{"number":99,"title":"What rule hath God given for our direction in Prayer?","part":null,"questions":[99],"paragraphs":[],"clauses":[],"items":[{"question":"What rule hath God given for our direction in Prayer?","answer":"The whole Word of God is of use to direct us in Prayer; but the special rule of Direction is that Form of Prayer which Christ taught his Disciples, commonly called the Lords Prayer.","segments":[{"text":"The whole Word of God is of use to direct us in Prayer; but the special rule of Direction is that Form of Prayer which Christ taught his Disciples, commonly called the Lords Prayer.","proofs":[],"refs":[],"note":null}],"items":[{"question":"What is generally useful for our direction in Prayer?","answer":"The whole Word of God.","segments":[{"text":"The whole Word of God.","proofs":[],"refs":[],"note":null}],"items":[]},{"question":"But have we not left us upon Record, some special rule for our direction in Prayer?","answer":"Yes, the Lords Prayer. Matth. 6. Luke 11.","segments":[{"text":"Yes, the Lords Prayer. Matth. 6. Luke 11.","proofs":[],"refs":[],"note":null}],"items":[]},{"question":"Why is that Form recorded in the Gospels, called the Lords Prayer?","answer":"Because the Lord Jesus taught it his Disciples. Luke 11. 1, 2.","segments":[{"text":"Because the Lord Jesus taught it his Disciples. Luke 11. 1, 2.","proofs":[],"refs":[],"note":null}],"items":[]},{"question":"Of what use is the Lords Prayer?","answer":"To direct us in Prayer.","segments":[{"text":"To direct us in Prayer.","proofs":[],"refs":[],"note":null}],"items":[]},{"question":"Is it only of use to direct us in Prayer?","answer":"No.","segments":[{"text":"No.","proofs":[],"refs":[],"note":null}],"items":[]},{"question":"Is not the saying the very words of the Lords Prayer commended unto us, if not commanded?","answer":"Yes, Luke [Chap. 11. 2.] hath it, When ye Pray, say, Our Father, &c.","segments":[{"text":"Yes, Luke [Chap. 11. 2.] hath it, When ye Pray, say, Our Father, &c.","proofs":[],"refs":[],"note":null}],"items":[]},{"question":"What kind of Forms may our Prayers be presented in?","answer":"Either in set or extemporary unprescribed Forms.","segments":[{"text":"Either in set or extemporary unprescribed Forms.","proofs":[],"refs":[],"note":null}],"items":[]},{"question":"Are set Forms of Prayer lawful?","answer":"Set Forms of Prayer are lawful, both as the word [Set] signifies premeditate limited Forms, as opposed to extemporary; and as it signifies prescribed, and for some occasions and uses commanded.","segments":[{"text":"Set Forms of Prayer are lawful, both as the word [Set] signifies premeditate limited Forms, as opposed to extemporary; and as it signifies prescribed, and for some occasions and uses commanded.","proofs":[],"refs":[],"note":null}],"items":[]},{"question":"How do you prove it lawful to use a set determinate Form of words, either written or fastened in our memory?","answer":"It is apparent both by the example of Christ, who in St. Luke bids us, when we pray, say, Our Father, &c. (Not only pray after this Pattern, as the words in St. Matthew may be interpreted, but use these very words, When you pray, say, Our Father, &c▪ Luke 11. 2.) and of Iohn Baptist, who taught his Disciples to pray in some Form, though we know not what it is, Luke 11. 1. As also of the Priests under the Law, by Gods appointment, that used a Set Form of blessing the People, Numb. 6. 24, &c. And of our Saviour himself, who used a a part (if not the whole) of the 22. Psalm upon the Cross, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me, &c. And of the Church of the Jews, and Christian Churches through all times, who have had their Liturgies, as waies and Forms of serving God publickly, and as means to preserve the true Religion from all corruptions in Doctrine. And to these Arguments may be aded one more of common observation, that even when the Minister (or whosoever is the mouth of the rest) prayeth, though in a Form of his own present extemporary effusion, yet at that time all others present are limited to his conceptions, and pray in as stinted a Form, as if what the Minister prays were read out of a Book, or dictated by his Memory.","segments":[{"text":"It is apparent both by the example of Christ, who in St. Luke bids us, when we pray, say, Our Father, &c. (Not only pray after this Pattern, as the words in St. Matthew may be interpreted, but use these very words, When you pray, say, Our Father, &c▪ Luke 11. 2.) and of Iohn Baptist, who taught his Disciples to pray in some Form, though we know not what it is, Luke 11. 1. As also of the Priests under the Law, by Gods appointment, that used a Set Form of blessing the People, Numb. 6. 24, &c. And of our Saviour himself, who used a a part (if not the whole) of the 22. Psalm upon the Cross, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me, &c. And of the Church of the Jews, and Christian Churches through all times, who have had their Liturgies, as waies and Forms of serving God publickly, and as means to preserve the true Religion from all corruptions in Doctrine. And to these Arguments may be aded one more of common observation, that even when the Minister (or whosoever is the mouth of the rest) prayeth, though in a Form of his own present extemporary effusion, yet at that time all others present are limited to his conceptions, and pray in as stinted a Form, as if what the Minister prays were read out of a Book, or dictated by his Memory.","proofs":[],"refs":[],"note":null}],"items":[]},{"question":"But how do you prove it lawful to use a Set (as that signifies a prescribed) Form of Prayer?","answer":"It is apparent, 1. By Christs prescribing one, which he would not sure have done, if it had not been lawful to have used it being prescribed; and so also, 2. By the other examples mentioned, which are most of them prescriptions. 3. By the no Objection against the use of them; For sure, if it be lawful to use them, it is lawful to prescribe them at some time, and for some uses, (for that a thing in it self acknowledged, and proved to be lawful, should by being commanded by lawful Authority become unlawful, is very unreasonable, unless lawful Magistrates be the only unlawful things) and at other times to use other liberty is not forbidden, and so hereby there is not any invasion or Tyranny used upon our Christian liberty. 4. By the great benefit that accrues to the Congregation in having discreet well formed Prayers, and so not subject to the temerity and impertinences of the sudden effusions; and the same still in constant use, and so not strange or new to them, but such as in which they may with understanding go along with the Minister, and by the help of their Memory the most ignorant may carry them away for his private use, and generally those that want such helps, are by this means afforded them. And lastly, by the consideration of this one special farther advantage of them, viz. that by means of prescribed Liturgies the Unity of Faith, and Charity is much preserved.","segments":[{"text":"It is apparent, 1. By Christs prescribing one, which he would not sure have done, if it had not been lawful to have used it being prescribed; and so also, 2. By the other examples mentioned, which are most of them prescriptions. 3. By the no Objection against the use of them; For sure, if it be lawful to use them, it is lawful to prescribe them at some time, and for some uses, (for that a thing in it self acknowledged, and proved to be lawful, should by being commanded by lawful Authority become unlawful, is very unreasonable, unless lawful Magistrates be the only unlawful things) and at other times to use other liberty is not forbidden, and so hereby there is not any invasion or Tyranny used upon our Christian liberty. 4. By the great benefit that accrues to the Congregation in having discreet well formed Prayers, and so not subject to the temerity and impertinences of the sudden effusions; and the same still in constant use, and so not strange or new to them, but such as in which they may with understanding go along with the Minister, and by the help of their Memory the most ignorant may carry them away for his private use, and generally those that want such helps, are by this means afforded them. And lastly, by the consideration of this one special farther advantage of them, viz. that by means of prescribed Liturgies the Unity of Faith, and Charity is much preserved.","proofs":[],"refs":[],"note":null}],"items":[]},{"question":"Well then, supposing these Set Forms to be lawful in themselves, and lawful to be prescribed; whether may any other be used but such?","answer":"Yea doubtless: For the Church being obeyed in the observance of the prescribed Liturgy in publick, permits sometimes (and upon special incidental occasions prescribes) other Forms in the publick Congregation, so it be done prudently, and piously, and reverently, and to Edification; and so also in the Family, or in visitation of the sick, if the particular condition of one or other do require it: and in private, in the Closet, it is not supposed by the Church of England but that every one may ask his own wants in what form of words he shall think fit; which that he may do fitly and reverently, it will not be amiss for him to acquaint himself with the several addresses to God, which the Book of Psalms, and other parts of holy Writ, and all other helps of devotion will afford him, either to use as he finds them fit for the present purpose, or by those patterns to direct and prepare himself to do the like.","segments":[{"text":"Yea doubtless: For the Church being obeyed in the observance of the prescribed Liturgy in publick, permits sometimes (and upon special incidental occasions prescribes) other Forms in the publick Congregation, so it be done prudently, and piously, and reverently, and to Edification; and so also in the Family, or in visitation of the sick, if the particular condition of one or other do require it: and in private, in the Closet, it is not supposed by the Church of England but that every one may ask his own wants in what form of words he shall think fit; which that he may do fitly and reverently, it will not be amiss for him to acquaint himself with the several addresses to God, which the Book of Psalms, and other parts of holy Writ, and all other helps of devotion will afford him, either to use as he finds them fit for the present purpose, or by those patterns to direct and prepare himself to do the like.","proofs":[],"refs":[],"note":"See H’s practical Catechism, p. 239."}],"items":[]}]}],"text":null}