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
made by Christ Jesus It is not the word Quakerism or Quietists c. nor a transient Word but the Word which is to dwell richly in all Wisdom used in all Wisdom teaching and admonishing one another therein And lest the Poetical part of it should be thought of no use or that which hath been sung should come into contempt or be counted a Type besides the use of it as all other Scriptures which are in Prose the Holy Spirit would that we always improve all our Wisdom to the suitable use thereof so that which is in Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs should be used as part of God's Worship and Godly Exercise singing with Grace in our Hearts at all times that whatsoever we do in Word or Deed we may do it in the Name of the Lord Jesus giving Thanks to God and the Father by him If this be so as I doubt not to vindicate it against all opposition then the Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs in Holy Scripture are the Churches Patrimony to be used and sung as part of God's Worship I shall meet with your Objections hereafter Secondly To let the Word of Christ dwell in us richly in all Wisdom truly it being a Command not for one Age but all Times and Saints not miraculous Gifts or Operations except all Saints Gifts may be called so and truly too this is verily to continue always as long as the danger that Men may be drunk with Wine so long as that is to be avoided so long Saints are to be filled with the Spirit and so long are they to let the Word of Christ dwell richly in them in all Wisdom to direct its Improvement and holy Use and against the Vice of Drunkenness And here again I add Prov. 15.23 25. 11 12. A Man hath Joy by the Answer of his Mouth viz. If his Mouth answereth suitably timeing and subjecting his words aright he hath Joy A Word spoken is either one Expression or a Theam or Speech Song or Doctrine in its season how good it is It is fitly spoken upon the Wheel thrusting it on in its going it is like Apples of Gold in Pictures of Silver And as an Ear-ring of Gold and an Ornament of fine Gold so is a wise Reprover upon an obedient Ear. Which sheweth that all Wisdom is required to the improvement of the rich in-dwelling Word of Christ that all the parts thereof may be disposed so as the Method of all our Duties may fall in their proper places and not disturb hinder or interfere with one another c. Prayer in its fit time Singing in its fit time Preaching in its fit time in the Church and all other Duties in their season so are they beautiful in their time and under what pretence soever in the time of those Seasons they must not be inverted As for Instance When the Church is come together and mutually consenteth that one of them should preach the Word in a known Tongue because there is not then there an Interpreter then may not he which hath Matter to speak in another Tongue may not he speak it to himself and to God For if he be a Prophet his Spirit is subject to him that he must not improve that time to the using it but slay till he may edify himself with it conveniently and undisturbed which he cannot do then for he ought then to attend the Publick Ordinance which is in present use else all things of the Churches Concerns and God's Worship will be in confusion and neither decent nor in order which in all Wisdom we are to attend and improve the in-dwelling Word of Christ to worship the Lord in the beauty of Holiness And Wisdom is justified of her Children if they dance when piped to and weep when mourned to else not c. We must let the Word of Christ dwell in us richly in all Wisdom c. Richly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Plusios the Adverb richly or plentifully 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 o Plutos Riches Wealth of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Polu much and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Etos a Year because Riches is the return of many Years gathering so the Word of Christ must dwell in us richly in all Wisdom in all our plentiful Gatherings which we are made partakers of in Reading Praying Meditating Study Hearing Singing holy Converse thrô the Assistance of the Holy Spirit in the use of such means is this Riches and Wealth gathered plentiously and enjoyed and kept Nor were any Proficients herein that did either despise those Duties and Means or were careless or had little Conscience about them Mat. 7.7 8. Joh. 5.39 So also David sung Psal 19.7 8 9. and sung again in the 13th part of the 119th Psalm and again otherwhere And Let is an Injunction to all Saints to use all the means as aforesaid gathering the returns thereof laying it up in our Hearts plentifully in all Wisdom improving it when we are holy careful to dispense it in fit Seasons to God's Glory it is to dwell co-habit and abide continue in all Fulness out of the Library of Christ's Word which is the Word of God the holy Scriptures through the assistance of his Spirit It is our School and School-master to teach us when and how to pray when and what to read to profit when and what to meditate when and what to sing when and what to speak and hear this is the Fountain whereof the Prophet sings Isa 12. With Joy draw ye Waters out of the Fountain of Salvation Thirdly The Holy Scripture is the Fountain and Word of Christ and especial means under him as aforesaid from which may flow this rich fulness in Wisdom to teach and admonish one another even in Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs therein contained and that in singing with Voice and Grace in our Hearts to the Lord. And here I affirm that the Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs which are in the Library of Canonical Scripture are those which Saints should sing socially as part of God's Worship to him First I shall prove Social Singing by Holy Scripture Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs to be intended in both these Texts Ephes and Coloss under Consideration Secondly Give some Essays what it is to sing with Grace in our Hearts and making Melody in our Heart to the Lord towards the latter end of this Discourse 1. By Social Singing I mean Saints as Saints tho they be not all Ministring Brethren if some of them be yet they are no other in my Intention here yet I shall reckon with such in Office as you have it hereafter Prayer Singing Preaching Communion at the Lord's Table Collection Discipline are the permanent standing Ordinances of the Church of Christ without exception to be made against any one of them only Singing is called in question wherefore I shall mainly speak to it wherefore these two Texts Ephes 5. and Coloss 3. do require a Social Singing as well as a Vocal Singing which is confessed
Author would not have God's Praise confined to Songs of Praise only no more would any one What makes this for you that would confine it from all Songs ever since Christianity began if not a thousand Years afore till a thousand Years Reign in any ordinary Gift or Manner Thus did not Dr. Owen and I tell you that you have abused him and I fear your own Conscience in your Quotation for in your 5th Page line 29 Appendix you draw a black Line betwixt God and this which if filled up as it ought to have been would have drawn a black Line upon your Book and Appendix as the Reader shall see the words you have left out are these following viz. to praise God for the Work of his Love and Grace in our Redemption by Christ Jesus This he promised to go before them in And what he led them unto is by them to be persisted in This indeed is the End of Church-gathering and of all Duties that are performed therein and thereby Now all that had acquaintance with the Doctor knows that notwithstanding he would not have praising God in the Church to be restrained to melodious singing God's Praise yet he did own it a Duty which ought to be performed and persisted in amongst others to sing Praise to God with melodious Voice in Private and Publick And those words which you have left wittingly out do of necessity imply it what Christ leads them unto is by them to be persisted in Now Christ did lead his Church unto singing Praise to God by his personal Example and joining with them Matth. 26.30 and commanded it in the Church as aforesaid wherefore it is a Duty by them to be persisted in as well as to praise God other ways and sure I am this was Dr. Owen's Judgment and Practice which I will challenge any one to disprove both after this were printed as well as afore And Dr. Owen's Labours and unwearied Pains and Honesty may not be abused by curtailing his Words and true Meaning nor the Reader who it's probable hath not his Book to see whether he be wronged or not Dr. Owen would not have God's Praise to be restrained to Words and Hymns particularly expressing it but all Ordinances Faith and Obedience ordered aright to be giving Glory to God and they must have more Confidence than Honesty that deny it But here is no exception against praising God by particular Words and Hymns in God's Worship wherefore you have beat the Air or Dust into your Eyes discovering a deceitful Pen. And I may guess such is your Anger against particular Words and Hymns of Praise to God that you would very fain deny even all Words and Hymns to be singing melodiously Praise to God at all in Metre or Verse or Song or else all your Labour in your 2d Section is in vain if some gain is not in it for you would cast a Mist by your long Harangue in this 2d Section that we might not know in all the New Testament in what sense to take the word Hymns in or whether in any place it denoteth a Song to be sung to the praise of God melodiously I could give as many critical Names but I like not and do stick to our last English Translation as apprehending those that did it to be every way their Equals that oppose it Nor is your Supposition like this how much without measure Christ himself had of the Spirit seeing they all sung an Hymn as well as he who had not received extraordinary Gifts in that nature that Christ's Practice did agree with the Rule of Worship whereby his Church in all Ages by him were appointed Wherefore because Christ and his Disciples did sing altogether in an ordinary Manner and no other Psalms were spoken of to be such but Scripture-Psalms and Singing was used in the Primitive Times it is our Duty now and because you have not you will not receive it let it be on your own Peril Your 3d Section is deceitful in your two first Propositions You say That such Spiritual Singing as was in the Primitive Church was from a special Gift of the Holy Spirit for the proof of which you alledg ten Scriptures or more to prove that there were Spiritual singing Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs melodiously in God's Worship or else you say nothing 2dly And that it was from a special Gift of the Holy Spirit both which I grant and yet you get nothing for you do not say in your Proposition it was from an extraordinary Gift as much as any Miracle or immediate strange Tongue inspired but a special Gift It were so if it were ordinary to sing with the Spirit and with Understanding also but you can never prove these two to be extraordinary Gifts viz. Spirit and Understanding inasmuch as Understanding is the greater without which the other is unfruitful the Understanding was an ordinary Gift in all and exhorted to be observed which had not been and must direct every Gift whatsoever in its use for Edification wherefore as he that prophesies is greater than he that speaks with Tongues 1 Cor. 14.5 and yet that Prophecy is an ordinary Gift and such as every Member is to have less or more for they are all exhorted to covet it and it is a continued Gift in the Church always A strange Tongue without an Interpreter is a meaner Gift than Prophecy both for the Church and in respect of our Understanding for Prophecy will help it aright but the Understanding muâ—â— direct and guide a strange Tongue or elsâ— it becomes unprofitable thus is your first Proposition rendred invalid Your second Proposition is impertinent viz. 2dly That the Gifts of the Holy Spirit were not given alike to every peculiar Member of the Church of Christ for Publick Worship The veriest Novice would have made a better who did ever affirm such a piece of Ignoramus The holy Spirit did never give Gifts alike to every Apostle Evangelist or Elder nor it may be never will much less to every particular Member though every particular One had not Gifts alike for publick Worship nor ever will in this World yet every particular Member ought to have less or more of every Gift and Grace of the Spirit ordinarily or else there will be no communion between Information and Acceptation which every Gift either tendeth to edify and build else he that speaketh is unfruitful If either Experience do not speak to Experience and Spirit to Spirit so that there is a likeness of Gift between Speaker and Hearer or else he hath not an Ear to hear or the Speaker but an Imagination there is a likeness as to the nature of the Gift in each in the Quality though not in the Quantity in all things that tend 〈◊〉 the perfection of the Saints and God's Worship were not one thing in the Primitive Times and another now All your Stories told in your third Section in pag. 13. is conceited Tautologies Objections to no
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