SINGING OF PSALMES THE Duty of Christians Under the NEW TESTAMENT OR A VINDICATION OF THAT Gospel-Ordinance IN V. SERMONS Upon EPHESIANS 5. 19. Wherein are Asserted and cleared 1. That 2. What 3. How 4. Why we must SING The second Edition with many Additions By Tho. Ford Minister of the Gospell in EXON. Jam. 5. 13. Is any merry Let him sing Psalmes London Printed by W. B. for F. Eaglesfield and are to be sold at the Marygold in St. Pauls Church-yard 1659. An Advertisement Concerning this Second Edition of these SERMONS SInce there are many that scruple the singing of David's Psalmes because they deem them not proper or pertinent to their particular occasions and conditions here are severall instances added to those already mentioned in the foregoing Sermons to shew them their mistake and to perswade them if the Lord be pleased to set all home upon their hearts that they may improve all and every of those Psalmes as occasion serves by sweeâ—… meditation and stirring up godly affections accordingly for singular advantage and spirituall edification in grace and glorious practice Most of those Additions are to be found by themselves towards the end of the book beginning with the word Suppose in Page 137. which was judged the most convenient place for them TO THE READER READER IT is confest and cannot be denied that as there are already but too many Books in the world so there are enough written in the Vindication of this Gospel-Ordinance if men would heed and read them as they ought to do And this consideration besides others so swayed the Author as no importunity could prevail with him to publish these Sermons till hee was inforc't to it beyond and against his own opinion and inclination by others threatning to Print the Notes which some had taken in short-hand though very imperfect Therefore it is desired if any fault be the blame may light on those who are most guilty the Author at worst being but an accessary When these Sermons were Preach't it was his desire and prayer to God that they might be imprinted on the hearts of these that heard them and it pleased the Lord let him have all the glory to second his Desires and Endeavours with a blessing so farre as some who have neglected Singing were convinced others that were wavering were câ—…firmed and many better informed in the Nature Fâ—…d and Use of that Duty which formerly they little uâ—…derstood or heâ—…ded They were principally intended for the more ignorant such as the most are who question or deny the Singing of Davidsâ—…lme and therefore contriv'd and fram'd with the greatest plainness so as they might best serve to give understanding unto the simple 'T is desired and hoped that the wiser and more uâ—…derstanding Reader will take no offence at that plainness which was affected and studied for the benefit and edification of popular Auditory Truth is never the lâ—…sse comely when she walks abroad in a plain and homely dress But there needs no Apology since plain dealing we use to say is aâ—…waies best There are three sorts unto whom these Sermons are more especially directed or if you will havâ—… it so dedicated First such as deny singing of Davids Psalms to be a Duty Secondly Such as neglect that Duty very much especially in private Thirdly Such as do it both in publick aâ—…d private yet know not how to carry themselves in it as becometh Christians Now it is earnestly desired that all and every of these will be pleased to read them over and when they have so done if they find nothing either to convince them of the Duty or quicken them to it or direct them in it I shall willingly yield they have lost their labour for once hoping they will as freely acknowledge that it is not the first time they have done so I say again search and see and when you have prov'd all hold fast that which is good and I do the rather press and perswade to it because as I conceive Singing of Psalms is of greater concernment than most men are aware of We use it as a part of that Religious worship which we ow and yield to the only living and true God and therefore had need as of a good Warrant for doing it so of a good understanding and frame of spirit so to do it as therein to please God and benefit our own souls If there be no Ordinance of God for it we cannot in reason expect a blessing from God in it nay we had need be humbled for our former using it If it appear to bee a duty which I hope these plain Sermons do in some sort demonstrate let us be humbled for our former carelesness and endeavour henceforward to reap more benefit by it For this I dare say That of all Religious exercises there is none wherein God hath been less honoured or men less edified then in this of singing Davids Psalms If that which is here presented may be of any use either to perswade such as are otherwise minded or to confirm such as are already perswaded and direct them how to wait upon God as they ought for a blessing in this duty Let the God of all grace have the glory Which is the Joint desire of him that preach't and them that publisht these Sermons Farewell Singing of PSALMES the Duty of Christians under the New Testament The first SERMON Ephes. 5. 19. Speaking to your selves in Psalmes and Hymnes and spirituall Songs singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord THe subject matter of this Text is singing of Psalmes a duty which many continue to do but few understand the nature end and use of it Others not a few do not sing at all yea deny it to be a duty For conviction of the one and direction of the other I shall so handle the words read as attending these two things especially viz. the lawfulness of singing Davids Psalmes usefulness The Doctrinall part of this Epistle you have in the three first Chapters The use begins with the fourth Chapter where the Apostle applies the Doctrine of the rich and free Grace of God exhorting them to walk worthy of that Vocation wherewith they were called doing all duties both such as concern them as Christians in common and such as belong to them respectively in particular relations as Husbands Wives Parents c. Not to hold you long about the Order and Connexion of these generall Precepts verse 18. the Apostle admonishes them not to be drunk with wine as being most contrary to that accurate and circumspect walking required and expected of Christians ver. 15. and then enforces his admonition by an argument drawn from the inconvenience or mischief of so foul and beastly a sin there 's excess in it excess in expences opposite to srugality and excess in delights opposite to temperance or as some understand it mores dissoluti inordinate behaviour enormeous lusts D. Hammonds note on Eph. 5. all manner of loosnesse and
wicked lewdness follow it or all kinde of riot and lasciviousness go along with it It follows ver. 19. But be filled with the Spirit As if he should say I will shew another and a better way of good fellowship wherein you may drink your fill health it and pledge one another in that which is wholsome and usefull and delightfull too Be ye filled with the Spirit The Spirit is opposed to wine and filling with the Spirit to excessive pouring in of wine or strong drink The Spirit is not only water to cleanse and wash but wine to chear and refresh labour you to be filled with the Spirit or to be full of goodness Ro. 14. 15. In this nineteenth verse he shews what are the effects of the Spirit when men are fill'd with it and that in way of allusion to the manner of men when they are in their cups then their tongues walk they talk and sing and say they know not what Now saith the Apostle Be ye but filled with the spirit and that will make you merry and wise too Merry in a good and godly sort it will make you talk and sing and rejoyce in a spirituall manner so as to glorifie God edifie your selves and one another In a word the Apostle here teaches Christians how to be merry in the Lord and how to express their rejoycing in God and that is in singing of Psalms Particulars in the words observable are these 1. He exhorts to singing of Psalmes 2. He advises what Psalmes are to be sung 3. He directs how to sing those Psalmes Or these That we must sing What How Why 1. For the Duty it self We must sing 2. For the Matter we must sing Psalmes and spirituall Songs 3. For the Manner we must sing in or with the heart 4. For the End we must sing unto the Lord I shall lay down onely one generall Doctrine in handling of which I shall take into consideration all the aforesaid particulars Doct. That singing of Psalmes is a duty of Christians under the New Testament That it was the duty of Gods people under the old Testament and that they did well in it having a warrant for it I presume no sober man will question All the doubt is concerning the times of the New Testament and yet not so much whether Psalmes are now to be sung as what Psalmes we are to sing and what manner of singing there ought to be That which I intend and shall endeavour to prove is That it is the duty of Christians under the new Testament to sing David's Psalmes and to this end I shall first make use of and urge the strength and force of my Text and that other parallel place Col. 3. 16. clearing them from the exceptions which lie against them and then answer other objections made against the Psalmes which we sing and our manner of singing them First 'T is clear and unquestionable that the Apostle in both places calls for singing of Psalmes as a Duty to be done by all Christians In this Chapter v. 4. He allows no foolish talking or jeasting ver. 18. He allows no excessive drinking or tipling which prophane men account and call merry-making yet he requires and calls for singing of Psalms and such like spirituall rejoycing in God Secondly There is no more reason to exclude singing of Psalmes from being part of a Christians duty than redeeming them or being wise to know the will of God or teaching and admonishing one another since the Apostle enjoynes them all alike He that sayes Walk circumspectly saith also Sing and mâ—…ke melodie in your hearts to the Lord Thirdly In the Epistle to the Colossions he cries down all legall Ceremonies and yet notwithstanding calls for singing of Psalmes Whence 't is clear and undeniable that there must be singing of Psalmes there being as expresse and peremptory Scripture-commands for this as for Prayer or any other Duty This I thought good to clear in the first place because I fear there are some who may look upon singing as a legall Ceremony and so expir'd with the rest of the Jewish Worship I proceed to prove that there must be audible singing with the voice and that of Christians together though I deny not but if a man have no company he may being disposed as James saith Jam. 5. 13. Sing as well as pray alone Object 1. 'T is objected by some that the Apostle here calls for speaking in Psalmes and Col. 3. 16. for teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms and for singing in the heart but not for singing with the voice Sol. This is to wrest and rack the Scripture that so it may speak what men have a mind to And this will appear if we consider 1. That though the Apostle exhorts to speaking in Psalmes c. yet he explains himself in the following words singing and making melody c. 2. There was this reason why the Apostle exhorteth them to speak to themselves in Psalmes c. He would not have them walk as other Gentiles who in their cups and merry meetings talk they know not what or else after their heathenish custome sang Songs to the praise of their Idols Now saith the Apostle it must not be so with you Christians But when you meet and will be merry speak to one another in Psalmes c. Davenant 3. Some and those very learned and judicious think there is no necessity of carrying these words viz. teaching and admonishing and speaking Col. 3. 16. to that which follows and the Originall seems much to favour their conceit besides the drift and scope of the Apostle if it be considered seems also to make much for them for he exhorts Christians to let the Word of Christ dwell richly or plentifully in them i. e. to be throughly furnished with a sound and saving knowledge of the doctrine of the Gospel and then shews them the use and benefit of Scripture so studied and understood The first use is that Christians may thereby instruct one another in the doctrine of Faith The second is to admonish one another concerning a godly life The third is to rejoyce together and refresh one another by singing such spirituall Songs as are recorded in Scripture for that end 4. But if this satisfie not I say further That these words Speaking to your selves and teaching one another cannot admit of such a sense as some put upon them viz. Teaching one another out of the Psalmes since teaching in Psalmes is one thing and teaching out of the Psalmes is another Davids Psalmes are a part and a choice part of Scripture and Christians may and must teach one another out of them as well as out of other Scriptures since they are all written for our learning Rom. 15. 4. So Acts 28. 23. Paul perswaded the Jewes that Jesus was the Christ out of the law of Moses and out of the Prophets Had the Apostle intended the same thing in these places why had he not used the
neither those nor any other And whereas occasionall composures aâ—…e so much cried up by many I ask them what poor soules shall do that cannot compose Psalmes neither have any to do it for them Certainly it is a duty as hath been proved that lies upon all Gods people and to whom shall many of them go for a Psalme if not to David They that pen psalmes better or at least fitter as they think do it for their particular respective Congregations In the mean time what shall others do unless the same men will undertake to furnish all the Churches of God in the Land and the world too with a better Psalm book than that of David If it be said that some Officer or member in every Congregation may do as much upon occasion I answer perhaps not nay without all peradventure the gift will not be found at all or in any tolerable measure amongst many Christians and then when they meet and would be merry in the Lord poor soules they shall have never a Psalm to sing as James requires James 5. 13. Nor shall we upon this account have very much singing in private families of which there are thousands in England that will not yield one who can endite or compose a Psalm fit for the occasions of Gods people Therefore if these mâ—…n will not give us another Psalm-book in stead of David's we shall have little singing in Congregations and less in private families But I shall argue this no further onely I add that 't is not enough for them to say that David's Psalmes must give place to their new Songs especially since the former can plead prescription for so many ages but they must prove it and that strongly too that we must not sing David's Psalmes For the accommodation of David's Psalmes to the present particular occasions of Gods people I shall speak more hereafter all I shall say for present is this That if we cannot accommodate them or any passages in them the fault is our own There are many I fear who cannot accommodate many passages in David's Psalmes as when he professes his zeal for God love to God his Word and Ordinances and wayes of Worship his integrity humility heavenly-mindedness c. But that 's because they have not such a heart as was in David and it may be their consciences cannot well broâ—…k such a word of admonition and conviction as they meet withall in many places and passages of David's Psalmes But if we sing David's Psalmes let us sing them in David's tunes and not in such Meetre as men have devised Sol. This reasoning will prove as well that we shall not read David's Psalmes for may not a man as well say Why should we read them in any Language but that wherein they were written and so farewell singing and reading Psalmes too and if you say but as much of all the other parts of Scripture farewell all preaching of gifted men for they will have never a Text nor Bible left them But if we think our selve bound to read the Psalmes in our own Tongue why may we not as well sing them in our own Tunes If you say there is a necessity of reading I grant it and say There is a necessity of singing them also there being as expresse precepts in Scripture for the one as for the other When any man shall give us as a good reason against reading in our own Tongue we will give over singing Psalmes in our own Tunes till then we believe there is the like necessity of the one and the other or else we are come to a good passe indeed that we must neither sing nor say My answer then is in a word this That there being a necessity of singing as well as of reading we may do the one in our own Tunes as well as the other in our own Tongue There is yet one objection more against singing of David's Psalmes which was not thought on at the preaching of these Sermons and it is this Obj. As the Scripture commands us to pray but prescribes us no set forms of Prayer which we are bound to use and no other so when it commands us to sing Psalmes it doth not tie us to any forme but leaves us to our liberty For if we are not tied to a form in praying why should we be tied up to any form in singing I dare not say as some do that all formes of Prayer are forbidden by the second Commandment nor yet that they wholly stint and quench the Spirit But to let that pass I answer Sol. 1. The Apostle hath prescribed us what to sing viz. Psalmes and Hymnes and spiritual Songs which are the express Titles of David's Psalmes as was shewed before 2. There is a difference in this that the Lord did not prescribe unto his people set formes of Prayer as he prescrib'd set formes of Psalmes 2 Chron. 29. 30 They were to sing in the words of David and Asaph but we read not that they were to pray in any such set form God gave them a Psalm book but not a Prayer-book as was said before 3. When the Psalmes of David and Asaph were ordinarily sung in the Temple dare any man say that the Spirit either in the Levites or others was stinted or quenched and why should it be stinted now more than it was then Since we have the same formes which God himself appointed why may we not expect the same enlargement of heart as the people of God had then 4. We must sing in a forme or not at all as I shewed formerly though we may very well pray without it Since therefore we must have a form why should we not prefer such as God hath appointed before any other SERMON II. Ephes. 5. 19. Speaking to your selves in Psalmes and Hymnes and spirituall Songs Singing c. THE Apostle calls upon the people of God to edifie themselves in singing of Psalmes This we have proved to be the duty of Christians and answered some Objections made against it Obj. But how can Christians do this in a mixt Congregation will some say where there is a multitude that joyn in the duty who yet God knowes are no way able to do it in such a manner as may be either pleasing to God or profitabie to their own soules They cannot sing in their heart nor to the Lord And hence some complain they are much scandalized to hear profane and ungodly men in their singing of Psalmes profeâ—…s their Repentance the integriâ—…y and uprightness of their hearts when God knows there is no such thing in them Therefore say they What do such men in singing but sound out so many lies yea and blaspheme the holy Name and Truths of God in doing of that duty and this so troubles and distracts them that they cannot finde in their hearts to joyn in the duty with such profane people This is I conceive the main thing that troubles the most and therefore though there is but