M. Harding. The .33. Division.M. Hardinge. The .33. Diuision.

M. Harding. The .33. Division.

M. Hardinge. The .33. Diuision.

Now, though the people know not the Latin tongue, and albeit it were better they had the Service in their own vulgar tongue, for the better understanding of it: yet as it is, for as much as 85¹ it consisteth in manner altogether of the Scriptures: that great profit cometh both to the reader and to the hearer of it, Origen showeth at large in the twentieth homily upon Joshua. Because it were over long to bring all that he saith there to this purpose, the sum of the whole may thus be abridged. First, that the heavenly powers, and Angels of God, which be within us, have great liking in our utterance of the words of the Scripture. Though we understand not the 86² words we utter with our mouth, yet those powers, saith he, understand them, and thereby be invited, and that with delight to help us. And speaking of the powers that be within us, to whom charge of our souls and bodies is committed, he saith, that if the Scriptures be read of us, they have pleasure therein, and be made the stronger toward taking heed to us, yea, and that if we speak with tongues, and our spirit pray, and our sense be without fruit. And there he allegeth to that purpose the common place of S. Paul to the Corinthians, calling it marvellous, and in manner a mystery, showing how the spirit prayeth, the sense being without fruit. After this, he declareth the evil powers and our ghostly enemy the Devil by our reading, and hearing of the Scriptures, to be driven from us. As by enchantments, saith he, Snakes be stayed from doing hurt with their venom, so if there be in us any Serpent of contrary power, or if any Snake wait privily to mischief us: by virtue of the holy Scripture rehearsed, (so that for weariness thou turn not away thy hearing) he is put away. S. Augustine³ confirmeth the same doctrine,⁴