A Modest and Clear Answer to Mr Balls Set Forms of Prayer, Title page – To the reader
A MODEST AND Cleer Anſvver TO Mr. Ball's Diſcourſe OF Set Formes OF PRAYER. Written by the Reverend and Learned John Cotton, B. D. and Teacher of the Church of Chriſt at Boſton in New-England. Publiſhed for the Benefit of thoſe who deſire ſatisfaction in that Point.
LONDON; Printed for H. Overton in Popes-Head Alley.
To the Courteous Reader.
WE think it not meet, to fall a commending the Author of this work, who hath been ſo long precious in the hearts of all the Saints, and for his learning, pains and piety ſo famous in the Churches of Chriſt; that his own Works may praiſe him in the Gate, though we be ſilent. Neither ſhall we need (as uſually men do in their Epiſtles) to ſet gloſſes upon the work, thy ſelf (if thou weigheſt it with a ſerious and impartial ſpirit) we believe, will do it, and ſave us that labour. This only we ſay, thou wilt diſcern (as ſome other godly learned, who have peruſed it before alſo have done) ſuch a cleer judgement, dexterous aptneſs, and pithy plainneſſe in a moderate and brotherly ſtile in all his Anſwers, that thou wilt think thou ſeeſt the very ſpirit of the Author breathing in every page and line. Now, the Father of lights clear all our minds, that if his bleſſed will ſo be, we may think and judge, and ſpeak and write the ſame thing; And the God of all Grace warm our hearts with a love of ſuch truths as we doe know, that we may walk in the light and power thereof, to the praiſe of his Grace, till we all meet in one, and ſee him as he is, and ſo be filled with all the fulneſſe of God himſelf for evermore, Amen.
ADVERTISEMENTS UPON The Diſcourſe of ſet-forms of PRAYER.
YOur Preface touching the Definition, and nature of prayer, I inſiſt not upon; as not much material to the cleering of the Cauſe in hand: it is enough in this Caſe, to premiſe what prayer in Generall is, and what is lawfull prayer: Prayer (in generall, comprehending both lawfull and unlawfull) is the lifting up (or powring out) of the Deſires of the heart for Divine bleſſings; Divine I ſay, that is, for ſuch as God only can give, either for the nature, or kind of the thing given, or for the manner of giving.
Lawfull prayer, is a lifting up (or powring out) of the deſires of the heart unto God, for Divine bleſſings, according to his will in the name of Jeſus Christ, by the help of the Spirit of Grace.