Catholic communion defended against both extremes, and unnecessary division confuted in five parts ...…Catholick communion defended against both extreams, and unnecessary division confuted in five parts ...…

§. 13. 1. IT is a great Error to think, that the Gifts and Graces of the holy Spirit may not be exercised, if we use the same words, or if they be prescribed. The chief help of Gods Spirit, lieth in giving us a due esteem of the things prayed for, and a holy Desire after them, and a lively Faith and Hope that we shall obtain them, and a fixed Resolution to use all other means for them, and avoid all that would deprive us of them. And doubtless, he that hath these mental Dispositions, hath thereby a great help for his Expression of them; for out of the abundance of the Heart, the Mouth speaketh. But 1. It's well known, that Use and Knowledge, can enable an Hypocrite to pray as long, and in as good Words and earnest Tone, as a sincere Christian.

2. That which is easiest, needeth the least help: It is to me so much easier to speak my own thoughts in Prayer ex tempore, than to remember a form of words; that never since I was twenty years old, did I ever learn and say without Book, the words of one Prayer, or one Sermon, since I Preached; to have learnt a Prayer or Sermon without Book, would have cost me ten times and more, both time and labour, and fear of being out, than I ever used or could afford.

2. That which is easiest, needeth the least help: It is to me so much easier to speak my own thoughts in Prayer ex tempore, than to remember a form of words; that never since I was twenty years old, did I ever learn and say without Book, the words of one Prayer, or one Sermon, since I Preacht; to have learnt a Prayer or Sermon without Book, would have cost me ten times and more, both time and labour, and fear of being out, than I ever used or could afford.

3. Pardon me for asking, Whether if this Author put all the Errors of this his writing into a Prayer or Sermon, he did not need more