Shibboleth, or, Observations of severall errors in the last translations of the English & French Bibles together with many other received opinions in the Protestant churches, which being weighed in the ballance are found too light / written by John Despagne ... ; and translated into English by Robert Codrington ...

Of the word AMEN which the peo∣ple ought to pronounce at the end of publick prayers and Bene∣dictions.

EVery one doth know that it was the practise of the antient Church approved and recommended by the Apostles themselves, that the Pastor having pronounced a Benection, or a prayer, or the giving of thanks, all the Congregation, even those who were of the simplest people did make answer to him in saying Amen, 1 Cor. 14. 16.

It would be a folly to reply that they did not speak it, but in their hearts onely, or within their teeth. For, First, This Amen was spoken publickly to witness, that they did partake in that which the Pastor had pronounced. This Amen was spo∣ken to express that which they had in their hearts. How had they expressed it, if they had not spoken it but in

their hearts onely? Secondly, this custom which the people had to close such actions with an Amen, was the very same as was practised in the old Testament, by which it is appa∣rent, that this Amen was pronounced with a loud voice, 1 Chron. 16. 36. Nehem. 8. 6. Psalm 1. 16. 48. So in the first ages of the Christian Church, this Amen, when the Congregation was numerous, was heard afar off, as if it had been some clap of thunder, as the History doth inform us.

It is known that this custom by little and little, annihilating by the want of zeal, and coldness of the peo∣ple in the service of GOD, there was one substituted, who in their Names should answer Amen. And this is practised even in the English Church, since it hath renounced Popery. But because this Amen is not in the mouth of the people, it would be better to reduce our Churches to the Primitive and antient custom authorized by the Apostles themselves.

We who make a profession of an exact conformity or correspondence with the Primitive Church, where∣fore do we suppress, that which she so religiously hath observed in her Congregations, which is the pronoun∣cing of this Amen. What difficulty do the people find in it; what excuse can they make whereby they may be dispensed. Can it be objected that it would appear a novelty? Such a novelty is of great antiquity, and would be better than the continuation of a fault occasioned by coldness in the service of GOD.

In the Roman Church, where the publick service is spoken in a tongue, which the people understand not, they know not in reason where to give this acclamation of Amen. But why do our Congregations refuse this te∣stimony of approbation, unto that which they do understand, and to which they do consent?

Moreover (as it may so come to pass) if Idolaters should be found in

the Congregations of Christians, 1 Cor. 14. 23. 24. this Amen would serve to make a distinction of those who make a profession of Christianity, from those who being yet Pagans do not pronounce it. But in our Congre∣gations at this Day, the Orthodox do no more pronounce it, than do the I∣dolaters that are amongst them.