Mind of Man And if so then he wholly excludes Original Sin which doth not consist in the Act or Exercise of the Mind but is born with us and speaks only of Actual Sin and neither doth he speak of all Actual Sin but only of one Species or Kind namely of Heart and Thought and if he takes the term Essence in its proper signification it belongs to no Sin which as I said before is a privation unless he is running himself and would have others follow him into the old exploded Error of the Manichees And lastly neither is it a description of the Essence of actual Sin in the Thoughts for let him mean what he will by Essence of Sin 't is certain that Actual Sin in the Thoughts doth not consist in an inward spiritual Exercise of the Mind or Spirit this in it self is no Sin but a natural Act of a reasonable Creature the being therefore of this very Species of actual Sin consists not in the Exercise of the Soul or Mind considered in it self but as it relates to God's Law and wants such due conformity to it as it should have Therefore I am perswaded that either Mr. M. is under some pernicious Error in Judgment concerning Sin or else that he doth not understand what he asserts I hope the latter The word Essence is a hard Term especially when we talk of the Essence of Sin and I have too much cause to fear from mine own knowledg that by this means he hath laid a Stumbling-block before the Weak to cause them to err in Judgment concerning Sin and other things that his Notions lead to I hope the Lord will make him sensible of it and give him Repentance § 4. Or secondly by the Essence of Sin in the Spirit he means 't is in the Soul or Spirit as its Subject and in this sense 't is in part true tho the word Essence in a proper sense must not be allowed for the Soul of Man is the proper Subject of Sin yet not exclusive of the Body for the whole Man which consists of Body and Soul is the Subject of Sin But if he means thus 't is in the Spirit as its Subject tho 't is true in part yet 't is nothing to his purpose for here is no description of the Nature of Sin wherein it consists which is the very thing he pretends to declare but only a relation of what Subject it is in all one as if a Person should ask me What is the true Nature and Essence of Whiteness And I reply thus Whiteness is in the Wall you may very well answer so it is in Milk and in a Man's Body c. But what is this to the Nature of it And the same I reply to Mr. M. Actual Sin is in a Man's Words and Actions as well as in his Thoughts and Spirit But I suppose he takes not that Expression in this latter sense viz. the Essence of Sin is in the Spirit as its Subject but in the former 't is in the Spirit as it consists in an inward spiritual Exercise of the Soul or Mind of Man which he intimates to be his meaning in the words just preceding that particular for saith he Pag. 6. The Scriptures do clearly witness that the Essence of Prayer and Praise and of Sin do all consist in an inward Exercise of Soul or Spirit And then proceeds to prove each in particular viz. First saith he The Essence of Sin is in the Spirit This plainly shews he takes the Expression in the former sense which we examined above But in my Judgment he speaks one thing for another for there is a great deal of difference between the Essence of Sin as in the Spirit and the Essence of Sin consisting in an inward spiritual Exercise of the Soul or Spirit But in such dark Shades do Men wander when they oppose the Truth of God which they should love and honour But hitherto of the Nature of Sin § 5. As for the Nature or Essence of Prayer I conceive it thus Prayer is a Duty we owe to God and an Action of a reasonable Creature whereby he expresseth his Mind to the Lord sometimes with words and sometimes without words in petitioning for things agreeable to his Will Prayer is therefore either Mental or Vocal these are two Species of Prayer in general Now to say Vocal Prayer is not Prayer because Mental is is all one as to say two Species cannot agree in one Genus or that a Man is not an Animal because a Brute is but such Absurdities are unworthy Confutation The Essence therefore of Prayer consists not in the Mode of performance whether it be done with the Mind only or with the Voice also Therefore when Mr. M. saith Pag. 6. The Essence of Prayer is in the Heart or Spirit This is true in the general of one Species of Prayer namely Mental but not of Vocal Prayer for the Nature and Essence of this consists in the Voice as well as in the Mind and tho God will be worshipped in Spirit and in Truth Joh. 4. yet who doubts but Spiritual Worship may be performed by bodily Organs As to the other Scriptures he mentions to prove his lame definition of Prayer they relate only to Mental Prayer and the Scripture is as plentiful in other Instances for Vocal Prayer had he been willing to collect them but this indeed would have shewed him that the Essence of Prayer is not only in the Spirit § 6. As to the Nature of Singing I conceive it lieth here 'T is an Ordinance of God and an holy Action of a reasonable Creature wherein by a fit Modulation of Voice sutable to the nature of the Matter sung they sound forth God's Praises 'T is a Mode of speaking 't is a solemn or melodious way of sounding forth the Praises of God And how this which is a mode of speaking can consist in the Heart and Spirit i. e. in an inward exercise of the Soul where there is no speaking at all for my part I cannot understand unless Accidents may exist separate from their Subjects which is contrary to the Rules of all Logick Whereas therefore Mr. M. Pag. 7. thus argues If the Essence of Prayer be inwardly in the Spirit why not of Singing also Not to repeat what I have said of Prayer I reply for very good reason Because Prayer may be performed by the Mind without the Voice mental Prayer is an Action and Accident of the Mind this is not separate from its subject though the Voice be wanting But Singing is a Mode and Adjunct of the Voice and therefore when we speak of proper not Metaphorical Singing it always presupposeth the Voice as its Subject and can in no wise be performed without it 'T is true a Man may praise God with his Heart and Mind for there is mental Praise though no mental Singing as well as mental Prayer but vocal Praise whether by Speaking or Singing cannot be performed without
that Song and others which he put in their Hearts and Mouths and which he did command to teach their Children even all along in the Wilderness and to David and afterwards And all the Children of Israel from the Red Sea were bound to teach and learn to sing the Lord's Songs in every Time and Generation wheresoever and under what Condition soever Deut. 31. 19 21 22. and chap. 32. I say these Songs were always to be kept in their Hearts and Mouths for God's Praise in his Worship And indeed a Psalm in any Language is more easily and readily learned by Heart and put in the Mouth better remembred and commonly received and familiar for frequent use than Words in another stile Writing in Verse is very suitable where the Matter is laid deep in it and truly wrought out of the Affections as those Scriptures which shew forth greatest Passions of Affections are composed as sacred Flames of pearless Love between Christ and his Spouse in Canticles the triumphant Joy and Praise by Moses and all Israel and Deborah and Barak who all sang saith the Word of God and no Incongruity as you do both dream and deny the afflicting Grief of Hezekiah and Jeremiah in his Lamentations and Habakkuk Passion is most free in Verse and hath the greatest Scope when tied to Numbers as that Deut. 32. and Hannah 1 Sam. 2. But the Book of Psalms is a Croud of all Affections Love Joy Fear Hope Anger and Zeal all acting their parts and wound up to the highest strains by the holy Spirit breathing poetical Eloquence and most divine Wisdom in those holy Songs where the direful Agonies and Sufferings of our ever-blessed Redeemer is the most precious Stone above all else fitly contrived for all times none can by singing them deny Christ come in the Flesh as it is ill imagined because it commonly speaks of that which is fulfilled as it were with God from the Foundation of the World who calls things which are not to us and which shall be as though they were Divine Songs raise the Soul and infuse Comfort Common and Prophane do Satan Service and Spiritual by Grace Joy Zeal do God Service If any thing be able to warm and fire the Soul and sweeten and ease the hard things which God's Servants meet with here this will and was the special Solace at all times of greatest Difficulties and very often then delivered of God to praise him and comfort and confirm them and a most special Blessing I say again it is what ever any think of it to the contrary that such Heavenly Cordials are made ready for us The Singing of Scripture-Psalms have continued in use as part of God's Worship ever since Christianity were and will be to the end of the World Christ and his Disciples used it and gave order for its Observation and Continuance And the most antient Records and Monuments of Antiquity which remain unto this Day And it did never yet lead any into Apostacy Tertullian in his Apology c. saith Saints met afore Day to sing Psalms to the Lord. Basil in his Epistle saith When one of us hath begun a Psalm the rest set in to sing with him all with one Heart and one Voice and this saith he is the common practice of the Churches in Egypt Lybia Thebes Palestine Syria and those that dwell on Euphrates and generally where Singing of Psalms is of any Account And Eusebius testifies the like in his Ecclesiastical History And the New-Testament Songs of which there are about twelve in Singing Stile if that will do which shews the Holy Spirit was not against Singing Stile tho he did not translate the Hebrew Poetry into Greek Poesy not at any time translating much together seldom verbatim but always the Substance and Truth of it you do not know whether he did not translate in Hebrew Poetry tho in Greek Words Those 12 aforesaid in the New-Testament being extended till the Judgment executed upon the Great Whore which preceeds the Marriage of the Lamb do intimate the allowed continuance of the Singing in God's Worship and singing Praise unto God will be for evermore so were it not a Type all Duties in this Life else will cease but the Triumphant Thanks Praise Love and Joy shall be for ever As touching Mens precomposing Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs I shall not condemn their doing yet I will affirm that for Profit and Delight and which may truly be called Spiritual Songs and the Word of Christ the Psalms in the Holy Scriptures must have the preheminency far above whatsoever hath since been or ever shall be dictated in this World the which if God had not so approved he would have hinted it I come in the next place to Page 4. to your two Scriptures Ephes 5.18 19. and Coloss 3.16 to see if we have any better dealing You tell us that these two Scriptures are made a Foundation for vocal Singing together in the constant Worship of God in the Gospel-Church pag. 5. You might have told us who made them so that if they were taken away all the Building would fall it may be you suppose it and so flatter your self to prevail if you could dig them up c. You say that Ephes 5.19 is not to be understood speaking to your selves but in the Original it is speaking in your selves and that is keeping silence in the Church compared with 1 Cor. 14.28 and Pool's Annot. Then we may read it so Be not drunk with Wine wherein is Excess but be filled with the Spirit that you may speak in your selves keeping silence in the Church in Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs making Melody in your Hearts to the Lord any Novice would be ashamed of such an Interpretation for this is a Duty enjoined to the whole Church therefore they are all to be filled with the Spirit and speak in themselves keeping silence when they are all met together at least while they are so speaking in themselves If thus at every Meeting how much of the time some of it may be much of it may be and all may be at one time or at different times so that some may be speaking in silence and another vocally if all at any time in silence then the Men and Women too may be inditing and singing Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs making Melody in their Hearts to God in silence for this is to be in the Church-Assembly an Assembly carrying on an Ordinance in Silence and Women too as much Administrators as any Do you well to set your House on Fire on purpose to burn your Neighbours This intimates both Ministers and Members must keep silence in the Church tho filled with the Spirit and speak in themselves singing Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs making Melody in their Heart c. not one Word heard This is for that while a silent Meeting and time must be allowed for it it is a Duty and it is Quakerism Such a Meeting is a sign of
something but they must not tell what they are about nothing must be seen heard or understood by one another which is Barbarism and Confusion for every particular Member may be upon different Things and Subjects in God's Publick Worship this may be more like to lead to Apostacy than Social singing David's Psalms but no Absurdity follows Truth Then seeing that this Ephes 5.18 19. is a Command to the whole Church in their Assembly and Worship it doth necessitate a Social Singing with Vocal Voice Psalms as part of God's Worship That Expression Be ye filled with the Spirit being Metaphorical and intimating the Transport of Spiritual Joy Christians should be filled with when they celebrate God's Praises by Singing they should be filled with all good Affections as a due Preparation for this part of Worship They that have a Fulness of the Graces Vertues or Fruits of the Spirit may be said to be filled with the Spirit For it is not to be filled with its Essence without Operation nor its Filling and Operations without natural Faculties and natural Light improved with the Spirit bettereth and assists and doth not destroy And all extraordinary and ordinary Gifts or Fillings of the Spirit takes in for its effecting our Help The sacred Scriptures or Counsel of God by which we are to be guided here to glory hereafter so that they which by the help of the Spirit have the holy Scriptures in an holy humble and sober Understanding plentifully in them without which none is capable to worship the Lord in Spirit and Truth they may be said to be filled with the Spirit bringing the holy Scriptures to their Remembrance leading them into all Truth shewing them things to come yet unfulfilled inabling them to learn and sing the holy Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs in the holy Scriptures There is no filling of the Spirit contrary to the holy Scriptures nor can the whole Church be filled with the Spirit but the Matter must be holy Scripture and it 's a Command to the whole Church to speak in or to themselves in Psalms c. which must be Scriptural Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs because they are so and can be no other Now speaking to your selves is our last English Translation and good enough here and one may as well except against every word else as the word To. And so the Unlearned in Greek must either believe you against it or it against you which if not very credulous they will adhere to the latter both cannot it being an uncertain Sound I do not think that Pool were of your opinion about Singing but on the contrary And I tell you by the way that Divine Things or Mysteries must not be brought to Words but Words must be brought to them It would be exceeding unsound as hath been shewn to bring the Sense of the Text to yours and tho some Criticks might pick at Words as you and others yet if you were put to decline this compound Pronoun thro all Cases you might be out and those that critically note some Places may find to cavil where there want many words in the Original Greek and Hebrew too but it is not good to strain Cavils with the Holy Text nor force it by seeming Significations besides the Truth and Analogy of Faith nor con those Scriptures which are clear to be interpreted by such as are more dark especially where it hath no Fellow This comes to pass because our Translation galls them Again speaking in your selves may be the very same as speaking to your selves but not in your sense for to and in and among are ordinarily put indifferently for the same and are convertible Terms according to the Analogy of Faith Luke 17.21 To or in your selves implies a social Singing a joining together with Speech and Voices in Singing The compound Pronoun 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies and is not translated any where otherwise and when it is to denote inward Speaking Judgment Trust or the like the Preposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in is always joined with it as Mat. 3.9 9.21 Mark 9.50 Luke 3.8 1 Cor. 11.13 2 Cor. 1.9 Heb. 10.34 Jam. 2.4 in all which places the Preposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in your selves is joined together And 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as in this Ephes 5. is always translated to your selves as Mat. 13.9 Luke 16.9 17.3 21.34 Acts 5.35 2 John 8 and it is both improper absurd and ill â—yntax to translate it otherwise or differâ—nt from the same sense so in your selvâ— your Assemblies or in your Family-Devotâ—ons but to or in your selves to be mute nâ—ver a word to be heard nor understood of another and yet to speak and sing and make Melody in the Heart to God through being filled with the Spirit too not so much as Humming short of Quakerism this is strange They which were filled with the Spirit used to be in a strait till they could speak to others beside themselves Elihu said so Job 32.18 19 20. David said so and sung it too Psal 39.1 2 3. And so said they that were filled with the Spirit they could not but speak that which they had seen and heard Acts 4.20 But your Interpretation of the Pronoun 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and of the whole Text Ephes 5.19 is that All God's People may be filled with his Spirit and may speak to themselves in silence in Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs singing and making Melody in their Hearts to God in Publick Worship of him and yet all silent neither Sign nor Token of any such thing not one Word nor Hum of what they are about all that while You alledg 1 Cor. 14.28 but it will not help you you had better have letten this Ephes 5.19 have been the same with Coloss 3.16 which will be so do what you can And if you must needs oppose the Churches Inheritance one and the same wouâ—d have served and you had no need to have divided them But I will suppose that some may have a Gift or by learning to speak such a Tongue at some time in the Church-Assemblies as none could either understand being all else unlearned as it may so be 1 Cor. 14. Verse 16 23 24. and cannot interpret what is by such an one spoken the Holy Spirit shews the inexpediency of his speaking and forbids its use in the Church at such a time only and biddeth him speak to himself and to God You say he must speak all he could so speak at that time or you say nothing so then he is to be exercised in his Tongue mute keeping silence while that holds and is discharged joining with the Church in her Duties Is this to be Men in Understanding or Children And so if there were Ten in a like Condition as what is possible may be is it decently and in order be they more or less that the Church should be differently imployed at one and the same
time and instant And are the Spirits of the Prophets so contradictory to them that they will not suffer them to use common Discretion to take such Seasons to speak to themselves c. as that they may not lose the Benefit and Blessing in Union and Communion with the Church throughout all the Assembly but as Ephes 5. must have a whole Church Silent-Meeting awhile So some at Corinth might keep the like This is a strange Tongue a part of Quakerism But the Spirits of the Prophets are subject to the Prophets in this Case also that it doth not put them upon Disorder Confusion or Indecency And whatsoever any one's Gift or Learning may be for we must take notice of both and not any great difference between them neither for they that have learned a Tongue are not inferiour to them that received it by Gift as you may see in this Chapter they I say must not interfere or cause them to be speaking to themselves and to God in a silent mute frame to either hinder themselves or others from the benefit of the Ordinances of God in all the Assemblies continuance together for every thing is beautiful in its time but so is not the whole Church nor any of her Members in her Assemblies to be mute and silent and yet speaking to themselves in singing Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs making Melody in their Heart to God nor any to withdraw his Communion from the Church at that instant and be speaking to himself and to God in silence I do not question but such might speak at a convenient time and place in uttering all his Matter by word of Mouth to himself and to God and offend not if he did it not as some do to be heard and not understood of others which must be his design that speaks where none can understand him The Holy Spirit did not give the Church Directions and Rules for that Time and Generation only or how extraordinary Gifts might be used only the Lord knowing what Gifts Natural or Spiritual he would give and what is fittest for our Generation which these Rules respect all at all times I come to your second Part of the Foundation as you call it Coloss 3.16 to which you say You confess that vocal Singing is here to be understood otherwise it could not be Teaching and Admonishing to others in Word and Deed Vers 17. Pag. 3. But you intend us nothing by this your Confession you restrain it absolutely to Ministring Brethren whose Work and Office it is to teach and admonish the other Members and to such too only as by an extraordinary Gift of the Spirit such vocal Singing which was used in the Primitive Apostolical Church of Christ which you say was and cannot be denied All you say makes this Proposition following viz. That some one Person at a time may sing in the Church if he have received a Spiritual Gift as Tongues and working of Miracles were received that he can extemporarially as the Spirit giveth him utterance and instantly suggesteth into his Mind Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Matter Tune and Time inspired and it cannot be denied to be used now if there were any such this is all But how if there were never any such may we look for it It is evident that the Holy Spirit requires all things should be done according to Mens natural understanding whether they had Gifts or none whether they had Learning or were Unlearned whether they were Believers or Unbelievers And that Understanding should be admitted in the disposing and ordering their Gifts and Duties that even every one here mentioned might receive Profit so that all what you call Extraordinary fell under the notice of all ordinary Capacities when demonstrated unto them I shall make this a Maxim all my way Now I must take what you have said about this to pieces as I have done the other You say Coloss 3.16 is meant of Ministring Brethren whose Work and Office it is to Teach c. But the Text is plain that it is written to all the Members as such because not one Verse in all the Epistle can be taken from them or doth speak to any other and the Holy Spirit particularizeth them as Members for even Pastors are Members too viz. Wives Husbands Children Parents Servants Masters comprehend the whole and all the distinction that is that they which were Members only should say to Archippus Take heed to the Ministry which thou hast received in the Lord that thou fulfil it Who must say this to their Pastor who must see this Epistle read amongst them and that it be read in the Church at Laodicea It is no Particular of what degree soever that the Holy Spirit made a Depositum to or concredited the Epistles with the Church consisteth not of them but they of her I may be bold to assert That those Hearts in which the Word of Christ dwells most richly contain the greatest Treasures of the best Wisdom Prov. 15.23 25.11 Then I will consider First What is meant by the Word of Christ Secondly What it is to dwell in us richly in all Wisdom Thirdly What Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs those are which are to be sung with singing Voice with Grace in our Heart to the Lord. First The Word of Christ is verily that Word mentioned by the Holy Spirit in the first Chapter of this Epistle Vers 5. The Word of the Truth of the Gospel Vers 6. Which came unto them as it is in all the World and bringeth forth Fruit as it doth in you since the day ye heard of it and knew the Grace of God in Truth whereof they had heard and learned Vers 7. It was not contrary to it it was the Word of Christ it was of Christ as the Author and Speaker and Redeemer and Blesser to cause it to bring forth Fruit and able to save their Souls Which takes in all the Holy Scriptures and whatsoever is contained in them and no other Word or contrary thereto from the Library of Christ is the Word of the Gospel preached proved and confirmed it is the Word of Christ as he is one with the Father and Holy Spirit from all Eternity in sameness and oneness of Essence and Divine Nature in which all Three are One only God It is the Word of Christ as spoken by him and of him as our Redeemer else we had never heard it nor of him and it still speaks of him both what he is and hath done and doth and will do for his Elect. This is the Word of Christ even the Word of God which must dwell richly in us in all Wisdom and every Saint of his must labour that it be so it is not an uncertain Word instantly suggested and vanisheth in the Air or left to Tradition or uncertain Custody but a sure Word the Word of the Truth of the Gospel which hath been less or more declared from the Foundation of the World in the Covenant God hath
Nor dare I condemn the use of any Forms verbatim used in Publick which hath been made by the Lord for the edification of his Church since the World began which were not typical so they be used to edification and decently and in order And I will shew my Opinion in Doctrine also That the Teaching and Preaching of Christ and his Apostles or Disciples were after the same manner as are their Writings using no strict nor topical Order but freely passing and suddenly from one Matter to another as the Spirit led them the Grounds whereof they had afore Mat. 13.52 And why cannot a spiritual Person as well chuse a Scripture-Psalm as chuse a Text to speak or a Chapter to expound it being plain a Psalm is allowed yea commanded to be sung and were sung in Private and Publick Could not Believers under all the Types c. in the Law be Spiritual to as high a degree as any now They were commanded to sing Praises with Vnderstanding Psal 47.7 Wherefore as in many things so in this we are to use the directive Light of Nature which Grace destroys not but perfects it by supernatural Relief whereby it becomes sufficient to guide us in those things and the Obligation of the Church unto it immutably for the ordering all its Affairs as the Times and Seasons of her Assemblies the Order and Decency wherein all things are to be transacted in them the bounding of them as to the number of Saints exceeding the proportion capable of Edification Especially Advantages are to be made use of in the Order and Worship of the Church such as are Methods in every Duty in Preaching what Translation in Psalms which and what Tunes in singing continuance in Publick Duties and how oft the Lord's Supper and the like The things themselves being divinely appointed are capable of such general Directions in and by the Light of Nature as with ordinary Christian Prudence be on all occasions applied and accommodated unto the Use Practice and Profit of the Church This respect of the Gospel-Church-State unto the Light of Nature the Holy Spirit demonstrates in his frequent Appeals unto it in things which do belong unto Church-Order 1 Cor. 7.29 33. 9.7 11 14 15 16. 14.8 9 10 11 32 33. notwithstanding the Commendations of the Wisdom and Gifts which they came not behind in And furthermore this Epistle was not written or directed to Brethren in Office if there were then any such but to the Church as such for there is no mention of any in Office some were for Paul some for Apollo some for Cephas and some for Christ and such as were most fit were with Paul at that time in the upper parts of Greece 1 Cor. 16.15 16 17 18. And the Conclusion saith they were Assistants in writing this Epistle there being a Church when there are not Brethren in Office which is the Custos Rotulorum of all Divine Things to be observed The Church is essential before its ordinary Officers and cannot as to its continuance depend on any succession of theirs which they have none but what is given unto them and when they have such I do not mean they should do any thing without or in distinction from them but in concurrence whence all may be esteemed the Acts of the whole Church see if you please Clemens Romanus his Epistle to this Church in the second Century celebrated for a venerable Work by all that read it c. There is no ground to conclude those Particulars to be only the Work of Ministring Brethren in Office Also it ought to be noted Singâ—â—â— the Praises of God being always perâ—â—â—rmed in God's Worship with united Voices and not one Man to sing in the Church alone it follows that so it was and ought to be practised now and was then in the Church of the Corinthians And thus sang they in the Jewish Church and thus Christ and his Apostles sang and Paul and Silas and this was and hath been the practice or manner of religious Singing always amongst the Godly in all Ages no Instance can be given of one Man singing singly alone in the Church either by aâ—â—xtraordinary or ordinary Spirit nor can it be proved from this place whatsoever Men dream or fancy to the contrary O how vain and dangerous a Position is it to assert none must or ought to discharge this Sacred Ordinance unless with immediate Inspiration or by an extraordinary Gift for by the same Argument none must nor ought to Preach nor Pray neither c. unless miraculously and immediately inspired 't is known some erroneous and deceived People have asserted the same things Ordinances must be considered in their Administrations according to the Nature and Quality and how always performed Thus this Mr. Marlow like a poor ignorant and unwary Person seems to justify and plead for the practice of those Impostors called The sweet Singers of Israel who plead for one single Person to sing in Publick Worship alone and that too by Inspiraâ—â—â—â— both Matter and Mode must be all â—â—mediately given to him or else all his carnal or formal Worship c. And now I come to the VIth Objections Answered I will be as brief as I can because I suppose there is few but your own I have proved That Moses and the Children of Israel did sing together Psal 106.12 and that in Worship to God And Moses did put the Lord's Songs in their Hearts and in their Mouths by Command and all their Childâ—â—â— after them Deut. 31.19 21 22. unto while they are a People And Deborah and Barak sung both Judg. 5.1 and no incongruity the Holy Spirit saith it Nor is it any thing against our Singing that formerly there were Musick or Tunes or Sacrifices their Faith was the same with ours though it was not so plainly yet it was savingly revealed Singing Praises to God were no Figures nor Types no more than their Faith by which they were accepted Singing God's Praises were afore the Law under the Law and the Gospel and so no Type nor was their Singing with Musick a Rule for us for we have a Gospel-Command which is our Rule and so had they for what they did in that P. 26. Your Objections and Answers many of them are trifling and your division between Israel's Wilderness-State and David and Solomon's Temple-State is your pleasant Dreams a Chase which I have something else to do than to follow Cant. 2.11 12. Birds is not in the Original Heb. 8.9 You make all things building of the Tabernacle and first Testament to be a Pattern or Figure of the Erection and Dedication of the Gospel-Church c. and make neither it nor Solomon's Temple to be a Figure of Christ quite beside the Design of the Holy Spirit and the Nature of the things Christ is the Antitype of them all and no Body can make these things what they were not like your self P. 29. Christ and his Disciples saith the Holy Spirit
censure those that modestly differ from me for this Theme hath not been much controverted as yet that I have seen And you had done better afore you printed it to have made Enquiry how many were otherwise minded and where and have sent it to them to have had returns or approbation but it is easy for Persons to be puffed up with their own conceit I have admired at the Church at Corinth that had really such great Gifts and Parts among them and yet even such were uncapable to use them to real advantage for themselves or others so no marvel what is now In the next place I will propose something to this Subject as I proposed pag. 28. That seeing singing Psalms in Praise to God is both an antient commanded and commendable Work which hath been truly proved as we see through all Series of Times from the beginning of the World Christ and his Apostles gave order for it for the comfort of those which make conscience of it aright in using it doth abundantly prove it so to be This ought to provoke us to enquire and that with all diligence how this Worship may be solemnized by us aright for many excellent Duty is spoiled in the observation of it hearing reading praying preaching partaking at the Lord's Table giving to the Poor are all excellent things in themselves holy Duties but the simple doing of them is not enough or all no it is the least part of them there may be a Praying which is Sin reading and not consider hearing a savour of Death partaking at the Lord's Table to Judgment giving all to the Poor and profit nothing Wherefore as in Singing c. so all our Duties ought to be done in Spirit and Truth with Understanding and Grace in our Hearts to the Lord we must in all our Duties have an especial care to our Hearts understand the inward Man thereby to it God looks directly the Grace of the Heart Spirit and Understanding are the same It is a right understanding of that and an intire desire to offer to God in his Worship what he requires the Understanding must join fervently with what the Lips utter Psal 4.7 1 Cor. 14.15 Consider that singing Psalms is to be reverently performed for God's Glory and Honour and not for the pleasing our selves so that one must suit his inward Thoughts to the Matter if it be of Praise to God our Hearts must be elevated and chearful if therein be Prayer fervent if threatning great awe of God if Deliverance raised in hope if Judgment fear if Duty holy purpose to obey if of Promises to believe of Prophecy with attentive admiration of the Wisdom of God thus may that be attained which is called Grace in the Heart to God and with the Spirit and Understanding also and in Spirit and Truth it shall not be a Lip-service an Exercise of Diversion or Vanity as among many but of Piety and true Worship to God it will bring the whole Man in a right frame and make the outward deportment such as the reverence and gravity that such a sacred Work doth require and the same is the tendency of all Ordinances whatsoever Wherefore as singing of Psalms is a Duty well-becoming the Lord's People in all Conditions and of all Conditions in all Ages as the due acknowledgment of his Kindness It was one of King David's Jewels in his Crown that he is stiled the sweet Singer of Israel and we cannot but commend it in him that he bound himself to it and in commending it in him we lay a necessity of it in our selves for whatsoever things are honest and of good report always Phil. 4.8 How can we but think that all those Worthies above-mentioned had not a most Heavenly Spirit who were so much imployed in this Divine Work Doth it not sometimes raise our Hearts when we do but read seriously those ravishing Songs of so-often repeated Praises having nothing many times but Praises in their Mouths How much would it rejoice and refresh our Hearts to be skilled and accustomed in this heavenly Work our selves O therefore let God's Praise be much in our Mouths for in the Mouth of the Vpright his Praise is comely Psal 33.1 Seven times a day did David praise him Psal 119.164 Yea his Praise was continually of him Psal 71.6 And he that offereth Praise glorifieth him Psal 50.23 Praise our God for it is good sing Praise for it is pleasant Psal 135.3 147.1 Let us rejoice and triumph in his Praise Psal 106.47 Here is a further Benefit we are confirmed in this Duty we do it not at random nor is it Will-worship nor leadeth to Apostacy we do it upon Certainty and Truth we have encouragement in Private and Publick to observe it it being a necessary Duty not left to our Wills and Pleasures it informs us in the Matter and Manner of the Psalms in the Holy Scripture through the help of the Spirit making melody in our inward Man that we may not for want of so doing bring the Duty into Contempt with God or Man I advise that such as will understand this do read his Book with it comparing together Now when I had finished these Animadversions I was unawares upon April 23 1691. visited with an Appendix consisting of 48 Pages which assaults me with a pretence greatly tending to the clearing and confirmation of the Truth discoursed in the former Part as in the Preface of the first Part shews Verily I am exceedingly burdened in my Thoughts that such a Man had no better Conduct than to print his first Part till he had better consulted such as he might but truly I am grieved at my Heart that his Pretences being so high he should force me to buy his first Part twice or else I may not have his Appendix to answer One may think he intends to make a Trade on it to sell the same Thing twice he ought to have printed his Appendix by it self if it must needs be published and not impose upon any one thing twice I do not like it and he might have had a little patience to have seen how his first was resented before he troubled us with more for which either he or I must be ashamed I say truly to the best of my apprehension he will get little save some Money for what he hath hung to his first Book as will appear when well considered In his first Section of it he tells us That he shall premise that to praise God or praising of God is not confined to Songs of Praise but that there are other Ways and Manners of praising God than with such melodious Singing What an Invention is here as strange as to see the Sun shine I will suppose he hath had always an Antagonist to seek so that this is needless and all he hath said to it and Dr. Owen too though I may not believe every thing which either saith no nor from that Text Heb. 2.12 But although this worthy
the Voice saith Dr. Roberts how gross and Ignorant a Contradiction in the Adject and absurd nonsence is it to talk of Singing in Heart without the Voice Methinks I cannot but admire that any Man of common Understanding should expose to the view of the World such nonsensical gross Absurdities to justify his long neglect of a holy Ordinance of God that is as ancient as the World and will continue to the Glory of God when it ends But farther to convince him or any others that are misled by him that the Essence of Singing is not in the Spirit c. 't will appear thus 1. If Singing in its Nature and Essence is a Mode of Speaking then the Essence of Singing doth not consist in a Spiritual inward Exercise of the Soul or Mind c. for here is no Speaking consequently no Singing but Singing in its Nature and Essence is a Mode of Speaking for seeing it consists in a Modulation of the Voice therefore nothing else but a Mode of Speaking and consequently implies and presupposeth Speaking 2. If there can be no Singing without Speaking then the Essence of Singing doth not consist in an inward Act of the Mind This is plain because here is no Speaking and the Essence of a thing cannot be there where the thing it self is not But there can be no Singing without Speaking as appears thus If Accidents cannot exist separate from their Subjects then there can be no Singing without Speaking But Accidents cannot exist separate from their Subjects Accidentis enim esse est inesse 't is the very Nature and Essence of Accidents to exist in another and therefore Singing an Accident cannot be without Speaking its proximate Subject and consequently consists not in an inward Act of the Mind only 3. If you confine Singing to the Heart and Spirit because God will be worshipped in Spirit and in Truth John 4.24 and those that sing ought to sing with the Spirit and Understanding 1 Cor. 14.15 by the same Rule as you have been told by others you may confine Prayer and Preaching to the Heart and Spirit to the Internal Acts of the Soul or Mind for we ought to pray with the Spirit and with Understanding and Ministers ought to preach with the Spirit and Understanding In short the Consequence of your Discourse about that which you call the Essence of Prayer and Singing as the Reverend Mr. Knollyes and Mr. Keach have told you opens a wide Door for silent Meetings and establisheth the Quakers in their mute Principles though God is a Spirit yet he requires us to worship him with our Bodies as well as our Spirits 1 Cor. 6.20 Vocal Prayer and vocal Singing may and ought to be with the Spirit and 't is of no other Prayer and Singing the Apostle there speaks but what ought to be done to the edification of the Church But who shall be edified by your inward Singing that you plead for That Ordinance of Singing that the Church of God before the giving of the Law of Sinai and under the Law practised and our Lord Jesus by his Command and Example to his Churches hath injoyned them to practise in their Assemblies in the Gospel-day is vocal Singing to their mutual Edification Col. 3.16 which you and others neglecting and some opposing do therein militate against a positive Statute-Law of Heaven Rob the Church as much as in you lieth of an Ordinance which our Lord Christ hath ordained for their edification and comfort lay stumbling blocks before the weak to lead them into Errour which the Lord make you sensible of and give you true Repentance for lest you repent it when too late take heed of adding Sin to Sin and kindly accept of the Admonitions that have been given you in Private and in Publick quarrel not with those that have shewed your Mistakes but seriously consider of what hath been said and the Lord give you true repentance for what you have done in opposing so plain a Truth of God FINIS