as much in the Voice or Tune as in the Heart contrary to Eph. 5. Answ The Melody ought to be in the Heart according to Eph. 5. and in the Voice too or else it could not be singing 't is not to be a melody without the Voice but if it be only in the Voice and no Spiritual Melody in the Heart then 't is we grant contrary to Eph. 5. Doth not your supposed way of singing with chearful Voice consist as well in the Voice as in the Heart The Psalmist tells us when God brought back the Captivity of Sion He filled their mouths with laughter and their Tongues with singing Singing is only an act of the Tongue or Voice and so acknowledged by all Mankind Lastly you say There be such Speeches recorded in Scripture which are and may be called Songs of praise which we do not find were uttered with tuneable Singing but with an audible solemn chearful Voice as that which is called the Song of Hannah c. and the blessed Virgin Answ Why do you assert any such things if they praised God in a Song they sung the praises of God but they praised God in a Song Ergo they sung his praise this must be granted unless you can prove any did praise God in a Song without Singing 2. If this be not so the propriety of Speech or acts of the bodily Organs are confounded and we left in the dark and the common Understanding of all Mankind deceived 3. Thô 't is not said they sung those Songs yet their Singing of them is directly implyed because they praised God and magnified him in Songs 4. You know those Songs in the Original are in Metre Were you not a Scholar we should not so much admire at your mistake it was no proper Song they praised God in if it were not sung and none dare say that those are metaphorically called Songs 5. But you must conclude they were Tropical and Metaphorical Songs or else believe they in a proper sence according to the common Understanding of Man kind in general did sing those Songs To conclude with this Head viz. What Singing is all men may perceive your Trumpet gives in this matter an uncertain found for one while you intimate 't is praising of God in Prayer another while you suggest you wait for a special gift to perform it according to the Primitive platform And after all do not say 't is a musical melodious modulation or tuning of the Voice thô but of one single person alone which is the distinction of that distinct act of the voice known to the common race of mankind So that when that Gift is attained you wait for we know not what a sort of Singing we shall have But the Word of God hath not left us thus in the dark about what it is to sing 1. All Learned Men affirm 't is an act of the voice which all men know how it differs from any other act of the bodily Organs as Prayer common praises rejoycing preaching crying shouting c. as it also clearly appears from Exod. 32.17 2. That 't is clearly distinguished from the Duty of Prayer as another distinct act by the Apostle Paul 1 Cor. 14.15 What is it then I will pray with the Spirit and will pray with the understanding also I will sing with the Spirit and will sing with the understanding also Common praise is by all confessed to be a part or branch of Prayer and comprehended in prayer and therefore that is not singing the same we have laid down by the Apostle James 5.13 3. In a word 't is we say again a musical melodious praising of God which had you affirmed you had not left your people in the dark about it as now you have But to proceed we shall referr our Reader for his further satisfaction concerning this to Mr. Keach's Book Chap. 1. p. 15 16 17 18 19 20. 'T is called the making a joyful noise to the Lord Psal 81.1 and Psal 91.1 In Rev. 19. 't is said those that shall sing those Hallelujahs shall make a noise as of a great Thunder which can't be the voice of one single man Secondly We shall come to examine that which in page 5. you call the order or manner of Singing which you say we are plainly directed unto by what is recorded in 1 Cor. 14. From 26th Verse you say it is a gift of the Holy Spirit bestowed on whom and when he pleases for the Edification of the Church and that the Psalm was to be uttered or sung by him that had it singly Answ That it was to be uttered or spoken forth by one singly is granted but that it was sung by him alone singly we deny the reason you give for your bold assertion follows in the said fifth page of your Epistle 1. For or because they were so to prophesie viz. one by one the same direction being given you say for expressing or singing of a Psalm verse 31. Answ Brother why did you not rehearse that 29 30 31. verses for had you so done all who read your Epistle might see what you say is not true there is nothing expressed or spoken in verse 28 29 30 31 about singing at all We will give the Reader the trouble to read the Verse which our Brother affirms this assertion from and let it be considered This Text had need to be plain for his purpose because he cites no other place of Scripture for what he says but this one only to prove that one single person should sing in the Church alone Let the Prophets speak two or three and let the others judge ver 29. If any thing be revealed to another that fitteth by let the first hold his peace ver 30. For ye may all Prophesie one by one that all may learn and all may be comforted ver 31. These are the verses from whence Mr. Steed affirms the Apostle gives directions about singing one by one as in the case of prophecying But how greatly he is mistaken will appear 1. For 't is plain from hence that the Apostle speaks only of prophecying or preaching and not of Singing And evident it is that but one single person at once ought to preach prophecy or interpret the Scripture and this direction the Apostle gives about the exercise of those gifts because the contrary is confusion all the World knows But 't is not confusion for two three or threescore to sing together for if it were Moses and the whole Congregation and Christ and his Disciples performed a confused piece of Worship which is Blasphemy to assert 2. You say it is positively asserted by the Holy Spirit that to do otherwise is not order but confusion which the All-wise God is not the Author of ver 33. From this Rule it is say you that our Prayers our Doctrines and Exhortations are uttered singly in the Churches And that we do not admit of those responses or repetitions with audible voice of the
these Duties too thô it may be in some things you may not so exactly be found in the performance of them according to the primitive Pattern and may pray for the Spirit to be poured forth in a greater measure to help you to discharge your Duties in those Ordinances but you will not however neglect them under such pretences why then do you wholly neglect this of Singing the praises of God under such a pretence i. e. for want of more of the Spirit to endite and utter a Psalm 3. What ground have you to expect or to pray for those extraordinary Gifts to perform any Gospel Ordinance which were in the primitive Times if there is no promise for their return then no ground of Faith to pray for them 4. May not this tend to cause our people to cast off all other Ordinances upon the same pretences and turn Seekers 't is very dangerous what you suggest here 5. It appears you allow of enditing a Psalm and that the Spirit may return to enable a person so to do Brother dare you say those Godly Men who endite Hymns and Spiritual Songs do not bring them forth now by the help of the Holy Spirit pray in form us how we or any people may infallibly know that an Hymn is endited by the Spirit may not some as much question whether you or other Ministers endite or compile their Sermons by the assistance of Gods Spirit by the same rule as you may question whether or no they have the assistance of the Spirit to endite Hymns 6. There are some that can and do sometimes now bring forth an Hymn extemporarily may not you conclude the Spirit is returned already to enable them so to do or what evidence further do you expect of such a thing hereafter when more of the Spirit is poured forth or how will you know it is not a common nor a natural Gift which such a person hath Brother you seem to many wise men who have read your Epistle to be in this matter a great Enthusiast 7. Lastly Can any Man endite an Hymn or Psalm without study and premediation Certainly what you hint here of enditing and uttering a Psalm or Spiritual Song when the Spirit is poured forth c. is just the same thing which we say many of the Lords Servants by the present help of the Spirit are enabled to do now 3. It is clearly manifested you say in the Holy Scriptures and sadly experienced That the Church or Interest of Christ in the World was to be and hath been not only a long time kept under by Persecution and Bondage by the power of Spiritual Babylon c. in which time the Harps have been as it were hung upon the willows Psal 137.2 The Witnesses have prophesied in Sackcloth and the Church in the Wilderness whereby it hath been a season more for crying and mourning than for rejoycing or singing But also the Holy Spirit hath been in a great measure withdrawn those eminent Gifts that were in the primitive Times have not been distributed to the Saints the Church hath been fed and nourished but not feasted as in the beginning And it is â—â—markable that in the Revelations c. we have little or no mention made of a Song of praise uttereâ—â— in Heaven that is the Church after the advancâ—ment of the mystery of Iniquity c. till the Lanâ— appeared again on Mount Sion c. Therefore iâ— such a time you say it is no wonder if there be so feâ— Spiritual Songs endited and sung in the Churches according to the primitive pattern It is now a time rather to be joyning in united prayers for our mutual preservation than to be contending about bringing in agaâ—â— this common formal singing into the Churches p. 13. c. Reply What is all this mentioned for what thâ— Israel of old under that dispensation whose promise and priviledges were external and more earthly thâ—â— Spiritual in the time of their Captivity being carrâ—ed away out of their own Land refused to sing oâ— of the Songs of Sion especially at the taunting 〈◊〉 quest of their insulting Enemies Doth it follow froâ— hence that the Saints in the Gospel days under Suffering and Persecution must not sing True were oâ— priviledges outward or earthly as theirs were thâ—â— might be the like reason for us to say as they diâ— and hang our Harps on the willows But Brother yâ—â— know better our priviledges and promises are moâ—â— sublime Spiritual and Heavenly the ground of ouâ— singing Gods praises are not for outward peacâ— earthly Riches and Prosperity c. but for Jeâ—â— Christ or Redemption through his Blood Union 〈◊〉 Communion with the Father and the Son pardon of Sâ—â— Justification Adoption free access to the Throne of Grâ—â— the witnessings and sealings of the Holy Spirit peace Conscience and joy in the Holy Ghost with the hope â—â— Eternal life and as our sufferings do abound in us soâ—â— consolation also aboundeth by Christ 2 Cor. 1.5 for thâ— things we ought to sing the high praises of God hâ—â— is matter of a Song and from hence God deserveâ— a glorious manner to have his praises celebrated 〈◊〉 you think any outward mercies can better tune 〈◊〉 Hearts and Tongues to sing Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs than these high sublime and chiefest of â—lessings Were a people more affected with outward or external mercies or with deliverances from â—ersecution under Antichrist than with the mercies â—efore mentioned it would rather betray their sincerity than otherwise and discover a carnal heart 2. It is not known to all the World how sweetly â—nd frequently the poor Saints and Martyrs sung â—salms c. just as they went into the Fire like as Christ and his Disciples sung the night before he was â—etrayed and Paul and Silas when in prison and â—â—eir feet fast in the stocks What thô we have cause to â—ourn yet we have cause always to rejoyce nay and we are exhorted to account it all joy when we fall into temptation as the Apostles when they had been â—eat rejoyced they were accounted worthy to suffer â—â—ame for Christs Name sake 3. Besides why do you intimate as if the Church under persecution and reign of Antichrist have not had such a measure of the Spirit and presence of God to feast â—hem as well as feed them doubtless the Saints in the â—arkest time of Antichrist were most gloriously feasted 〈◊〉 any in any age of the Church by which means they â—ung a new Song even the Song of the Lamb who had â—edeemed them out of every kindred tongue people and Nation Rev. 5.9 True when Babylon is down it may add to â—â—eir joy and when they sing the Song of Moses as well as â—he Song of the Lamb then the melody may seem more â—weet But we must tell you God at all times deâ—erves his praises thô we were in the same condition with the Church of the Jews and 't is not unknown 〈◊〉 you the
Book of the Lamentations was a mournâ—ul Song and thô their case was deplorable yet they â—ung It is the Lords mercies we are not consumed beâ—â—use his compassions fail not Lam. 3.22 The Lord is â—â—y portion saith my Soul c. the Lord is good unto them â—â—at wait for him ver 24 25. Thus they sung then â—nd thus we may and ought to sing now We grant when Babylon is down the Tongues of many 〈◊〉 have been dumb shall sing i. e. many shall then 〈◊〉 converted and from thence shall sing but we 〈◊〉 before that time comes have obtained that Grace 〈◊〉 Blessing have as much cause to sing now as they shâ—â— then But since that will be a day of general Convâ—â—sion or wherein multitudes shall be brought inâ—â— Christ it is noted as a special time of singing 4. Do you think there wants now such a measure the Spirit that is sufficient to put any one Gospel Oâ—dinance into practice The smallness of the Gifts 〈◊〉 Measures of the Spirit cannot justifie any person the neglect of any Gospel Duty you forget yâ—â—â—self singing of Psalms is a Gospel Precept and theâ—â—fore we must that way praise God or we neglect a duâ—â— 5. What you speak of formal Singing c. affâ—â—â— us not we plead for no such thing but say our sing is Spiritual as our preaching and praying is so and invention but a Sacred Institution of the Gospel 6. What you speak concerning the Lords Peoâ—â—â— after the Captivity in the rebuilding the Temple â—â—â—ving no Urim and Thumim c. makes against your 〈◊〉 we would know whether there was any one Oâ—â—â—nance they neglected from such pretences viz. tâ—â—â— had no Urim and Thumim nor Ark of the Covenâ—â—â—â— or wanted some other visible demonstranion of Gâ—â—â— presence or special Gifts to perform it the Lord pen your eyes to do as they did who as they fouâ—â— written in the Law of Moses presently set about 〈◊〉 work without waiting for any visible or special â—â—â—dence of Gods Spirit or presence with them 〈◊〉 were accepted with God He that forced himself in haste to offer a Sacrâ—â—â—â—â— and would not wait you say was sharply repâ—â—â—ed 1 Sam. 13.12 and sustained great damage bâ— tho he seemed to make a fair plea for what he 〈◊〉 the Lord grant say you it may not be so 〈◊〉 those who out of pretended Zeal to restore an Oâ—â—â—nance would bring in that which is not of Diâ—â—â—â— Institution but humane Invention and Compositâ—â—â— c. page 13. 1 Reply How unreasonably and impertinently yoâ—â—ring the passage here in of Sauls offering a Sacrifice to atone for his sin of Disobedience let all wise â—â—en judge for as it belonged not to him so hiâ— Conscience told him he should forbear the doing of 〈◊〉 But we know it belongs to us and to all the Churches of Christ to sing Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs and sure you cannot be so censorious to â—â—dge we do that which belongs not to us and also â—â—rce our selves to do it against the light of our Conscience 2. The second thing asserted by you is as bad and 〈◊〉 Unchriâ—â—â—â—n as the former viz. That our Zeal to â—estore a lost Ordinance is but pretended in which â—ou hint as if we were but a company of Hypoâ—â—ites in what we do herein God will judge between you and us who alone is able and whose â—â—ace and right it is you presume too far on Gods â—rerogative 3. How dare you say singing of Psalms c. â—ith Voices together for that we suppose you mean 〈◊〉 not of Divine Institution but of humane invention and composition David's Psalms and other Scripâ—â—re Hymns and Spiritual Songs are not of humane â—omposition unless part of the Holy Bible is a piece 〈◊〉 humane Invention and for the singing of such â—salms it is commanded or positively required or â—â—joyned on us and on the Churches of the Saints 〈◊〉 evident to all whose eyes are enlightened from â—â—ph 5.19 Col. 3.16 and that our Saviour with his â—isciples Moses and all Israel Paul and Silas sung â—â—gether hath been proved beyond doubt 4. Should one man force himself to sing alone in â—â—e Church under pretence of a specfal Gift you â—ight see cause to charge him after that manner i.e. â—â—cing himself so to do there being no Command neiâ—â—er Precept nor Example for such a practice therefore such an act would be humane and not of Diâ—â—ne Appointment 5. Saul did not what God commanded and therefore 〈…〉 reproved nay more than that 〈…〉 enough to fear upon the like accâ—â—◠〈…〉 our People do not sing Psalms 〈…〉 commanded to do but strive to 〈…〉 pâ—â—ctice of it Our Saviour saith He 〈◊〉 breaks the least of these Commandments and teaches 〈◊〉 so to do shall be called the least in the Kingdom of â—â—â—ven Matth. 5.19 Not that we have so little Châ—â—â—â—ty as to charge you as guilty herein but you wâ—â—â—â— do well to consider that passage 6. It grieves us to see such lines should drop 〈◊〉 your Pen as your Epistle is made up of sinâ—â— we 〈◊〉 what wise men who have no great love to you us speak not only of you but of the Baptists in â—â—neral upon the account thereof and here is room â—â—deed for them to say we in restoring Baptism c. but force our selves without any power received 〈◊〉 on high But when you can prove we may and oâ—â— to restore one lost Ordinance without a special â—â—sure of the Spirit c. and not another we shall â—ther consider of what you have said Some say 〈◊〉 have read your Epistle that the Baptists are turn Quakers Enthusiasts and what not We hope our Reverend Brethren who are not convinced of Singing but dare not censure others 〈◊〉 see cause to prevent the coming out of any more 〈◊〉 kind of stuff for the time to come and find out 〈◊〉 other way to put an end to this unpleasant Conâ—â—â—versie which all know was begun by Mr. Marâ— thô the more which is said against singing of Psalâ—â— c. we are sure it will tend for the further cleaâ— it up to be the duty of the Churches You to close your Epistle would have your peâ—â—â—â— to consider what a presence of God was with the â—â—â—tized Churches formerly with continual addition 〈◊〉 them c. however it hath been unduly represeâ—â—â—â— by a Zealot for common singing to the contrary â— Reply That our Churches were blessed in those tiâ—â—â— we deny not and yet this is weakly added by 〈◊〉 â—â—â—ce they walked up according to 〈…〉 received but we have little 〈…〉 should be prosperous or alike 〈…〉 hath convinced us of this a 〈…〉 â—ould we willfully neglect them 〈…〉 mean we know not Is not Prayer you say a moral duty as much as singing 〈◊〉 be why then do they not call upon all to lift up their Voices â—â—â—ether in prayer c. there be many bundreds that can speak â—â—â—ibly that cannot sing at all or not
or teaching one another or themselves in Psalms and Hymns c. Reply Brother 't is a hard case prejudice against an Ordinance should so blind your Eyes that with all your Learning you should not know what singing is but conclude simple praising of God in Prayer is singing hath not Mr. Keach in the first Chapter of his Treatise clearly confuted this Conceit to which you make no reply Singing is a distinct act of the Voice and 't is known to all mankind how it differs from any other acts of the bodily Organs as Mr. Gosnal once told Mr. Kiffin in a discourse they had about it We say and testifie you sing not and do appeal to all men in the World whether praising God in Prayer is singing thô you do praise God yet we say you do not sing his Praise which the Churches are enjoyned to do Are you willing to joyn issue in this one single point in a sober Dispute If you can prove you sing in any proper sense for 't is not an improper or metaphorical singing which the Holy Ghost enjoyns on the Churches we will give up the Cause to you But if that be not singing you speak of you must acknowledge 't is true what you are charged with viz. That you are against singing in the Church â—nd so wholly neglect it through ignorance of what at is And it cannot be a false Calumny or Accusation that you are charged with which you intimate Page 2. whilst you decry that way of singing which you call common sith you are in the practice of no singing at all neither of the whole Church nor of one single person 2. Can any wise man be so ignorant as to conclude those Precepts Eph. 5.19 Col. 3.16 do mean a bare exhorting one another out of the Book of Psalms and not such an admonishing one another in Psalms Hymns and spiritual Songs that is in singing of them That we are exhorted to sing Psalms c. no man who has not lost his senses can deny and if that singing was no more than praising God in Prayer then it would follow in Prayer we exhort one another and speak one to another and how absurd it is to affirm that we will leave to all mens consideration Dear Brother we have a great respect for you and doubt not but God hath endowed you with good abilities to preach his Word but this Exposition of yours of admonishing one another in Psalms c. singing and making melody in our hearts to the Lord must be wholly exploded as a great Error 2. To proceed if Gospel singing were nothing else than praising of God in Prayer c. why do you speak of waiting for such Gifts from the Holy Spirit as may put you into a Capacity to perform it fully according to the primitive Platform and Pattern These words betray you and may sufficiently inform every mans judgment who shall read your Epistle that you are conscious to your self of the present want of the practice of this great Gospel Duty which you say may nay should be in a Church of Christ For if you sing when you praise God and that answers the Mind of God in those Gospel Precepts Eph. 5.19 Col. 3.16 what need you wait for such gifts to put you into a capacity to perform it fully according to the Primitive Platform and Pattern it appears that solemn giving of thanks or praising of God in Prayer is not singing according to the primitive Platform in your Conscience and Confession certainly to do duty and not according to the Gospel Pattern is sinfull but that the primitive way or manner of singing you are waiting for in which it seems you are turned Seeker we dread the Effects of your Notion and that it may insnare many gracious and well-meaning Christians May not they well say Since we have not those special Gifts to perform one Ordinance and that we ought not to practise it untill we have such Gifts which were in the Primitive Church we must peform or practise none untill those extraordinary Gifts do return which there is no ground to believe ever will This is what the Seekers assert and was we of your mind in the case of Singing we know we could not withstand the casting off all Ordinances from such a Supposition you suggest How inconsistent to Gospel simplicity doth what you affirm seem to be let all men judge One while you are for Singing and intimate you are in the practice of it too and what singing is that Why you tell us viz. 'T is praising of God and if that be not Singing then you are wholly without it But notwithstanding this Singing you intimate you are waiting for such Gifts as may put you into a Capacity to perform it fully according to the primitive Platform and Pattern So that it seems you do not sing as yet according to the primitive Platform and Pattern and if so your singing cannot be allowed nor will it serve to discharge that Gospel Duty because every thing in Gods Worship that is accepted ought to be done according to the primitive Pattern but if the one be Gospel Singing there 's no need of the other and if the latter which you wait for Gifts to perform at present be the true primitive way of Singing certainly the other can be no singing at all Because it differs quite in the Nature of it from that which you intimate you are waiting for Gifts to perform You call the common way an Invention and render it as bad as offering strange Fire but you do not prove 't is so You mention Reverend Mr. Edward Harrison who you say was concerned that such sort of Singing was to be avoided as Will-worship 'T is strange if he lookt upon it with such an evil Eye he did not leave a Testimony against it as he did against Laying on of Hands upon Baptized Believers as such But what do you mention Mr. Harrison for as one on your side May not we cite Reverend Mr. Tomes a man famous beyond most for the Baptized Way who was for this Way of Singing and so was the Learned and pious Mr. Gosnall and the late pious prudent laborious learned and faithful Mr. Jesse and learned and godly Vavasor Powel and so is the Reverend Pious Learned and Laborious Mr. Hans Knowls and some hundreds of able Divines perhaps not inferiour to any of them Comparisons are not pleasing but why may not one faithfull pious and learned Minister be regarded and his Steps and Sentiments followed as well as another All the Baptists were not against this way of Singing when first our Churches were planted But let some worthy men say what they please and call it Will-worship we matter it not since we find this way of Singing was alwayes used both under the Old and New Testament Tho Mr. Harrison and his Congregation would not sing together yet Mr. Harrisons great Master Jesus Christ and his Congregation did sing together who
read to them may not be in a joyful frame and so cannot sing all together with the Spirit and Understanding as is required 1 Cor. 14.15 Answ We do not believe any one Member is totally without a tuneable Voice or the faculty o◠Singing thô some may not have it to that degree o◠acuteness as some others no more than they may in Prayer yet such who can't pray so elequently or acutely express themselves ought to pray nevertheless as well as they can and so in Singing they may do it as well as they can 2. They are all to joyn in Prayer in their Hearts with the Minister but may be some may not so clearly and immediately understand some of the expressions their Ministers use and so with the Spirit and Understanding can't joyn in Prayer in their Hearts and so with you in your way of singing 3. Such who cannot may forbear either joyning in such Expressions either with you or us and such who are not in a joyful frame may forbear too we do not believe every one must sing always with the Church or they sin But thô they may not be in a joyful frame God nevertheless deserves his praises and he is in a very bad frame indeed that is out of a frame to laud and praise the Name of God the Apostle bids us rejoyce evermore and thô sorrowful yet always rejoycing in the Lord. Fifthly You say Singing is to be practised as that it may be for teaching and admonishing one another therefore Col. 3.16 some are to teach and some to be taught are all Teachers and all Admonishers at one time but none taught which is confusion 1 Answ By the way this shews Singing is not part of Prayer or praising of God in Prayer sure you do not use Prayer to teach or admonish one another 2. The Psalm hath the teaching and admonishing in it and all in singing Psalms may be said to teach and yet all by the Psalm are taught and admonished And since God hath commanded us to teach and admonish one another viz. In Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs singing and making melody in our Hearts to the Lord how dare you contradict it or oppose our so doing 'T is a different way of teaching one another than in the way of a Ministers preaching and yet it is no confusion 't is a teaching and admonishing one another in singing of Psalms and how all may be sai◠in so doing to teach and yet be taught see Mr Keaches Book page 113 114 115 116 117 118 120. Did not Moses and the whole Congregation of Israel sing together Exod. 15.1 and were they not all nevertheless by that Song admonished c. and was that confusion You say if a Preacher should teach the people by uttering or speaking out a sentence of his Sermon and all his hearers should say it or sing it after him and so proceed would this say you be reputed an orderly way for the instruction and edification of the people So that this Scripture which is so frequently alledged to countenance common Singing is a plain and evident witness say you against it c. 1 Reply How many sentences of a Sermon may be contained in one or more of David's Psalms which Psalm may be and oft times is sung after the Sermon is ended and yet the People may be sweetly and in an orderly way instructed and edified thereby for did not Gods people of old thus sing in the words of David 2 Chron. 29.30 Dare you say that way which God hath taught and commanded his people to teach and admonish one another may not be reputed an orderly way for instruction and edification of them evident it is he hath commanded them to teach and admonish one another in Psalms in singing Col. 3.16 2. We thus reason Either the Apostle gives directions in those Scriptures Eph. 5.19 Col. 3.16 to Ministers to preach from or out of Psalms Hymns c. or to them to pray and praise God in prayer or else he enjoyns them to be found in some other Ordinance or Duty distinct or quite different from either of the other namely to sing Psalms Hymns c. 1. Now he can't intend Preaching or Directions to Ministers because he doth not say Admonish one another from or out of Psalms but in Psalms Nor is there any shadow of reason why the Apostle should give particular Directions to Ministers to Preach out of the Psalms 2. Because in the same breath as we may say he exhorts them to sing so that according to all wise and worthy Expositors he means no other Teaching than that which is in singing of Psalms c. 3. Because he doth not direct his words to Ministers but to the whole Church even to all that are to be filled with the Spirit and to have the Word of Christ to dwell richly in them which is every Man and Womans Duty all that were or are filled with the Fruits of Righteousness or who have true Grace in their Hearts or have cause to rejoyce in God are required to sing Psalms 2. It cannot intend Prayer or Praising of God in Prayer because thereby we only speak to God and not to Teach and Admonish one another If we are no where in Holy Scripture said in Prayer or Praising of God in Prayer to Teach and Admonish one another then such an Exposition is to be exploded as erroneous but in Prayer c. we are no where said to Teach or Admonish one another Therefore it must intend some other Duty or Ordinance that is distinct or different to both the former Viz. That of Teaching and Admonishing one another in Psalms by singing of them together So that in opposition to what you say these places so frequently alledged do not only countenance that which you call common singing but positively enjoyns it on the Churches Sixthly This common way of Singing you say cannot be allowed in the Church because the Members cannot by lifting up their Voices sing together but it must be by some composed set stinted form of some ones making which they must have read to them or they must read it themselves line after line and so to sing say you doth not appear to be the Mind and Will of our Lord Jesus 1 Reply Are not the Psalms of David and other Scripture Songs set and stinted Forms and because they are so must they not be allowed in the Church God it appears doth enjoyn them and therefore allows them tho' you will not 2. But why must they be composed Forms of some ones making hath not the Holy Ghost left us in the Holy Scripture Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs we plead for no other Psalms but such that are of the Spirits composing or composed by the Spirit 3. We see where your sore is you are for Singing by Inspiritation viz. Psalms given immediately by some special Gift and hence are against the whole Churches Singing because if you should have such a
also not only when alone but also in the Church that others might sing with him And since we never read of any one Mans singing alone in any Church-Assembly we do affirm such a practice would be a meer Humane Innovation and to be abominated Thirdly You say If singing be principally intended for a solemn praising of God which praising is the highest service we can perform to him it most naturally and directly tending to the honour of his Glorious Name If then say you a composed posed stinted Form of anothers making may be used in Singing why may it not much more be used in Prayer which is in comparison a lower sort of Worship 1 Reply We say a stinted form of Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs are left in Gods Words as composed by the Spirit which the Churches are required and exhorted to sing of which Dr. Wright tells you in his Treatise there are about twelve in singing still if that will do in the New Testament pag. 15. besides a multitude in the Old Testament as proper to be sung as they and are in the Original in Metre too Had there been such stinted Forms of prayer left in Gods Word as composed by the Spirit and we enjoyned so to pray what objection could have been against the using of them we know not 2. You would have a Psalm given by immediate Inspiration and so sung by a special Gift or you would have none at all we know none of your mind and of the Mind of your party except those called the sweet Singers of Israel But we positively deny there were ever any such Psalms brought into the Churches of Christ and do require you to give us but one example of such a bringing forth of a Psalm viz. the matter manner and Tune and all by immediate Inspiration or special gift and sung by one Man alone for we have shewed that 1 Cor. 14. proves no such thing Also we would know if there should be such Psalms given now or hereafter as you hint there were in the Apostolical Church whether such Psalms would not be of equal Authority to Canonical Scripture also were there such Psalms then given how comes it to pass we have them not left in Gods Word seeing we have others left on record 3. But could you prove some did bring forth such Psalms by a special Gift in the Gospel day what would that signisie since it would follow and could not be denyed but they brought forth their Doctrines c. also by the same miraculous and extraordinary Spirit and we must no more attempt to preach without such an extraordinary Gift than not to sing Psalms without the said extraordinary and special Gift but must throw off all Ordinances till those Gifts return if what you say be true 4. Why do you say Prayer is a lower sort of worship than Singing we utterly deny it What Duty is more sublime of sacred than right Spiritual prayer But tho' prayer be so great a Duty and we have no stinted Forms left for it yet in singing which is also a great Gospel Duty we have a stinted Form mentioned A psalm can't be a psalm as we told you once already without a set and stinted Form all also may pray together without a stinted Form but all cannot sing together without they know the set Psalm Hymn and Spiritual Song So that from the Nature of Singing or how it differs from prayer we argue there is a necessity of the one and not of the other Could the Disciples have sung that Hymn with Christ unless the matter sung were spoken out or pronounced to them Therefore tho' we condemn as well as you the composing using and imposing set Forms of Prayer yet we shew and prove that set Forms of Singing Davids Psalms and other Scripture Hymns composed by the Holy Spirit are of Divine Institution and hereby we do not contradict our Testimony against the former sort of Will-worship page 8. of your Epistle And from hence in opposition to what you there say we affirm this Argument of yours carries no weight nor demonstration in it at all against that you call the common way of Singing Nor do we give up the Cause in the least for which we have suffered in testifying against a Form of humane Antichristian or Popish prayers Nor is our alledging against you that liberty which you may and many pious Ministers do take in composing a set and stinted form of preaching without force of argument for we affirm and will God assisting maintain it there is to every degree as much ground for others to object against setting by careful study as the Spirit shall enable us a set Form of a Sermon to be preached as there is for you to condemn the composing or setting in order by the help of the Spirit a Scripture-psalm Hymn or Spiritual Song to be sung To say Preachers do not confine themselves to that set Form they have studied we say is not true of many of them tho' may be you do not so confine your self and will you affirm they that do so do not preach Spiritually but by a humane stinted form we must assure you should you so speak it will beget another controversie as hot as this and what will the effects of your Essay be think you in the end should you thus proceed is the Sermon Humane if every word be pre meditated that he afterwards delivers And may not a Minister preach over again the same Sermon verbatim to another Congregation and be justified See that place Acts 13.42 The true state of the Case depending is this viz. preaching is Gods Ordinance but no particular set stinted Form or method of preaching is laid down in the Gospel Therefore let us not condemn one another but leave each man to his liberty so be he preaches and the like also in singing provided singing be not wholly omitted from such groundless pretences or a practice brought in the room of it that never was used in Gods Church None sound in the Faith pretend to preach by immediate Inspiration or by an extraordinary Gift but by the ordinary Gifts by studying the Mediate written word and the Spirit may help us to study and pre-meditate every word we intend to speak and yet our preaching may be Spiritual and be as successful as if we studied not but speak only what comes into our Minds when we deliver it nay and how unprofitable and confused generally such Mens preaching is all Men know who preach extemporally so Singing is Gods Ordinance but none who are sound in the Faith pretend to sing Psalms by immediate Inspiration nor is there any more ground to wait for a special gift to sing than to preach and how confused such extemporary Singing might be all may foresee 'T is easie to pretend to a Gift and so deceive the people as some do who pretend they preach by immediate Inspiration And unless the person can work Miracles to prove he
directed unto is when a person is merry or comfortable which certainly is to be suitable to his praying when afflicted and sorrowful which is not by reading a prayer of anothers composing but by pouring out his Soul in earnest Requests to God as he shall be assisted by the Holy Spirit In like manner the Singing here intended is not the reading and tuning of a Psalm out of a Book or writing of anothers composing but his solemn expressing the praise of God and his joyful thanks to God as the Holy Spirit doth assist him with a tuneable Voice or otherwise shall Prayer be with the Spirit and singing praises which is the highest worship be by a form Surely say you we are otherwise directed by the Word of God 1 Cor. 14.15 And we are counsell'd to labour to be filled with the Spirit if we will speak to our selves in Psalms and Hymns Eph. 5.19 which if it may be performed by reading and tuning a Psalm or Song indited for us may it not be by a person in a carâ—â—â— as much as by one in a Spiritual state and frame This Singing say you that a Christian in his chearfulness is directed unto we humbly conceive is explained Eph. 5.4 Neither foolish talking nor jesting which are not convenient but rather giving of thanks Where Believers are directed how to improve their merry and chearful seasons first negatively not as the World commonly doth in foolish talking and jesting to stir up laughter and vain mirth by Secondly positively to recreate their Spirits by getting up and holding forth their joy and comfort in praising and blessing the Name of the Lord as he shall graciously enable them whether with Metre Tunes or otherwise 3 Reply That a person should sing when in a joyful frame by influence or help of the Spirit we deny not as a person afflicted is so to pray and not by reading of a prayer yet singing of Psalms is one thing and prayer another may not a Man spiritually sing one of Davids Psalms or other Scripture-Hymns or Sacred Songs because he did not compose it himself Do you suppose that every Man and woman in those Times had that special Gift to bring forth a Psalm for 't is evident every Man and Woman some time or another may be merry or joyful in the Lord and then they lie without exception under the same obligation to sing Psalms You it seems admit of Singing with a tuneable Voice Nor indeed is there any other singing known to Mankind Now if every Man has not the special Gift to bring forth a Psalm both Matter Manner and Tune c. by an immediate help of the Spirit we find you suppose they cannot sing Psalms according to this Precept nor must they sing any Psalms but of their own enditing Doubtless the weakest person that had no special Gift If merry in the Lord is bound and obliged to sing Psalms as well as any other therefore singing was not tyed up to persons who had a special Gift so to sing Besides the Psalms are contained in the Holy Scripture which we are to sing the matter being already composed by the Spirit therefore praying and singing greatly differ thô both are to be performed by the assistance of the Spirit Brother there is a Book of Psalms left for us in Gods Word to sing by but no Book of Prayers is there left for us to pray by therefore you say nothing Nor is that doubtless true which you conceive from Eph. 5.4 i.e. that the Apostle there gives directions about singing but rather 't is about speaking viz. that we should not in our common discourse c. use foolish talking nor jesting but that God should be always in our Minds and we ready always to give thanks to him For as Men are subject to sing foolish Songs when merry which the Apostle James implicitely reproves and gives directions then to sing Psalms so they are as ready to use jestings and foolish talkings especlally at Feasts which are not convenient Therefore St. Paul gives directions to avoid them and to give thanks to God for all we have and demean our selves with gravity and an Holy and Heavenly Spirit 5. Now we come to the fifth and last thing you insist upon viz. you say you shall speak a little to the last particular you mentioned which is this viz. But it may be said is there no way to revive that Ordinance of Singing or bringing forth a Psalm in the Church as it was in the primitive times or as we have it recorded 1 Cor. 14.26 First You say the Church hath that which is chiefly intended by it in their solemn giving of Thanks and praising of God together as they have continual occasion and opportunity for it Reply Why do you say the Church hath that which was chiefly intended if the Church hath not the Ordinance or thing it self is not this like what some say of Sprinkling viz. Thô Baptism was performed by dipping or applying the subject to the Water in the primitive times and we use sprinkling say they yet we have that which was chiefly intended by it for we use water and apply it to the Subject and sprinkling with the Blood of Christ is mentioned as well as washing in his Blood and we use the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost when we do it c. What is it your Church hath Why you praise God together and so you ought aad may every hour and yet have none of this Ordinance because praising of God in prayer is not singing of his praises thô praising of God be the chief thing intended yet t is no other than a musical or melodious singing of his praises which if you do not so you have not the chief thing intended Why should God enjoyn his people to sing his praise if to praise him in prayer without singing was sufficient is not this to exalt your Wisdom above the Wisdom of God or to make void a Gospel precept by your Tradition read that in Matthew 2. It may be confidently expected say you that if the Lords people did more earnestly pray and wait for a more plentiful pouring forth of the Holy Spirit there might be more assistance afforded for enditing and uttering a Psalm or Spiritual Song according to the primitive pattern 1 Reply If you have that which was chiefly intended by singing what need is there to expect any more of the Spirit to be performed to endite a Psalm or to pray for such pourings forth of the Spirit to that end thô we all have cause to pray for more of the Holy Spirit to be poured forth yet not to revive the practice of any Gospel Ordinance which we see plainly the Churches were enjoyned to perform for if we want it to revive one Duty we want it to revive all 2. Prayer is an Ordinance Preaching is an Ordinance Baptism and the Lords Supper are Ordinances and you are found in the discharge of all
tunably certainly all â—â—â—ural or moral duty and worship must be managed accordâ—â—â— to the directions of the great God as he hath revealed â—o us by our Lord Jesus and his Apostles in the New Teâ—â—â—ment to which you mention 1 Cor. 14.26 Reply We deny not you know well enough prayâ—â— to be a moral Duty as well as singing the praises of 〈◊〉 is such but all men know for a whole Congreâ—â—â—ion to lift up their voices together in prayer would 〈◊〉 confusion but so it is not for a whole Congregatiâ—â— to lift up their voices together in singing and were 〈◊〉 so you must charge the Church of God under the â—â—w and Christ and his Disciples Paul and Silas c. â—â—th confusion under the Gospel as we said before â—â—ose practice we say is our pattern in the managing â—â—â—t Duty as touching that Scripture 1 Cor. 14.26 〈◊〉 have answered your cloudy mistakes about that â—â—xt tho the Prophets or Teachers are to speak one 〈◊〉 one to prevent confusion yet that is no direction 〈◊〉 singing Psalms Nor is there one presicent that in â—â—ds ordinary and publick worship any one persôn â—â—er sung alone tho' there are divers for social singâ—â—g or singing with united voices 2. If that Text referrs to ordinary Gifts as well as â—â—traordinary as you grant it doth then why do you â—â—t set upon the practice of your way of singing in the â—hurch pag. 14. We deny that any Christian Man or â—oman is without a tunable Voice thô not all to â—â—at degree as some have through want of exercise â—ou sheak as if you was for Peace and Union in the Churches thô in this matter at present we are noâ— a mind would to God we had good proof of it 〈◊〉 why must not singing be admitted you give no â—â—â—son for it but because you say 't is an Invention an â—â—novation c. But what must be done to them who resolvedly persist in such course our Lord declares you say and commands us to mark thâ—â— and to have no fellow ship with them or to avoid them Rom. 15. â—â— Reply Is this your love to your Brethren who are for Singâ—â—â— and resolve to persist in promoting of it No Liberty of Conâ—â—â—ence will you allow to such it appears to walk according their light this shews how you are for Love and Union 〈◊〉 case 'T is well Reverend Knâ—llys is dead Blessed be God thâ— Churches who are for singing have more Charity for their dissâ—â—â—ing Members they are willing to have communion with thâ—â— tho they resolvedly oppose at present the singing the praise◠〈◊〉 God and refuse communion with the Churches for no other â—â—â—son and 't is to be feared you have been an ill Instrument in â—â—â— matter as what you say here sufficiently evinces In most Church in London there are some who sing in God's Worship and 〈◊〉 zealous for it what must they do with them The truth is 〈◊〉 such Members are to be mark'd c. who cause divisions in â—â—â— Church you have here taught such Churches All men may 〈◊〉 what their Duty is towards them who separate themselves uâ— this account the Lord in mercy open your eyes as well as the 〈◊〉 that so all Bitterness Pride Ignorance and Prejudice may be avâ—â—â—ed and Love Peace Charity and Concord maintained iâ— the Churches of the Saints To conclude we desire such Members to consider who sâ—â—â—rate themselves from any Church or Churches upon the accâ—â—â—â— before mentioned that they do as much as in them lies excâ—â—municate such Churches also we would know whether in 〈◊〉 Judgments singing of Psalms is a capital Error and that â—â—sus Christ hath withdrawn himself from such a Church 〈◊〉 not let them consider what ground they have to â—â—â—â—draw themselves and violate their solemn Covenant with suâ—â— Church FINIS ADVERTISEMENT SVch who desire to have the whole that hath been said of latâ— Dr. Wright Mr. Keach Mr. Knowls Mr. Whinnel for â—â—â—cial singing of Psalms may have them of Mr. John Harris at Harrow in the Poultrey bound up all together with this price 〈◊〉 or either if them single Dr. Wright's stitcht with Mr. Whinnel's is 6 d.