Issac Williams

Plain Sermons on the Latter Part of the Catechism Issac Williams

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1851 Excerpt: ... Lord 1." And we all remember how it occurs in the Psalms, " Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for everlasting; and let all the people say, Amen2." And further, that it was customary for the people thus to answer in the early Christian Churches, we find from an allusion to it in St. Paul's letter to the Corinthian Church. For in speaking of the necessity of all persons understanding the Psalms and Prayers that were offered up, he says, ' How shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest3?" And in the Revelation of St. John we are told, that when every creature worshipped Him that sat on the throne, and the Lamb, that the four beasts said. Amen Now we have seen that it is a positive command of God in the Old Testament, that " all the people" shall join in with the priests and Levites in saying, Amen. And St. Paul speaks of it as a part of Divine worship most necessary for every one: how shall the unlearned--i. e. common people in the Church--say Amen. For this he implies is quite indispensable for every one; and also that they should understand the Prayers, so as to be able to follow them with their thoughts and desires, and then to be able to say, Amen. And surely if it is commanded under the Old Testament that all should with one voice say Amen to the curses of God under the law, how much more should all, with one heart and voice, confirm the blessings of God given in the Gospel, by saying, Amen. That they should confirm to themselves, ensure, and receive all its assurances and promises in the Christian Church, by thus associating together, and saying Amen with the Prayers. This was, indeed, so much the case in the ancient Churches, before love a...