A64635:332
Certain discourses, viz. of Babylon (Rev. 18. 4.) being the present See of Rome…
Certain discourses, viz. of Babylon (Rev. 18. 4.) being the present See of Rome (with a sermon of Bishop Beadles upon the same words) of laying on of hands (Heb. 6. 2.) to be an ordained ministry, of the old form of words in ordination, of a set form of prayer : each being the judgment of the late Arch-bishop of Armagh, and Primate of Ireland / published and enlarged by Nicholas Bernard ... : unto which is added a character of Bishop Bedel, and an answer to Mr. Pierces fifth letter concerning the late Primate.Certain discourses, viz. of Babylon (Rev. 18. 4.) being the present See of Rome (with a sermon of Bishop Bedels upon the same words) of laying on of hands (Heb. 6. 2.) to be an ordained ministry, of the old form of words in ordination, of a set form of prayer : each being the judgment of the late Arch-bishop of Armagh, and Primate of Ireland / published and enlarged by Nicholas Bernard ... : unto which is added a character of Bishop Bedel, and an answer to Mr. Pierces fifth letter concerning the late Primate.
London: printed for John Crook, 1659
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.
aMoreover, whereas in respect of the place and company, there be three sorts of prayer public in the Church, private in the family, and secret by a man self; greatest liberty may be taken in secret and solitary prayer, because we are sure (that if there be a believing, ⟨p. 323⟩humble, upright heart) God will not upbraid any man for his method, order, words, or utterance. Yet in private prayer we may not take so great a liberty,2 &c. and some well-affected, have been somewhat faulty and offensive in this behalf: weak and tender Christians, (such as commonly are in a family) are not so capable of that kind of prayer, which is called, conceived, or extemporate, varying every time in words and phrases, manner, and order, though the matter and substance be the same.3 But especially care must be had in the public congregation, that nothing be done in praying, preaching, or Administration of Sacraments, but that which is decent and orderly; because there, many eyes do see us, and many ears do hear us; and therefore it is expedient ⟨p. 324⟩(for the most part) to keep a constant form, both of matter and words, and yet without servile tying our selves to words and syllables, but using herein such liberty and freedom, as may stand with comeliness, &c. And so he proceeds thus to direct men, that though a Book may be used in private prayer, yet that it is much better to get their prayer by heart, commending the use of the Lords Prayer, and the variety of other forms of godly prayers in print, penned by foreign Divines, as our own countrymen; as Mr. Bradford that blessed Martyr, Master Deering, Mr. Hieron, and divers others yet living, whose printed prayers are nothing inferior to the former. And so because there ever have been, and still are many Babes in the Church of God, which ⟨p. 325⟩have need of milk, &c. and some of bad memories, and heavy spirits, &c. he frames divers forms of prayers to be used for Morning and Evening in case of sickness, for the Lords day, &c. Thus much very excellently, Mr. Egerton, approved by Doctor Gouge.