Anonymous on Article XXIV: Of speaking in the Congregation in such a tongue as the people understandeth

should join in the Sense of the Words, as well as the Postures of Devotion; that we may appear before him as rational Servants , and unite our Hearts and Voices in the same, Amen. So likewise

you, except ye utter by the Tongue Moꝛds easy to be un-

derstood, how shall it be known what is spoken ? foz pe

Hall speak into the Air: As every one must be reputed to do,

who prays in a Tongue which he does not understand,and says Amen, or, So be it, to that which he knows not, and cannot tell the mean- ing of.

| Our Church declares against such unintelligible Supplications, say- ing in the Twenty Fourth Article: © It is a Thing plainly repug- &© nant to the Word of God, and the Custom of the Primitive „Church, to hive Publick Prayers in the Church, or to minister © the Sacraments, in a Tongue not understood .of the People. For « as for private Prayers, every one is at Liberty to pray in any Tongue which he understands, and God is ready to hear and an- * {wer : But for publick Devotions, tis fit they should be made in a Tongue, which all the People understand ; that every one in the * Congregation may consider what he asks, and join his Heart with * the Supplication“. Therefore,

I. To pray in Publick, or to administer the Sacraments in an un- known Tongue, is repugnant to the Word of God. II. *Tis repugnant and contrary to the Custom of the Primitive 8 „or the Practice of the Apostles and their Succes- lors. :

I. To pray in an unknown Tongue in Publick, is plainly repug- nant to the Word of God, or in direct Terms contrary to it. For according to Scripture, every Person that joins in Prayer, is oblig’d

to

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1% An EXPOSITION of the

Article to understand what he petitions for, that he may not make a vain

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XXIV. Oblation ; and should join his Heart and Affections with his Prayer, that he may beg for Mercy as God commands. But what

1 Cor. 14. 2,

— 7, 8,

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him that prays, they will appear Barbarians to one another.

Understanding can there be, when the Words are but unusual Sounds in theEars of the People; or what Affection can be discovered, when that which is petition’d for, is neither known to be good nor profitable, and the People have neither Understanding of, nor Affe- ction for the Prayer, that is thus offer’d in a Tongue unknown? And nevertheless it must pass for their Prayer, and they are repre- sented as tifing it, and calling upon God by it; that is, they pray when they know not that my do pray, and call upon God when they cannot tell what they call upon him for. But to shew you how plainly Scripture is against this, I must refer you to the x Cor. Chap. 14. which seems to be penn’d on Purpose by the Inspiration of the Holy Ghost, to shew and assure us, how improper it is to pray in an unknown Tongue, how unlawful and unprofitable : And that ought to be of more Force in the Conscience of a good and under- standing Christian, than all that can be alledg’d against it. When Publick Prayers are made, they ought to be for the Edification of all that hear them: © But he that speaketh in an unknown Tongue, speak- « eth not to Men, but to God”. They should not raise up an un- certain Sound, which the Hearers cannot apprehend, or fix a Ratio- nal Idea upon it: Except the Pipe or Harp give a Distinction in ce the Sound, how can it be known what 1s piped or harped? For if the Trumpet give an uncertain Sound, who shall prepare himself to the Battel”. And if there be such a Confusion of Sounds at Prayer, who can fix his Heart upon it, how shall it be known what

is spoken? For he that prays, © speaks into the Air ”. They should not amaze and distract the Hearers, and por their Thoughts upon Enquiry after that which is said : For if they do not understand

cc If <« know not the Voice, I shall be to him that speaketh a Barbari- c an, and he that speaketh shall be a Barbarian unto me”. So that if Prayer is in an unknown Tongue, there can be no Profit or Edi-

fication to the Hearers : They may kneel and stare upon him that

prays, and wonder at what he speaks, and a wy imagine by the Motion of his Lips, Hands and Eyes, that some such Duty as Prayer is performing; but cannot understand whether he that speaks

petitions for what they want, and humbly implores what they most desire. St. Paul tells us, that such Addresses to Heaven are fo sur- prizing, that 1f Strangers, who are unacquainted with this Wor-

| ship, should come into the Congregation, they would be apt to cen- sure the Auditory, as besides themselves.

If the whole Church be come to one Placs, and all speak with Tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say, ye are

mad ?

II. This is repugnant to the Custom of the Primitive Church, or the Apostles Practice. For the Gift of Tongues was conferred upon them,

Thirty Nine ARTICLES.

them, that they might be able to speak to the People, and pray with Article

them in their own Language, of what Denomination soever: And according as the Gospel succeeded in several Nations, the Languages that were natural to them , were employ’d in making Supplicati- ons and Prayers, and every Tongue did set forth the Glory of God;

not only the Latin, which is so much in Use amongst the Romans ;

but all other Tongues were taken up in Divine Praises, and in callin upon God for Mercy in Christ Jesus : As may be prov’d from the Manner of converting People to Christianity ; the Testimony of those that liv’d in the Primitive Times ; and the Concurrence of | some of the Roman Church, who being convinc’d by the Force of Truth, have yielded in this Point. 1. The Manner of converting People to Christianity makes it plain, that their Prayers were in a known Tongue. For God en- abled the Apostles to speak it, that they might discourse with them in their own Language, and pray to God for them in their own Tongue, that they might recommend the Reasons of Christianity, and dire& them to God through Jesus Christ for Mercy. This was the very Design, which God had in giving them the Use of Tongues, and the People they travell’d to might see , that this was the Rea- son why they spoke to them in their own Language, and propos’d the Gospel to their Understandings, in Words they were us’d to. For when they were converted, they had not a new Tongue given them, nor were they enabled to use another Language, diffe- rent from that they were brought up in. But the Gauls were per- mitted to use their own Tongue, the Germans theirs, and the Britains theirs also. For it was not necessary that they should speak otherwise than they did, because they were acquainted with the Go-

spel, and had forsaken their Idols : And as they changed not their

Language with their Religion, they must use it in their Prayers, and might join with him, who was miraculously enabled to speak it to them, when he call’d upon God the Father in their Behalf : Nay, they must of Necessity pray in their own Tongue, or not at all, un- less we can suppose, that he that converted them, prayed in a Tongue which they did not understand ; or was so vain as to call upon God in a Language they knew not, when he knew he was miraculously enabled to speak their own Language to them. One wou’d think that in common Prudence, such would chuse as well to pray with them in their own Language, as to convince them of the Truth of Christianity in it; it being as proper, as fit, and as necessary for their Converts, to know how to pray, as to understand how to believe, and to consider what was petition’d for, as what was done and suf- fer’d in their Behalf. And whenever those that were Instruments in converting them, departed , they, must of Necessity (being left to themselves) either pray in their own Language, or receive an In- spiration to pray in another, or not pray at all. So that the Manner of publishing the Gospel supposes, that every Tongue was sanctify’d

for Prayer, as well as Preaching; and that that Language was pro-

perest for publick Devotions, which might best serve the Design of Prayer, and turn most to the W 2h and Edification of the Peo-

ple:

XXIV.

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An EXPOSITION of the

A 1 Article XXIV. ASS

le: That as God pave the Gift of Tongues by Miracle, that all ations might come to the saving Knowledge of his Son: So after they had known him, they might employ their own natural Lan-

Ad. 2. 8. 11, guages in Prayers and Supplications before him. How hear we every the latter Parte Nan in our on Tongue, wherein wwe were born, — the wonderful

Works of God? 5

2. The Testimony of those that lived in those early Days assures us, that it was their Custom to pray in their own Language ; and in any Nation, the Tongue, how different soever from others, was sanctify’d to the Use of the Church. When St. Paul was amongst the as, he spoke Hebrew; and without doubt prayed with them in that Language: And when he was amongst the Grectans, he prayed with them in Greek; when he came to Rome, 1 mike no doubt but he spake Latin, when he prayed amongst them, and called upon God in Latin: And when Foseph of Arimathea came hither, He spake the Tongue of the Nation, and prayed with the Fritains in their own native Language. And so the rest of the Apostles, whatever People they came to; as they had the Language of that People given them, they spake it to them, and prayed to God in the same. This the very Nature of their Behaviour supposes, and the History of those Primitive Times makes good in Fact: For whereever there were any Converts made, we may be {ure they us’d

their own Tongue, and made their Supplications 1n 1t, as was found and known in all those Nations, in which the Gospel was enter-

tain’d, It being necessary, that those that speak in Publick , should speak (as St. Augristine says) to be understood. And what St. Ori-

gen declares, may pals for the Sense of the Primitive Times : © The

« Grecians ( says he) use the Greek Words in their Prayers; the

© Romans, Latin; and every one prays to God in his own Lan-

<« ouage ; and he that is Lord of every Language, hears that which « 15 petition’d in any Language. And as this is the Voice of the Primitive Times, 1t can be judged no other, than an Usurpation to thrust the Latin upon every Nation, as if their own Tongue was not as good to pray in, as it was before; or as if it was not as ac- ceptable to God, though never so barbarous, as the Latin. For if the Souls of the Barbarians may be sav’d, their Tongue is accepta-

dle to the Lord that bought them, when their Petitions come from

Plal. 150. 6.

the Heart, and unfeigned Lips. The Psalmist thought so, when he

said; Let every Thing that bath Breath, praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord. h EY : £8 3. Some of the Roman Communion concur with us, and give up this Point (being convinc’d by the Force of Truth), and ac- knowledge, that Publick Prayers in the Primitive Times were made in the Language understood by the People. Thus Lyra in his Com- ment upon 1 Cor. 14. 16. How shall he that is in the Room of

the Unlearned, say Amen ? That is, what do the simple and ig- ** norant People profit? Nothing, or very little, because they can- % not answer Amen to you, that act the Minister of the Church; for ce which Cause in the Primitive Church, the Benedictions, and the < rest of the Office was perform’d in the Vulgar Tongue. And * . up-

Thirty Nine ARTICLES.

upwards of 450 Years ago, the Council of Lateran decreed, That because in many Places , there was a mixed People of divers Lan- guages, the Bishops should provide Men, that might officiate accord- ing to their different Languages. Others might be produced, who confess the same : So mighty is Truth when attended to! And how- ever Latin 1s the Language in Repute in Roman Temples, 1 know no better way to convince you of the Unreasonableness of such Prayers which are not understood, than by attending to those in Conversation, who speak in a Language ye understand not. And if upon hearing of French, Dutch, or Welsh, ye remain as ignorant as if ye never had heard it, and are perfect Strangers to the meaning of it; ye must own, that Prayers in the same Languages would. be as impertinent and unprofitable, as in Conversation Discourse would be; and that it is next to mocking of God and imposing on the Peo-

ple, to propose such Petitions to be us’d, which turns Devotion into

meer Sound, Our Lord’s Words may be in this Case properly ap- plied ; Te Hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesie of you, saying, this People draweth nigh unto me with their Mouth, and honoureth me _ with their Lips; but their Heart is far from me. For when the Prayer 1s not understood, the Heart cannot be concern’d.

From this Explanation of the Article, we should bless God, that our Prayers are in our own Tongue ; that we ought to be devout in making of them; that we cannot be excus’d if we neglect them;

and that the more constant and fervent we are at them, the more

| likely are we to be the better Christians, and to be blessed in our

Deeds. 79 5 1 5 e

I. We have reason to bless God, that our Prayers are in our own Language, and our Bibles too. Our Church has taken care, that ye

may consider and understand before-hand, what ye are to offer to

Almighty God ; and that which is excepted against by some, is her

Commendation. For since Tongues are ceased, and immediate Im- pulses of the Spirit are laid aside, she has consulted the Wants of a People ; and in proper Forms. appointed such Prayers to be made,

which are agreeable to our present State, and proper for the Learned

and Unlearned, the Knowing and the Ignorant, to make together, And that every one may come hither with a Devout Heart, and Re1-

dy Mind, to pray with the Congregation, she allows you the Pray-

ers to peruse, puts the same into your Hands, causes them to be pro-

nounc’d with an Audible Voice, that all may joyn Hearts and Voi-

ces together, without any fear of Mistake, or Inadvertency. She leaves not the Minister to his own Invention, lest he should omit or

forget what is necessary, or entertain the Ear with Tautology and

Impertinence ; but presents her Supplications in proper Words, in an intelligible manner, that every one of us may pray with all Humili- ty, and beg of God with Earnestness for Acceptance. And as this is your Happiness, would ye pray as ye are directed, and as it ma

turn to your own and the Nation’s Good; so it will be your Fault, if ye negle& such fair Opportunities of calling upon God, and de- prive your selves of those Blessings which ye might thus petition for,

and obtain. The Words, I confess, are the same, and so are your

2 Wants

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Article XXIV. ARS

Eccles. 5. 2.

Eccles; 8. 1.

Wants and Weaknesses ; and the Variety of the Phrase can neither move the Divine Compassion the sooner, or relieve you. Your Savi- our who taught you to pray, has directed you to the same Words: And in his Agony he repeated the same Words. And if he who knew the Mind of his Heavenly Father, was satisfy’d, that the same Words in Prayer, urg’d again and again, were no Hindrance, but

rather a Furtherance to Devotion, we have the more Reason to use

the same Prayer, and to make it the common Prayer of the whole Nation. When we consider, how Mean and Vile we are, and how Tremendous the Majesty of Heaven 1s, we may well thank him, that such Prayers are prepar’d for our Use, which are proper for him to hear, and for us to present unto him in his Son’s Name. Be not rash with thy Mouth, and let not thy Heart be hasiy to utter any thing before God; for God is in Heaven, and thou upon Earth, therefore let thy Words be few. _ £2 5 8 2. We ought to be devout in making these Prayers, which are so well weighed, consider’d, and fitted for Publick Use. Prayer at any Time, and in any Place, ought to be perform’d with Reverence and Care ; but when we come together in the Lord’s House to make our Supplications before him, how ought we to compose our Minds

and Hearts, for True and Unfeigned Devotion? How should we |

prepare our selves at Home, that we may be attentive here ? And how should we apply our Thoughts, that we may fay Amen to eve- ry Petition from the very Soul? Were ye to observe the Devotion of Papists before their Altars and Images, when they do not under-

stand what is said, ye might blush at your own Heedlessness and In-

advertency, or condemn your own lazy Postures, and profane Be- haviour. They will be upon their Knees with an unwearied Zeal,

_ while their Latin Prayers are put up. But it is well with us, if a

few kneel, many stand, and too many fit and look on, as if they were not concern’d in the Petition. Let us rouse up from this heed- less Temper ; and as we know our Prayers are proper for us, let us summon up our best Attention; joyn our sincerest Affections; disco-

ver our heartiest Care, Zeal, and Consent, and pray as those that

must be forgiven or ruin’d, that must be heard or undone. If ye were to beg a Favour of a Prince, how Eager, Hearty, and Careful

would ye be? Know ye not, that here is present with you the

King of Kings, and Lord of Lords ? That ye are to beg of him for Life and Peace ? And will ye not compose your selves as in his

Eye, reverence his Presence, and pray to him in your Church’s Lan-

guage, with unfeigned Devotion and Humiliation, that he may hear, pity,and answer ? Keep thy Foot when thou poest to the House of God, and be more ready to hear than to give the Sacrifice of Fools; for they consider not that they do Evil. os N

3. Ye cannot be excus’d if ye negle& such Prayers, duly consi- der’d and compos d for your Use; for as ye want those Things, which such Prayers petition for, ye act against your own Safety and Peace, if ye despise and flight them ; ye cannot expe& to be sup-

ply’d, unless ye ask; and if ye will not ask, when the Prayers are

ready for you, whom can you blame but your selves ? If ye are not blessed

blessed in your Deeds, what can be. said in your Excuse, when ye Article stand without till the Prayers are over? Are ye willing to stand XXIV. without, when the Doors of the Kingdom may be shut against you > W2WWW W?W—W Or if ye would enter then, why will ye not enter in at the begin- ning, and pray as for a Kingdom ? Can a Sermon be better than Prayers, or Advice be more valuable than a Blessing? And will ye be so vain as to absent your selves till the time of Praying is over, and thrust your selves in when that Advice is given, that may show

you to pray, and which ye resolve to light ? If after this ye will despise your Prayers, the time may come when it will be too late to pray, though ye would. Afterwards came the other Virgins, saying, Nar.25.11,12. Lord, Lord, open to us: But he answer’d and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 5 4. The more constant and upright we are in our Devotions, the more likely we are to be heard, to be the better Christians, and to be blessed in our Deeds. Our Prayers will improve us more than Hearing; and as we call upon God, we shall be strengthen’d for his Service, and shall endeavour to please him in Newness of Life; we shall pray the more, and obey the more, and credit our Prayers by our Conversations. As then we have English Prayers, let us be De- vout and Constant at them; that what is our Advantage, may not be our Condemnation. In the Church I bad rather speak five Words 1 Cor. 14. 19. with my Understanding, that by my Voice I may teach ot hero, than ten E _ Thousand words in an unknown Tongue.

Thirty e ARTICLES.

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