleage, there is a prescript forme of prayer vsed: and therefore they who are of minde, that it ought not to be, must separate themselues from all Churches. Also if a set forme of prayer were vnlawfull, then neither were the Lords prayer (which is a set forme of prayer §Gprescribed by our Sauiour himselfe) to be vsed. Which yet though it bee sometime to be vsed in the forme wherein it is set downe: yet speaking of it by this occasion, I thinke it not amisse to adde this one thing. That though our Sauiour tied vs to the matter of this prayer, as being perfect and full: yet he tied vs not to the words themselues, seeing wee cannot either thinke on, remember, or desire at one instant, all the particulars contained in the same. And besides, we by crauing particularly the things which we stand in neede of, are more stirred vp and moued.