An humble apology for non-conformists with modest and serious reflections on the Friendly debate…

Answ. I have heard it bitterly complained of, that the Common Prayers which are good in themselves, should be abased by mean, pitiful, scandalous Readers, and be read in so slight and dull a manner. The Liturgy is not ordinarily, as to its effects on the generality of the Auditors, the same, when read by a worthy person, and in a grave and decent manner, as otherwise: yet I confess some reason why many men are not so much affected with the Common-Prayer is with the Minister's own Prayer, may be the frequent ⟨p. 59⟩repetition of the same prayers. I suppose where a man strictly tieth himself to a Form of Prayer (though of his own composing) constantly before or after Sermon, it is not ordinarily so affecting or quickening to himself or others, as when he doth otherwise. I think Prayer by forms, and conceived prayers, both lawful, and both of them have their excellencies in some respects. That by a Form, excels in some respects Conceived Prayer; in others, as I heard the Pious, Reverend and Learned Dr. Holdsworth when he was Vice-Chancellor (at the Commencement) at Cambridge determine the matter, though he concluded for the lawfulness and expediency of a Liturgy for Public Worship; Such it the nature of man that he is ordinarily most excited in his affections, and his attention soonest engaged and raised by Novelty or variety. And hear what a Reverend Person, no enemy to Episcopacy and Liturgy, saith of Prayer by Book; There is not that life and vigour in it to engage the affections, as when it proceeds immediately from the soul it self, and is the natural expression of those particulars whereof we are most sensible. B. Ch. G. P. p. 12. Now one Reason being given in the Preface to the Liturgy, why some Ceremonies are retained, being this, because they are apt to affect the dull mind of man, &c. why may not a Minister so order his Prayers before and after Sermon, &c. as to voice and phrase, as may most probably affect ⟨p. 60⟩himself and them that join in prayer with him? I do by no means approve of Romantic or Courtly expressions on the one hand in Prayer, nor Rude and Rustic expressions on the other. I think Scripture-phrase is best, fittest, and of choice, therefore to be made use of. And to this (I think) I may safely say the generality of the Non-conformists do conform as much as the Conformists themselves.

Answ. I have heard it bitterly complained of, that the Common Prayers which are good in themselves, should be abased by mean, pittifull, scandalous Readers, and be read in so slight and dull a manner. The Liturgy is not ordinarily, as to its effects on the generality of the Auditors, the same, when read by a worthy person, and in a grave and decent manner, as otherwise: yet I confess some reason why many men are not so much affected with the Common-Prayer is with the Minister's own Prayer, may be the frequent