Objection. THe Lords Prayer is o set forme of Prayer, there∣fore a set forme of prayer is lawfull?
Ans. The Lord is only to be worshipped in Spirit, and in Truth, and as concerning the Lords Prayer, it is only a forme to make our Prayers by, Mat. 6. 9. Again, all the circumstan∣ces in both the Evangelists, as Luk. 11. 1. 4. doth lead us thus to understand it, as namely, that Christ there sheweth the right manner how to use Prayer, as he doth for the right use of almes, and fasting, and to avoyd ambition, hypocrisie, babling, and the like; as also that we should come to God in prayer, as children doe unto their Parents, asking Bread, Fish, an Egge, or the like; that is, making our requests unto God according to our particu∣lar wants and necessities.
Again, no man can be so wilfull to doubt, that Christ did not unfold the meaning of this Prayer to his Apostles, and that they did truly understand his meaning therein, and did also carefully observe his commands; yet did they never binde themselves to these words, but prayed still as they had severall occasions accor∣ding to these rules, Act. 1. 24, 25. & 4. 24. Mat. 14. 30. 2 Cor. 12. 8. Eph. 3. 14. Phil. 1. 4. 10. 11. Rev. 12. 20.
Neither when they wrote unto others concerning Prayer, did ever teach them to say the Lords Prayer, which certainly they would have done if they had so taken the will, and appointment of Jesus Christ to have been; but it is evident that they taught them in their necessities and occasions, to shew their requests to God in all manner of Prayer and supplication in the Spirit, with giving of thankes, watching thereunto with all perseverance, being the will of God in Christ Jesus; as also it doth evidently appeare