Answ. There are so few sober and serious christians that ever made a doubt of this, that I will not bestow many words to prove it.
1. That which is not forbidden is lawful. But church prayer without a premeditated or prescribed form of words is not forbidden (by God); therefore (as to God's laws) it is not unlawful.
2. To express holy desires understandingly, orderly, seriously, and in apt expressions, is lawful praying. But all this may be done without a set form of words; therefore to pray without a set form of words may be lawful.
3. The consent of the universal church, and the experience of godly men, are arguments so strong, as are not to be made light of.
4. To which Scripture instances may be added.
Quest. LXXVIII. Whether are set forms of words, or free praying without them, the better way? And what are the commodities and incommodities of each way?
Answ. I will first answer the latter question, because the former dependeth on it.
1. The commodities of a set form of words, and the discommodities of free praying, are these following.
1. In a time of dangerous heresy which hath infected the pastors, a set form of prescribed words tendeth to keep the church, and the consciences of the joiners, from such infection, offence, and guilt.
2. When ministers are so weak as to dishonour God's worship by their unapt, and slovenly, and unsound expressions, prescribed or set forms which are well composed, are some preservative and cure. When free praying leaveth the church under this inconvenience.