Downame - BV209_D69_G6_1640_v1

Whether a fet firm of prayer may be ofid. CHAP. XXIII. of the qualitie of our fpeech in our prayer; .. and of the form which is to be ufed. A S touching the quality of our fpeech ; As we need not to be curious in refpeé of the ftyle, becaufe God looketh to the uprightneffe of the heart rather then the elegancie ofthe fpeech,fo muff we not be more careleffe& negligent for the manner of fpeech then we would be if we were to fpeak to any mortali man. And becaufe we are but too car- nall, let us make ufe of Malachi's rule, chap. i.8. of- fer it to thy Prince; that is, Let us examine our felves whether we be as carefull to fpeak unto the Lord as we would be unto a Prince : and herein alto let us Phew that reverence which we ow unto the Lord. The godly in the Scriptures have been very exqui- fite and accurate in thole prayers and Pfalmes which are recorded in the Scriptures. Concerning the form it may be demanded, Whe- Whether ther we may ufe a fet form of prayer : for that is fet form of prayer may denied by our Separatifas, infomuch that they be ufed. hold it unlawfull to pray in that let form which Chrift himfelf bath prefcribed.But they are plainly confuted by the words ofour Saviour, Luke When ye pray f y, our Father, &c. unleffe they wilt perfia in their contradiction againfl Chrift himfelf, forbidding us when we pray to fay, our Father. Betides that prayer of Chrift there are other let forms in the Scriptures prefcribed to be ufed in the Church of God. The whole book of the Pfalmes was penned and committed to Afaph and other mu- K 4 ficians,