Animadversions on a treatise entitled Fiat lux, or, A guide in differences of religion,…Animadversions on a treatise intituled Fiat lux, or, A guide in differences of religion,…

But our Author foreseeing, that even those with whom he intends chiefly to deal, might possibly remember, that St. ⟨p. 357⟩Paul had long ago stated this case in 1 Cor. 14. he finds it necessary to cast a Blind before them, that if they will but fix their eyes upon it, and not be at the pains to turn to their Bibles, as it may be some will not, he may escape that sword, which he knows is in the way ready drawn against him; and therefore tells us, that if any yet will be obstinate, and which after so many good words spent in this business, he seems to marvel that they should, and object what the Apostle there writes against praying and prophesying in an unknown Tongue, he hath three Answers in a readiness for him; whereof the first is that doubty one last mentioned; namely, That the prayers, which the Apostle, when he was at Corinth, requested of the Romans for him, was to be in an unknown Tongue to them that lived at Corinth; when the only question is, whether they were in an unknown Tongue to them that lived at Rome, who were desired to join in those Supplications. Surely this Argument, that because we may pray for a man, when and where he knows not, and in a Tongue, which he understands ⟨p. 358⟩not, that therefore the worship of a Church, all assembled together in one place, all to join together in it unto the edification of that whole Society, may be performed in a Language unknown to them so assembled; is not of such cogency, as so suddenly to be called over again: wherefore letting that pass, he tells us, the design of the Apostle in that place, is, to prevent the abuse of spiritual gifts, which in those days men had received, and especially that of Tongues, which he lets them know, was liable to greater inconveniences, then the rest there mentioned by him. But what, I pray, if this be the design of the Apostle? doth it follow, that in the pursuit of this design, he teaches nothing concerning the use of an unknown Tongue in the worship of God? Could I promise my self, that every Reader did either retain in his memory what is there delivered by the Apostle, or would be at the pains on this occasion to read over the Chapter, I should have no need to add one word in this case more. For, What are the words of a poor weak man to those of the Holy Ghost speaking ⟨p. 359⟩