The whole treatise of the cases of conscience distinguished into three bookes: the first whereof is revised and corrected in sundrie places, and the other two annexed. Taught and deliuered by M. W. Perkins in his holy-day lectures, carefully examined by his owne briefes, and now published together for the common good, by T. Pickering Bachelour of Diuinitie. Whereunto is adioyned a twofold table: one of the heads and number of the questions propounded and resolued; another of the principall texts of Scripture vvhich are either explaned, or vindicated from corrupt interpretation.

Sect. 3.

The third Circumstance, is the place. Where * 1.1 Question is made, In what place we must pray? Answ. In regard of conscience, holines,

and religion, all places are equal, and alike in the New Testament, since the comming of Christ. The house or the field, is as holy as the Church; And if we pray in either of them, our prayer is as acceptable to God, as that which is made in the Church. For now the daies are come, that were foretold by the Prophet, wherein. a cleane, offering should be offered to God in euery place. Mal. 1. 11. which Paul expo•…•…ds, 1. Tim. 2. 8. of pure and holy prai∣er, offened to God in euery place. To this purpose, Christ said to the woman of Sama∣ria, Ioh. 4. 25. that the tyme should come, when they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not worship in Ierusalem, or in Sama∣ria, but the true worshippers of God, should worship him in spirit and in truth, wheresoeuer it be.

Yet neuerthelesse, for order, decency, and quietnes sake, publicke prayer must be made in publicke places; as Churches and Chap∣pels, appointed for that vse. And priuate prai∣er, in priuate houses and clozets, Mat. 6. 5.

Now the opinion of the Papist is other∣wise: For he thinkes that in the new Testa∣mēt, hallowed Churches are more holy then other places are, or can be; and doe make the prayers offered to God in them, more ac∣ceptable to him then in any other; and here∣vpon they teach, that priuate men must pray in Churches, and priuate prayers must be made in Churches, if they will haue them heard. For proofe hereof, they alleadge the practise of some particular persons in the

Scriptures. Of Anna, who praied priuately in the temple, Luk. 2. 37. Of Dauid, who in his exile, desired greatly to haue recourse vnto the temple. And of Daniel, who is saide to looke out at the window, toward the tem∣ple, and pray. Dan. 6. 10.

Answ. These places are abused by the Po∣pish Church. For there is great difference betweene the temple at Ierusalem in the old Testament, and our Churches in the new. That was built by particular commandemēt from God: so were not our Churches. That was a type of the very body, and manhood of Christ. Heb. 9. 11. And of his misticall bo∣die, Col. 2. 7. Againe, the Arke in the temple was a pledge, and signification of the coue∣nant, a signe of gods presence, a pledge of his mercie, and that by his owne appoint∣ment: * 1.2 for it was his will there to answere his people: but the like cannot be shewed of our Churches or Chappells.

It will be saide, that the Sacrament is a signe of Gods presence, for in it God is pre∣sent after a sort. Ans. It is true, Christ is present in the Sacrament, but when? not al∣waies, but then onely when the Sacrament is administred. And the Administration bee∣ing once ended, Christ is no more present in the Elements of bread and wine. And in the very act of celebration, he is not carnally but spiritually present.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Place of prayer.
• * 1.2

  1. Sam. 7.