(23) If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? (24) But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: (25) And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. (26) How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, everyone of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. (27) If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. (28) But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. (29) Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. (30) If anything be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. (31) For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. (32) And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. (33) For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. (34) Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. (35) And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. (36) What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? (37) If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. (38) But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. (39) Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. (40) Let all things be done decently and in order.
I will only detain the Reader with a short observation, on what the Apostle hath here said, of a Gospel Church, and the conviction wrought by the Spirit of God, on the heart of a poor sinner, unexpectedly coming in, and beholding the Lord's people so assembled, and feeling the blessed influence of the Lord's grace upon his heart. What a lovely representation he hath made, of such a Church! And what an encouragement for the Lord's people to assemble! And who shall say, to what extent, such events are going on continually in life? Who shall calculate, the numbers savingly converted, under a preached Gospel, by God the Spirit, through the ministry of his blessed Word? The Apostle's description, of the secrets of the poor sinner's heart, being made manifest, and the falling down on his face, in open confession, of the Lord's word being armed with the Lord's power; are beautiful representations of the case. And, Reader! when you and I consider, that to this conviction of soul by the Holy Ghost, as the arrows of the Lord's quiver, in his sacred Word are directed, that all the Persons of the Godhead concur in the vast design : God the Father draws to Christ: John 6:44. God the Son draws to himself: John 12:32, and God the Spirit makes the Soul willing in the day of his power, Psalms 110:3 : what a wonderful work must it be in itself; and how vastly important in the sight of God? Reader! hath an effect like what the Apostle here described ever taken place in your heart? Have you felt, in the assembly of God's people; the word of the Lord, quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword? Heb 4:12; 2 Corinthians 10:5. It is very blessed, when the word of God is confirmed in the soul; and when, as the Apostle saith, in the mouth of two or three witnesses, every word is established : when God the Spirit himself; and by his word, works in the heart and conscience to the accomplishment of such striking effects, as are here described.