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…

If thou bless, or give thanks with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned, say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? That is (saith Ambrose) if thou speak the praise of God in a tongue unknown to the hearers. For the unlearned, hearing that which he understandeth ⟨p. 287⟩not, knoweth not the end of the prayer, and answereth not Amen, which word is as much to say, as trueth, that the blessing or thanksgiving may be confirmed. For the confirmation of the prayer is fulfilled by them that do answer, Amen, that all things spoken, might be confirmed in the minds of the hearers, through the testimony of the trueth. And after many weighty words, to the same end, he saith: The conclusion is this, that nothing should be done in the Church in vain, and that this thing ought chiefly to be laboured for, that the unlearned also might take profit, least any part of the body should be dark through ignorance. And least any man should think all this to be meant of preaching, and not of prayer, he taketh occasion of these words of saint Paul (If there be not an interpreter, let him keep silence in the Church) to say, as followeth: Let him pray secretly, or speak to GOD, who heareth all things that be dumb: For in the Church must he speak that may profit all persons. Saint Hierome writing upon these words of saint Paul, Howe shall he that supplieth the ¹place of the unlearned. &c. saith, It is the lay man whom Paul understandeth here to be in the place of the ignorant man, which hath no ecclesiastical office: How shall he answer, Amen to the prayer that he understandeth not? And a little after, upon the words of saint Paul, For if I should pray in a tongue. &c. he saith thus, This is Pauls meaning: If any may speak in strange & unknown tongues, his mind is ⟨p. 288⟩made unfruitful, not to him self, but to the hearer: For whatsoever is spoken, he knoweth it not. Saint Augustine writing upon the. xviii Psalm, saith: What this should be we ought to understand, that we may sing with reason of ²man, and not with chattering of birds. For Owls, Popinjays, Ravens, Pies, and other such like birds are taught by men to prate they know not what: But to sing with understanding, is given by Gods holy will to the nature of man.