A26892:6779
A Christian Directory
A Christian directory, or, A sum of practical theology and cases of conscience directing Christians how to use their knowledge and faith, how to improve all helps and means, and to perform all duties, how to overcome temptations, and to escape or mortify every sin : in four parts ... / by Richard Baxter.A Christian directory, or, A summ of practical theologie and cases of conscience directing Christians how to use their knowledge and faith, how to improve all helps and means, and to perform all duties, how to overcome temptations, and to escape or mortifie every sin : in four parts ... / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by Robert White for Nevill Simmons, 1673
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Part 3 › Quest. Is it lawful to Read a Prayer in the Church?
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.
Answ. 1. That which is not forbidden is lawful: But to Read a prayer is not forbidden (as such, though by accident it may).
Answ. 1. THat which is not forbidden is lawful: But to Read a prayer is not forbidden (as such, though by accident it may).
2. The Prayers in the Scripture Psalms, were usually Read in the Jewish Synagogues lawfully: For they were written to that end; and were indeed the Jewish Liturgy. Therefore to Read a Prayer is not unlawful.
3. He that hath a weak memory may Read his own Sermon Notes: Therefore he may Read his Prayers.
4. I add as to this case and the former together, that 1. Christ did usually frequent the Jewish Synagogues.
2. That in those Synagogues there were forms of Prayer, and that ordinarily Read: At least Scripture forms: And if either the Jewish Rabbins (cited by Scaliger, Selden in Eutych. Alexandr. &c.) or the strongest probability may be credited, there were also humane forms. For who can imagine that those Pharisees should have no humane forms, 1. Who are so much accused of formality, and following Traditions: 2. And used long and frequent prayers: But if indeed they had no such forms, then long and frequent extemporate prayers are not so great a sign of the Spirits gifts as is imagined, when such Pharisees abounded in them. But there is little probability, but that they used both ways.