Baxter - BV649 B3 1670

Of :Ong out own Gifts. 185 thersgifts of inventingwords, before their own... And among us there is no man forbidden in the Pulptt to ufe his own gifts to the utmoft, andpray without any fet formof his own or other mens. And I would at ¡aft delire any of the Objectors but to name that text of Scripture which direaly or indirectly commandeth every Miniher, to ufe his gift of inventing words and method, or his gift oftxtemporaryprayer, every time that he prayeth to God Or which forbiddeth to ufe the gifts of others, though better than his own. Obj. But what if the forms imp?fed be ívorfe than the exercife ofour own gifts? e"infiv. Firfl, That may be below one mans own invention , which is above anothers. Secondly, And that may be more defeaive than your own invention could reach to, which yet may be more defirable for other advantages. As if all the Churches for forne good ends, fhould agree to to ufe one mode or method or form, (as now we do in finging Pfalms) the benefit of that concord might dó more to the Churches fervice than my fngular better form or words could do. And if the lawful Rulerscommanded me that which per- hap I could fomewhat exceed my felf , I ihoild do much in obedience tJ their command : Or if thepeople had a greater averfenefs or onfitnefs for my more congruous words than for others more feecive, I fhould take that for the belt food or playlick, which is molt agreeable to the fiornack and difcafe. Bat efpecially if I am reftrained from the publick preaching of theGofpel,or exer- cife of anyof my Minitiry,unlefslwill ufe a more difor --

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