Practical truths tending to promote the power of godliness

Ans. 1. It is better for thee to make use of a form then not to pray at all. I confess, I look upon it as sinful to make use of those Forms of Prayer which are taken out of the Popes Mass-Book, because in so doing men put too much honour upon an Idol. It is also true that the imposition of Forms of Prayer is unwarrantable; yet all use of Forms is not prohibited in the Scripture, witness the Form of Blessing therein expressed. Learned and Judicious Mr. Cartwright doth from Lu. 24. 35. conjecture, that ordinarily Christ used the same words in his Blessing at Meal times, with his Domestic Disciples. Now there is no man of ordinary understanding, but he may attain unto a Form of Prayer; and he had better make use of that, then to live without any worship of God at all in his Family. But I am far from persuading you to take up with Forms. Therefore,

Ans. 1. It is better for thee to make use of a form then not to pray at all. I confess, I look upon it as sinful to make use of those Forms of Prayer which are taken out of the Popes Mass-Book, because in so doing men put too much honour upon an Idol. It is also true that the imposition of Forms of Prayer is unwarrantable; yet all use of Forms is not prohibited in the Scripture, witness the Form of Blessing therein expressed. Learned and Judicious Mr. Cartwright doth from Lu. 24. 35. conjecture, that ordinarily Christ used the same words in his Blessing at Meal times, with his Domestick Disciples. Now there is no man of ordinary understanding, but he may attain unto a Form of Prayer; and he had better make use of that, then to live without any worship of God at all in his Family. But I am far from perswading you to take up with Forms. Therefore,

2. Practise, and that will make you able. As in other things practice maketh men ready and able; so it is in respect of the gift of prayer. ⟨p. 73⟩Some that when they began first to Pray, were able to make but poor work of it, by frequent practice have attained unto an excellent gift in Prayer. And there are some who complain they cannot Pray, whenas it is because they do not practise. If they would set upon practice, God would be with them. And O that I could prevail with those of you, that make this Objection against praying in your Families; to go home and make trial. I am persuaded that if you would but try, and set upon the practice of Family Prayer in earnest, the Lord God would be with you.