The second tome of homilies of such matters as were promised, and entitled in…The second tome of homilees of such matters as were promised, and intituled in…

Thus could they not have done, if they had prayed in a strange tongue, that they had not understand. And no doubt of it, they did not all speak with several voices: but some one of them spake in the name of them all, & the rest giving diligent ear to his words, consented thereunto, and therefore it is said, that they lifted up their voice together. Saint Luke saith not, Their voices, as many: but, their voice, as one. That one voice therefore was in such language as they all understood, other wise they could not have lifted it up with the consent of their hearts. For no man can give consent of the thing he knoweth not. As touching the times before the coming of Christ, there was never man yet that would affirm, that either the people of God or other, had their prayers or administrations of sacraments, or sacrifices, in a tongue that they them selves understood not. As for the time since Christ, till that usurped power of Rome began to spread it self, and to enforce all the nations of Europe to have the Romish language in admiration, it appeareth by the consent of the most ancient & learned writers, that there was no strange or unknown tongue used in the congregations of Christians. Justin martyr, who lived about. 160. years after Christ, ¹saith thus of the administration of the Lords supper in his time, Upon the Sunday assembles are made, both of them that dwell in cities, and of them that dwell in the country also. Amongst whom, as much as may be, the writings of the apostles & prophets are read. Afterwards, when the reader ⟨p. 285⟩doth cease, the chief minister maketh an exhortation, exhorting them to follow so honest things. After this, we rise altogether and offer prayers, which being ended (as we have said) bread and wine and water are brought forth: Then the head minister offereth prayers & thanksgiving with all his power, & the people answer, Amen. These words with their circumstances being duly considered, do declare plainly, that not only the scriptures were read in a known tongue: but also that prayer was made in the same in the congregations of Justines time.

Thus coulde they not haue done, yf they had prayed in a straunge tongue, that they had not vnderstande. And no doubt of it, they dyd not all speake with seuerall voyces: but some one of them spake in the name of them all, & the rest geuing diligent eare to his wordes, consented therunto, and therefore it is sayd, that they lifted vp their voyce together. Saint Luke saith not, Their voices, as many: but, their voice, as one. That one voyce therefore was in suche language as they al vnderstood, other wyse they coulde not haue lifted it vp with the consent of their heartes. For no man can geue consent of the thing he knoweth not. As touching ye times before the comming of Christe, there was neuer man yet that would affirme, that eyther the people of God or other, had their prayers or administrations of sacraments, or sacrifices, in a tongue that they them selues vnderstood not. As for the time since Christe, tyll that vsurped power of Rome began to spreade it selfe, and to enforce al the nations of Europe to haue the Romishe language in admiration, it appeareth by ye consent of the most auncient & learned writers, that there was no straunge or vnknowen tongue vsed in the congregations of Christians. Instinus martyr, who liued about. 160. yeres after Christ,