Repl. If General words be its Perfection, 1it's very culpable in tediousness and vain repetitions: For, what need you more than [Lord be merciful to us sinners?] There's together a general Confession of Sin, and a general Prayer for Mercy, which comprehend all the particulars of the Peoples Sins and wants. We gave you our Reason, which you answer not. Confession is the exercise of Repentance, and also the helper of it; and it is no true Repentance which is not particular, but only general. If you say, you repent that you have sinned, and know not wherein, or do not repent of any particular sin, you do not indeed repent; for sin is not existent, but in the individuals: And if you ask for Grace, and know no what Grace, or desire no particular Grace, indeed you desire no Grace at all. We know there is time and use for general Confessions and Requests; but still, as implying particulars, as having gone before or following; or at least it must be supposed that the People understand the particulars included, and have inward Confessions and desires of them; which cannot here be supposed, when they are not at all mentioned, nor can the People generally be supposed to have such quick and comprehensive minds; nor is there leisure to exercise such particular Repentance or desire, while a general is named. And we beseech you, let the Scripture be judge, whether the Confessions and Prayers of the Servants of God have not been particular? As to your Objection or Reason, we answer. 1. There are ⟨p. 64⟩general Prayers, with the particular or without them. 2. There are particular Confessions and Prayers, proper to some few Christians, and there are others common to all: It is these that we expect, and not the former. 3. The Churches Prayers must be suited to the Body of the Assembly, though perhaps some one or few, may be in a state not fit for such expressions. What a lamentable Liturgy will you have, if you have nothing in it, but what every one in the Congregation may say as true of, and suitable to themselves? Then you must leave out all thanksgiving, for our Justification and forgiveness of Sins, and Adoption, and title to Glory, &c. because many in the Assembly are Hypocrites, and have no such mercies;
Repl. If General words be its Perfection, 1it's very culpable in tediousness and vain repetitions: For, what need you more than [Lord be merciful to us sinners?] There's together a general Confession of Sin, and a general Prayer for Mercy, which comprehend all the particulars of the Peoples Sins and wants. We gave you our Reason, which you answer not. Confession is the exercise of Repentance, and also the helper of it; and it is no true Repentance which is not particular, but only general. If you say, you repent that you have sinned, and know not wherein, or do not repent of any particular sin, you do not indeed repent; for sin is not existent, but in the individuals: And if you ask for Grace, and know no what Grace, or desire no particular Grace, indeed you desire no Grace at all. We know there is time and use for general Confessions and Requests; but still, as implying particulars, as having gone before or following; or at least it must be supposed that the People understand the particulars included, and have inward Confessions and desires of them; which cannot here be supposed, when they are not at all mentioned, nor can the People generally be supposed to have such quick and comprehensive minds; nor is there leisure to exercise such particular Repentance or desire, while a general is named. And we beseech you, let the Scripture be judge, whether the Confessions and Prayers of the Servants of God have not been particular? As to your Objection or Reason, we answer. 1. There are ⟨p. 64⟩general Prayers, with the particular or without them. 2. There are particular Confessions and Prayers, proper to some few Christians, and there are others common to all: It is these that we expect, and not the former. 3. The Churches Prayers must be suited to the Body of the Assembly, though perhaps some one or few, may be in a state not fit for such expressions. What a lamentable Lyturgy will you have, if you have nothing in it, but what every one in the Congregation may say as true of, and suitable to themselves? Then you must leave out all thanksgiving, for our Justification and forgiveness of Sins, and Adoption, and title to Glory, &c. because many in the Assembly are Hypocrites, and have no such mercies;
- 1Rep.
