Answer to Giffords Defense of Read Prayers, Argument 1
The first Argument against read prayer, &c.
No Apocrypha must be brought into the publique assemblies: for there onlie GODS vvorde & liuely voyce of his owne graces must be hearde in the publique assemblies. But mens vvritings & the reading them ouer for prayer are Apocrypha, therfore may not be brought into the publique assemblies.
G. Gifford.
First touching the Proposition, No Apocrypha is to be brought into the publique assemblies: What can be more false? Apocrypha is opposed against Canonicall: If nothing may be brought into the publique assemblies but Canonicall Scripture, then the Sermons and prayers of Pastors are to be banished &c.
I. Greenvvood.
IN the answere of this / you will needes oppose against both Proposititions / and yet have nothing to say / if not to royle the doctrines deliuered with your feete / least others should drinke therof. The part of a wise man had beene to lay his hand on his mouth. In the first Proposition you would oppose the worde Apocrypha against the liuely voyce of Gods graces when you see I said onlie / that no Apocrypha might be brought into the publique assemblies. And furder to explane my minde / least you should willingly finde such a cauill / I added this reason for there only Gods worde & the liuely voyces of his graces are to be heard: Where I acknowledged those liuelie voyces to be Gods ordinance / yet nether to be called Apocrypha nor Canonicall. How can you say then I would hauehave these / or that these are banished / if all Apocrypha writings be banished the publique assemblies? Yet as I told you / I take Apocrypha to be all writings / but the Canonicall Authentique Scriptures. But (say you) then I will exclude the Paraphrases vponupon the Scriptures and the Psalmes in metre etc. Affirme you them to be Apocrypha as you do / and can do no other / and I will through Gods grace proue they ought not to be brougt into the publique assemblies. First / no mans writinghs are giuen to the Church by testimonie of Gods spirit / and we are onlie commaunded to heare what the spirith saith:Rev. 2 7.11 therfore though mens writings be permitted to be read priuatlie of them that will / and therupon called Apocrypha (that is hidden) they may not be brought into the publique assemblies. Secondly no mans writinhs are without errour and imperfections / therfore not to be brougt into the publique assēblies:1. Tim 3.15 The Church is the pillar of truth. Thirdlie the Church is builded vponupon the foundation of the Prophets and the Apostles Christ Iesus being the cheif corner stone / and not vponupon mēs writinges / Therfore mens writins may not be brougt into the publique assemblies.Other foundatiō can no man laye. &c. Ephes. 2.20. and 1. Cor. 3. Fourthlie if we might bring in anie mens writings into the publique assemblies / thē all mens writings which we iudge agreable to the Scriptures. But this is forbidden / Ecclesiastes 12.11.12. My proof of the first Proposition to this: If anie mens writings are to be brougt into the publique assemblies by Gods commaundement because they are agreable to the Scriptures / as you in an other place alleadge / then all that are thought agreable to the Scriptures ought of necessitie by the same commandement / and if ther be no commaundement / then none are to be make Authentique which God hath not made Authentique / For that were to set man in the place of God.Gallat 3.15 …ebr 2.3.4. and 9.14. Matt 5.18 2. Timot 3.15.16.17. rev 22.18.19▪ No mans writinges cary that maiestie / that the penne of the holy ghost. No mans writinges are Cecuromenai, Authentique, confirmed by signes and wonders from heauen / sealed by Christes blood / that not one worde or title shalbe vnfulfilled / The Scriptures are all sufficient. All men must walke by that one rule; To thinke ther were not rules ynoug prescribed by the Lord for his house were blasphemous and papisticall. Now for the explication / interpretatiō etc. and speach vntounto God in prayer: God hath giuen giftes vntounto men to pray and prophecye / and ordeyned his ministerye of Pastors / Teachers / whose liuely voice is appointed to be the mouth of God vntounto the people / and of his people vntounto himself / in the publique assemblies. And th…se graces are not Apocryphall, for no prophecie of the Scripture is of priuate interpretatiō idias epiluseos: to eueryevery one to giuē the manifestatiō of te spirit to proffit withal.2. Pet. 1.20 1. Cori 12.7. Most excellēt mē serue but their tyme in the publique assēblies. Now I may cōclude a I beganne.
That only Gods holy word & the liuely graces of his holy Spirit are to be heard & offred vp vntounto him in the publique assemblies.
Where then in way of answere to the Minor Proposition, you say you see not how our speach vntounto God should be Apocrypha: It answeareth not me / who deny an other mans writing to be our speach in prayer vntounto God But conuinceth your self by your owne mouth / thus: True prayer ys not Apocrypha, but all mens writings are Apocrypha; Therfore mēs writings is not true prayer. Here when you hauehave nothing to say for your self / you woulde make me belieue that I accōpt the Psalmes and the other formes of prayer in the Scripture to be Apocrypha when they be read / though a litle before you confessed / you had in your last writing donne me wrong therin. I do accōpt the reading of thē for praying / to be a grosse and superstitious abuse of thē / yet thē to be holie and canonical Scripture. And here you hauehave flatly ouerthrowē your self: saying the worde Apocrypha is vsed with vsus for that which is not Gods vndoubted worde vntounto vsus: And in your last writing / which should have beene your answere / you said / God speaketh to vsus only by the Canonicall Scriptures. Now seing you would make your liturgies ād deuised formes of prayer / helpes and instructiō / and yet cannot make them Canonical / or Gods vndoubted truth / they must not be brought into the publique assemblie / much lesse imposed by lawe vponupon the Consciences of all men. And here remember all your Liturgies are cast out of the doore: besides that / you have not made in both writinges one direct answere to this most firme Proposition: which I will still leaue vponupon you / thus.
Only the Canonicall Scriptures & liuely voice of Gods owne graces are to be brought into the publique assemblies for doctrine & prayer.
But mēs writings are neyther Canonicall Scripture nor the liuely voice of Gods graces in such as he hath appointed to speake in the publique assemblies.
Therfore no mans writings, may be brought into, nor imposed vponupon the publique assemblies.
Thus migt I make an ende with this vayne mā / considering the whole matter is proved against him / all that followe being but repetitions of these former cauills / but that I must cleare my self of his vnconscionable sclanders.