Baxter - Houston-Packer Collection BX5151 .B3 1659

) are earryed as well as others, with the.flream of temptati- on. But thofe Prayers and other duties that dependupon their parts, require preparation, or at leaft force prevent care and di- ligence for the awakeningof their hearts, and excitation of their faculc es. Real. 4. But the principal danger of a conflant tefe of pre. rcribeelforms ,i.r,lefiz it /hould-le "t in an unworthyMìni/Pry into tPr c l.ureh. For though I had rather have as weak inifters as I before defcribed, then none ; yet it will be s ery dangerous . when fuch are tolerated becaufe of Neceflìty,lelt the negligence, of Ordaínersand Approvers will take advantage of this, and . pretend necefli -y where there is none, or hearken to them that come with fuch pretences, and-fo Undo the Church by an igno- rant infufficient Miniary ; fo hard is it for men to avoid one ex, creamwithout running into another. Now the utter prohibition . of tinted forms will prevent this, but not without an evil on the other fide. And th;refore to avoid the evils on both fides, me thinks it would be bell to let fuck forms be ufed, but unconitant- ly, unlefs by men that will lie under the difhonour of being able to dó nobetter. And that difhonor will hinder men fromweft lag in them, and the frequent exercife of other mens gifts, will. awaken them to their duty, and the neceffity of it will as well keep out infuffiic ent men as ifthere were no form at all. For an infu#ficient man canno more perform the work once a day without a form, then twicea day. I (hail add no more Rea fons, becaufe they that write againft forms of Prayer, though they run too far, have faid enough of the inconveniences. The motion that I make being for a voluntary and an uaconftant ufe ofchem,I mulct expel to meet with objeclion&:on both licks, which I (hall briefly anfwer. , Obje }p i. Ob;eét. r. Thofe that'are utterly againft forms ,will; y alai, I am openingunder pretence ofPeaceand Libertya wayto1 tin= an unlawfull worfhipanda lazy infufficient ci Minifiry To, ,whrela: Ianfw. 1. For them that take all forms tobe unlawfull, I think: them fitter for compafsion then difputes ,and judge their reefon to he as low as the Quakers that cry down the ufeof:bour! glafTes, and fermon-notes, and preaching on a Text ofScript um 2. And for the refit of the obje lion, its anfwered before;. The, ufe of a Liturgy in the way defcribed, will not more Coun testes:

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