Selected quad for the lemma: duty_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
duty_n	lord_n	pray_v	prayer_n	4,629	5	6.6633	4	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A44281	Gospel musick, or, The singing of Davids psalms, &c. in the publick congregations, or private families asserted, and vindicated, against a printed pamphlet, entitled, Certain reasons by way of confutation of singing psalms in the letter, objections sent in, in writing, scruples of some tender consciences by thy loving brother, N.H., D.D., M.M.S. ; vnto which is added, the iudgement of our worthy brethren of New-England touching singing of psalms, as it is learnedly and gravely set forth in their preface to the Singing psalms, by them translated into metre.	Homes, Nathanael, 1599-1678.	1644 (1644)	Wing H2567; ESTC R13654	26,991	33

compose severall spirituall songs upon all varieties of occasions the strong would be forced to spend much time in metricall composalls and yet not have one in a readinesse sutable to a new emergent occasion when the cause and the cheerful mind call for it and the weak shall never sing because they can compose none at all For a generall close to all that is objected of singing with the spirit and worshipping in spirit Joh. 4. We say That we may sing Davids Psalmes and yet sing with the spirit As preaching the text of the Gospel is a ministery of the Spirit 2. Cor. 3. And so in using Scripture forms of baptizing and holy Supper the Spirit doth come in with it the more we say or pray or sing the words of the Spirit the more do we those according to the mind of the Spirit All what the Spirit suggests is what it hath already written and for us to use as Rom. 15.4 Whatsoever was written afore time was for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope 3. Objection from the matter is this Is not say the reasons against singing this a confused praising God when we shall offer to him the exhortations of praise This is giving to God his exhortation again and leaving the duty undone Is not this sinfull to answer God in his own words God commands his people to praise him Now for us to take those words God speakes to us and speak them to God again and thereby think we have done the duty when indeed we leave the duty undone This is sinfull Answ Why may we not as well sing to God what God sayes to us as well as pray that in prayer which God saith to us David did both Psal 27. Thou Lord saydst seek ye my face My heart answered Thy face Lord will I seek David thinks he praiseth God in song by singing exhortations to praise Psal 136. See the first three verses and the last verse So Psal 148. Psal 149. Psal 150. As Luther said Praying is the best preparation to prayer for then we set upon it in Gods strength But in meditation in our own strength So sure singing exhortations to prayer is an excellent preparation to sing praises And therefore David begins many of his Psalms with exhortations to praise 2 sort of Objections are from the Form 1 Obj. Set forms in singing Psalms are invented by men So the Certain Reasons 1 Answ If turning Davids Psalms into English Meeter be humane invention when the matter is purely divine Scripture how much more may that be said to be humane invention when the matter and form is composed by you that make this Objection 2 By the same Argument you may call composing of Sermons humane inventions 2 Obj. From the Form is That the singing of Davids Psalms in our English Meeter is an imposition imposed by men So the Certain Reasons 1 Answ There was never any Law or Canon or c. extant that I know to impose our English Meeter on the Churches All that is said is in the Title to the singing Psalms viz. Set forth and allowed to be sung in Churches and private Families to prevent ungodly Balads Here is no imposition but onely permission men may sing them and not sing them and yet not be punished For in all the prelaticall persecutions men were never persecuted for omitting to sing them publickly or privately 2. That were a farre greater imposition if as we have seen instance men shall compose Psalms or spirituall Songs for matter and form and read them to the Church upon the sudden to sing without the advise of the Church whether they were orthodox or no and without their allowance and leave that they should be used by the Church and so causing men to offer up to God instantly that which they did not well know what it was and so could not sing with that faith and affection as they ought doubting what might follow in the next line not having any sight of it in their books nor any impression of it in their memories whether it were warrantable or no to the great offence of some of the Congregation 3 Obj. From the Form is that it is Liturgicall and Cathedrall as in Pauls and Westminster c. So those Reasons Ans Davids Psalms sung some phrases in our English Meeter differ much from Cathedrall singing which is so abominable in which is sung almost every thing unlawfull Letanies and Creeds and other prose not framed in Meeter fit for singing Besides they do not let all the Congregation neither sing nor understand what is sung battologizing and quavering over the same words vainly Yea nor do all they sing together but first one sings an Anthem then half the Chore then the other tossing the Word of God like a Tenice-ball Then all yelling together with confused noise Hieron on 5. Bphes Aug. Confes This we utterly dislike as most unlawfull As Hieronius of old declaimed justly against it calling it Musicam Theatralem Stage play singing And Augustine A studying of Musick rather then heavenly melodie and devotion And the glosse quipping it with two verses Non vox sed votum non musica cordula sed cor Non clamor sed amor psallit in aure Dei Soul vows not ayrie voice Not Art but heart God hears Not loud noise but love joyes Make Musick in Gods eares 3 Obj. from the form The Prophets Christ or his Apostles never praised God by any form invented by man but upon all occasions by the powerfull operation of the Spirit 2 Pet. 2.21 Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy Ghost So those Reasons 1 Answ This text is not meant of singing and expressing what we find penned in the Word of God But of the extraordinarie inspiration of the Spirit directing infallibly some few extraordinarie men Prophets Apostles c. to pen the divine texts of Scriptures Among which we find in other Scriptures that they penned some Psalms and spirituall Songs and sang them themselves and there expresly left them to the Churches to sing Exod. 15.1 Then sang Moses and the Children of Israel this Song 2 Chron. 35.25 And Jeremiah lamented Josiah and all the singing men and singing women spake of Josiah in their lamentations to this day and made them an ordinance in Israel and behold they are written in the Lamentations That is in the Lamentations of Jeremiah penned with great varietie of meeter as they that can but read Hebrew may see somewhat of it And what is the meaning of the titles of the Psalms which are very Text To the chief Musitian A Psalme for Asaph A Psalm for the sons of Korah A Psalme for the Sabbath day A Psalm of degrees of which there are many which being excellent Psalms were appointed to be sung upon the stairs of the Temple in the beginning of their publick worship and therefore some translate Psalms of or for the stairs I

GOSPEL MUSICK OR THE SINGING OF DAVIDS PSALMS c. In the publick Congregations or private Families asserted and vindicated Against A printed Pamphlet entitled Certain Reasons by way of Confutation of singing Psalms in the letter Against Objections sent in in writing Against Scruples of some tender Consciences By thy loving Brother N.H.D.D.M.M.S. Vnto which is added the Iudgement of our worthy Brethren of New-England touching singing of Psalms as it is learnedly and gravely set forth in their Preface to the Singing Psalms by them translated into Metre LONDON Printed for Henry Overton in Popes-Head Alley 1644. In handling this Question or Case of Conscience touching singing of the Psalmes found in the Scriptures being translated into English metre you have these 6. generals presented to you 1. The warrantablenesse of it from the word of God 2. The unquestiondenesse of it in all Ages 3. The ancientnesse of use of it in all the reformed Churches 4. The necessarinesse of it with other Ordinances 5. The usefulnesse of it for Gods glory and mans comfort 6. The unjustnesse of mens exceptions against it and their objections answered Gospel Musick 1. The warrantablenesse of it from the word of word CHristians under the Gospel and New Testament have commended yea commanded to them the singing of Psalmes in publick and privat both by precept and paterne Ephes 5.19 Speaking to your selves in Psalmes and Hymnes and spirirituall Odes or Songs as we translate it making melody in your hearts to the Lord. This Apostle having cut the Ephesians short of all vain mirth The Greeke word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is the name of a virtue in Ar. Ethic. vers 4. not allowing them such jesting which the wisest moral men counted virtue* yet enjoynes them this heavenly musick of singing Psalms as that which will both glad their hearts making saith he melody in your hearts and glorifie God making it to the Lord So Coloss 3. 16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisedome teaching and admonishing your selves in Psalmes and Hymnes and spirituall Odes or as it is in our translation spirituall Songs singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. The Apostle having zealously inveighed against all Jewish ceremonies ch 2. yet here puts home this duty of singing of Psalmes as that which did suit with a godly mans grace and Gods glory Jam. 5.13 Is any afflicted Let him pray Is any merry Let him sing Psalmes The Apostle doth as well command singing as praying and shewes that singing Psalmes is as proper to Christian joy as praying is to Christians afflictions Christ himselfe sang with his Disciples Matth. 26.30 And Paul and Silas sang in the Stockes Acts 16. St. Paul saith 1 Cor. 14.15 he will sing with the spirit that is by the holy Spirit in his own spirit and affections but with understanding also that is in a tongue understood of him and others in common with whom he sang as the 16. verse cleareth The Angels vocally doe sing Luk. 2.13 The Chore the Greek word Gr. A 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 oft applied by the Sept. to Davids Psalmes Syr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sign Hymnodiam dice●… canere The Hebrew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is the Title of Davids Psalms the Syriack word in the Syriack copie the Hebrew-word in Hutters Hebrew translation the matter and occasion shew they sang* In the Revelation we have oft mention of singing alluding to Moses Songs and Davids Psalms by mentioning Hallelujah Whether you understand the Church triumphant or rather militant both confirme the excellencie of singing these places are as evident as evident may be and so farre beyond all exception as that no pretence can be made against them They are alledged out of the new Testament so that there is no pretence to be made that they belong to the time of the Law They are not onely spoken but practised by Christ and his Apostles And their expressions are so full that they include all godly singing by what names or termes soever they be expressed whether we distinguish as Jerom according to the subject that Hymnos esse dicendum qui fortitudinem majestatem praedicant Dei ejusdem sempervel beneficia vel facta mirantur Quod omnes Psalmi continent quibus Hallelujah vel proepositum vel subjectum est Psalmi autem proprie ad Ethicum locum pertinent ut per organum corporis quid facidum quid vitandum sit noverimus Qui vero de superioribus disputat concertum mandi omniumque creaturarum ordinem atque concordiam subtilis disputator edisserit iste spirituale canticum canit Hieron in Ephes comment largior lib. 3. in c. 5. Psalmes are of Morall things as what wee ought to practise or leave undone Hymnes of Divine things setting forth the power and Majestie of God admiring his benefits and acts of providence Canticles Odes or as they are here translated Spirituall Songs are of Naturall things as of the concent order and concord of the world and all the creatures but in a spirituall way as he hath it in the beginning of his distinction He that is full of the Spirit saith he can take Psalmes and Hymnes and Canticles spiritually Or whether we distinguish of Psalmes according to the authours as some doe that Psalmes signifie Davids Psalmes Hymnes the songs composed by Moses Exod. 15. Dent. 31.30 Deborah Judg. 5. Isaiah chap. 5. c. Spirituall songs are those that are composed of other godly men touching the benefits of God as at the beginning and ending of our singing Psalms there is the Song of Ambrose a thanksgiving after the Lords Supper and a prayer against the Turk and Pope in meeter by R. W. And many of the pious Ancients penned many spirituall Songs in Latine and Greek * See Biblioth Patrum Now whether Christians had rather sing these or those composed by men endued with the infallible spirit of Prophesie I leave them to consider But of this after Or whether we distinguish with Calvin A Psalme is sung together with an instrument A Hymne is a Canticle or song of praise An Ode or spirituall song contains praises and precepts or instructions and exhortations Or whether we distinguish as Beza Zanchie and the notes in our English Bibles That Psalmes are those that containe various and mixt arguments as Lamentations and complainings to God narrations of our condition before God expostations and reasonings with God to grant good or remove evill These they say the Hebrewes call Mizmorim * MIZMOR is the particular Title of many psalmes of Zamar to sing Hymnes are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Laudative which properly handle the praises of God Therefore the Greek Writers say ‖ Gr. Schol. Chrys 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That is a Hymne is more holy then a Psalme for the supernall powers or Angels doe sing Hymnes of God to God but doe not sing Psalmes These Hymnes they say are called in Hebrew Tehillim

and perpetuall authoritie in all nations and ages are they typicall what type can be imagined in making use of his songs to praise the Lord If they were typicall because the ceremonie of musicall Instruments was joyned with them then their prayers were also typicall because they had that ceremony of incense admixt with them but we know that prayer then was a morall dutie notwithstanding the incense and so singing those Psalms notwithstanding their musicall Instruments Beside that which was typicall as that they were sung with musicall Instruments by the twenty foure orders of Priests and Levites 1 Chron. 25.9 must have the morall and spirituall accomplishment in the New Testament in all the Churches of the Saints principally who are made Kings and Priests Rev. 1.6 and are the first-fruits unto God Rev. 14.4 as the Levites were Numb 3.45 with hearts and lips instead of musicall Instruments to praise the Lord who are set forth as some judiciously think Rev. 4.4 by twenty foure Elders in the ripe age of the Church Gal. 4.1 2 3. answering to the twenty foure orders of Priests and Levites 1 Chron. 25.9 Therefore not some select members but the whole Church is commanded to teach one another in all the severall sorts of Davids Psalmes some being called by himselfe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Psalms some 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hymnes some 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 spirituall songs So that if the singing Davids Psalms be a morall dutie and therefore perpetuall then we under the New Testament are bound to sing them as well as they under the old and if we are expresly commanded to sing Psalms Hymnes and spiritual songs then either we must sing Davids Psalms or else may affirm they are not spirituall songs which being penned by an extraordinarie gift of the Spirit for the sake especially of Gods spirituall Israel not to be read and preached onely as other parts of holy Writ but to be sung also they are therefore most spirituall and still to be sung of all the Israel of God and verily as their sin is exceeding great who will allow Davids Psalms as other Scriptures to be read in Churches which is one end but not to be preached also which is another end so their sin is crying before God who will allow them to be read and preached but seek to deprive the Lord of the glorie of the third end of them which is to sing them in Christian Churches Obj. 1. If it be said that the Saints in the primitive Church did compile spirituall songs of their own inditing and sing them before the Church 1 Cor. 14 15 16. Ans We answer first that those Saints compiled these spirituall songs by the extraordinarie gifts of the spirit common in those dayes whereby they were inabled to praise the Lord in strange tongues wherein learned Paraeus proves those Psalms were uttered in his Comment on that place ver 14. which extraordinarie gifts if they were still in the Churches we should allow them the like libertie now Secondly suppose those Psalms were sung by an ordinary gift which we suppose cannot be evicted doth it therefore follow that they did not and that we ought not to sing Davids Psalms must the ordinarie gifts of a private man quench the spirit still speaking to us by the extraordinarie gifts of his servant David there is not the least foot-step of example or precept or colour of reason for such a bold practise Obj. 2. Ministers are allowed to pray conceived prayers and why not to sing conceived Psalms must we not sing in the spirit as well as pray in the spirit Ans First because every good Minister hath not a gift of spirituall poetry to compose extemporarie Psalms as he hath of prayer Secondly suppose he had yet seeing Psalms are to be sung by a joynt consent and harmony of all the Church in heart and voice as we shall prove this cannot be done except he that composeth a Psalm bringeth into the Church set forms of Psalms of his own invention for which we find no warrant or president in any ordinarie officers of the Church throughout the Scriptures Thirdly because the book of Psalms is so compleat a System of Psalms which the holy Ghost himself in infinite wisedome hath made to sute all the conditions necessities tempations affections c. of men in all ages as most of all our interpreters on the Psalrues have fully and particularly cleared therefore by this the Lord seemeth to stop all mens mouthes and minds ordinarily to compile or sing any other Psalmes under colour that the occasions and conditions of the Church are new c. for the publick use of the Church seeing let our condition be what it will the Lord himselfe hath supplied us with farre better And therefore in Hezekiahs time though doubtlesse there were among them those that had extraordinary gifts to compile new songs on those new occasions as Isaiah and Micah c. yet we read that they are commanded to sing in the words of David and Asaph which were ordinarily to be used in the publick worship of God And we doubt not but those that are wise will easily see that those set formes of Psalmes of Gods own appointment not of mans conceived gift or humane imposition were sung in the Spirit by those holy Levites as well as their prayers were in the Spirit which themselves conceived the Lord not then binding them therin to any set formes and shall set formes of Psalmes appointed of God not be sung in the Spirit now which others did then Question But why may not one compose a Psalme and sing it alone with a lowd voyce and the rest joyne with him in silence and in the end say Amen Answ If such a practice was found in the Church of Corinth when any had a Psalme suggested by an extraordinary gift yet in singing ordinary Psalmes the whole Church is to joyne together in heart and voyce to praise the Lord. For First Davids Psalmes as hath been shewed were sung in heart and voyce together by the twenty foure Orders of the Musicians of the Temple who typed out the twenty foure Elders all the members especially of Christian Churches Rev. 5.8 who are made Kings and Priests to God to praise him as they did for if there were any other order of singing Choristers beside the body of the people to succeed those the Lord would doubtlesse have given direction in the Gospel for their qualification election maintenance c. as he did for the Musicians of the Temple and as his faithfulnesse hath done for all other Church-officers in the New Testament Secondly others beside the Levites the chiefe Singers in the Jewish Church did also sing the Lords songs else why are they commanded frequently to sing as in Psal 100.1 2 3. Psal 95.1 2 3. Psal 102. Title with v. 18. and Exod. 15.1 not only Moses but all Israel sang that song they spake saying as it is in the orig all