N00297:145
Some important truths concerning conversion, and the improving seasons of grace; as also about…
Some important truths concerning conversion, and the improving seasons of grace; as also about prayer in families, and in secret: delivered in several sermons; / by Increase Mather.
Boston: printed by Samuel Green for John Griffin, 1684
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.
Ans. 1. It is better for thee to make use of a form them 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 Luk. 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 ⟨p. 125⟩he may attain unto a Form of Prayer; and he had better make use of that, than to live without any Worship of God at all in his Family. But I am far from persuading you to take up with Forms.
Ans. 1. It is better for thee to make use of a form them 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 Luk. 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 ⟨p. 125⟩he may attain unto a Form of Prayer; and he had better make use of that, than 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,