Page:Latin prayers not fit for Irishmen.pdf/8

 practised; they confirmed almost every thing to which the Protestants had objected, and among other things, they pronounced a curse upon all those who should maintain or teach, that prayer ought not to be made in an unknown tongue. In defending this unscriptural custom, the Priests say, that St. Paul does not speak of ordinary and common public prayers, but of extraordinary spiritual songs, uttered by those who had miraculous gifts: we reply, that the Apostle mentions prayer, and with blessing, or giving of thanks, and it was as necessary for the people to understand the daily service, as the extraordinary effusions of inspired speakers. It is further said by them, that though St. Paul prefers prayer in a known tongue, he does not condemn the use of it in one that is unknown; but this is not true, for he does condemn the use of an unknown tongue, when he orders the speaker to be silent when there is no interpreter; and if it was true, why does not the Church of Rome adopt other model of worship which St. Paul thought the best? The