The grand debate between the most reverend bishops and the Presbyterian divines appointed by…

describing the Christians public prayers saith [sine monitore, quia de pectore, oramus] [we pray without a Monitor or promptor, because we do it from the heart, or from our own breast,] And before him Just. Mart. Ap. 2. p. 77. saith, [Greek or Hebrew]. But if all these words seem not plain enough to some, it is no wonder when they rest not in the greater plainness of the holy Scriptures, where prayer is so frequently mentioned, as much of the employment of believers; and so many directions, encouragements and exhortations given about it: and yet no Liturgy or stinted forms, except the Lords prayer, is prescribed to them, or once made mention of, no man directed here to use such, no man exhorted to get him a Prayer book, or to read or learn it, or to beware that he add or diminish not: whereas the holy Scriptures that were then given to the Church, men are exhorted to read, and study, and meditate in, and discourse of, and make it their continual delight: and it's a wonder that David, that mentions it so oft in the 119. Psalm, doth never mention the Liturgy, or Common-Prayer-Book, if they had any: And that Solomon, when he dedicated the house of Prayer without a Prayer-book, would only beg of God, to hear [what Prayers, or what Supplication soever, shall be made ⟨p. 113⟩of any man, or of all the people of Israel, when every one shall know his own sore, and his own grief, and shall spread forth his hands in that house] 2 Chron. 6. 29. and that he giveth no hint of any Liturgy or form, so much as in those common Calamities; and talks of no other book then the knowledge of their own sores, and their own griefs: And in the Case of Psalms, or singing unto God; where it is certain, that they had a Liturgy or form, (as we have,) they are carefully collected, preserved, and delivered to us, as a choice part of the holy Scripture. And would it not have been so with the prayers? or would they have been altogether unmentioned, if they also had been there prescribed to, and used by, the Church, as the Psalms were? Would Christ and his Apostles, even where they were purposely giving rules for prayer, and correcting its abuse, as Matth. 6. 1 Cor. 14. &c. have never mentioned any forms but the Lord's Prayer, if they had appointed such, or desired such to be imposed, and observed? These things are incredible to us when we most impartially consider them.