N01348:98
A treatise I. Of faith. II. Twelve fundamental articles of Christian religion. III. A…
A treatise I. Of faith. II. Twelve fundamental articles of Christian religion. III. A doctrinal conclusion. IV. Questions and answers upon church-government. Taken from written copies long since delivered by the late Reverend Mr. John Cotton, teacher of the First Church in Boston, in New-England.
Boston: printed by Bartholemew Green?, 1713
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Part 4: Questions and Answers upon CHURCH-GOVERNMENT: By Mr. John Cotton. Begun 25.11 m. 1634.
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.
A. The Apostle exhorts first of all, All manner of Prayers be made for all men, for Kings, and all that are in Authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, in all Godliness, and Honesty, 1 Tim. 2 1, 2. & 4.4, 5.
Q. Whether are Forms of Public Prayer Devised & Ordained by men, an acceptable Service unto God?
Q. Whether are Forms of Publick Prayer Devised & Ordained by men, an acceptable Service unto God?
A. If such Forms of Prayer had been an Ordinance of the Lord, and an acceptable Service to him, doubtless Paul himself, or some of the Apostles would not have held back that part of God's Worship from the Church. Again, Public Prayer is a part of Public Ministry, as well as Prophesying, and the Form of the one, no more to be taught by the Precepts of men, than the other; & besides, both of them are alike, the Gift of the Holy Ghost, to whom it belongs as well to teach us what to Pray, as how to Pray: Nor will it well stand with the holy gesture of Prayer, which is to lift up the Eyes to Heaven, to cast down the ⟨p. 26⟩Eyes in Prayer upon a Book. 1 Cor. 4.15, 16. Rom. 8.26 Joh 17.1 Joh 11.41 Psal 123.1.
A. If such Forms of Prayer had been an Ordinance of the Lord, and an acceptable Service to him, doubtless Paul himself, or some of the Apostles would not have held back that part of God's Worship from the Church. Again, Publick Prayer is a part of Publick Ministry, as well as Prophesying, and the Form of the one, no more to be taught by the Precepts of men, than the other; & besides, both of them are alike, the Gift of the Holy Ghost, to whom it belongs as well to teach us what to Pray, as how to Pray: Nor will it well stand with the holy gesture of Prayer, which is to lift up the Eyes to Heaven, to cast down the