should and ought to sing And as we are not tied up by the Lord in Preaching to do no more than barely read the Scripture or quote one Scripture after another which would be rather Reading than Preaching but may use other Words to edify the Church provided they agree with or are congruous to the Word of Christ or the Sacred Scripture and yet we call that the Word of God which is preached and so indeed it is so when that which we sing is taken out of God's Word or is Scripture absolutely congruous truly and exactly agreeing thereunto it may as truly be called the Word of Christ as our Sermons are and may be so called Obj. But you add words to your Hymns that are not in the Text you refer to So we do in Preaching but if those words agree with the Text 't is still the same Word and may be opened thereby the better to the understandings of the People Besides let it be considered that we have not the Holy Scriptures in those words in which they were written by the Pen-Men of the Scripture for they wrote the Old Testament in Hebrew words and the New-Testament in Greek words Also the Translators differ much in words in giving the true sense of the Original so that this Objection is a mere contentious Cavâ—â— Moreover there are in our Bibles all Learned Men know a multitude of Suppliments or words added to make good the sense the Originals being too short to express it in our Language Now you may as well nay if not with more colour of reason say part of the Scripture is Human and not Divine as to call our Sacred Hymns so And so you may by the same Argument call our Sermons likewise 'T is evident as Mr. Barton observes in his Epistle to his Book of Hymns That Justin Martyr Tertullian and many others have signified the Primitive Church used not only David's Psalms but other Portions of Scripture to put in Songs for edification Hymns may as he saith be plainer than Psalms and more suitable to Gospel-occasions such in which Christians may truly say they do teach and admonish one another in such saith he as inculcate our Duties and reprove our Vices out of most piercing Passages of Holy-Scripture and such as may answer or suit with all Sermons and accommodate all Occurrences and are no Innovations but reduction to primitive Use and Order Remarkable is that passage in Eusebius concerning the Christians practice in singing of Hymns to Christ as to God Plinius Secundus to clear the Christians to Trajan adds this viz. Only that they held early Assemblies in Singing of Hymns to Christ as unto God Euseb lib. 3. cap. 33. Doubtless they were compiled by some among them out of the New-Testament as the Spirit of God might enable them in the same manner as they did and we do compile our Sermons and I see no other objection lies here against our Hymns than lies or may be made against our Doctrine Thus as to the general Direction the Holy Ghost has given about what we should sing viz. the Word of Christ But then Secondly we have particular Directions as to the Matter we ought to sing expressed in the Texts viz. Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs I know some do conclude that all these three allude to the Book of Psalms because these three are the Titles they say of Davids Psalms Though that were granted that some of David's Psalms are called Hymns and Songs yet I see no reason that all other spiritual Hymns and Songs should be excluded 1. Because we often find in the New-Testament the Psalms of David or Book of Psalms mentioned as comprehending all those Hymns and Songs contained therein without calling them the Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs of David see Luk. 20. 42. 24. 44. Act. 1. 20. Moreover this seems to exclude other Scripture-Songs that they themselves own may be sung as Moses's Deborah's Isaiah's Habakkâ—k's Simeon's Zachariah's Mary's c. However by Psalms we are assured is intended the Book of Psalms or those called the Psalmes of David because we read not in all the Scripture of any called Psalms but them only so that the Form of these are contained in God's Word I hope these will not be called Humanâ— The Holy Ghost hath enjoined the Singing of Psalms particularly and many of the Psalms of David are 't is evident pure Gospel i. e. Prophecies and Promises that relate or refer wholly unto Gospel-times and divers excellent Psalms there are that be filled full of the High Praises of God for Christ and the Blessings and Priviledges Christians receive by him tho I do not judg all the Psalms of David are so sutable to our days nor can be so properly sung as some others to the Edification of the Church But I do not find any Man giving any convincing Argument that no Hymns that are made out of God's Word or putting other Scripture-Songs as the Canticles c. into Verse or proper Measure to be sung are excluded in those words Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs I am of the same Mind with those Learned Men that Mr. Wilson in his Dictionary and others speak of that Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs comprehend all kinds of Spiritual Songs whereby the Faithful sing to the Glory of God and the Edification of the Church provided they are taken out of the Word of Christ Moreover I have met with a Piece written by a very Learned Man who after he hath given the Sense of some Men about the Titles of the Psalms and various Acceptation of the words Psalms Hymns and spiritual Songs speaks thus Yet I must tell you by the way that these words in the Hebrew do not make such a precise difference For Tehillim is the general Title of all the Psalms Mismor the particular Title of most Psalms as well as of the Psalms of Degrees Nor do the Greek Words make such a distinguishing difference for a Psalm is of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to sing and a Hymn of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to sing Praise And 〈◊〉 Odo called a spiritual Ode or Song by 〈◊〉 Translators is of the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so that it seems to me saith he that the Apostle useth many words to signify that all 〈◊〉 Singing should be of Divine Things and not vain things to glorify God and not to please our foolish Fancies But whether we distinguish the one way or the other 〈◊〉 see saith he the Apostles press the Duty of spiritual Singing whether of this kind or that viz. whether Psalms of David 〈◊〉 other spiritual Hymns whether called of Men of this Name or that Name in which Injunctions the Apostles are so clear that very few since the coming of Christ that I know of have made scruple of the thing and if any have of late they never mention these places as if either they did not remember them or could not answer them And to close this
of God in Jesus Christ Pardon of Sin Justification Union Communion Adoption c. No no here is the Spring of Joy and cause of true spiritual Singing and none can learn David's Psalms nor any other Scripture-Hymns or Songs thus to sing them but the 144000 none but such who have that new Name that new Nature can learn this Song as thus to sing it Rev. 14. 3. And let me tell you this Singing of the hundred and forty four thousand spoken of was under the Reign of Antichrist for the seven Angels with their seven Vials came out of the Temple afterwards who destroy Babylon Take what our late Annotators speak on the place The New Song here spoken of is probably the same with that we met with before chap. 5. 11. sang by the Voice of many Angels round about the Throne and the Beasts and the Elders called a new Song either for the excellency of it or because sung unto God after Christ was manifested in the Flesh The design of it was to declare the worthiness of Christ to receive Power and Riches and Wisdom and Strength and Honour and Blessing A new Song signifies a Song which praises God for new benefits received from him During the Reign of Antichrist none could learn this Song to give Power Riches Wisdom Strength Honour Glory and Blessing but a small number redeemed through the Blood of Christ Annot. on Rev. 14. 3. Secondly You say The singing of David's Psalms were suitable to all the rest of the Levitical Ceremonies and Temple-Worship pag. 12 13. Answ There is no doubt but the Singing of David's Psalms with Instruments of Musick was suited to the order of the Levites and to the Temple-worship What then must not we sing Psalms in the Gospel-days with Grace in our Hearts to the Lord We know no Psalms but David's Psalms or those called the Book of Psalms and the holy Ghost doth injoin the Gospel-Churches to sing Psalms as well as Hymns and spiritual Songs Will you take upon you to countermand God's holy Precept Will you say Very Tightly Bound we must not sing Psalms when the Churcheâ— are exhorted so to do Pray when you writâ— again tell us what Psalms they are the Holy Ghost there speaks of if not them or some oâ— them called the Psalms of David True all Types Shadows and Ceremonies are removed and done away but Singing thâ— Praise of God was no Ceremony but a Moraâ— Duty and performed by the Children of Israel before the Law of Shadows and Ceremonies was given forth Exod. 15. 1 2. You may 〈◊〉 well say Prayer was a Ceremony because theâ—â— were divers ceremonial Rites used in the performance of it particularly that of Incense 2. Did not Christ sing an Hymn after thâ— Supper Would he have left that as a Patteâ—â— to us and annexed it to such a pure Gospel-Ordinance had it been a Ceremony and only belonging to the Jewish Worship Or would the Apostle Paul have given by the Authority of the Holy Ghost such a Precept to thâ— Church of Coloss to sing Psalms c. whom 〈◊〉 strives so much to take off from Jewish Ritesâ— Days and Ceremonies Had singing of Psalmsâ— Hymns and spiritual Songs been a Jewish Ceremony he would not have done thus This is sufficient to convince any sober and unbiaâ—â—eâ— Person i. e. that Singing the Praises of God iâ— a Gospel-Duty and that it did not belong only to the Jews in the Days of the Old Testament But you contradict this your self foâ— afterwards you grant that the Saints when the extraordinary Gifts are given as you suppose they will in the thousand Years Reign you intimate then they shall sing as we do or else I know not what you mean How shall they use a legal and Typical Rite that only appertained to the Jews and Levites in that glorious state of the Church Doubtless their Singing of Old with musical Instruments was a Figure of that sweet spiritual Melody the Saints should make from a well-tuned gracious Heart and with united and melodious Tongues together in the Gospel-days as I have again and again shewed and this therefore is not mixing Law and Gospel together but continuing a Gospel-Ordinance in the Church that is of Gospel-Authority both from Precepts and Examples as I have proved in this Treatise so that I have answered your second and third and part of your fourth Thesis together Thirdly you say The matter of David's Psalms and other holy Men were suited to particular Occasions and Experiences and Accidents of that day as may be seen by divers of their Titles Some Prophecies of the Sufferings of Christ c. And some Places hard to be understood so improper to be sung by all the Church who can't sing them with Vnderstanding as well as justifying the singing Prayers as well as Praises Pag. 14. Answ Most of the Book of Psalms contains proper Instructions for most Occasions the People of God can find What was written afore Time the Apostle says was written for our Learning All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for Doctrine for Reproof for Correction and for Instruction in Righteousness 2 Tim. 3. 16. If all Scripture then the Book of the Psalms and for instruction by Singing them too because so required by the Holy Spirit Eph. 5. 19. Coloss 3. 16. May you not as well say they are of no use to us The Book of Psalms good Men look upon as the Heart of our Sacred Bible and as fruitful a Book for Saints in Gospel-times as any Book in the Old Testament but if there be any Psalms that can't so well be sung as some others God's People are at their liberty whether they will sing them or no however unless you can tell us there are others called Psalms besides these you say nothing for we are required to sing Psalms And as to those things contained in David's Psalms that are hard to be understood they may be opened to the People before they are sung As touching singing Prayers I have spoken to this already Though we are against humane Forms of Prayer yet the Singing of David's Psalms wherein there are some Prayers are of Divine Institution and therefore 't is lawful to sing Psalms and Hymns that have some Expressions Prayer-wife in them Our Brethren say praising of God in Prayer is Singing and indeed if they did not thus conclude I am perswaded they could not satisfy their Consciences to lie wholly short of this Duty and therefore in their sense singing of some part of Prayer is lawful or else Singing is something they do not as yet own nor can tell us what it is As to what you say in the fifth place p. 14. Object That David's Psalms were limited to the Levites Answ 'T is nothing to your purpose 't is rather an Argument for singing Psalms by the whole Church for the whole Church is that spiritual Priesthood to offer up spiritual Sacrifices acceptable to God by
that Men should go about to restrain or withhold Praises from the Lord which are due to his holy Name and wherein we are said to glorify him Psal 50. 23. I am perswaded they will have but little Thanks from him one day for their thus doing And truly that want of God's Presence or liveliness of Spirit or that cause of Complainings that are in our Churches of which you speak may partly arise from hence i. e. from the general neglect of this great Duty in which God of old appeared amongst his People like a cloud to fill his House with his glorious Presence 2 Chron. 5. 13. owned also by God's gracious Testimony in giving his People 〈…〉 such eminent Victories over their Enemies 2 Chron. 20. 21 22. And when they had consulted with the People and appointed Singers unto the Lord that they should praise the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness they went out before the Army and to say Praise the Lord for 〈◊〉 Mercy endureth for ever And when they began to sing and to praise the Lord set Ambushments against the Children of Ammon Moab and Mount Seir which came against Judah and they were smitten Israel's Success saith Mr. Wells follows Israel's Singing If the Lord's People will be found in their Duty they shall not want God's Presence To this I might add that glorious witness of his Presence in delivering Paul and Silas out of Prison upon their Praying and Singing Praises to him Act. 16. There may 't is true be a natural Joy or false Rapture by an erring Spirit but that Joy and Presence of God we meet with in his own Way and Ordinance nay in the same Ordinance in which he met with his People of old we may be sure is to be prized and esteemed as no natural or counterfeit Joy say you what you please If in singing Psalms Hymns c. there is no other Rule or Directions given in the New Testament differing from the Practice of the Saints before the Law under the Law and in Gospel-days performed by Christ and his Disciples Then no Christian has cause in the least to doubt but so we are to sing since 't is a Duty and injoyned on the Churches in the New Testament Ephes 5. 19. Col. 3. 16. But this I have spoken largely to already likewise See Chap. 9. In Pag. 47. of your Book you say As to Forms of Prayer and Singing you have sufficiently treated of them before and that the sufficient Gifts of the Spirit shall continue for the Worship of God in the Gospel-Church to the end of the World and therefore your Business here you say is only to shew that the using a Form of Preaching is no Example for a Form of Singing Because say you there is reason for a Form of Preaching from God's Word and Example of Christ himself who read a Text and then preached from it though as he was not so others are not limited to that or any particular Forms yet it is lawful for them and required of them to compare Spiritual Things with Spiritual and to give themselves to reading and meditation and to hold fast the form of sound Words rightly dividing the Word of Truth So that where the Scripture gives us a liberty we may use it but it is our Sin to take it where it is forbidden as you say you have shewed in a form of Prayer and Singing Answ In vain is all this for all the Saints and Ministers of Christ in all the World know there is no one form of Preaching laid down in all the Scripture We have no direct Precept nor Example to preach in the form of taking a Text of Scripture and to raise a Doctrine from it and then Generals and Particulars with Application 't is left to the faithful Servants of God to make use of such a Form or Manner as the Spirit of God may help them to and the best Form or Method they ought and do make use of which they judg may most tend to the profit of the People That place you mention of our Saviour taking a Text and then preaching from it is scarcely true however 't is a greater proof for a Form of Reading the Scripture in our Publick Assemblies than for taking a Text to preach from it The Text saith He went into the Synagogue of the Jews on the Sabbath-day and stood up to read Aud there was delivered to him the Book of the Prophet Isaias and when he had opened the Book he found the place where it was written The Spirit of the Lord is upon me c. Luk. 4. 17 18. And he closed the Book so do not we and gave it again to the Minister vers 20. And began to say unto them This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your Ears vers 21. We read of no more he spake unto them from that Scripture And as touching those general Directions you mention of comparing spiritual Things with Spiritual c. 1 Cor. 2. 13. the Apostle doth not prescribe a Form of Preaching but shews as our Annotators observe how they did disclaim those Orations of the Athenian Philosophers using a plain and spiritual Stile giving the naked Truths of God without any paint of gawdery Phrase speaking the Oracles of God as the Oracles of God fitting Spiritual Things to Spiritual Persons or opening one Scripture by another But certain it is they preached by an Immediate and extraordinary Spirit or Inspiration And so do not we but by an ordinary Spirit from the mediate Word and therefore must study and are left to use what Method we think may be as I said before most profitable for the Edification of the People so that although the Matter of our Sermons are God's Word and so Divine and Sacred yet the Form or Method you may as well call Formal and Human as so to call our Sacred Hymns c. God hath graciously owned nevertheless this form of Preaching and daily doth for the conversion of many Sinners and so he doth our way of Singing to the comforting and refreshing the Souls of many Saints We have matter to be sung plainly expressed viz. the Word of Christ in Psalms and they are well known and also Hymns and Spiritual Songs which are also easily known by such who are Spiritual whether they be the Sacred Word of Christ as to the Matter of them or not as it may be known that the Doctrine is so which we hear preached As touching David's Psalms they are formally God's Word as well as materially so and since we are exhorted to sing Hymns and Spiritual Songs I ask whether those Hymns and Spiritual Songs could be without a Form either immediately or mediately precomposed by the Spirit and whether the Spirit of God doth not may not assist God's Servants now in precomposed Hymns as he did of old Object But may be you will say They are not in Metre in the Scripture but other words are added to make them fit to be
THE Breach Repaired in God's Worship OR Singing of PSALMS HYMNS and Spiritual Songs proved to be an Holy Ordinance of JESUS CHRIST With an Answer to all Objections AS ALSO An Examination of Mr. ISAAC MARLOW'S two Papers one called A Discourse against Singing c. the other An Appendix Wherein his Arguments and Cavils are detected and refuted BY BENJAMIN KEACH Preacher of God's Word and Pastor of the Church of Christ meeting on Horselydown Southwark Job 6. 25. How forcible are right words but what doth your arguing reprove Isa 52. 8. Thy Watchmen shall lift up the Voice with the Voice together shall they sing London Printed for the Author and sold by John Hancock in Castle-Alley on the West side of the Royal-Exchange and by the Author at his House near Horselydown in Southwark 16â—â— THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY TO ALL THE Baptized Congregations In England and Wales Who are in God the Father and in our Lord Jesus Christ Grace Mercy and Peace be multiplied Particularly to the Church of Christ meeting on Horslydown Holy and Beloved IT cannot but rejoice my Soul when I consider of the exceeding Grace and abounding Goodness of the Holy God towards you his poor and despised Churcâ— and People in respect of that clear Discovery he hath given you of most of the glorious Truths of the Gospel and of the true Apostolical Faith and Practice thereof You have not made Men General Councils nor Synods your Rule but God's Holy Wâ—â—d your Constitution Faith and Discipline is directly according to the Primitive Pattern God hath made you in a most eminent manner to be the Builders of the old Wastes and Raisers up of the former Desolations and Repairers of the waste Cities the Desolations of many Generations Isa 61. 4. You have laboured to sever the Gold from the Dross and to build with proper and fit Gospel-Meterials viz. Spiritual and Lâ—â—â—ing Stones well hewed and squared by the Hammer of God's Word and Spirit and will not take one Stone of Babylon for a Corner you will go forth as far as you have received Light by the Footsteps of the Flock and feed your Kids beside the Shepherds Tents Cant. 1. 8. And God of a small People hath graciously made you a Multitude you have been helped and so born up by everlasting Arms that you have held fast your Holy Profession in the Day of Trial and exposed all that you have had in the World to spoil and loss for the sake of Jesus Christ when many turned their Backs and exposed the Holy Name of God to Reproach and to our further Joy many of you have of late more especially in your General Assemblies shewed your great Zeal for the Name of God and Care of his Church in a more than usual manner and particularly you have endeavoured to revive our hopes for the continuation of a faithful and laborious Ministry for the time to come by striving to promote such Learning and Studies as God's Word directs to and not require like Israel's Task-Masters poor Ministers as I may so say to make Brick and allow them no Straw but you do now more fully see that Gospel-Ministers ought to have a Gospel-Maintenance even such as God hath ordained that so they might not be intangled with the Affairs of thâ—â— Life but wholly give themselves up to that great Work they are called to Go on and prosper Holy and Beloved Let not your Hands be weak nor Satan obstruct or hinder so hopeful a Beginning let it appear you do love Jesus Christ more than Father or Mother more than Son or Daughter and labour to reform what is amiss as to those great Evils that abound too much in the Churches of the Saints tho I hope not so much amongst you as among some others particularly in respect of Pride and Covetousness or that base Worldly and Earthly Spirit that is the Bane of Religion and makes the Lor'd People of so ill a savour in the World let your Lives declare whose you are and to what Countrey you belong and as you have a good Doctrine so labour for a suitable Conversation and then Brethren what can or will be wanting to make you compleat in the whole Will of 〈◊〉 Truly according to my small Light I know not unless it be a restoration of this lost and neglected Ordinance of Singing Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs which I fear and partly understand some of you want light in I have therefore made bold to dedicate this small Treatise to you all hoping you will take it from me in good part and well weigh what is here said before you judg and condemn it for an Errour I am afraid of some old Prejudice some of you have taken against this Sacred Truth of the Gospel for so I must call it you can't think you have as yet come to a full attainment or are already perfect in Knowledg Besides I hear you generally own Singing of Psalms c. an Ordinance of God and indeed I cannot see how any who own the Bible and New Tastament of Christ to be their Rule can deny it Why then consider whether you have this Ordinance at all or can be said to sing in any proper Sense Certainly many of you are wholly without it as will I hope appear fully if you read this Treatise quite through impartially Can â—t be thought the Churches should be enjoined by the Holy Ghost to sing Psalms and Hymns and yet there 's no coming at the practise of itâ— without an extraordinary Spirit or miraculous Gifts I have been provoked by our Brother who wrote against Singing to set Pen to Paper and not only by him and his Book but I have been induced by Multitudes for several Months to give him an Answer so that I hope you will not be offended with me in what I have done I have much Peace in the doing of it and truly Brethren the loss of this Ordinance doth I am afraid more obstruct the increase of our Churches than many are aware of What a Multitude are convinced of Christ's true Baptism and yet refuse to have Communion with our Churches when baptized because they say if they â—hould they must lose this Ordinance of â—inging which they have an equal Esteem â—or And how doth it open the Mouths of â—ur Godly Brethren of other Perswasions â—o speak against us for being so zealous for â—ne Gospel-Ordinance and so careless about â—nother that very few Christians who have â—ad the greatest Light Zeal and Piety in â—ny Age of the Church ever doubted of 〈◊〉 grieves me to think there should be a â—reach made in God's Worship among you â—o whom God hath given so much Light in other Cases And O that what is here said might through the Blessing of God prove a Means to repair it In a Word Singing is injoyned Some â—hing it is If we have it not but 't is with â—ou we would willingly know what your Singing is or what you call Singing
Satan the World c. This is the chief Song we should sing and this we have perpetual cause or â—easong to sing But to returm it appears the Saints did celebrate the Praise of God by singing before the Law was given forth on Mount Sinai And then Secondly under the Law are a multitude of Instances of their Melodious Singing to God Moses as Mr. Wells observes penn'd the ninetieth Psalm and no doubt 〈◊〉 he and the Children of Israel sang it Dâ—vid and all the Lord's People sang in 〈◊〉 Worship of God in his time Also Hezekâ—â— sung and Asaph sung 2 Chron. 37. 30. 〈◊〉 Prophets sang the Jews sang before and 〈◊〉 the Captivity Nehemiah and the People 〈◊〉 him sung and praised God Thirdly The Lord's People in Gospel days were found in this Ordinance 〈◊〉 Practice of Singing the Praises of the Loâ—â— To pass by the Song of Zacharias and Elizabeth and Simeon How sweetly did 〈◊〉 sing 't is called by the Annotators the famoâ—â— Song of the blessed Virgin Luk. 1. 46. Alâ—â—â— our Lord Jesus with his Disciples after 〈◊〉 celebration of the Holy Supper the holy Ghâ—â— saith sung an Hymn they praised God 〈◊〉 they praised him by Singing Moreover 〈◊〉 and Silas sung Praises tho in Prison and 〈◊〉 Feâ— were fast in the Stocks Act. 16. Shâ—â— any Men now dare to say There are no Pâ—â—cedents for Singing Psalms and Hymns c. 〈◊〉 the New Testament certainly they will forbâ—â— to assert any such thing And now from 〈◊〉 whole take this Argument Arg. 4. That which was the Practice of 〈◊〉 Lord's People before the Law and under 〈◊〉 Law and also in the Gospel-Dispensation is 〈◊〉 indispensible Duty of the Saints and People 〈◊〉 God to practise in all Ages But Singing 〈◊〉 Praises of the Lord was the Duty of the Lord 〈◊〉 People before the Law and under the Lâ—â—nd also in the Gospel-time and Dispensation Ergo. 'T is the indispensible Duty of the Saints to â—â—actise singing the Praises of God in all Ages If any should go about to answer this Argument they must shew what Duty or Ordinance was ever practis'd before the Law under the Law and in the Gospel-Dispensation that notwithstanding is not obliging or binding to â—s or else they will say nothing to the purâ—ose but the Argument will stand as firm as Rock CHAP. V. Proving Singing of Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs an Holy Ordinance of Jesus Christ from Scripture-Precepts WE shall now prove and demonstrate that Singing of the Praises of God not only in Private but also in Congregations is a Duty incumbent on us in Gospel-Times as well as it was of Old As there is the same God of Mercies so the same Praises are to be rendered to him for his Blessings no doubt and in the same manner now that is by Singing as was then will appear 1. Because the Lord who alone appoints his own Worship hath commanded and 〈◊〉 it at our Hands and his Command and Pâ—â—cept is the Rule of our Obedience Rejoice 〈◊〉 Righteous Praise is comely for the Vprigâ—â— Praise the Lord sing unto him Psal 84 1 〈◊〉 3 4 5. Sing aloud unto the God of our Strenâ—â— make a joyful Noise unto the God of 〈◊〉 Make a joyful Noise unto the Lord come â—â—â—fore his presence with Singing Psal 100. 1 〈◊〉 Psal 95. 1 2. O come let us sing unto the 〈◊〉 let us make a joyful Noise to the Rock of 〈◊〉 Salvation And many such Precepts are giâ—â— forth by the Holy Ghost as 't is well knoâ— to all 1 Chron. 16. 9. Sing unto him 〈◊〉 Psalms unto him and tell of all his wondâ—â— Works So Psal 68. 32. Sing unto the Lord 〈◊〉 the Earth O sing Praises unto the Lord. 2. Consider these Commands by which 〈◊〉 Lord established this part of his Worship of 〈◊〉 are as obligatory unto us in Gospel-Times 〈◊〉 they were then to them when first instituted â—â—cept it could be proved to be either Ceremoâ—â— or Judaical or hath received a change in 〈◊〉 Gospel And this is evident in many respâ—â—â— particularly as to Prayer that was a Duty 〈◊〉 and the Precepts contained in the Psalms 〈◊〉 the Prophets which enjoin it are of the 〈◊〉 Authority with those in the New Testament and equally bind the Conscience So also 〈◊〉 Fasting a Duty as one observes required 〈◊〉 the Prophets and not so clearly repeated 〈◊〉 any Institution under the Gospel as this 〈◊〉 Singing is and the same might be said for Days of Thanksgiving Nay and 't is obserâ—able how oft our Brethren upon all proper â—nd fit Occasions fly to those Precepts to press Prayer Fasting and Thanksgiving too If therefore Singing as it is laid down and enâ—oined in these Sacred Precepts in the Book of Psalms c. is not binding notwithstanding â—tis repeated and given forth in the New Testament afresh Why do you when you exhort â—o other Duties make use of Arguments and Proofs out of the Book of Psalms and the Proâ—â—ets in other Cases since the Commands thereof though neither Ceremonial nor Judaiâ—al are as you seem to affirm of any Force â—or obligatory to us This seems strange for â—ertainly Men have more reason in them than â—o press Obedience on Subjects to their Suâ—eriors by abrogated or antiquated Staâ—utes And shall the Lord's Ambassadors be more irrational in pressing Obedience to the Lord than meer rational Men are in Civil Affairs Now saith one Since there is no Man that questions whether Singing of Psalms was instituted and commanded of God of old how can they avoid the Power of such Precepts considering as he minds particularly Psal 81. ver 4 5. where Singing is called a Statute for Israel and the Law of the God of Jacob and ordained in Joseph for a Testament which saith he refers to a Time before they were brought into the Ceremonial Worship Hence saith he it inevitably follows that until any Man caâ— shew us that Singing of Psalms yea Singing of the Book of Psalms was Ceremonial or Judaical or are changed or abrogated 〈◊〉 the Gospel those Precepts lie upon us now with the same Power and Obligation as 〈◊〉 laid them under then for the Antiquity of a Law or Institution rather commends it to us than any ways abates of its Obligation so that had there been no other Institutionâ— for Singing of Psalms c. than what is 〈◊〉 the Book of Psalms we should have had sufficient Authority to be found in them A Manuscript called Psalmody He might have added Since especially it is of 〈◊〉 like Nature with Prayer viz. a moral Preceptâ— as well as brought into a written Law But 〈◊〉 all I might add 't is much more unreasonable to plead an exemption from the Force and Obligation of those Precepts since the Saints are injoined to sing those Psalms of David by the Holy Ghost in the New Testament for 〈◊〉 grant there are no other Psalms none called Psalms besides the Book of Psalms 3. To this take what
Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 2. 5. That as the Priesthood or Leviâ—â—s sung together under the Law with Instruments of Musick it might typify out how the whole Church should sing spiritually with Grace in their Hearts to the Lord together under the Gospel You say in the next place pag. 15. Object There is no Institution to sing David's Psalms and that Christ nor his Apostles ever 〈◊〉 practised And also if the Apostles had occasion to translate any Text out of the Hebrew 〈◊〉 the Greek they did never turn them into Metre Answ There is an Institution to sing David ' s Psalms Ephes 5. 19. Col. 3. 16. If there be 〈◊〉 â—ther Psalms mentioned in the Scripture besides David's Psalms or the Book of Psalms and the Churches are required to sing Psalms as well 〈◊〉 Hymns Then there is a Gospel-Institution for singing of David's Psalms But there are no other Psalms mentioned in the Scripture besidâ—â— David's Psalms or the Book of Psalms and the Churches are required to sing Psalms as well as Hymns Ergo. The singing of David's Psalms or Psalms contained in the Book of Psalms is a Gospel-Institution That the Churches are required to sing Psalms we have shewed again and again Eph. 5. 19. If there be any other Psalms besides what are contained in the Book of Psalms which are so called you must shew which they be and then we will use those which we shall have the clearest ground to judg the Spirit of God may intend As to their translating any of them into Metre out of Hebrew into Greek it is remote to the Business we know not they did translate any Scripture at all out of Hebrew into Greek III. Of prescribed and precomposed Songs and Hymns First say you If the Essence of Singing as before is shewed consisteth in an inward spiritual Exercise of the Soul or Mind of Man and that both the Matter and the Melody of it proceedeth from the inward Graces and Operations of the Holy Spirit with the Word then surely no humane prescribed Form of Singing can be accepted of God but that which proceedeth from the Word of God by the Dictates and Teachings of the Holy Spirit You mention Ephes 5. 18 19. Col. 3. 16. Pag. 15. Again pag. 16. Now the Essence of Singing consisteth of these two parts viz. Matter from the Word and Melody by the Spirit So that neither the Word nor the Spirit can be wanting and therefore whatsoever Forms are used which proceed not from within us out of a Fulness and Enriching of the Word and Spirit cannot be Spiritual Singings Answ Brother who do you encounter with now 'T is evident this doth not concern as you need not have taken so much time and pains to prove that which no Body that I know denies But before I come to reply to that I cannot but take notice how you hug your former Notion of Essence of Singing but I perceive your have found out the Essence of Singing is not in the Spirit alone but it has Matter and Form too the Matter you say is God's Word there you are right you say The Melody lies in the Heart that is partly true but there must be something else added to the Essence of Singing or else you have it not and that is the chief thing the only thing from whence it 's called Singing that is a melodious Voice add that and then you plead for Singing take that away and 't is no more than inward Joy or Rejoicing Singing Mr. Caryl tells you is an Act of the Voice 'T is a melodious Noise do not mistake your self in one of the most plain and easiest Acts of the Bâ—dily Organ or Act of the Tongue But to the Business no Hymn must be made nor composed from God's Word it appears without the help and assistance of the holy Spirit I am of your Mind But I hope you do not mean the miraculous or extraordinary Help or Operations of the Spirit because you are a speaking of the Administrations of the Gospel and Gospel-Worship in general Now there are two things to be â—â—â—â—â—dered in bringing forth a Doctrine viz. That 't is agreeable to the Word of God he that compiles a Sermon must be sure to see 't is God's Word i. e. congruous thereunto and provable therefrom or else 't is humane 2. He must bring forth and preach it by the help and assistance of the Spirit also or else it may still be Human no Divine Sermon So and in like manner in compiling of an Hymn it must be as to the matter the Word of Christ Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all Wisdom teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms Hymns and spiritual Songs singing c. Col. 3. 19. See here the Direction for the matter of an Hymn or spiritual Song it must be in general the Word of Christ as it must be the Word of Christ that is to be preached Even so also aâ— Hymn c. must be we say compiled out of the Word of Christ and in singing of it there must be the assistance of the holy Spirit But now will you say we have not the Spirit of Christ in composing the Hymn which is part of Christ's Word Take heed you are too full of hard Words and Censures another may nay and some do say so too we have no Rule to compose a Sermon and I will say and testify I know no more Rule for a precomposed Sermon to be preached than for a precomposed Hymn that is to be sung and I am satisfied I have equally in them both the like assistance of the Spirit Your speaking here of the Spiritualness of the Gospel above the Law doth nothing in your case We grant it and say Our Singing differs now under the Gospel as to the Spirituality of it to that under the Law as much as my other Gospel-Service or Worship doth Our Sermons are no more made for us in God's Word than our Hymns are and we have equal Direction in both these weighty â—â—ses and I must tell you this way of 〈◊〉 you use is enough if People did observe it to overthrow all visible Worship and Ordinances unless we could make it appear 〈◊〉 we had the immediate and extraordinary help of the Spirit in the discharge of them Away â—â—ith one with your carnal and human preaching 't is a Form invented and done by Art will you call this Gospel-preaching The Apostles 〈◊〉 as they were moved by a mighty Spirit within them you must preach by immediate inspiration and not precomposed Sermons or else your Sermons are formal Thus you open a Door for Quakerism and throw Stâ—â—bling-blocks before the weak I intreat you to consider of it 2. Doubtless what the Apostles did by an extraordinary Spirit in bringing in a Doctrine and an Interpretation c. is a Rule for us in the ordinary Gifts for they preached and prayed c. by the wonderful or extraordinary Influences of the Spirit and
Divine Worship as to know what Gospel-Worship is and also that we ought not to neglect one Ordinance more than another because we are not arrived to the height of Perfection I am sure the way you would lead poor Souls in is not to bring them forward towards perfection â—in Worship but to keep them back and hinder them in pressing on to that which some have not yet attained unto Moreover your folly appears too much in calling our Singing an Irregular way of Worship unless you had 〈◊〉 strength of Argument to convince your Reader what you say is true May be 〈◊〉 you had Truth on your side you might have 〈◊〉 like a Man But I am satisfied all wise Men will say there appears nothing less than Argument In both parts of your Book there are many words indeed but little else as I can see If what I have said have no more strength of Argument and Scripture and good Sense in it for Singing of Psalms c. than appears in your Book against it I do intreat my Reader to reject what I have said and 〈◊〉 it as worth nothing but if it be otherwise viz. upright even words of Truth O then ye Saints receivâ— this Ordinance and let what I have said by the assistance of God's Spirit be as Goâ—rds and as Nails fastened by the Master of Assemblies which are given from one Shepherd Prov. 12. 10 13. One word more to those Texts in Paul's Epistles Ephes 5. 19. Col. 3. 16. where he enjoins those Churches to admonish one another in Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs c. Can any Man suppose 〈◊〉 these words the Apostle exhorts Ministers to preach and so sing in Preaching or to admonish one another to pray and so to sing in Prayer How absurd would it be to affirm either Why then say I he can mean nothing else but this Ordinance of Singing c. Object But say some Did not the Lord's People of Old in their Captivity say How can we sing one of the Lord's Songs in a strange Land Psal 137. 4. Answ 1. Under that Dispensation the Lord's People had a special and peculiar Right to Temporal Blessings and when they were deprived of them and in Exile they might not see they had that cause to sing the Praises of God But our Promises and Privileges are better â—nd more inward and Spiritual And therefore under the Gospel-Days we find the Saints sung in the midst of their greatest Sufferings for as ouâ— Sufferings do abound in us so our Consolation also aboundeth by Christ 2 Cor. 1. 5. 2. I know not but we nevertheless might see cause to refuse as they did to sing the Lord's Song at the taunting and reproachful â—â—quests of an insulting Enemy the Lord's People are not to do the Lord's Work at the Devil's Instigation 3. But blessed be God we are not in Exilâ— we are delivered like Men that dreamed our Liberty and Mercies are great if we do not sin them away In the last place consider how acceptable and well-pleasing to God his Praises are in a Song read Psal 69. 30. I will praise the Name of God with a Song and will magnify him with Thanksgiving Versâ— 31. This also shall please the Lord better than an Ox or Bullock that hath Horns and Hoofs Two things you may observe from 〈◊〉 1. That to sing God's Praises is acceptable to him 2. That 't is no Ceremonial Rite but in it self a Moral Duty Sacrifices appertained to the Ceremonial Law and though acceptable to God in their Nature and Design yet Moral Duties have always had the preference He hath shewed thee O Man what is good i. e. that excells that which God most delights in to do justly love Mercy c. Mic. 6. 8. And this of praising God in a Song seems from hence to be a Duty of the same Nature 't is not only acceptable but very acceptable it pleases God better than shadowy Ordinances or the Offering of an Ox or Bullock Theâ— few things Brethren I thought good to add at the Close that you may stick close to this Heavenly Ordinance and not be removed by the subtil opposition of any Men whatsoever Remember there is no Truth of Christ but has met with its Opposers but though we can't as yet agree to sing the Praises of God together yet let us love one another and let not the practising or non-practising of this Duty for want of Light break our Communion one with another nor make a Breach in our Affections Let us walk as we have attained If any be otherwise minded God may reveal it to them Phil. 3. 15. Let us live holy Lives and not sing God's Praises and soon forget his Works that so though we can't all sing together on Earth yet may so walk to the Praise of his Glory that we may sing his Praises together in Heaven FINIS Some Reflections on Mr. Marlow's undue Citations of several Learned Men shewing the genuine and proper Signification of the word Hymnos By another Hand THE Foundation of Singing Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs in the Publick Assembly of the Saints is too firmly laid in Scripture and in the Judgment and Practice of Christians in general to be shaken by the New Notions of some few amongst us whom I hope the Lord in his time will lead into the knowledge of this Truth and make them sensible of their injurous Attempts to overthrow and remove it particularly Mr. Marlow in his late Book and Appendix which are answered in the preceding Tract and no more is intended in these few Pages but some short Remarks on the two first Sections of the Appendix In the first whereof he would not have Praising God conâ—â—ed to Songs of Praise or Vocal and Melodious Singing For my part I know not where he will find an Antagonist in this Point for without Controversy it will be generally granted that all Creatures according to their Natures and Capacities are obliged to praise their great and bountiful Creatour and the allowance hereof doth not in the least injure the Duty which he strenuously pleads against As for his long Citation out of the Learned Dr. Owen on Heb. 2. 12. to me seems very little for his purpose for the Doctor after he had made some Reflections on the translation of the former part of the Verse saith in the rest of the words viz. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. in the midst of the Church I will sing Praise unto thee the Original Heb. Psal 22. 24. is expresly render'd for though 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be render'd simply to Praise yet it s most frequent use when it respects God as its Object is to praise by Hymns or Psalms as the Apostle here 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sibi hymnos canam I will sing Hymnes unto thee or te hymnis celebrabo I will praise thee with Hymns which was the principal way of setting forth God's Praise under the Old
what was said before from other Authors And further to confirm this sense of the word I might here add Zanch. Davâ—n Beza c. Then he proceeds to the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which he renders Hymnum cano I sing an Hymn this word is used Mat. 26. 30. Marâ— 14. 26. Acts 16. 25. Heb. 2. 12. and in all these places is rendred by Beza who was eminently skilled in the Greek Tongue after the same manner and on Mat. 26. 30. he commends Erasmus for correcting the vulgar Latin in changing dicto Hymno the 〈◊〉 being said to cùm ceciâ—issent Hymnum i. e. when they had sung an Hymn On ver 20. he gives an account out of Josephâ—s of the Jews manner in eating the Passeover and closing it with an Hymn consisting of Psalm 113. and the five immediately following which the Jews call their Magnum Hallelujah their great Song of Praise to God and it is the Opinion of many Learned Men that Christ sang this with his Disciples tho Grotius thinks that Christ made another on that occasion Now as to the three Authors Mr. M. mentions out of Mr. L. who differ in their version of these words we may justly sppose that by Praises they mean Praises in Verse and by saying Praises they mean such a saying as was accompanied with singing otherwise their rendering may be censured as improper Now Mr. M. proceeds to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Isa 25. 1. which is derived of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in the Conjugation Hiphil signifies hath praised or coâ—fessed and as it is in other words the sense must be governed by the Context and so in this place the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 tho render'd by Arias Montanus I will confess yet if he doth not mean such a Confession as was to be made by singing the Song of Praise to God for his manifold Benefits bestowed upon his Church his Version is not so agreeable to the Context as that of the Septuagint who render it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I will sing Praise and the like may be said of his Version Isa 12. 4. What is said in the third Paragraph and beginning of the fourth concerning the rendring those words before mentioned and some others is of little importance in clearing the present Controversy seeing it is granted already that God may be praised without Singing tho Singing is a principal way of setting forth the Praise of God as Dr. Owen saith And certainly that which is the principal way of praising God ought not to be excluded by Christiansâ— neither can we think that these Translators had any design to do it seeing they use such words as include this as well as other ways of praising God And whereas Mr. M. thinks he hath got clear and undeniable Evidence for his simple praising God only he hath got none at all unless three be not contained in the number four because one is Solomon saith The wringing of the Nose brings forth Blood and straining the words of these Translators may bring forth a sense which they never intended I see no such restrictive terms used by them which may reasonably be thought to restrain the Duty of Praising God to the particular mode of this Author but if they did intend it I could if the Bounds of my Paper would admit it produce six or seven Translators who are generally esteemed by learned Men very accurate who have render'd the words for that way of praising God which is pleaded for in the foregoing Treatise The Author which Mr. M. cites out of Marlorate on Mat. 26. 30. pretends it is uncertain with what words they praised God that is whether it was with the common Passeover-Hymn or some other of Christ's own which might be more sutable to the occasion and whether they sang this Praise or spake it simply the following words of the Author not being well render'd by Mr. Tymme I shall set down they are these Graecum verbum laudem quidem maxime quae Deo debetur includit non autem necessario evincit quòd cecinerint i. e. the Greek word indeed includes Praise chiefly that which is due to God But undoubtedly it doth evince that they sang 1. From the genuine Signification of the Original Word And 2. From the current of Learned Men who go this way To conclude I sincerely desire that the Lord would make this Friend sensible of the Evil and Vanity of this Attempt to remove out of the Church this part of Religious Worship which hath been kept up so many Ages both under the Law and under the Gospel FINIS ADVERTISEMENT THere is in the Press and will be published next Week a Treatise Intituled Spiritual Melody containing some hundred of Sacred Scripture-Hymns chiefly on Metaphorical Scriptures as they lie in a Book Intituled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A Key to open Scripture Metaphors formerly published by this Author with many others of several Occasions as they have been sung in divers Congregations Composed and now published by B. Keach at the earnest Request and Desire of several Christian Friends Printed for J. Hancock and to be sold at his Shop in Castle-Alley on the West side of the Royal Exchange in Cornhil THere is almost ready for the Press an Exposition on all the Parables and express Similitudes in the Four Evangelists It will be above one hundreed Sheets The PROPOSALS whereof with a Specimen which will contain two Sermons an Exemplar of the whole Work will be on the Par abolical Saying of our Saviour in Mat. 12. 43. When the unclean Spirit is gone out of a Man c. Written by the foresaid Author and will God willing be published in a very short time * Manuscript Psalmody This Epistle of Pliny is extant in Euseb Hist Eccles lib. 2. c. 17. In Ephes 3. 19. it was not Vocal Singing yet here he says 't is a Vocal Singing * This shews other Spiritual Songs may be sung besides David's Psalms in Gospel-days this was none of those Read pag. 8. of Mr. Marlow's Book