Rome ruin'd by VVhite Hall, or, The papall crown demolisht

SECT. 10.

Obj. May not a wicked man make an extemporary prayer?

Ans. Though they can Hypocresse it, yet are not the children of God therefore to desist from that manner of expres∣sions, for it may as wel be argued, that because the Devil quo∣ted Scripture, that therefore none ought to doe the like to justi∣fie the truth.

By this then that hath been spoken, it doth fully appeare, that true prayer hath the spirit of prayer; and contrariwise, such prayers as are imposed by men (as are still in use, and ever wil be amongst carnall men) hath only the spirit of man, and not of God; for although they might be composed by such men, as 'tis* 1.1 likely had the Spirit of God, yet are they of no validity to a carnall man; and as for a Spirituall man, he hath no further need of them, then to read them (not as an imediate prayer, but as an help to him against he pray) and therefore a very right and sutable name is given to such sort of Prayers, by calling them, Common Prayers, as they doe that of the Liturgy, they being indeed common to all licentious fellowes, who are so accustomed unto them, as that their Priests can repeate them, although they are three quarters drunke, and yet think they pray gallantly.

Again, by these prayers the godly cannot be distinguished from the wicked, or reprobate, when as in truth the gift of prayer is a

maine cognizance to know a childe of God by, and by which they are stirred up to a greater fervency, zeale, and cheerfulnesse in praying, by perceiving the Holy Ghost to put such words into their mindes, as are sutable to their present necessity; but for the other sort of prayer, it cannot comfort at all, so then to conclude, the one doth so farre excell the other, as that it is a Prayer, and the other is not, as I have proved out of the Prophet Hosea▪ Chap. 7. 14.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The title common, fitly 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to such praye••s.