PAP. We freely acknowledge that it is no wayes commanded by the Church, that the people should pray in a Language they understand not.
Answ. I perceive the Man is still upon his free acknowledgements; certainly if what he so often confesses not to have been the practice of the Primitive Church, and to be unwarrantable from her Example, were but abstracted, there would remain a very abrupt and narrow Faith for the Romanists to explain.
But he is too equivocal upon the word Church: If by it he would have us understand, the ancient Christian Church; it is true, that no Prayers were made in an unknown Tongue; for the Scriptures, of Divine Authority with her, expressly condemn it, as irregular, and unprofitable.
Let such keep silent said the Apostle Paul, I Cor. 14. 28. and Peter never contradicted him. But if by the Church, he understands the Roman, he is either careless of his own reputation (that whilst he makes the moral Law, the ninth head of his Confession, commits so great an error against it, as to obtrude a Lye) or else he trusts to our ignorance of her present practice; for that she is guilty in this particular, and the point defended too, I recommend the Reader to the following Authorities.
Pap. Nay, there is given them all possible incouragements, to encrease their Devotions, by ordaining and publishing most excellent Prayers, in vulgar Languages for their use. There is an express Command of our holy Mother the Church, in the Council of Trent, that Pastors in the time of Divine Service, should expound to the Peoples capacities, &c.
Answ. I shall return my Answer, in these four particulars.
2dly No thanks to the Romanists, that the people have any where so much priviledge, as at any time to understand what they say: For this is only owing to the Light of Reformation; for that having given a discovery of the gross darkness of Popish Practices, they were necessitated to move somewhat from their ancient Customs, which is no better then a lame excuse, made by a Thief caught in the Fact. Had their been no Luthers in Germany, nor Zwingleuffes in Switzerland, we could not expect, nor ever believe, that the Council of Trent would have allowed of that Liberty; when to cloud the people, and to lock up their understandings in the Popes Arcanum, is the Dianian project of his Conclave.
3dly Its worth our Observation, that those very Books of Devotion are never doctrinal; I mean explanatory of their Principles (those they hide) but filled with elegant Phrases, and rare Cuts of Imagry, suited to the affectionate Passions, and voluntary Humilities, of a sort of people, whose Judgment goes alwayes in the rear of their affections, and that make their Religion of Shews and Complements.
4ly But I deny that they have the Nature of Prayer in them, and therefore the People are almost as much to seek in their own Language, as a strange one. Prayer is the Gift of God; no man can be said to pray, who has not 1st A deep sence of his own Wants: 2d Of the Reasonableness of the Thing prayed for: 3d Enough of Faith to obtain: 4th A due Reverence of that God, to whom he makes his supplication; For the Prayers of the Wicked are an Abomination to the Lord, says the Divine Writ (or are no Prayers at all in a religious sence) But if these Books of Devotion were Prayers, then might the Wicked as well pray as the Righteous; for the Prayer is equally exposed to the use of both. 'Tis not words make the Prayer; wherefore said the Apostle, I will pray with the Spirit (there is the most essential part of Prayer, but
In short, We need the less wonder, at the unparrell'd villany, which reigns throughout the Papacy, when we consider how Cardinal a Practice it is, for the People not to understand how to be better: Their late Proselites forgot, or else never heard, how criminal it was to have an English Testament about One Hundred and Fifty Years since. But rather then not, the Papists will turn Half-Protestants, to fetch back Protestants to be whole Papists again. But such might deserve to be beg'd, had they but as much of Religion, as sometimes Fools use to have of Estate. What shall I say? They are fit to believe any thing, whose Debaucheries have hardened them against any belief: when Sin has banisht all Fear of God, Interest steps in its place; and that Religion, which most promotes it, must with such be the best, wherein the Papist, has only the advantage of all others upon Earth.
The Report of Antiquity, and their own Practice.
However in Protestant Countries, they are willing to bring their devotion into vulgar Languages; yet that its matter of necessity, and not of choice, view Italy, France, Spain &c. where they retain their Latine Service, as beneficial to the people, which is a Language that generally they understand not.
Origen was against it, lib. 8. cont. Cels. so Chrisost. Hom. I. in 8. Johan. August. de doct. Christi cap. 5. Ambross upon I Cor. 14. Thus also their own Doctors; Aquin. in I Cor 14. Cassander Liturg. cap. 18. so that they err from Scripture, Fathers, and their own Doctors.