XVIII. ALL MANNER OF PRAYER.

IT is an ancient stratagem of Satan, (yet still he useth it, still men are cheated by it,) to set God’s ordinance at variance, as the disciples fell out amongst themselves, which of them should be the greatest. How hath the reader’s pew been clashed against the preacher’s pulpit, to the shaking almost of the whole church, whether that the word preached or read be most effectual 159to salvation. Also, whether the word preached or catechised be most useful. But no ordinance so abused as prayer. Prayer hath been set up against preaching, against catechising, against itself. Whether public or private, church or closet, set or extempore prayer be the best. See how St. Paul determines the controversy, πάσῃ προσευχῇ, with all manner of prayer (so the Geneva translation) and supplication in the spirit. [Ephes. vi. 18.] Preferring none, commending all lawful prayer to our practice.