A80626:117
A modest and clear answer to Mr. Ball's discourse of set forms of prayer.…A modest and cleer ansvver to Mr. Ball's discourse of set formes of prayer.…
A modest and clear answer to Mr. Ball's discourse of set forms of prayer. Written by the reverend and learned John Cotton, B.D. and teacher of the Church of Christ at Boston in New-England. Published for the benefit of those who desire satisfaction in that pointA modest and cleer ansvver to Mr. Ball's discourse of set formes of prayer. Written by the reverend and learned John Cotton, B.D. and teacher of the Church of Christ at Boston in New-England. Published for the benefit of those who desire satisfaction in that point
London: printed for H. Overton, 1642
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.
If it be said again, when I read Prayer and find some Petitions therein that suit well with my estate, I may not only then use them for my present Prayer, but may again and again ordinarily make use thereof in my own Prayers.
If it be said again, when I read Prayer and sind some Petitions therein that sute well with my estate, I may not only then use them for my present Prayer, but may again and again ordinarily make use thereof in my own Prayers.
Answ. We deny not that, but it is one thing to take up a Petition, or two, or more, and to insert them here and there into mine own Prayers, and another thing to take up a whole entire prayer, or form of prayer, and use it ordinarily as mine own; see the like in Preaching, I may make use of a sentence or two, or more, here and there out of another mans Sermon, and it may be inculcate the same again and again, in many Sermons together of my own; But I may not therefore take up a whole Sermon penned by another, and preach it for mine own, though it were never so fit for my Text, and for mine own Congregation.
Answ. We deny not that, but it is one thing to take up a Petition, or two, or more, and to insert them here and there into mine own Prayers, and another thing to take up a whole intire prayer, or form of prayer, and use it ordinarily as mine own; see the like in Preaching, I may make use of a sentence or two, or more, here and there out of another mans Sermon, and it may be inculcate the same again and again, in many Sermons together of my own; But I may not therefore take up a whole Sermon penned by another, and preach it for mine own, though it were never so fit for my Text, and for mine own Congregation.
Whence also another reason (and in our apprehension of just weight) may be alleged against the ordinary use of set forms of Prayers devised by others. If every Minister be to edify the Church by the dispensation of his own talents, and gifts, as well in prayer as in preaching: Then he may not pray another mans penned prayer, no more then preach another mans penned Sermon, but the former is true,