Certain Observations, Section 22
SECTION. XXII.
HAving ſpoken touching their Ceremonies and communion with them. In the next place it remaineth to ſpeak of their prayers, wherin much is controverted.
For ſet form of prayer; wherin though I think them not unlawfull; yet for the Miniſter, I am perſwaded be ſins.
1 Becauſe experience ſhews that prayers conceived are more pertinent, and doe more affect then ſet form of prayers.
2 All might be more briefly and plainly done, for the profit of the Auditory.
3 It is a diſgrace to the Goſpell to borrow from Papiſts any of their Liturgies, as though we had not the ſpirit of God to help us in this, as well as in preaching.
4 It is the duty of the ſervant of God, to pray for the people, as well as teach them, and as he varies in the one, ſo ought he in the other, and exerciſe the gift of the Holy Ghoſt.
5 It is a dangerous ſtumbling block to many others to content them ſelues with a ſet form of prayer, and ſtriue for no more.
6 As the Lord in preaching for the good of his children, doth miniſter many things in the preſent, beſides our beſt meditations when we hauehave to our utmoſt endeavoured ourſelues; ſo in prayer, who knows but the Lord would affoord more plent full matters and affections to profit the people with all?
7 We hauehave no example in the new Teſtament for any preſcript Leiturgy.
8 Conceiving prayers, would expell our Idoll Miniſters, and ſtir up men with more affection and preparation to come thither, even Miniſters themſelues, and it would manifeſt the Miniſters care over his people (for the beſt triall of a Miniſter is by his prayers) wheras the contrary upholds an inſufficient Miniſtery, and makes the Miniſter ordinarily doe no more, then if amongſt heathens he were to read a Grammer lecture, and conſture ſome harſh barbarous Latine to his Country Auditors.
9 The Holy Ghoſt is given to help in prayer, as well as in any other part of the Miniſtery.
Obj. It is not required of a Miniſtery to be able to pray.
Anſw. This is ſuppoſed as he is a Chriſtian.
2 The man that can preach conſcionably for the moſt part hath gifts to pray.
Obj. Many cannot pray.
Anſw. Nor never ſtriue for it, having this glorious, but blaſphemous pretence, that theſe prayers of then ſelues, where there is nothing elſe are good ſerving of God. 2 That they are better then ſuch as are conceived by the aſſiſtance of the Holy Ghoſt.
Anſw. 2. There ought to be two in every Congregation, a Paſtor and Teacher, and if gifts were denyed to one, yet no doubt but the Lord would giuegive to the other.
Obj. 3. There would be many idle prayers offered up.
Anſw. This doth more corrupt, and is more dangerous for the manner the heart, (which is the chiefe thing in prayer aboue the matter) then this for the matter.
2 They would doubtleſſe, if there were the like ignorant and unconſcionable Miniſters that are now; but this Diſcipline would ſweep them away.
3 Men ſhould be admoniſhed for this, and if they did continue, then order to be taken with them.
Wherfore conſidering this, that many inconveniences come by this which we hauehave now, we deſire that there might be a conſultation how to reform in this, as well as there hath been in the preaching of the Word.
Now for the people, how farre they are forbidden to joyne in any unlawfull prayers.
Anſw. 1 Where unlawfull things are asked; either ſuch things as are not bleſſings, or ſuch things to be removed, as are not evill ſimply.
2 Wherin they profeſſe to aske without faith.
3 Wherin the people are to be their own mouths to the Lord.
4 Needleſſe and idle repetitions of the ſame thing and words after the Popiſh manner, as Oh Chriſt, Oh Lord &c.
5 To patch in prayers amongſt the commandements.
Grounds why we may not joyn in theſe, and the like.
1 That which the Miniſter offers from us to God, is ours; hee ſuſteyning all the peoples perſon.
2 All theſe are to take Gods name in vain, and men therby may bring a curſe rather then a bleſſing, if after knowledg and conſideration they ſhould doe it.
3 What an horrible thing is it, that there ſhould be ſuch prayers uſed in the publique worſhip of God, which men ſhould be abaſhed in private to offer unto God, not enduring the light and judgement of the Word.
4 Hereby we ſhall be able to anſwer all that is, or can be objected againſt any worſhip of God in the Churches of England.
Otherwiſe, vvhere no ſuch prayers are uſed, to joyn with a ſet form we hold not unlawfull, being performed by a true Miniſter.
1 Becauſe this is true prayer, to offer up lawfull requeſts, unto the true God in the name of Chriſt.
2 Some things may and ought to be aſked, being in all times neceſſary and for all perſons.
3 Therin the ſpirit of God may be exerciſed in us; in being ſtirred up to joyn with him.
4 This is his ſin meerely that is the Miniſter, if he doe not exerciſe his Miniſteriall gifts …n prayer beſides, as the Lord requires upon the preſent occaſion.
5 Therin is no evill done, onelyonly ſome good omitted, not all good, but the perfection and excellency of this good of prayer.
FINIS.
End of the text · Randal Bate, Certain Observations (1625)