A discourse of the work of the Holy Spirit in prayer with a brief…

I do acknowledge also that the general prevalency of the Use of set Forms of Prayer of Humane Invention in Christian Assemblies for many ages (more than any other Argument that is urged for their necessity) requires a tenderness in judgment as unto the whole nature of them, and the Acceptance of their Persons in the Duty of Prayer by whom they are used. Yet no consideration of this usage, seeing it is not warranted by the Scriptures, nor is of Apostolical Example, nor is countenanced by the practice of the primitive Churches, ought to hinder us from discerning and judging of the Evils and Inconveniences that have ensued thereon; Nor from discovering how far they are unwarrantable as unto their Imposition. And these evils may be here a little considered.

I do acknowledge also that the general prevalency of the Use of set Forms of Prayer of Humane Invention in Christian Assemblies for many ages (more than any other Argument that is urged for their necessity) requires a tenderness in judgment as unto the whole nature of them, and the Acceptance of their Persons in the Duty of Prayer by whom they are used. Yet no consideration of this usage, seeing it is not warranted by the Scriptures, nor is of Apostolical Example, nor is countenanced by the practice of the primitive Churches, ought to hinder us from discerning and judging of the Evils and Inconveniencies that have ensued thereon; Nor from discovering how far they are unwarrantable as unto their Imposition. And these evils may be here a little considered.

The Beginnings of the Introduction of the Use of set Forms of Prayer of Humane composition, into the Worship of the Church, are ⟨image 10⟩altogether uncertain. But that the Reception of them was progressive by new Additions from time to time, is known to all. For neither Rome, nor the present Roman Missal were built in a day. In that and the Breviaries did the whole Worship of the Church issue, at least in these parts of the World. No man is so fond as to suppose that they were of one entire composition, the Work of one Age, of one man, or any Assembly of men at the same time; unless they be so brutishly devout as to suppose that the Mass-book was brought from Heaven unto the Pope by an Angel, as the Alcoran was to Mahomet. It is evident indeed, that the common People, at least, of the Communion of the Papal Church, do believe it to be as much of a Divine Original, as the Scripture, and that on the same grounds of the proposal of it unto them as the only means of Divine Worship, by their Church. Hence is it unto them an Idol. But it is well enough known how from small Beginnings by various Accessions it increased unto its present Form and Station. And this Progress in the Reception of devised Forms of Prayer in the Worship of the Church, carried along with it sundry pernicious concomitants, which we may briefly consider.