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

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.

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 pernitious concomitants, which we may briefly consider.