as much in the Voice or Tune as in the Heart contrary to Eph. 5. Answ The Melody ought to be in the Heart according to Eph. 5. and in the Voice too or else it could not be singing 't is not to be a melody without the Voice but if it be only in the Voice and no Spiritual Melody in the Heart then 't is we grant contrary to Eph. 5. Doth not your supposed way of singing with chearful Voice consist as well in the Voice as in the Heart The Psalmist tells us when God brought back the Captivity of Sion He filled their mouths with laughter and their Tongues with singing Singing is only an act of the Tongue or Voice and so acknowledged by all Mankind Lastly you say There be such Speeches recorded in Scripture which are and may be called Songs of praise which we do not find were uttered with tuneable Singing but with an audible solemn chearful Voice as that which is called the Song of Hannah c. and the blessed Virgin Answ Why do you assert any such things if they praised God in a Song they sung the praises of God but they praised God in a Song Ergo they sung his praise this must be granted unless you can prove any did praise God in a Song without Singing 2. If this be not so the propriety of Speech or acts of the bodily Organs are confounded and we left in the dark and the common Understanding of all Mankind deceived 3. Thô 't is not said they sung those Songs yet their Singing of them is directly implyed because they praised God and magnified him in Songs 4. You know those Songs in the Original are in Metre Were you not a Scholar we should not so much admire at your mistake it was no proper Song they praised God in if it were not sung and none dare say that those are metaphorically called Songs 5. But you must conclude they were Tropical and Metaphorical Songs or else believe they in a proper sence according to the common Understanding of Man kind in general did sing those Songs To conclude with this Head viz. What Singing is all men may perceive your Trumpet gives in this matter an uncertain found for one while you intimate 't is praising of God in Prayer another while you suggest you wait for a special gift to perform it according to the Primitive platform And after all do not say 't is a musical melodious modulation or tuning of the Voice thô but of one single person alone which is the distinction of that distinct act of the voice known to the common race of mankind So that when that Gift is attained you wait for we know not what a sort of Singing we shall have But the Word of God hath not left us thus in the dark about what it is to sing 1. All Learned Men affirm 't is an act of the voice which all men know how it differs from any other act of the bodily Organs as Prayer common praises rejoycing preaching crying shouting c. as it also clearly appears from Exod. 32.17 2. That 't is clearly distinguished from the Duty of Prayer as another distinct act by the Apostle Paul 1 Cor. 14.15 What is it then I will pray with the Spirit and will pray with the understanding also I will sing with the Spirit and will sing with the understanding also Common praise is by all confessed to be a part or branch of Prayer and comprehended in prayer and therefore that is not singing the same we have laid down by the Apostle James 5.13 3. In a word 't is we say again a musical melodious praising of God which had you affirmed you had not left your people in the dark about it as now you have But to proceed we shall referr our Reader for his further satisfaction concerning this to Mr. Keach's Book Chap. 1. p. 15 16 17 18 19 20. 'T is called the making a joyful noise to the Lord Psal 81.1 and Psal 91.1 In Rev. 19. 't is said those that shall sing those Hallelujahs shall make a noise as of a great Thunder which can't be the voice of one single man Secondly We shall come to examine that which in page 5. you call the order or manner of Singing which you say we are plainly directed unto by what is recorded in 1 Cor. 14. From 26th Verse you say it is a gift of the Holy Spirit bestowed on whom and when he pleases for the Edification of the Church and that the Psalm was to be uttered or sung by him that had it singly Answ That it was to be uttered or spoken forth by one singly is granted but that it was sung by him alone singly we deny the reason you give for your bold assertion follows in the said fifth page of your Epistle 1. For or because they were so to prophesie viz. one by one the same direction being given you say for expressing or singing of a Psalm verse 31. Answ Brother why did you not rehearse that 29 30 31. verses for had you so done all who read your Epistle might see what you say is not true there is nothing expressed or spoken in verse 28 29 30 31 about singing at all We will give the Reader the trouble to read the Verse which our Brother affirms this assertion from and let it be considered This Text had need to be plain for his purpose because he cites no other place of Scripture for what he says but this one only to prove that one single person should sing in the Church alone Let the Prophets speak two or three and let the others judge ver 29. If any thing be revealed to another that fitteth by let the first hold his peace ver 30. For ye may all Prophesie one by one that all may learn and all may be comforted ver 31. These are the verses from whence Mr. Steed affirms the Apostle gives directions about singing one by one as in the case of prophecying But how greatly he is mistaken will appear 1. For 't is plain from hence that the Apostle speaks only of prophecying or preaching and not of Singing And evident it is that but one single person at once ought to preach prophecy or interpret the Scripture and this direction the Apostle gives about the exercise of those gifts because the contrary is confusion all the World knows But 't is not confusion for two three or threescore to sing together for if it were Moses and the whole Congregation and Christ and his Disciples performed a confused piece of Worship which is Blasphemy to assert 2. You say it is positively asserted by the Holy Spirit that to do otherwise is not order but confusion which the All-wise God is not the Author of ver 33. From this Rule it is say you that our Prayers our Doctrines and Exhortations are uttered singly in the Churches And that we do not admit of those responses or repetitions with audible voice of the
read to them may not be in a joyful frame and so cannot sing all together with the Spirit and Understanding as is required 1 Cor. 14.15 Answ We do not believe any one Member is totally without a tuneable Voice or the faculty o◠Singing thô some may not have it to that degree o◠acuteness as some others no more than they may in Prayer yet such who can't pray so elequently or acutely express themselves ought to pray nevertheless as well as they can and so in Singing they may do it as well as they can 2. They are all to joyn in Prayer in their Hearts with the Minister but may be some may not so clearly and immediately understand some of the expressions their Ministers use and so with the Spirit and Understanding can't joyn in Prayer in their Hearts and so with you in your way of singing 3. Such who cannot may forbear either joyning in such Expressions either with you or us and such who are not in a joyful frame may forbear too we do not believe every one must sing always with the Church or they sin But thô they may not be in a joyful frame God nevertheless deserves his praises and he is in a very bad frame indeed that is out of a frame to laud and praise the Name of God the Apostle bids us rejoyce evermore and thô sorrowful yet always rejoycing in the Lord. Fifthly You say Singing is to be practised as that it may be for teaching and admonishing one another therefore Col. 3.16 some are to teach and some to be taught are all Teachers and all Admonishers at one time but none taught which is confusion 1 Answ By the way this shews Singing is not part of Prayer or praising of God in Prayer sure you do not use Prayer to teach or admonish one another 2. The Psalm hath the teaching and admonishing in it and all in singing Psalms may be said to teach and yet all by the Psalm are taught and admonished And since God hath commanded us to teach and admonish one another viz. In Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs singing and making melody in our Hearts to the Lord how dare you contradict it or oppose our so doing 'T is a different way of teaching one another than in the way of a Ministers preaching and yet it is no confusion 't is a teaching and admonishing one another in singing of Psalms and how all may be sai◠in so doing to teach and yet be taught see Mr Keaches Book page 113 114 115 116 117 118 120. Did not Moses and the whole Congregation of Israel sing together Exod. 15.1 and were they not all nevertheless by that Song admonished c. and was that confusion You say if a Preacher should teach the people by uttering or speaking out a sentence of his Sermon and all his hearers should say it or sing it after him and so proceed would this say you be reputed an orderly way for the instruction and edification of the people So that this Scripture which is so frequently alledged to countenance common Singing is a plain and evident witness say you against it c. 1 Reply How many sentences of a Sermon may be contained in one or more of David's Psalms which Psalm may be and oft times is sung after the Sermon is ended and yet the People may be sweetly and in an orderly way instructed and edified thereby for did not Gods people of old thus sing in the words of David 2 Chron. 29.30 Dare you say that way which God hath taught and commanded his people to teach and admonish one another may not be reputed an orderly way for instruction and edification of them evident it is he hath commanded them to teach and admonish one another in Psalms in singing Col. 3.16 2. We thus reason Either the Apostle gives directions in those Scriptures Eph. 5.19 Col. 3.16 to Ministers to preach from or out of Psalms Hymns c. or to them to pray and praise God in prayer or else he enjoyns them to be found in some other Ordinance or Duty distinct or quite different from either of the other namely to sing Psalms Hymns c. 1. Now he can't intend Preaching or Directions to Ministers because he doth not say Admonish one another from or out of Psalms but in Psalms Nor is there any shadow of reason why the Apostle should give particular Directions to Ministers to Preach out of the Psalms 2. Because in the same breath as we may say he exhorts them to sing so that according to all wise and worthy Expositors he means no other Teaching than that which is in singing of Psalms c. 3. Because he doth not direct his words to Ministers but to the whole Church even to all that are to be filled with the Spirit and to have the Word of Christ to dwell richly in them which is every Man and Womans Duty all that were or are filled with the Fruits of Righteousness or who have true Grace in their Hearts or have cause to rejoyce in God are required to sing Psalms 2. It cannot intend Prayer or Praising of God in Prayer because thereby we only speak to God and not to Teach and Admonish one another If we are no where in Holy Scripture said in Prayer or Praising of God in Prayer to Teach and Admonish one another then such an Exposition is to be exploded as erroneous but in Prayer c. we are no where said to Teach or Admonish one another Therefore it must intend some other Duty or Ordinance that is distinct or different to both the former Viz. That of Teaching and Admonishing one another in Psalms by singing of them together So that in opposition to what you say these places so frequently alledged do not only countenance that which you call common singing but positively enjoyns it on the Churches Sixthly This common way of Singing you say cannot be allowed in the Church because the Members cannot by lifting up their Voices sing together but it must be by some composed set stinted form of some ones making which they must have read to them or they must read it themselves line after line and so to sing say you doth not appear to be the Mind and Will of our Lord Jesus 1 Reply Are not the Psalms of David and other Scripture Songs set and stinted Forms and because they are so must they not be allowed in the Church God it appears doth enjoyn them and therefore allows them tho' you will not 2. But why must they be composed Forms of some ones making hath not the Holy Ghost left us in the Holy Scripture Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs we plead for no other Psalms but such that are of the Spirits composing or composed by the Spirit 3. We see where your sore is you are for Singing by Inspiritation viz. Psalms given immediately by some special Gift and hence are against the whole Churches Singing because if you should have such a
special Psalm to bring forth others you foresee cannot sing with you but the same Psalm you must read or pronounce to them and so it would be a stinted Form to others as well as Scripture-psalms are so Brother how could all the Congregation of Israel Sing with Moses if he did not or some others read or pronounce each line to them 4. But why do you say so to sing doth not appear to be the Mind and Will of God you proceed and say 1. Because he never appointed or commanded that one person should write or indite a Prayer or Song for another nor did he promise a Blessing to them in their so doing in his New Testament Reply God hath appointed and commanded his people to sing Psalms Hymns or Spiritual Songs which are left on record in the Scripture as to the matter of them and he has as much appointed one person to set them in order to be sung as he hath appointed or commanded any person to indite a Sermon to preach it 2. In vain is all you speak about writing or inditing prayers for another for God himself hath made appointed and given us a book of Psalms but no such Common-prayer-book Had the Holy Ghost compiled a Form of Prayers as he hath a Form of Psalms and commanded us so to pray as he hath enjoyned us so to sing must we have rejected them Singing of Psalms is of Divine Authority say you what you please if our Bible be of Divine Authority But Secondly You say such singing doth not appear to be the Will of God because the Lord hath expresly declared that this Religious Singing-ought to proceed from the Word dwelling richly in them Col. 3.16 And being filled with the Spirit Eph. 5.18 Now say you if they may or ought to sing by a set stinted composed form that is before them it is then but reading or hearing of a Psalm or a Song read to them and then they are sufficiently furnished for this solemn work thô they are never so empty of the Word of Truth or destitute of the Spirit or indeed grosly ignorant which is in downright terms to contradict the Counsel and Command of the Soveraign Lord c. 1 Reply 'T is well you do acknowledge there is a religious singing But Brother who of us plead for such a carnal empty sort of Singing as you speak of Do we in order to a Religlous Singing say there needs no more but the knowledge of the matter to be sung viz. the Psalm to be read to us we say all that sing ought to sing with the Spirit and with Grace in their Hearts So that here you beat the Air for we detest such a Singing which you mention 2. As touching the Word of Christ dwelling richly in us to which you might have added in all wisdom in those who sing Spiritually 't is absolutely necessary But pray remember 't is the Word of Christ we have upon record 't is not some new inspired matter immediately given in nor doth singing require more of that Soul-enriching indwelling Word of Christ than in Preaching Prayer Meditation c. the Word of Christ ought to dwell in us richly in all wisdom as Dr. Wright shews that so we may know when and how to pray when and what to preach when and how to hear when and how to read when and how to meditate and when and how Spiritually to sing Davids Psalms or other Scripture Hymns and Spiritual Songs Many excellent Duties as he shews p. 63. may be spoiled in the observation of them there may be a praying which is sin reading and not consider hearing a favour of death partaking of the Lords Supper to Judgment giving all to the poor and profit nothing and a singing of Gods praises and soon forget his works or without Grace in the Heart or be ignorant of the Soul-enriching Word and destitute of the Spirit Therefore as Singing so all other Duties ought to be performed in the Spirit and with Understanding and Grace in the Heart to the Lord and to a right singing of Scripture-psalms c. 't is needful the Word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom not as touching the bringing forth of a Psalm as to the matter of it so much as to a Spiritual singing of that Psalm with Grace Wisdom and Divine Influences Singing Psalms saith he 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 in the Psalm or Hymn Petitions be contained fervent if threatning great awe of God if deliverance raised hope if Judgment fear if Duty holy purpose to obey if Promises to believe if Prophecy expectation Thus the Word in all wisdom should dwell in us that so we may know how to sing to the Glory of God and our own Instruction Comfort and Consolation as in other Duties Some have lately told you that the Word of Christ is to be in us richly as well to help us to compile a Scripture Hymn as to compile a Scripture Sermon but we conclude it ought to dwell in all richly as in one not so much as we said afore to bring forth a Psalm as to a right Spiritual singing of Psalms Hymns and Divine Songs 'T is a great mistake to suppose the Spirit ought so to dwell richly in us as immediately to inspire us to bring forth a Psalm both Matter Manner and Tune in an extraordinary sort 1. Because we are exhorted to let it dwell in us richly 't is press'd upon the Saints in general as their Duty so to be filled with it special Gifts were only given to some and not taught as a Duty to be attained by all but as a promise given to some in particular as the Spirit distributed to every man that had them as he pleased 2. Nor can it be proved the matter of the Psalm spoken of in 1 Cor. 14. was immediateiy given when they were met together But they had a Doctrine had a Psalm c. when first they came together 1 Cor. 14.26 How is it brethren when you come together every one of you hath a Psalm hath a Doctrine c. they were not to wait for them but had them ready so that the Church was not at uncertainty about them which might be a Psalm of David we reading of no other so called and they might bring it forth in some extraordinary manner and may be in an unknown Tongue which they were not permitted to do unless there was an Interpreter that so others might joyn with him that had it For that word When I pray I will pray with the Spirit and with the Understanding also doth not mean only when he was alone but when in the Church that others might pray with him and so he would when he sung Sing with the Spirit and with the understanding
you call it more in the sight of God than a bare joyning the voice 't is exprest Eph. 5. in the Heart as well as with the Voice Pray consider this and blame us no more for pleading for singing in such a mixt multitude 2. Are none but such who are orderly added to the Church and qualified by the Gifts of the Holy Spirit allowed to worship God with the Church Then you are a grievous Offendor for we are sure you never worship God in his Church in any Gospel Ordinance save breaking of Bread but all in your Assemblies are allowed or suffered to worship God with you Is not hearing God's Word and Prayer spiritual Gospel Ordinances in the last you think you sing too and do not your Congregation when you perform these Duties consist of Church Members good and bad Men and Women and Children professors and prophane together and are not these Ordinances of our Lord Jesus 3. Why may we suffer others to pray and praise God with us and not suffer them to sing his praise with us 4. You betray your Gospel Simplicity we fear by this Objection since you do not allow of proper singing by the Church alone we should think you made a more honest scruple in the case if you were for the Churches singing alone but you are against the Saints singing apart as much as their singing with others 5. Where have we a Rule to put the Hearers out of our Assemblies when we are met to worship God or to command them not to joyn their Hearts in Prayer with us or their Voices and Hearts in singing Psalms c Sure if it had been unlawful we should have had some Directions in that matter 6. We do not joyn with them in prayer nor singing thô they joyn with us we will not suffer them to bring forth a Psalm or a Doctrine that are not godly no more than to make them our mouth in prayer 7. If they are enjoyned to pray and praise God and sing his praise too thô they cannot do it acceptably without holy habits and the exercise of Faith then it can be no fault in us to suffer and permit them so to do but the former you cannot deny therefore we cannot be faulty to permit them so to do 8. Singing of Psalms is full of Admonition and Spiritual Instruction and some we can assure you have been wrought upon by their singing such power it hath had upon their Souls and shall we debarr them of such a precious Ordinance that God has blessed to the Conversion of some Sinners Souls In page 7. you say This Common way of Singing is an invention suited to the humane Constituiion of a National Church where Believers and Unbelievers Light and Darkness Christ and Belial are put together c. 1 Answ If it be an Invention pray who invented it and in what Age of the World was it done certainly you must charge it upon Moses because he was the first we read of who put a mixt Congregation upon Singing the praises of God you forget your self we fear our dear Brother for you cannot deny but that Congregation did so sing yea and a mixt Congregation it was also 2. Thô in close Communion in breaking of Bread we are to separate our selves from Unbelievers and must have no fellowship with them Yet a Gospel Church is not to separate in time of other Gospel Duties and Ordinances from such nor do you call upon yours so to do pray Brother change your thoughts and do not fight against the Truth for you cannot stand before it 't is too strong to be overcome by fancies and fictions of Mens Minds But in pag. 7. you are bold again to affirm That Singing of composed Songs by all the Members of a Church both Men and Women lifting up their Voices together is not an Ordinance of our Lord Jesus Your further Reasons follow First You say Because there is no such thing appointed by him or recorded so to be in the Holy Scripture of the New Testament 1 Answ The Churches are commanded by the Holy Ghost to sing Scripture-psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs without exception And this is recorded Eph. 5. Col. 3. We argue that either the whole Church must sing all together or else only some of them or one single person only But since they are all enjoyned to sing or the Duty is required of the whole Church without exception and not tyed or limited to any person or persons in particular it follows they are all to Sing and so to Sing as the Lords People sung under the Old Testament and Christ and his Disciples who sung together had it been limited to the Elder or some gilted person we may be sure the Holy Ghost would have given directions in the case or hinted at such a thing Secondly In the second place you hint the whole Church with every Member had Communion together according to the Primitive Pattern and wherein they continued is expresly declared to be in the Apostles Doctrine and fellowship breaking of Bread and Prayer Acts 2.42 Here you say is not the least mention of their singing together which if it had been practised in those times as it is now by many would it not have bin expressed Reply Brother you confess Singing is an Ordinance that was practised in the primitive Church thô as you conceive by one single person only Now if so how comes it to pass this Argument of yours has any weight in it since there is no more mention of one single persons singing than of the whole Churches this is against any singing and so against yours as much as against that we contend for 2. Dear Brother you forget that Singing of Psalms was part of the Apostles Doctrine and that they taught the Churches so to sing we argue thus If the Apostle taught the whole Church to sing then such a singing was part of their Doctrine in which they continued But the Apostles taught the whole Church to sing Ergo that was part of their Doctrine in which that Church continued Thirdly You object against the whole Church to sing because Women are plainly forbidden to speak in the Church that is say you to utter a Doctrine or a Psalm c. Answ We have shewed your mistake in this a Woman is only prohibited from teaching or preaching in the Church she must not exercise authority over the Man For to teach Authoritatively hath that contained in it they are not forbidden to sing because under the Law they were as we said before permitted so to do and they are not denyed any liberty in the Gospel Church which they had and might have under the Law in that case Fourthly You argue against such singing Because every Member of the Church you say is not capable to be exercised in that common way of Singing for some have you say not a tuneable Voice or natural Faculty of Singing some may not understand immediately that composed Song
conclude they all in a miraculous maâ—ner lifted up their Voices together in prayer all saying the same words others that they all said Amâ—â— at the close 3. We have shewed all may be said to pray toâ—â—ther when but one is the mouth by joyning in thoâ—â— petitions in their Hearts But so it is not in singing proper singing being an act of the Voice none câ—â— be said to sing unless their Voices are heard so thâ—â— this Text helps you not How often do a multituâ—â— hear one Person sing some affecting Song with which they are raised in their Spirits and seem to eat everâ— word now because this is so can they be all said to sing â—â—at Song You must say it if what you speak is true â—â—d how ridiculous that is we will leave all to judge Thirdly Neither doth it say you appear that they 〈◊〉 sung every one with their Voices together because it 〈◊〉 said vers 26. thô he blessed the Bread which was the â—â—lemn Speech of one it 's said They sung c. which should â—â—em to imply as if they did speak together in singing but â—y you it doth not appear by that expression because our â—ord Jesus it is most likely in his Institution of that Orâ—inance might or did give thanks and bless in the sinâ—ular number as speaking only by himself he being appointed â—nd anointed in a peculiar manner to bless his people and â—â—s Ordinance which he had instituted for this we find 〈◊〉 usually did before others on several occasions Mat. 11.25 â—ohn 11.41 Joh. 17. But say you at the conclusion of â—â—at Ordinance his Disciples being refresh'd with that Heavenly Banquet their praises and thanks to God for his â—reat love then manifested to them might be expressed in â—he plural number as that it might be manifest that they all with united Hearts joyned in praising of God as if it had â—een spoken by every one of them according to the fore-cited â—cripture Acts 4.24 1 Reply You say it doth not appear that they sung every one with their Voices together c. shew as there is any true or proper singing without the Voice and we will give you the Cause we say there â—s none 2. For you to intimate that the Disciples did not â—oyn in their Hearts with our Lord Jesus when he gave thanks or blessed the Bread and the Cup may â—ead our people to err in Judgment and be dangerous in making weak Christians since it comes out of a Pastors mouth to think that in the Blessing of those Elements there is something more contained than all good Protestants affirm because the Disciples were not admitted to joyn with their Masster in that service thô Apostles who were to administer it afterwards themselves 3. It also would follow sith that action of 〈◊〉 Lord Jesus is to be our Rule whether an ordinâ—â—â— Minister may be allowed to give thanks over 〈◊〉 Bread and so over the Cup or not or if he may 〈◊〉 that the Members of the Church may well concluâ—â— they are not ought not to be allowed to joyn wiâ—â— him for otherwise that is no perfect pattern for 〈◊〉 to celebrate the Lords Supper Nor do those Scriptures you cite stand you in any stead Doth it folloâ— because a Minister sometimes prays alone that theâ—â—fore when he is engaged in prayer in a publick Oâ—â—inance with the Church he must pray in the sinâ—â—lar number 't is not said he took Bread and said 〈◊〉 thank thee or Father I pray thee bless this Bread 〈◊〉 all know when there are forty at Supper and 〈◊〉 gives thanks and they all joyn with him yet 't is 〈◊〉 he that speaks the words gives thanks 4. What reason do you give why the Discipâ—â— should be alllowed to joyn with their Master at 〈◊〉 Conclusion and not at the first giving of thanks 〈◊〉 one you beg the cause instead of arguing but we â—â—test your supposition and see you are hard put 〈◊〉 to evade the Truth of God and suggest that which 〈◊〉 most unlikely and dangerous to affirm 5. You would have the last to be no more thaâ— simple praising of God and yet 't is said they sung 〈◊〉 Hymn hard case Who shall the unlearned believâ— Mr. Steed or our Learned Translators and a greâ—â— body of Learned and pious Men who well understooâ— the Greek Tongue Austin on Psalm 52. we find speaâ—ing thus viz. Hymni sunt laudes Dei cum cantico 〈◊〉 si sit laus non sit dei non est Hymnus si sit laus 〈◊〉 Dei laus non cantetur non est Hymnus oportet ergo â—â— si sit hymnus habeat haec tria laudem Dei cantiâ— That is Hymns are the praises of God with a Song 〈◊〉 it be praise and not the praise of God it is not 〈◊〉 Hymn if it be the praise of God and not with 〈◊〉 Song neither is it a Hymn which must have theâ—â— three in it viz. praise the praising of God and thaâ— with a Song or in singing The very same saith Learned Dr. Duveil on Acts 16.25 Hymns saith he are Songs which contain the praise of God if it be praise and not of God it is not a Hymn if it be praise and of God if it be not sung it is not a Hymn And Mr. Henry Jesse in his Greek Lexicon saith the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to sing to celebrate 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the same 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Hymn or Song Act. 16.25 Mat. 26.30 An Hymn saith he is a Song whereby the praises of God are sung if therefore they hymned all they sung all unless there is a proper singing without the voice Fourthly But suppose they did then sing speaking together which yet there is say you no evidence for as was before mentioned yet we do not find any ground why that example should be obliging now to the Churches for it appears that there were some circumstances in that first institution as there was in the first celebratiion of the Passeover that are not obliging afterwards as the entring upon it after Supper and washing the Disciples feet as is most probable after it Joh. 13.24 So neither doth this kind of Singing appear to be a Duty to be performed as a continuing Ordinance 1 Reply Brother who denies but there was some circumstances in the first Institution that are not obliging yet can you or any wise man think that part of Religious Worship to be a Circumstance for you dare not deny but praising of God in singing or without singing is a great part of Religious Worship therefore no circumstantial matter as that after Supper and in an upper room and in the night c. 2. It may appear to all that the other great part of the Ordinance viz. That of giving of Thanks or blessing of the Bread and Wine is no Rule for us not obliging us according to your Notion since you intimate our Lord Jesus performed
Favour to our Souls in that Redemption we have through Christs Blood Thirdly Such a kind of Singing an Hymn you say is not to be practised now because we find the uttering or singing of a Psalm or Hymn in the Church was by command of the Lord to be manag'd after another manner as appears from the before mentioned 1 Cor. 14.26 Reply This is meerly to beg the Cause that manner of Singing you referr to is but your own private Conceit and Opinion which we have answered already The practice of our Saviour is a perfect Rule and we cannot err while we follow it for he is set forth as an Example for us in his Obedience in the discharge of Gospel Ordinances Had we not a Mind to spare you how justly might you be exposed by your strange and cloudy reasonings If the Copy is to be imitated in one thing why not in another 2. You do but suppose Singing was manag'd after another manner from that Text 1 Cor. 14.26 viz. by one single person and that too by a special or extraordinary Gift in Gods ordinary worship which you prove not nor can you whilst you live on Earth Is it not said with the voice together they shall sing Isa 52.8 3. And suppose it was then manag'd by such a gift was not preaching or a Doctrine c. also manag'd by the same kind of Gifts and must we not preach c. now because no such Gifts Object The second Objection you pretend to answer is that about Paul and Silas 's singing praise to God Acts 16.25 1. To this you say p. 11. Paul and Silas pray'd as well as sang praises and were heard by the prisoners Can we think say you that when they prayed they spake both together Why then should any suppose they listed up their Voices together in singing praises the Holy Spirit gives no other account of the one than of the other Reply We say to you in answer why should any think the Holy Ghost speaks in the Clouds or unintelligibly When they prayed no body doubts but that one only was the mouth but if they both sung then one did not sing alone because all Mankind understand the act of Singing as has been proved differs quite from that of praying Many may we tell you again be truly and properly said to pray together when only one is the mouth but many cannot be said to sing together if but one single person only truly and properly sings 2. Therefore thô the prisoners heard them 't is not to be thought they heard both their Voices when they prayed but yet did hear both their Voices when they sung 3. Had it been no more than praising of God in Prayer the Holy Ghost had not added and sung praises strange you will distinguish no better on the Natures of differing Ordinances according to the common understanding of all Mankind Do you always when you praise God or give thanks for your meat and drink before or after meat sing would not any Body of understanding smile at you should you so speak 2. You say we may safely conclude they did not sing by lifting up their Voices together because we may judge that the Apostle knowing the Mind of the Lord in that particular which he could and did communicate unto others would not allow himself or this Companion to be transgressors of it 1 Reply Dear Brother you argue not at all strange that such lines should come from such a Pen You take that for granted which you prove not and which we deny by force of argument We say the Apostle well knew singing with Voices together was the practice of the Lords people under the Law and that so Christ and his Disciples sung and therefore so he and Silas sung and were no transgressors 2. And since Paul and Silas who you say knew the Mind of the Lord in that particular sung together we say so it is our Duty to do and they that do it not neglect a Gospel Duty Object The third Objection you pretend to answer is from that in Jam. 5.13 Is any merry let him sing Psams This Scripture you say is no direction for a Church assembled to employ themselves in singing together But how a particular person in a joyful frame ought to manage his Mirth or Comfort to the Glory of God Certainly it can never be a right Inference say you that because a single person when chearful or comfortable is exhorted to sing praise to God therefore to conclude that it is the Duty of the Church of Christ in its publick Assembly to have all the Members sing together with Artificial Rhimes and Tunes a composed Song or Psalm tho not commanded so to do and although they be not in a joyful frame is a strange inference 1 Reply We in the first place cannot but observe how clearly you here give away the Cause viz. do not you plainly intimate that singing is a different thing from Prayer or common ordinary praising of God in Prayer for if you do not grant this there is nothing in what you say for as one man ought so to praise God when in a joyful frame so you know ought a whole Church together to do the same Pray consider of this it looks ill upon you 2. We do not urge this Text to prove a whole Assembly ought to sing together and you know it well enough but to prove that singing is some other Act Duty or Thing than that of praising of God you plead for and would have to be Gospel-singing But however we would willingly know or be informed if one Man when glad or sees cause to rejoyce in the Lord may and ought to sing why many if in the same frame may not sing and sing together 3. However you are short in this Duty when merry or see cause to rejoyce in the Lord as a single person do you ever sing Psalms we hope you sometimes are merry in the Lord certainly you cannot conclude this intends some special Gift Had every one that was merry or joyful in the Lord a special Gift to sing or can you think the Apostle puts them upon a Duty they were not in a capacity to perform 'T is not left at the liberty of a person that is in a joyful frame to sing Psalms if he pleases but he is as much required to sing Psalms as a person afflicted is to pray 4. As to Rhime Tunes c. if there be a singing of Psalms a proper singing we mean without Tunes Metre c. you may so sing thô we know none Rhime we do not say is essential to singing thô Verse or Metre is but blame us not we so sing seeing you positively affirm it is not unlawful Talk no more of composed Psalms you know David's Psalms were composed by the Spirit of God and Scripture songs are as Sacred as Scripture prose we know no Psalms but those called David's Psalms 2. You say this Singing here
directed unto is when a person is merry or comfortable which certainly is to be suitable to his praying when afflicted and sorrowful which is not by reading a prayer of anothers composing but by pouring out his Soul in earnest Requests to God as he shall be assisted by the Holy Spirit In like manner the Singing here intended is not the reading and tuning of a Psalm out of a Book or writing of anothers composing but his solemn expressing the praise of God and his joyful thanks to God as the Holy Spirit doth assist him with a tuneable Voice or otherwise shall Prayer be with the Spirit and singing praises which is the highest worship be by a form Surely say you we are otherwise directed by the Word of God 1 Cor. 14.15 And we are counsell'd to labour to be filled with the Spirit if we will speak to our selves in Psalms and Hymns Eph. 5.19 which if it may be performed by reading and tuning a Psalm or Song indited for us may it not be by a person in a carâ—â—â— as much as by one in a Spiritual state and frame This Singing say you that a Christian in his chearfulness is directed unto we humbly conceive is explained Eph. 5.4 Neither foolish talking nor jesting which are not convenient but rather giving of thanks Where Believers are directed how to improve their merry and chearful seasons first negatively not as the World commonly doth in foolish talking and jesting to stir up laughter and vain mirth by Secondly positively to recreate their Spirits by getting up and holding forth their joy and comfort in praising and blessing the Name of the Lord as he shall graciously enable them whether with Metre Tunes or otherwise 3 Reply That a person should sing when in a joyful frame by influence or help of the Spirit we deny not as a person afflicted is so to pray and not by reading of a prayer yet singing of Psalms is one thing and prayer another may not a Man spiritually sing one of Davids Psalms or other Scripture-Hymns or Sacred Songs because he did not compose it himself Do you suppose that every Man and woman in those Times had that special Gift to bring forth a Psalm for 't is evident every Man and Woman some time or another may be merry or joyful in the Lord and then they lie without exception under the same obligation to sing Psalms You it seems admit of Singing with a tuneable Voice Nor indeed is there any other singing known to Mankind Now if every Man has not the special Gift to bring forth a Psalm both Matter Manner and Tune c. by an immediate help of the Spirit we find you suppose they cannot sing Psalms according to this Precept nor must they sing any Psalms but of their own enditing Doubtless the weakest person that had no special Gift If merry in the Lord is bound and obliged to sing Psalms as well as any other therefore singing was not tyed up to persons who had a special Gift so to sing Besides the Psalms are contained in the Holy Scripture which we are to sing the matter being already composed by the Spirit therefore praying and singing greatly differ thô both are to be performed by the assistance of the Spirit Brother there is a Book of Psalms left for us in Gods Word to sing by but no Book of Prayers is there left for us to pray by therefore you say nothing Nor is that doubtless true which you conceive from Eph. 5.4 i.e. that the Apostle there gives directions about singing but rather 't is about speaking viz. that we should not in our common discourse c. use foolish talking nor jesting but that God should be always in our Minds and we ready always to give thanks to him For as Men are subject to sing foolish Songs when merry which the Apostle James implicitely reproves and gives directions then to sing Psalms so they are as ready to use jestings and foolish talkings especlally at Feasts which are not convenient Therefore St. Paul gives directions to avoid them and to give thanks to God for all we have and demean our selves with gravity and an Holy and Heavenly Spirit 5. Now we come to the fifth and last thing you insist upon viz. you say you shall speak a little to the last particular you mentioned which is this viz. But it may be said is there no way to revive that Ordinance of Singing or bringing forth a Psalm in the Church as it was in the primitive times or as we have it recorded 1 Cor. 14.26 First You say the Church hath that which is chiefly intended by it in their solemn giving of Thanks and praising of God together as they have continual occasion and opportunity for it Reply Why do you say the Church hath that which was chiefly intended if the Church hath not the Ordinance or thing it self is not this like what some say of Sprinkling viz. Thô Baptism was performed by dipping or applying the subject to the Water in the primitive times and we use sprinkling say they yet we have that which was chiefly intended by it for we use water and apply it to the Subject and sprinkling with the Blood of Christ is mentioned as well as washing in his Blood and we use the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost when we do it c. What is it your Church hath Why you praise God together and so you ought aad may every hour and yet have none of this Ordinance because praising of God in prayer is not singing of his praises thô praising of God be the chief thing intended yet t is no other than a musical or melodious singing of his praises which if you do not so you have not the chief thing intended Why should God enjoyn his people to sing his praise if to praise him in prayer without singing was sufficient is not this to exalt your Wisdom above the Wisdom of God or to make void a Gospel precept by your Tradition read that in Matthew 2. It may be confidently expected say you that if the Lords people did more earnestly pray and wait for a more plentiful pouring forth of the Holy Spirit there might be more assistance afforded for enditing and uttering a Psalm or Spiritual Song according to the primitive pattern 1 Reply If you have that which was chiefly intended by singing what need is there to expect any more of the Spirit to be performed to endite a Psalm or to pray for such pourings forth of the Spirit to that end thô we all have cause to pray for more of the Holy Spirit to be poured forth yet not to revive the practice of any Gospel Ordinance which we see plainly the Churches were enjoyned to perform for if we want it to revive one Duty we want it to revive all 2. Prayer is an Ordinance Preaching is an Ordinance Baptism and the Lords Supper are Ordinances and you are found in the discharge of all
is our Pattern and not Mr. Edward Harrison further than he followed Christ But why will you not enter into the List of this Controversie pray be not unwilling to answer those Books lately published or else dispute out this point soberly in a sweet cool Gospel Spirit If you can convince us we are in an Error we shall retract it and bless God for your care of our Souls and Churches which you affirm are carried away with an invention of men from our Virgin simplicity we shall now examine what you lay down in the fourth page of your Epistle which it seems is the heads of a Sermon you preached against Singing after Reverend Mr. Knowles had in the Morning preached it up as a Gospel Ordinnace sad case First You say you shall shew what Singing is that may or should be practis'd in a Gospel Church Secondly In what order or manner it ought to be managed according to Divine Appointment Thirdly How it appears that the Common Singing is not an Ordinance of Jesus Christ Fourthly Shall consider you say some Scriptures that are alledged for this common Singing in the New Testament Fifthly Shall mention something concerning your waiting on the Lord for the full reviving of it according to the primitive Pattern First then you say As to what that Singing is that may or should be practised in a Gospel Church I shall thus briefly say you describe it viz. It is the solemn joyful distinct expressing or sounding forth the high praise of the great God and his Son Jesus Christ c. according as the Holy Spirit giveth ability or utterance to an Elder or gifted Brother in a Church or Assembly of the Saints which is to be brought forth from a right frame and to be managed in an orderly manner according to the direction given us in the Holy Scripture of the New Testament which is the only Rule for the discovery of and guiding us into the practice of Gospel Ordinances whereunto it doth not appear nor can it be proved that the common Artificial Rhimes Measures or Tunes are essential to it I say they are not Essential to it though not unlawful I. Reply We must needs say your method is well cut out but ill made up For First you leave us in the dark about what you believe singing is thô you say it is a distinct expressing or sounding forth the high praise of God c. for you may yet mean as far as any Body can see hereby only praising of God in Prayer unless you had added 't is a solemn distinct expressing or sounding forth the high Praises of God by a musical melodious modulation or tuning of the Voice which only distinguishes what singing is from any other distinct act of the bodily Organs as 't is always understood by all Mankind 't is well however you dare not say Rhimes Measures or Tunes are unlawful We will not say as well as you Rhime is Essential to it but if it be a Psalm Hymn or Song and yet not Metre or measur'd feet we and all Mankind are generally mistaken for we know not how Prose differs from Metre any other ways but if there may be a melodious modulation of the Voice or a proper singing without Metre we will not contend about that and if you can sing that way pray use your liberty but since Rhime measures and Tunes are not unlawful as you positively affirm they are not you ought to leave us to our liberty and not condemn that as an invention of men or an Error which we perceive you dare not do because you know in the Original the Book of Psalms part of Job Hannah's and Deborah's Songs Prov. Eccles Song of Solomon the Song of Isaiah the Lamentations and Habbukkuk c. are in Metre 2. But why may we not sing with measur'd feet c. 1. Your first reason is Because you say thtre is no Rule in the New Testament enjoyning them nor any example for such a practice Answer There is a Rule in the New Testament enjoyning singing Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs And from thence we thus reason If the Church knows no other singing of Psalms Hymns c. but such a way viz. in Metre as was used under the old Testament then that way the Churches are to sing but the former is true 2. If Psalms Hymns or Songs differ only from Prose because they are in Metre and this too in the common understanding of all men then the Psalm Hymn or Song is or must be in Metre or measur'd feet c. that is sung or else 't is no Hymn or Song at all but only in conceit and fancy Whereas as you ask whether a person cannot be merry in the Lord express his Joy in Praise and Thanksgiving with chearful Voice without such an Artificial Composure before mentioned Answer We do not deny but a person may be merry in the Lord and express his Joy in Praise and Thanksgiving with a chearful Voice too and yet not sing the Praises of God what tho we that way do and are to rejoyce yet ought we not to leave the other undone viz. to express our Joy when merry in the Lord by singing because we are enjoyned by the Lord to sing and make melody will you teach and instruct the Almighty What says some can't we Worship God without going into the water and be baptized or remember Christs Death without breaking Bread and drinking Wine Take heed dear Brother singing the Praises of God is enjoyned on us and on the Churches of Christ 't is not left to our liberty whether we will do it or not And other praising of God with chearful voice must not exclude this way nor can it without Sin in neglect of a holy Duty And Brother you have no more reason to call it an artificial composure than so to call our composed Sermons The Prophet had a very pleasant composed voice in Preaching so have some now but must they be charged with an artificial composure who gave man that melodious tongue but God and was it to any other design think you than to sing forth his praise Secondly You say If those things that is Metre Verse and Tune be essential then this Singing would be more a Natural Art or rather an Artificial acquired attainment than a Spiritual gift Answ We answer Natural Art and Natural Gifts are from God as Speech or to speak is given to us by him 'T is moreover an Ordinance to read God's Word and an absolute Duty and yet it can't be attained without Art and barely to read is more an Artificial acquired attainment than a Spiritual so is it barely to sing and to preach pray and hear too but to read to pray to preach and to sing Spiritually can't be done without Spiritual gifts for without Grace in the Heart none of those Natural Moral and Artificial acquired attainments can be performed acceptably to God Thirdly you say Then the Melody would be
these Duties too thô it may be in some things you may not so exactly be found in the performance of them according to the primitive Pattern and may pray for the Spirit to be poured forth in a greater measure to help you to discharge your Duties in those Ordinances but you will not however neglect them under such pretences why then do you wholly neglect this of Singing the praises of God under such a pretence i. e. for want of more of the Spirit to endite and utter a Psalm 3. What ground have you to expect or to pray for those extraordinary Gifts to perform any Gospel Ordinance which were in the primitive Times if there is no promise for their return then no ground of Faith to pray for them 4. May not this tend to cause our people to cast off all other Ordinances upon the same pretences and turn Seekers 't is very dangerous what you suggest here 5. It appears you allow of enditing a Psalm and that the Spirit may return to enable a person so to do Brother dare you say those Godly Men who endite Hymns and Spiritual Songs do not bring them forth now by the help of the Holy Spirit pray in form us how we or any people may infallibly know that an Hymn is endited by the Spirit may not some as much question whether you or other Ministers endite or compile their Sermons by the assistance of Gods Spirit by the same rule as you may question whether or no they have the assistance of the Spirit to endite Hymns 6. There are some that can and do sometimes now bring forth an Hymn extemporarily may not you conclude the Spirit is returned already to enable them so to do or what evidence further do you expect of such a thing hereafter when more of the Spirit is poured forth or how will you know it is not a common nor a natural Gift which such a person hath Brother you seem to many wise men who have read your Epistle to be in this matter a great Enthusiast 7. Lastly Can any Man endite an Hymn or Psalm without study and premediation Certainly what you hint here of enditing and uttering a Psalm or Spiritual Song when the Spirit is poured forth c. is just the same thing which we say many of the Lords Servants by the present help of the Spirit are enabled to do now 3. It is clearly manifested you say in the Holy Scriptures and sadly experienced That the Church or Interest of Christ in the World was to be and hath been not only a long time kept under by Persecution and Bondage by the power of Spiritual Babylon c. in which time the Harps have been as it were hung upon the willows Psal 137.2 The Witnesses have prophesied in Sackcloth and the Church in the Wilderness whereby it hath been a season more for crying and mourning than for rejoycing or singing But also the Holy Spirit hath been in a great measure withdrawn those eminent Gifts that were in the primitive Times have not been distributed to the Saints the Church hath been fed and nourished but not feasted as in the beginning And it is â—â—markable that in the Revelations c. we have little or no mention made of a Song of praise uttereâ—â— in Heaven that is the Church after the advancâ—ment of the mystery of Iniquity c. till the Lanâ— appeared again on Mount Sion c. Therefore iâ— such a time you say it is no wonder if there be so feâ— Spiritual Songs endited and sung in the Churches according to the primitive pattern It is now a time rather to be joyning in united prayers for our mutual preservation than to be contending about bringing in agaâ—â— this common formal singing into the Churches p. 13. c. Reply What is all this mentioned for what thâ— Israel of old under that dispensation whose promise and priviledges were external and more earthly thâ—â— Spiritual in the time of their Captivity being carrâ—ed away out of their own Land refused to sing oâ— of the Songs of Sion especially at the taunting 〈◊〉 quest of their insulting Enemies Doth it follow froâ— hence that the Saints in the Gospel days under Suffering and Persecution must not sing True were oâ— priviledges outward or earthly as theirs were thâ—â— might be the like reason for us to say as they diâ— and hang our Harps on the willows But Brother yâ—â— know better our priviledges and promises are moâ—â— sublime Spiritual and Heavenly the ground of ouâ— singing Gods praises are not for outward peacâ— earthly Riches and Prosperity c. but for Jeâ—â— Christ or Redemption through his Blood Union 〈◊〉 Communion with the Father and the Son pardon of Sâ—â— Justification Adoption free access to the Throne of Grâ—â— the witnessings and sealings of the Holy Spirit peace Conscience and joy in the Holy Ghost with the hope â—â— Eternal life and as our sufferings do abound in us soâ—â— consolation also aboundeth by Christ 2 Cor. 1.5 for thâ— things we ought to sing the high praises of God hâ—â— is matter of a Song and from hence God deserveâ— a glorious manner to have his praises celebrated 〈◊〉 you think any outward mercies can better tune 〈◊〉 Hearts and Tongues to sing Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs than these high sublime and chiefest of â—lessings Were a people more affected with outward or external mercies or with deliverances from â—ersecution under Antichrist than with the mercies â—efore mentioned it would rather betray their sincerity than otherwise and discover a carnal heart 2. It is not known to all the World how sweetly â—nd frequently the poor Saints and Martyrs sung â—salms c. just as they went into the Fire like as Christ and his Disciples sung the night before he was â—etrayed and Paul and Silas when in prison and â—â—eir feet fast in the stocks What thô we have cause to â—ourn yet we have cause always to rejoyce nay and we are exhorted to account it all joy when we fall into temptation as the Apostles when they had been â—eat rejoyced they were accounted worthy to suffer â—â—ame for Christs Name sake 3. Besides why do you intimate as if the Church under persecution and reign of Antichrist have not had such a measure of the Spirit and presence of God to feast â—hem as well as feed them doubtless the Saints in the â—arkest time of Antichrist were most gloriously feasted 〈◊〉 any in any age of the Church by which means they â—ung a new Song even the Song of the Lamb who had â—edeemed them out of every kindred tongue people and Nation Rev. 5.9 True when Babylon is down it may add to â—â—eir joy and when they sing the Song of Moses as well as â—he Song of the Lamb then the melody may seem more â—weet But we must tell you God at all times deâ—erves his praises thô we were in the same condition with the Church of the Jews and 't is not unknown 〈◊〉 you the
or teaching one another or themselves in Psalms and Hymns c. Reply Brother 't is a hard case prejudice against an Ordinance should so blind your Eyes that with all your Learning you should not know what singing is but conclude simple praising of God in Prayer is singing hath not Mr. Keach in the first Chapter of his Treatise clearly confuted this Conceit to which you make no reply Singing is a distinct act of the Voice and 't is known to all mankind how it differs from any other acts of the bodily Organs as Mr. Gosnal once told Mr. Kiffin in a discourse they had about it We say and testifie you sing not and do appeal to all men in the World whether praising God in Prayer is singing thô you do praise God yet we say you do not sing his Praise which the Churches are enjoyned to do Are you willing to joyn issue in this one single point in a sober Dispute If you can prove you sing in any proper sense for 't is not an improper or metaphorical singing which the Holy Ghost enjoyns on the Churches we will give up the Cause to you But if that be not singing you speak of you must acknowledge 't is true what you are charged with viz. That you are against singing in the Church â—nd so wholly neglect it through ignorance of what at is And it cannot be a false Calumny or Accusation that you are charged with which you intimate Page 2. whilst you decry that way of singing which you call common sith you are in the practice of no singing at all neither of the whole Church nor of one single person 2. Can any wise man be so ignorant as to conclude those Precepts Eph. 5.19 Col. 3.16 do mean a bare exhorting one another out of the Book of Psalms and not such an admonishing one another in Psalms Hymns and spiritual Songs that is in singing of them That we are exhorted to sing Psalms c. no man who has not lost his senses can deny and if that singing was no more than praising God in Prayer then it would follow in Prayer we exhort one another and speak one to another and how absurd it is to affirm that we will leave to all mens consideration Dear Brother we have a great respect for you and doubt not but God hath endowed you with good abilities to preach his Word but this Exposition of yours of admonishing one another in Psalms c. singing and making melody in our hearts to the Lord must be wholly exploded as a great Error 2. To proceed if Gospel singing were nothing else than praising of God in Prayer c. why do you speak of waiting for such Gifts from the Holy Spirit as may put you into a Capacity to perform it fully according to the primitive Platform and Pattern These words betray you and may sufficiently inform every mans judgment who shall read your Epistle that you are conscious to your self of the present want of the practice of this great Gospel Duty which you say may nay should be in a Church of Christ For if you sing when you praise God and that answers the Mind of God in those Gospel Precepts Eph. 5.19 Col. 3.16 what need you wait for such gifts to put you into a capacity to perform it fully according to the Primitive Platform and Pattern it appears that solemn giving of thanks or praising of God in Prayer is not singing according to the primitive Platform in your Conscience and Confession certainly to do duty and not according to the Gospel Pattern is sinfull but that the primitive way or manner of singing you are waiting for in which it seems you are turned Seeker we dread the Effects of your Notion and that it may insnare many gracious and well-meaning Christians May not they well say Since we have not those special Gifts to perform one Ordinance and that we ought not to practise it untill we have such Gifts which were in the Primitive Church we must peform or practise none untill those extraordinary Gifts do return which there is no ground to believe ever will This is what the Seekers assert and was we of your mind in the case of Singing we know we could not withstand the casting off all Ordinances from such a Supposition you suggest How inconsistent to Gospel simplicity doth what you affirm seem to be let all men judge One while you are for Singing and intimate you are in the practice of it too and what singing is that Why you tell us viz. 'T is praising of God and if that be not Singing then you are wholly without it But notwithstanding this Singing you intimate you are waiting for such Gifts as may put you into a Capacity to perform it fully according to the primitive Platform and Pattern So that it seems you do not sing as yet according to the primitive Platform and Pattern and if so your singing cannot be allowed nor will it serve to discharge that Gospel Duty because every thing in Gods Worship that is accepted ought to be done according to the primitive Pattern but if the one be Gospel Singing there 's no need of the other and if the latter which you wait for Gifts to perform at present be the true primitive way of Singing certainly the other can be no singing at all Because it differs quite in the Nature of it from that which you intimate you are waiting for Gifts to perform You call the common way an Invention and render it as bad as offering strange Fire but you do not prove 't is so You mention Reverend Mr. Edward Harrison who you say was concerned that such sort of Singing was to be avoided as Will-worship 'T is strange if he lookt upon it with such an evil Eye he did not leave a Testimony against it as he did against Laying on of Hands upon Baptized Believers as such But what do you mention Mr. Harrison for as one on your side May not we cite Reverend Mr. Tomes a man famous beyond most for the Baptized Way who was for this Way of Singing and so was the Learned and pious Mr. Gosnall and the late pious prudent laborious learned and faithful Mr. Jesse and learned and godly Vavasor Powel and so is the Reverend Pious Learned and Laborious Mr. Hans Knowls and some hundreds of able Divines perhaps not inferiour to any of them Comparisons are not pleasing but why may not one faithfull pious and learned Minister be regarded and his Steps and Sentiments followed as well as another All the Baptists were not against this way of Singing when first our Churches were planted But let some worthy men say what they please and call it Will-worship we matter it not since we find this way of Singing was alwayes used both under the Old and New Testament Tho Mr. Harrison and his Congregation would not sing together yet Mr. Harrisons great Master Jesus Christ and his Congregation did sing together who
also not only when alone but also in the Church that others might sing with him And since we never read of any one Mans singing alone in any Church-Assembly we do affirm such a practice would be a meer Humane Innovation and to be abominated Thirdly You say If singing be principally intended for a solemn praising of God which praising is the highest service we can perform to him it most naturally and directly tending to the honour of his Glorious Name If then say you a composed posed stinted Form of anothers making may be used in Singing why may it not much more be used in Prayer which is in comparison a lower sort of Worship 1 Reply We say a stinted form of Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs are left in Gods Words as composed by the Spirit which the Churches are required and exhorted to sing of which Dr. Wright tells you in his Treatise there are about twelve in singing still if that will do in the New Testament pag. 15. besides a multitude in the Old Testament as proper to be sung as they and are in the Original in Metre too Had there been such stinted Forms of prayer left in Gods Word as composed by the Spirit and we enjoyned so to pray what objection could have been against the using of them we know not 2. You would have a Psalm given by immediate Inspiration and so sung by a special Gift or you would have none at all we know none of your mind and of the Mind of your party except those called the sweet Singers of Israel But we positively deny there were ever any such Psalms brought into the Churches of Christ and do require you to give us but one example of such a bringing forth of a Psalm viz. the matter manner and Tune and all by immediate Inspiration or special gift and sung by one Man alone for we have shewed that 1 Cor. 14. proves no such thing Also we would know if there should be such Psalms given now or hereafter as you hint there were in the Apostolical Church whether such Psalms would not be of equal Authority to Canonical Scripture also were there such Psalms then given how comes it to pass we have them not left in Gods Word seeing we have others left on record 3. But could you prove some did bring forth such Psalms by a special Gift in the Gospel day what would that signisie since it would follow and could not be denyed but they brought forth their Doctrines c. also by the same miraculous and extraordinary Spirit and we must no more attempt to preach without such an extraordinary Gift than not to sing Psalms without the said extraordinary and special Gift but must throw off all Ordinances till those Gifts return if what you say be true 4. Why do you say Prayer is a lower sort of worship than Singing we utterly deny it What Duty is more sublime of sacred than right Spiritual prayer But tho' prayer be so great a Duty and we have no stinted Forms left for it yet in singing which is also a great Gospel Duty we have a stinted Form mentioned A psalm can't be a psalm as we told you once already without a set and stinted Form all also may pray together without a stinted Form but all cannot sing together without they know the set Psalm Hymn and Spiritual Song So that from the Nature of Singing or how it differs from prayer we argue there is a necessity of the one and not of the other Could the Disciples have sung that Hymn with Christ unless the matter sung were spoken out or pronounced to them Therefore tho' we condemn as well as you the composing using and imposing set Forms of Prayer yet we shew and prove that set Forms of Singing Davids Psalms and other Scripture Hymns composed by the Holy Spirit are of Divine Institution and hereby we do not contradict our Testimony against the former sort of Will-worship page 8. of your Epistle And from hence in opposition to what you there say we affirm this Argument of yours carries no weight nor demonstration in it at all against that you call the common way of Singing Nor do we give up the Cause in the least for which we have suffered in testifying against a Form of humane Antichristian or Popish prayers Nor is our alledging against you that liberty which you may and many pious Ministers do take in composing a set and stinted form of preaching without force of argument for we affirm and will God assisting maintain it there is to every degree as much ground for others to object against setting by careful study as the Spirit shall enable us a set Form of a Sermon to be preached as there is for you to condemn the composing or setting in order by the help of the Spirit a Scripture-psalm Hymn or Spiritual Song to be sung To say Preachers do not confine themselves to that set Form they have studied we say is not true of many of them tho' may be you do not so confine your self and will you affirm they that do so do not preach Spiritually but by a humane stinted form we must assure you should you so speak it will beget another controversie as hot as this and what will the effects of your Essay be think you in the end should you thus proceed is the Sermon Humane if every word be pre meditated that he afterwards delivers And may not a Minister preach over again the same Sermon verbatim to another Congregation and be justified See that place Acts 13.42 The true state of the Case depending is this viz. preaching is Gods Ordinance but no particular set stinted Form or method of preaching is laid down in the Gospel Therefore let us not condemn one another but leave each man to his liberty so be he preaches and the like also in singing provided singing be not wholly omitted from such groundless pretences or a practice brought in the room of it that never was used in Gods Church None sound in the Faith pretend to preach by immediate Inspiration or by an extraordinary Gift but by the ordinary Gifts by studying the Mediate written word and the Spirit may help us to study and pre-meditate every word we intend to speak and yet our preaching may be Spiritual and be as successful as if we studied not but speak only what comes into our Minds when we deliver it nay and how unprofitable and confused generally such Mens preaching is all Men know who preach extemporally so Singing is Gods Ordinance but none who are sound in the Faith pretend to sing Psalms by immediate Inspiration nor is there any more ground to wait for a special gift to sing than to preach and how confused such extemporary Singing might be all may foresee 'T is easie to pretend to a Gift and so deceive the people as some do who pretend they preach by immediate Inspiration And unless the person can work Miracles to prove he