I. Directs them how they should sing and pray in public (
1 Cor. 14:15):
What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also. I will sing with the spirit, etc. He does not forbid their praying or singing under a divine
afflatus, or when they were inspired for this purpose, or had such a spiritual gift communicated to them; but he would have them perform both so as to be understood by others, that others might join with them. Note, Public worship should be performed so as to be understood.
II. He enforces the argument with several reasons.
1. That otherwise the unlearned could not say Amen to their prayers or thanksgivings, could not join in the worship, for they did not understand it,
1 Cor. 14:16. He who fills up or occupies the place of the unlearned, that is, as the ancients interpret it, the body of the people, who, in most Christian assemblies, are illiterate; how should they say
Amen to prayers in an unknown tongue? How should they declare their consent and concurrence? This is saying
Amen, So be it.
God grant the thing we have requested; or, We join in the confession that has been made of sin, and in the acknowledgment that has been made of divine mercies and favours. This is the import of saying
Amen. All should say
Amen inwardly; and it is not improper to testify this inward concurrence in public prayers and devotions, by an audible
Amen. The ancient Christians said
Amen aloud.
Vide Just. Mart.
apol. 2.
propè fin. Now, how should the people say
Amen to what they did not understand? Note, There can be no concurrence in those prayers that are not understood. The intention of public devotions is therefore entirely destroyed if they are performed in an unknown tongue. He who performs may pray well, and give thanks well, but not in that time and place, because others are not, cannot be, edified (
1 Cor. 14:17) by what they understand not.