M. Harding. The .35. Division.M. Hardinge. The .35. Diuision.

M. Harding. The .35. Division.

M. Hardinge. The .35. Diuision.

If our new Masters condemn the Latin Service in the Latin Church, for that the people understand it not, thereof must it follow, that the English Service, so much of it as consisteth of Davids Psalms, which is the most part, be also condemned. The like may be said of other Nations. For how many shall we find not of the people only, but also of the best learned men, that understand the meaning of them, in what tongue so ever they be set forth?¹ S. Hilary compareth the Book of Psalms to a heap of keys, that be to open the doors of every house of a great City, laid together. Among whom it is hard to find which key serveth which lock, and without the right key no door can be opened. S. Augustine likeneth the people of Africa singing the Psalms, which they understood not, to Ouzels, Popinjays, Ravens, Pies, and such other birds, which be taught to sound they know not what, and yet they understood the tongue they sang them in. And therefore he exhorteth them to learn the meaning of them at his preaching, ⟨p. 213⟩least they should singe not with humane reason,² (as it is before recited) but with voice only as birds do.

If our newe Maisters condemne the Latine Seruice in the Latine Churche, for that the people vnderstande it not, thereof must it folowe, that the Englishe Seruice, so muche of it as consisteth of Dauides Psaelmes, whiche is the moste parte, be also condemned. The like may be saide of other Nations. For howe many shal we finde not of the people onely, but also of the beste learned men, that vnderstande the meaninge of them, in what tongue so euer they be set foorthe?¹ S. Hilarie compareth the Booke of Psalmes to a heape of keyes, that be to open the doores of euery house of a greate Citie, layed togeather. Amonge whome it is harde to finde whiche keye serueth whiche locke, and without the righte keye no doore can be opened. S. Augustine likeneth the people of Aphrica singinge the Psalmes, whiche they vnderstoode not, to Owselles, Popiniayes, Rauens, Pies, and suche other byrdes, whiche be taught to sounde they knowe not what, and yet they vnderstoode the tonge they sange them in. And therefore he exhorteth them to learne the meaninge of them at his preachinge,