Wesley Corpus

REPLY. Cardinal Quignonius, at the instance of Pope Paul the Third, reformed the Breviary; and instead of legends, set Scriptures for the lessons. But Pope Pius Quintus, who afterward undertook to reform it also, pro hibited that of Quignonius, (Bulla Prefixa Breviar. Rom. Jussu Pii V. Edit.,) and instead of the Scriptures, placed legends again; and so it continues. Q. 30. In what language is their service performed? A. It is performed in all places among them in the Latin tongue, which is in no place vulgarly understood. Q. 31. Is the having the service in an unknown tongue enjoined in the Church of Rome? A. Yes: It is required that it should be celebrated in the Latin tongue; and whosoever shall say that it ought only to be administered in the vulgar tongue is accursed. (Concil. Trid., Sess. 23, c. 8, & Can. 9.) Hence, when of late years the Missal, or Mass-book, was translated into French, it was declared, by Pope Alexander the Seventh, to be a “seed plot of disobedience, rashness, and schism;” and he calls them that did it, “ sons of perdition; ” and doth “condemn, reprobate, and forbid” that Missal. REPLY. In divine worship, (as in all other actions,) the first thing to be considered is the end, and the next thing is the means conducing to that end. The end is the honour of God, and the edification of the Church; and then God is honoured, when the Church is edified. The means conducing to that end, are to have the service so administered as may inform the mind, engage the affections, and increase devotion: But that cannot be done, where the tongue it is celebrated in is not understood. Thus we are taught by the Apostle: “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men.” (1 Cor. xiv. 2.) “If I know not the meaning of the voice, he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.” (Verse 11.) “If thou shalt bless with the Spirit,” (by the gift of an unknown tongue,) “how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks?” (Verse 16.) How can the people be attentive to the lessons, answer at the responses, be devout in the prayers, profess their faith in the creeds, when they do not understand what is read, prayed, or professed ? Thus St.