ST. ANDREWS, _Nov. 22, 1639_.
CCXC.--_To a Person unknown, anent Private Worship in time and place
of public._[413]
[413] From a copy among the Wodrow MSS., vol. xxix. 4to, No. 13.
REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,--I do not know a private worship, set and
intended, compatible with a public worship set and intended.
Ejaculations are fruits of public worship and breathings of the spirit
in public speaking, but they are _aliquid cultus publici, non cultus
publicus_ (something akin to public worship, but not public worship).
2. I know not a member in the kirk who should have a worship _in
specie_ (in kind) different from the worship of the whole kirk; and so
I do not see (saving better judgment) a lawfulness of private set
praying, when there is another set worship of praising, reading, etc.
3. I doubt if there should be any set worship in the kirk to which all
the hearers should not say Amen, even the rude and unbelievers (1 Cor.
xiv. 23-25). But to a private prayer, when the worship is public, who
can say Amen? 4. I think the people may all fall to their private
prayers and private reading, in time the minister preacheth, if he
fall to praying when they are praising or hearing the word read. 5. I
dare not say they have a Pharisee's mind who pray in public after a
private manner, and join not with the public service of the kirk. But
_in natura operis_ (in regard to the nature of the work), I think them
more pharisaical than the other case is Brownish.[414] 6. Brownism's
life is in separation; but the private supplicator, when the kirk is
praising and hearing the word read, in my weak judgment, is in the act
of separation; that I should not say,[415] they are ignorant of
Brownism, who object this to such as will not kneel in pulpit. 7.
Neither Scripture nor Act of our Assemblies doth allow this human
custom. I think they dare not be answerable to a General Assembly who
dare call on them to censure for a human and unorderly custom against
the word of God so directly. 8. If such as go not to private pulpit
prayer neglect private prayer before they come in public, they deserve
censure. Whatever hath been my practice before I examined this custom,
I purpose now no more to confound worships. And thus recommending you
to the grace of God, I rest,