miracles, and others of a like kind continued in the church that the state of things here described prevailed. Since those gifts have ceased, no one has the right to rise in the church under the impulse of his own mind to take part in its services. The general rule which the apostle lays down, applicable to all gifts alike, is that every thing should be done unto edifying. That is, that the edification of the church should be the object aimed at in the exercise of these gifts. It was not enough that a man felt himself the subject of a divine influence ; or that acting under it would be agreeable or even profitable to himself, he must sit in silence unless the exercise of his gift would benefit the brethren as a worshipping assembly.
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.
As to the use of the gift of tongues, the directions irere that only two or three having that gift should speak ; that they were not to speak together, but in succession ; and that one should interpret what the others said.
28. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church ; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
If neither the speaker himself, nor any other person present, have the gift of interpretation, the former was to keep silence in the churchy i. e. in the public assembly. And let him speak to himself and to God,, or, for himself, and for God. That is, let him commune silently with God m the exercise of his gift. As, according to Paul, all true worship is intelligent, it is evident that if in the exercise of the gift of tongues, there was communion with God, the understanding could not have been in abeyance. In that gift, not only the words, but also the thoughts and the accompanying emotion were communi- cated or excited by the Spirit. Those having that gift spake as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2, 4.
29. 30. Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the others judge. If (any thing) be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
The number of prophets who were to speak at any one
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