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Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
lord_n	praise_n	praise_v	sing_v	15,293	5	8.5810	4	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A79839	A short and full vindication of that sweet and comfortable ordinance, of singing of Psalmes. Together with some profitable rules, to direct weak Christians how to sing to edification. And a briefe confutation of some of the most usual cavils made against the same. Published especially for the use of the Christians, in and about the town of Wramplingham in Norf. for the satisfaction of such, as scruple the said ordinance, for the establishment of such as do own it, against all seducers that come amongst them; and for the instruction of all in general, that they may better improve the same to their spiritual comfort and benefit. / By Io. Clapham, M.A. and minister of Christ there.	Clapham, Jonathan.	1656 (1656)	Wing C4410; Thomason E896_8; ESTC R206682	7,168	8

and profane persons to sing with you and this is unwarrantable Ans This objection denies not the lawfulness of singing of Psalms in generall nor yet of singing Davids Psalms in particular only scruples at singing with profane persons I shall therefore in the next place add Arguments to prove the lawfulness of singing in a mixed Congregation Arg. 1. David cals on all creatures to sing praises to God Psal 148. and on every thing that hath breath to praise the Lord Psal 150. ult Arg. 2. Hath God any where forbidden their singing shew a Text for it Arg. 3. Hath not he rather enjoined it by the very dictate of nature it being as was before shewed an homage that the light in all men teaches to offer unto God even as prayer and not an instituted worship only why then should i● not be as lawful for them to join with us in singing as well as in prayer Let them that cast off singing upon this account take heed they cast not off ere long prayer also in our Congregations Arg. 4. Singing is not an act of Church-communion properly as the Sacraments be because it 's a duty common to all men as before was declared but the Sacraments hold forth visible communion of Saints 1 Cor. 10.16 17. and therefore we need not be so scrupulous of our joyning with others in singing as in receiving the Sacrament Arg. 5. Why should any fear that mixture of wicked men in singing who are bound to sing Gods praises as well as to pray though they sin in both should pollute an Ordinance more then the mixture of their own corrupt hearts if you forbear singing in respect of the former scruple you should rather forbear it in respect of the latter But this ought not to be and therefore not that Arg. 6. Wicked men may read a Psalm give then a reason why they may not sing it Arg. 7. Moses and the children of Israel joyned together in singing the whole Congregation and Miriam and all the women Exod. 15.1 20. and yet with many of these God was not well pleased their carcasses fell in the wildernesse Now Moses and Miriam were not offended at this mixture in singing why should any now Arg. 8. All the earth are bidden sing to the Lord Psal 68.32 and 96.1 who then dare take upon them to forbid any Ob. But some Psalms you sing do not suit our conditions is it not absurd to give to people Davids conditions to sing and for them to tell God it is so or so with them Ans This objectinon doth not argue for the unlawfulnesse of singing such of Davids Psalms as suit with our condition Therfore let such wisely make choice of such Psalms as do suit their condition and not ●east off the duty of singing altogether upon this account seeing there is such variety of matter in Davids Psalms as may suit every condition that the Saints usually are in Ans 2. But this objection discovers too much ignorance in them that make it for we must not think that every Psalme sung should suite our condition exactly no more than every Scripture read doth it All Scriptures are profitable for doctrine reproof correction instruction c. 2 Tim. 3.16 and written for our learning and comfort Rom 15.4 and therefore all the Psalmes We are to meditate on what we sing to our edification we may make application of it to our spiritual benefit though what we sing suites not ever our present estate exactly Now that we may sing to edification and with understanding I shall in the next place lay down a few Rules of Direction to help weak Christians in singing Some general rules directing weak Christians how to sing profitably 1. Some Psalms are Laudarory that is containe especially matter of praises setting forth the praises of God from the consideration of his nature and attributes as his power wisdome holinesse goodness justice mercy truth c. Now in singing these Psalmes we should get our hearts affected to love feare and honour this God to trust in him and with our tongues speak out his praises or from the consideration of his works as creation providence redemption Now we should get our hearts taken up with the meditation of these works till al holy affections be enflamed towards him 2. Some Psalms are Supplicatory containing petitions for good things either spiritual as pardon grace communion with God c. Now here we should get our hearts affected with the excellency of these things so much desired by the Saints and with them beg the same blessing of God Or temporal as deliverance protection provision c. And here we should eye God as the author of these blessings and in the want of them pray to him for the same as the Saints did 3. Some are Imprecatory praying for judgements on enemies and containing direful imprecations c. Now in singing them we are not to wish the same curses on our private enemies but see the horrible judgements of God on ungodly men and tremble at them see what will be the end of wicked ungodly men though they prosper for the present and we may pray for the like judgements on the implacable enemies of Christ and the Church 4. Some are Eucharistical containing thanksgivings for mercies private or publick temporal or spiritual Now herein we may meditate how good God is to his people how comely praise is for the upright and be provoked to offer up in these Psalms thanks to God for what mercies we have received 5. Some are Doctrinal containing instructions to fear God love God walk in the waies of God backed with promises to encourage us Or shewing the way of sinners and their sad event to deterius therefrom Now in singing of these we should be provoked to shun the one and embrace the other 6. S●me are Querulatory containing the sad complaints of the sufferings of Christ or the Chu ch or of particular Saints Now when we sing these we do not ever remonstrate our own condition but should meditate on the suffering● of the Saints for our edificat on and on the love of Christ to us for our comfort I might instance in all the Psalms as indeed it were an excellent and profitable work i● some able pen would according to these general rules give some directions upon every particular Psalme to help weak Christians in singing it might conduce as much to the upholding this Ord●nance as 100 Argument But I do now study brevity This may suffice to teach how to sing other Psalms to edification and consolation Let none therfore cast off an Ordinance because themselves or others have abused it but learn the right use thereof that they may sanctifie Gods name therein 〈…〉 FINIS

A short and full VINDICATION Of that sweet and Comfortable ORDINANCE Of singing of Psalmes Together with some profitable Rules to direct weak Christians how to sing to edification And a briefe Confutation of some of the most usual cavils made against the same Published especially for the use of the Christians in and about the Town of Wramplingham in Norf. for the satisfaction of such as scruple the said Ordinance for the establishment of such as do own it against all Seducers that come amongst them and for the instruction of all in general that they may better improve the same to their spiritual comfort and benefit By Io. Clapham M. A. and Minister of Christ there 1 Cor. 14.15 I will sing with the Spirit and I will sing with understanding also Decemb. 9 LONDON Printed Anno Dom. 1656. To the Reader REader I desire thee to take notice that this short Vindication of that pretious Ordinance of singing of Psalms was not intended by me for the Press but was transcribed for the private satisfaction of my neighbour Ca. I.L. which my relation to him engaged me to endeavour For having some contest with him about this Ordinance he desired my Arguments for the same and promised me before several witnesses if he were not satisfied therwith to give me an answer under his own hand But instead thereof my Papers were given to some of those persons commonly called Quakers and part of them were printed without my knowledge and consent the other part being left out and an answer framed thereto by two of them viz. Chr. Atkinson and George Whitehead which I think no rational man could have taken for an answer to my Arguments if they had not so called it in their Papers Reader it is not my desire to have any contest with this generation of men as having found them by sufficient experience such as the Apostle 2 Thes 3.2 speaks of viz. absurd and unreasonable men such as are not worthy to have place amongst men being more like bruits then men whom no reason will satisfy The word the Apostle there useth is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and signifies men of no setled abode vagabond persons absurd fellowes compact of meer incongruities which how fitly it agrees to them I leave to thy descerning Only I request of thee Christian Reader thy prayers that we may be delivered from such absurd and unreasonable men If any boast that the reason why I did not answer them was because I could not and so impute it to the weakness of the cause I maintain and make it a temptation to any of my neighbours to cast off this Ordinance I here declare 1. I have with utmost diligence and impartiality weighed what might be worthy the name of an answer in their papers laying aside all their absurd non-sense vain repetitions foolish impertinencies and wicked railings with which this and all other their papers that I have seen are stuffed I cannot espie any thing that looks like an Argument against singing except it be that they do often even in every page over and over again in some pages usque ad nauseam urge the unfitnesse of singing of Davids conditions and cavil against profane persons singing with us both which I had sufficiently answered in the latter part of my vindication but they would not print it with the rest of the Arguments lest peradventure these their simple cavils being removed they should have had nothing to have stumbled the weakest reader and so their folly should be made manifest to all 2. I judge it not wisdom to meddle with such irrational men from whom a man can expect no reasons but railings no answers but accusations one had as good deal with those mad men of Bedlam as with men mad with error strong delusions upon this account I have declined to deal with them only the first time when they came to this Town I went to oppose them judging it my duty but when I found them such absurd unreasonable men I presently turned my back upon them although those that were deluded by them did boast oh the misery of being given up to delusions that it was because I could not answer them And since that time being reviled in the publick Assembly and cursed I have departed with silence not replying as men use to depart from angry dogs that bark at them and not regard them and lately have permitted them to affixe their revilings against me upon the Market Crosse rather then I would condescend to answer a simple paper sent to me consisting of 23. Quaeries with this threatning annexed That if I would not answer them I should be set upon the Cross This Reader is the custom of those Rabshakehs whose trade is to raile and revile and therefore what ingenious man can fault me if I refuse to deal with such bawling creatures 3. I have several times offered my neighbour aforesaid That I would shew so much respect to him that if he asserted any of their opinion I would give him my Arguments in writing under my hand for vindication of the Truth and confutation of errors provided he would answer them under his hand and I would allow him liberty to advise with as many as he pleased himself owning the answer but as for those men I judged them such as were not responsible for reason or repute and therefore it would be but a scandal for me to deal with them 4. I conceive it the best way to remove their cavils and to satisfie the scrupulous Reader to print over my Arguments entirely by themselves part of which only were printed in their books and not at all to meddle with them there being sufficient I hope in these Arguments to vindicate the truth and to silence their objections Only I desire of the Lord to give thee an heart to submit to what Scripture evidence is held forth in them or else all that I can say will not give thee satisfaction and also to help thee to improve these brief Rules laid down that thou mayest sing more with understanding for the future For let me tell thee what my observation is the chief cause why so many scruple or deny this Ordinance is their own ignorance nor having yet learned the right use thereof how to sing understandingly and to edification the more knowing and godly sort of Christians being able witnesses by their own experience That it is a most excellent and heavenly Ordinance Reader I shall detain thee no longer in the porch only seeing it is the will of God to make this discourse publick I shall pray that his blessing may be with it to make it profitable From my study March 26. 1654 5. I am thine in Christ J. C. Arguments to prove that Singing of Psalms is a Gospel Ordinance and a part of Divine Worship to be used in Gospel times SInging of Psalms was once an ordinance of God in the Church and a part of Divine Worship And 1 was

never repealed under the Gospel 2 Nor was of a typical nature and use as were the Ceremonies and so to cease with them 3 But ever reckoned amongst moral and perpetual duties as Prayer and Hearing of the Word See Ps 95.1 2 6 7. 4 Such a duty as the very light in all men taught them to practice witnesse the custome of all Nations for which see Goodwins Rom. Antiq. and read Homers Hymns Horace's Odes which sheweth it to be of an universal and perpetual obligation Therefore it contiues an Ordinance of God still as well as prayer and hearing of the Word and should not be abolished under the Gospell Arg. 2. The Prophesies in Scripture that foretel the state of the Church in the New Testament do speak of Psalms to be used as a part of Gods worship then Psal 98.1 2. Psal 100.1 2. Ps 108.1 2 3. where mention is made of the Gentiles when converted singing Psalms to God So Rom. 15.9 See Isa 26.1 and 35.10 Rev. 14.13 and 15.3 Arg. 3. It hath been a duty practised not only in the time of the Law but by the people of God under the Gospel Under the Law we have the Songs of Moses Deborah and Barak of David the sweet singer of Israel of Solomon who composed to the number of 1005. songs of Asaph and Heman of Habbakkuk c. Under the Gospel we read of the songs of Mary Simeon Zachary of Christ and his Apostles singing an Hymne after the Lords Supper Mat. 26.30 according to the Jewish custom who sung some of Davids Psalmes the night wherein the Passeover was eaten as those who are skilled in their customes write We read of Paul and Silas Act. 16.25 singing in Prison Of Psalms used in the Church of Corinth 1 Cor. 14. and in primitive times before Antichristian Apostacy it was commonly practised as Philo Tertul. Just Mart. Chrysost testifie yea the very Heathen took notice of this practise amongst the Christians and write of it Pliny in his letter to Trajan the Emperour writes of the Christians Hymnos antelucannos morning songs or Psalmes according to Davids practice early will I praise thee c. Arg 4. If all this suffice not know further there is expresse Scripture command as well as example for this duty of singing of Psalms Ephes 5.18 19. Be not drunk with wine wherein is excesse but be filled with the Spirit speaking to your selves in Psalmes hymnes and spiritual songs singing c. where the Apostle alluding to the custom that drunkards have when they are filled with wine they have their songs So when Christians are filled with the wine of the spirit they should have their spiritual songs Psalms and hymnes The Hebrewes had three words to divide Davids Psalms into Sherim Tehillim Mizmorim answerable whereto the Apostle calls them Psalms hymns and spiritual songs So Col. 3.16 in Psalmes hymnes and spiritual songs singing c. And Jam. 5.13 If any be afflicted let him pray if any be merry let him sing Psalmes It 's spoken generally if any c. let him sing not that it is unlawful to sing at other times for then it might be argued as well it s not lawful to pray but when sad but mirth is the most proper season for singing In other places we read of singing when sad as David often and Christ a little before his sufferings when his heart was sorrowful and Paul and Silas when in prison See Ps 102. title Thus we have express command for it Arg. 5. There are several rules given in the New Testament directing how to sing aright as 1 Cor. 14. with the spirit and with understanding and Col. 3. with grace in our hearts which directions were needlesse if it were no Gospel-duty Arg. 6. Much profit and benefit may be had by the right using of this Ordinance there 's an efficacy in it to lift up the heart more and elevate it in Gods praises an holy delight it brings to the soule in God therein is a more deliberate and distinct meditation of Gods word and works then when we read or hear a more solemn profession of God and of his praises mutual edification Col. 3. and provocation to rejoyce in God as drunkards by their songs stir up carnal and sinful mirth so these help spiritual joy to which alludes the Apostle Eph. 3.18 19. These Arguments being so clear and cogent might silence all objections yet these things I find most commonly urged against this duty to which I briefly answer Object If singing be a duty yet we should not sing Davids Psalms but such as God gives the gift to of making Psalms should endite them for the Churches use Ans This objection grants then singing to be a Gospel-Ordinance but denies the expediency of singing Davids Psalmes I shall therefore annexe to the former six Arguments proving the warrantablenesse of singing in the generall six other Arguments to prove the warrantablenesse of singing Davids Psalmes Arg. 1. The singing of Davids Psalms is no where in Scripture forbidden tell then a reason why we should not sing them if singing be a duty Arg. 2. If any Psalmes be lawfull to be sung then certainly those that were inspired by the spirit of God as being most excellent containing variety of matter suiting every condition the Saints usually are in of a large comprehensive scope affording advantage to enlarge the thoughts and affections upon infallible for the truths contained in them and exceeding heavenly and spirituall able to ravish the gracious heart in singing of them Arg. 3. It s exceeding propable that the Psalmes sung by Christ and the Apostles were Davids Psalmes 1 Because Christ and the Apostles followed the Jewish custome in singing after supper as they did after the Passeover and therefore its likely they did also intimate them in singing Davids Psalmes which the Jewes used to do 2 And the rather because we read not of any other Psalmes used by them which might have been recorded by some of the Evangelists as well as his prayer John 17. if other Psalmes had been used Arg. 4. The Apostle Eph. 5. and Col. 3. where he commands singing of Psalmes doth clearly point us to Davids Psalms by using those three words Psalmes hymnes and spirituall songs which answer to the three Hebrew words Shirim Tehillim Mizmorim whereby Davids Psalmes were called Arg. 5. Where the Scripture cites any where the Psalmes as Act. 13.33 35. and in other places none question but Davids Psalmes be understood why then should not these be understood when we are commanded to sing Psalmes Arg. 6. How much better is it to sing Davids Psalmes since singing is a duty then Psalmes of any private mens composure the experience we have in these times of those Psalmes that some have taken on them to compose and to sing in the congregations may easily perswade us to preferre Davids Psalmes before such whimzies c. Ob. But it is unlawfull to sing with a mixed multitude you admit ignorant