s sophism, a
mere pun.

Ib. p. 308.

Baxter's Exceptions to the Common Prayer Book.

1. Order requireth that we begin with reverent prayer to God for his
acceptance and assistance, which is not done.

Enunciation of God's invitations, and promises in God's own words, as in
the Common Prayer Book, much better.

2. That the Creed and Decalogue containing the faith, in which we
profess to assemble for God's worship, and the law which we have
broken by our sins, should go before the confession and Absolution;
or at least before the praises of the Church; which they do not.

Might have deserved consideration, if the people or the larger number
consisted of uninstructed 'catechumeni', or mere candidates for
Church-membership. But the object being, not the first teaching of the
Creed and Decalogue, but the lively reimpressing of the same, it is much
better as it is.

3. The Confession omitteth not only original sin, but all actual sin
as specified by the particular commandments violated, and almost
all the aggravations of those sins.... Whereas confession, being
the expression of repentance, should be more particular, as
repentance itself should be.

Grounded, on one of the grand errors of the whole Dissenting party,
namely, the confusion of public common prayer, praise, and instruction,
with domestic and even with private devotion. Our Confession is a
perfect model for Christian communities.

4. When we have craved help for God's prayers, before we come to them,
we abruptly put in the petition for speedy deliverance--('O God,
make speed to save us: O Lord make haste to help us',) without any
intimation of the danger that we desire deliverance from, and
without any other petition conjoined.

5. It is disorderly in the manner, to sing the Scripture in a plain
tune after the manner of reading.

6. ('The Lord be with you. And with thy spirit',) being petitions
for divine assistance, come in abruptly in the midst or near the
end of morning prayer: And ('Let us pray'.) is adjoined when we
were before in prayer.

Mouse-like squeak and nibble.

7. ('Lord have mercy upon us: Christ have mercy upon us: Lord have
mercy upon us'.) seemeth an affected tautology without any special
cause or order here; and the Lord's Prayer is annexed that was
before recited, and yet the next words are again but a repetition