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
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
Mind of Man And if so then he wholly excludes Original Sin which doth not consist in the Act or Exercise of the Mind but is born with us and speaks only of Actual Sin and neither doth he speak of all Actual Sin but only of one Species or Kind namely of Heart and Thought and if he takes the term Essence in its proper signification it belongs to no Sin which as I said before is a privation unless he is running himself and would have others follow him into the old exploded Error of the Manichees And lastly neither is it a description of the Essence of actual Sin in the Thoughts for let him mean what he will by Essence of Sin 't is certain that Actual Sin in the Thoughts doth not consist in an inward spiritual Exercise of the Mind or Spirit this in it self is no Sin but a natural Act of a reasonable Creature the being therefore of this very Species of actual Sin consists not in the Exercise of the Soul or Mind considered in it self but as it relates to God's Law and wants such due conformity to it as it should have Therefore I am perswaded that either Mr. M. is under some pernicious Error in Judgment concerning Sin or else that he doth not understand what he asserts I hope the latter The word Essence is a hard Term especially when we talk of the Essence of Sin and I have too much cause to fear from mine own knowledg that by this means he hath laid a Stumbling-block before the Weak to cause them to err in Judgment concerning Sin and other things that his Notions lead to I hope the Lord will make him sensible of it and give him Repentance § 4. Or secondly by the Essence of Sin in the Spirit he means 't is in the Soul or Spirit as its Subject and in this sense 't is in part true tho the word Essence in a proper sense must not be allowed for the Soul of Man is the proper Subject of Sin yet not exclusive of the Body for the whole Man which consists of Body and Soul is the Subject of Sin But if he means thus 't is in the Spirit as its Subject tho 't is true in part yet 't is nothing to his purpose for here is no description of the Nature of Sin wherein it consists which is the very thing he pretends to declare but only a relation of what Subject it is in all one as if a Person should ask me What is the true Nature and Essence of Whiteness And I reply thus Whiteness is in the Wall you may very well answer so it is in Milk and in a Man's Body c. But what is this to the Nature of it And the same I reply to Mr. M. Actual Sin is in a Man's Words and Actions as well as in his Thoughts and Spirit But I suppose he takes not that Expression in this latter sense viz. the Essence of Sin is in the Spirit as its Subject but in the former 't is in the Spirit as it consists in an inward spiritual Exercise of the Soul or Mind of Man which he intimates to be his meaning in the words just preceding that particular for saith he Pag. 6. The Scriptures do clearly witness that the Essence of Prayer and Praise and of Sin do all consist in an inward Exercise of Soul or Spirit And then proceeds to prove each in particular viz. First saith he The Essence of Sin is in the Spirit This plainly shews he takes the Expression in the former sense which we examined above But in my Judgment he speaks one thing for another for there is a great deal of difference between the Essence of Sin as in the Spirit and the Essence of Sin consisting in an inward spiritual Exercise of the Soul or Spirit But in such dark Shades do Men wander when they oppose the Truth of God which they should love and honour But hitherto of the Nature of Sin § 5. As for the Nature or Essence of Prayer I conceive it thus Prayer is a Duty we owe to God and an Action of a reasonable Creature whereby he expresseth his Mind to the Lord sometimes with words and sometimes without words in petitioning for things agreeable to his Will Prayer is therefore either Mental or Vocal these are two Species of Prayer in general Now to say Vocal Prayer is not Prayer because Mental is is all one as to say two Species cannot agree in one Genus or that a Man is not an Animal because a Brute is but such Absurdities are unworthy Confutation The Essence therefore of Prayer consists not in the Mode of performance whether it be done with the Mind only or with the Voice also Therefore when Mr. M. saith Pag. 6. The Essence of Prayer is in the Heart or Spirit This is true in the general of one Species of Prayer namely Mental but not of Vocal Prayer for the Nature and Essence of this consists in the Voice as well as in the Mind and tho God will be worshipped in Spirit and in Truth Joh. 4. yet who doubts but Spiritual Worship may be performed by bodily Organs As to the other Scriptures he mentions to prove his lame definition of Prayer they relate only to Mental Prayer and the Scripture is as plentiful in other Instances for Vocal Prayer had he been willing to collect them but this indeed would have shewed him that the Essence of Prayer is not only in the Spirit § 6. As to the Nature of Singing I conceive it lieth here 'T is an Ordinance of God and an holy Action of a reasonable Creature wherein by a fit Modulation of Voice sutable to the nature of the Matter sung they sound forth God's Praises 'T is a Mode of speaking 't is a solemn or melodious way of sounding forth the Praises of God And how this which is a mode of speaking can consist in the Heart and Spirit i. e. in an inward exercise of the Soul where there is no speaking at all for my part I cannot understand unless Accidents may exist separate from their Subjects which is contrary to the Rules of all Logick Whereas therefore Mr. M. Pag. 7. thus argues If the Essence of Prayer be inwardly in the Spirit why not of Singing also Not to repeat what I have said of Prayer I reply for very good reason Because Prayer may be performed by the Mind without the Voice mental Prayer is an Action and Accident of the Mind this is not separate from its subject though the Voice be wanting But Singing is a Mode and Adjunct of the Voice and therefore when we speak of proper not Metaphorical Singing it always presupposeth the Voice as its Subject and can in no wise be performed without it 'T is true a Man may praise God with his Heart and Mind for there is mental Praise though no mental Singing as well as mental Prayer but vocal Praise whether by Speaking or Singing cannot be performed without
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
that Song and others which he put in their Hearts and Mouths and which he did command to teach their Children even all along in the Wilderness and to David and afterwards And all the Children of Israel from the Red Sea were bound to teach and learn to sing the Lord's Songs in every Time and Generation wheresoever and under what Condition soever Deut. 31. 19 21 22. and chap. 32. I say these Songs were always to be kept in their Hearts and Mouths for God's Praise in his Worship And indeed a Psalm in any Language is more easily and readily learned by Heart and put in the Mouth better remembred and commonly received and familiar for frequent use than Words in another stile Writing in Verse is very suitable where the Matter is laid deep in it and truly wrought out of the Affections as those Scriptures which shew forth greatest Passions of Affections are composed as sacred Flames of pearless Love between Christ and his Spouse in Canticles the triumphant Joy and Praise by Moses and all Israel and Deborah and Barak who all sang saith the Word of God and no Incongruity as you do both dream and deny the afflicting Grief of Hezekiah and Jeremiah in his Lamentations and Habakkuk Passion is most free in Verse and hath the greatest Scope when tied to Numbers as that Deut. 32. and Hannah 1 Sam. 2. But the Book of Psalms is a Croud of all Affections Love Joy Fear Hope Anger and Zeal all acting their parts and wound up to the highest strains by the holy Spirit breathing poetical Eloquence and most divine Wisdom in those holy Songs where the direful Agonies and Sufferings of our ever-blessed Redeemer is the most precious Stone above all else fitly contrived for all times none can by singing them deny Christ come in the Flesh as it is ill imagined because it commonly speaks of that which is fulfilled as it were with God from the Foundation of the World who calls things which are not to us and which shall be as though they were Divine Songs raise the Soul and infuse Comfort Common and Prophane do Satan Service and Spiritual by Grace Joy Zeal do God Service If any thing be able to warm and fire the Soul and sweeten and ease the hard things which God's Servants meet with here this will and was the special Solace at all times of greatest Difficulties and very often then delivered of God to praise him and comfort and confirm them and a most special Blessing I say again it is what ever any think of it to the contrary that such Heavenly Cordials are made ready for us The Singing of Scripture-Psalms have continued in use as part of God's Worship ever since Christianity were and will be to the end of the World Christ and his Disciples used it and gave order for its Observation and Continuance And the most antient Records and Monuments of Antiquity which remain unto this Day And it did never yet lead any into Apostacy Tertullian in his Apology c. saith Saints met afore Day to sing Psalms to the Lord. Basil in his Epistle saith When one of us hath begun a Psalm the rest set in to sing with him all with one Heart and one Voice and this saith he is the common practice of the Churches in Egypt Lybia Thebes Palestine Syria and those that dwell on Euphrates and generally where Singing of Psalms is of any Account And Eusebius testifies the like in his Ecclesiastical History And the New-Testament Songs of which there are about twelve in Singing Stile if that will do which shews the Holy Spirit was not against Singing Stile tho he did not translate the Hebrew Poetry into Greek Poesy not at any time translating much together seldom verbatim but always the Substance and Truth of it you do not know whether he did not translate in Hebrew Poetry tho in Greek Words Those 12 aforesaid in the New-Testament being extended till the Judgment executed upon the Great Whore which preceeds the Marriage of the Lamb do intimate the allowed continuance of the Singing in God's Worship and singing Praise unto God will be for evermore so were it not a Type all Duties in this Life else will cease but the Triumphant Thanks Praise Love and Joy shall be for ever As touching Mens precomposing Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs I shall not condemn their doing yet I will affirm that for Profit and Delight and which may truly be called Spiritual Songs and the Word of Christ the Psalms in the Holy Scriptures must have the preheminency far above whatsoever hath since been or ever shall be dictated in this World the which if God had not so approved he would have hinted it I come in the next place to Page 4. to your two Scriptures Ephes 5.18 19. and Coloss 3.16 to see if we have any better dealing You tell us that these two Scriptures are made a Foundation for vocal Singing together in the constant Worship of God in the Gospel-Church pag. 5. You might have told us who made them so that if they were taken away all the Building would fall it may be you suppose it and so flatter your self to prevail if you could dig them up c. You say that Ephes 5.19 is not to be understood speaking to your selves but in the Original it is speaking in your selves and that is keeping silence in the Church compared with 1 Cor. 14.28 and Pool's Annot. Then we may read it so Be not drunk with Wine wherein is Excess but be filled with the Spirit that you may speak in your selves keeping silence in the Church in Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs making Melody in your Hearts to the Lord any Novice would be ashamed of such an Interpretation for this is a Duty enjoined to the whole Church therefore they are all to be filled with the Spirit and speak in themselves keeping silence when they are all met together at least while they are so speaking in themselves If thus at every Meeting how much of the time some of it may be much of it may be and all may be at one time or at different times so that some may be speaking in silence and another vocally if all at any time in silence then the Men and Women too may be inditing and singing Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs making Melody in their Hearts to God in silence for this is to be in the Church-Assembly an Assembly carrying on an Ordinance in Silence and Women too as much Administrators as any Do you well to set your House on Fire on purpose to burn your Neighbours This intimates both Ministers and Members must keep silence in the Church tho filled with the Spirit and speak in themselves singing Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs making Melody in their Heart c. not one Word heard This is for that while a silent Meeting and time must be allowed for it it is a Duty and it is Quakerism Such a Meeting is a sign of
on Coloss tho restrained to a Ministring Brother as his Work and Office I have already proved it to be commanded to the whole Church Now that in the Church at Colosse Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs may be sung vocally as is confessed and in the Church at Ephesus they must not as is denied but the speaking and singing must be inwardly in the Heart in vocal Voice heard keeping silence in the Church is a fond Conceit For why should not one Church of Christ have allowance to have Singing vocally and not another as well And seeing there is neither difference in the Things to be sung both Places say the same viz. Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs and both require the like Singing and making Melody in the Heart to the Lord wherefore it must be Ignorance or worse that shall limit one short of the other and the Grant to one is to both and â—ll else And I affirm to all Men loving Truth and Honesty whatsoever that whatsoever one Church of Christ may do acceptably to God in matter of practice as part of his Worship all other Churches of Christ may yea ought to do if they can the same So then I have it against all Contradiction that the Church at Ephesus had the same Priviledg as the Church at Colosse any if any one will be so pertinacious in Error as to grant my Affirmative and deny it from Ephesians 5.19 let them do it at their peril there is no reasoning with them Likewise what one Church of Christ may do as part of God's Worship all others may do the same Now the Church of Christ at Colosse had a Precept given them to sing Vocally and Socially Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs as part of God's Worship so have all the Churches of Christ in the World to the end thereof all this stands together against all Opposition Nor is one or other of the Churches told that the Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs should be an extemporary Gift instantly revealed as they were together in their Church-Meeting and sung all of it by that Person only to whom by the Spirit that Gift was given nor forbid to sing all or that the Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs in the Holy Scripture must not be sung in the Church which seeing they had been in constant use afore and were no Type nor Shadow must thâ—refore be continued And furthermore I will again put the case That there were but one Instance of an Infant Baptized would not all esteem that Man mad and out of his Wits that should deny it to be practised now though it had been done by the greatest Spiritual gifted Person in the Primitive Times And would not all Men rather conclude the greater the Minister the greater is the Confirmation and Approbation of the thing practised Wherefore I say seeing you grant that Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs in the Worship of God in the Primitive Times let the Persons be what they will then it is the greater Confirmation of the practice and is so far from taking it away that it both seals the Truth and Authority of the Continuance of it unto the end of the World as being that which among other things Christ commanded his Disciples to teach the Observation of All your Alligations are no better than those of the Non-Churchers who deny either Baptism Breaking of Bread and all Ordinances of Christ to be observed and practised by any in our Days And they say that because Christ and his Apostles by miraculous Power preached and administred Baptism and other Ordinances in the Churches in their Times that we should impose it on all Men and Women now as binding and constant and shew not alike Power we do they say impose that Authority on them we never had because we have not the like Power and could we shew them it they would readily submit to all the things we practise could they see such Administrators All that do these things now run afore they are sent and act without Commission they being only Spiritual gifted extraordinary Persons that were so commissioned and could work Miracles and they wait for God sending such The Ranters in their time said God was gone out of Scripture-Forms and therefore they ought not to be observed The Quakers their Successors said Scripture-Forms are Shells without Kernels and Shadows without Substances and not to be observed Most what you say against Scriptural Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs sung in the Church is like all this I wish you may make a good Retreat for you are on a Precipice and all that admire you for you ought not to take upon your self to deny that in one Church which you confess to be in another by the Lord's Allowance you to confess Singing to be a Primitive Practice in the Churches in the Worship of God and deny its Continuance all the miraculous Spiritual Gifts did confirm to us all the Duties which God required the Churches to practise Now inasmuch as you confess that God doth not require more of his Church and People than he hath given them Abilities to perform pag. 43. it being irrefragably proved that God doth require all his Church throughout all Ages to sing Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs it doth likewise confirm and assure us that he hath given them Abilities and Qualifications to perform it tho not that which you run upon and would have yet that which doth sufficiently and to God acceptably answer his Requirement which is his Churches Patrimony that you labour to deprive her of but shall never prevail The next is your Demonstration in Six Particulars viz. 1. Of the Essence or Being of Singing 2. Of David's Psalms 3. Of Prescribed Precomposed Songs and Hymns 4. Of Womens Singing 5. Of the Order of Singing 6. Of Scripture and other Objections 1. The Essence of Singing What you would have by this new coined Appelation of the Essence sure I am I have heard your Notion counted a dull Invention for it Do you know what your Assertion about the Essence of Duties being in the Heart or Spirit doth and may tend to even to the exclusion of all vocal discharge or external Performance of every Ordinance of Christ but especially your absurd and vile Notion about the Essence of Sin is to be abhorred as leading into such an Errour that your weak-head cannot perceive nor are you aware of God deliver our People from such a Teacher All I can gather about it is that whether Singing Prayer or Teaching c. and you do grant all three to have been in the Primitive Church that except they be first truly rooted in the Heart whatsoever is in the Tongue only is not acceptable to God And that many times all three may be inwardly in the Heart in the Substance of them it must be understood for there is no need to draw them forth in length between our Heart and God to speak to him as must and ought to be to one another
Information that cannot be gain-said and yet this neither clashes nor necessarily destroys the Word of God nor leaves us without a Rule of Worship though it may Mens Ignorance None of those Teachings or Speakings are such as Women are forbidden or commanded to learn in silence with subjection And they speak in the Church when they tell the next to them the Proofs which were quoted this is familiar and yet breaks no Rule of what you pretend if you have not spoken the Truth you are at a loss how to find it so you be in more things than this For it is evident you confound things not minding Matters contained in the Word of God which is such a sweet Harmony as there is no Absurdity nor Contradiction in it There is Teaching which Women are forbidden in the Church and yet Teaching which they are not forbidden in the Church and there is learning in silence and a learning vocally which Women are allowed as abovesaid likewise out of the Church they may pray and prophesy too if they be covered How should it be a shame for them to be uncovered if no Men see them nor hear them And what can a Woman do with her Hair on if the Place where it groweth be not covered with it none can tell which cannot be meant but of some place where it grows not viz. the Face Pag. 22. Your fifth Particular which is of the Order of Singing this you say We have plainly and clearly delivered in 1 Cor. 14.26 to 34. How is it then Brethren When ye come together every one of you hath a Psalm hath a Doctrine hath a Tongue hath a Revelation hath an Interpretation let all things be done to edifying Here you say we have plain and clear the Order of Singing c. I say If it be you have not left it so c. That we may have what is given us therein take it first as it is in the Original viz. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 How is it Brethren when you come together 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 every one of you this word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 every one is only read in the Singular Number of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not near but separate as one Man is from another in fifteen places in the New-Testament and it includes each and all and that without exception except it be made 1 Thess 2.11 Eph. 4.16 Rev. 20.13 Phil. 2.4 which is the same word for every in all the places 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hath it is near 130 times in the Present Tence hath in the New-Testament and in no other sense as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 So that from the Notation of the word hath and the following intimation in the 30th Verse which admits that if any thing be revealed to him that sitteth by there is a manifestation between hath and what might be therefore hath doth positively import that at the Church's coming together these five things specified in Vers 26 were or might be in some or all of the Church-Members even at their first coming together for it is not said if any of these be revealed but every one of you hath those Particulars were enjoined afore they might come already furnished with some or all of them So that it appears they were not then in the time of their Meeting as extraordinary Gifts immediately given or to be depended upon to be immediately given or received for if so the Text is no directive to the constant Worship of God but to some extraordinary kind Then I observe that some or all the Church-Members were furnished and prepared aforehand and had even at their coming together a Psalm Doctrine Tongue Revelation Interpretation all which for the constant Worship of God which they were in such a manner to communicate use and improve in the Church now met to God's Glory and their own Edification and Conviction of Unbelievers They had a Psalm Doctrine Tongue Revelation Interpretation all ready to use and improve else they might have and depend on or expect Silent-Meetings for the Lord gives his Blessings to Saints in their private Meditations Reading Studying Prayers and Converse in increasing and multiplying Graces and Knowledg of himself upon chewing the Cud contemplating upon what they have been taught seeking asking knocking unto which great Promises are annexed and fulfilled and the Grounds and Substances of most precious Truths are received and digested before the Church meets according as God distributes unto every one so that some or all may have a Psalm Doctrine Tongue Revelation Interpretation to use in the constant Worship of God for God gives these ordinary Gifts when and to whom he pleases and is not tied to give them when the Church is all met together only we are tied to Means and expect his Blessing in the Use Wherefore as that called Doctrine cannot be denied to be an ordinary and constant Gift or Means in the Church and by all allowed to be digested and one may or hath it as soon as the Church is met because as afore it follows that the other Four are likewise to be in readiness even as that or else that is all that is to be in readiness and the ordinary and constant use in the Church or else if the other Four are extraordinary and immediately to be received in the instant of being met so must Doctrine also And this plain Text is Direction for extraordinary Gifts only and none else from first to last and ordinary Gifts and constant Worship are not here to be found But I am not of that mind but that it is all of it respecting the ordinary and constant Worship of God in his Church as met together in all Ages to the end of the World therefore I must sort it a little laying the word Psalm and Doctrine a little by the last is not gainsaid and speak unto the latter three Tongue Revelation Interpretation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hath a Tongue I say this is by a Metonymy of the instrumental Cause and is put for Speech or Language yea a strange Tongue though the word Strange be not there a Tongue which few or none might understand But now whether this must be of necessity understood an immediate Gift here because such there was while the Church was met together or such a Tongue as were either Learned for there might be as well Learned as Unlearned or a Tongue naturally spoken and yet strange to all most or some The first it could not only respect for then all the five Particulars may as well be so accounted extraordinary immediately given and Prophesy and Prophets too in the after Verses for such there were also in that time But there were then also Teachers Prophecy Revelations Interpretations in an ordinary manner and is so still so must there be Singing too And a Saint of a strange Tongue according to his Notion may upon occasion be at an Assembly and have a Gift to speak but being where none can
interpret he must keep silence there and speak to himself and to God at another time and give attendance to the Ordinances there as if he had no Gift at all according as he can understand them else it will be confusion I see no Objection but what will lie against the Text. And if it comes to pass that there are Saints which cannot understand one anothers Tongue so as what is taught the Benefit should redound alike to either And this might happen in Greece where Corinth was there were six Dialects in Greece and each a strange Tongue to one another in very many words and difference in the same word either in â—he Letters Pronunciation or Accents or Syntax all which must not be demonstrated here viz. the Attick Ionick Dorick Aeolick Boetick and Poetick Yea in our Britain there are many natural Dialects as besides the little Islands adjacent Cornwal Wales and South and North Wales differ so as they must have Interpreters to one another and Scotch English and ours differ and even in England too And in Wales there is intermixture of both so that at this day where it doth happen that the Preacher speaks in the Welch Tongue and there be but one English-man or other that understands it not he must interpret every word in the English Tongue and if the most part be English and he speaks in that Tongue he must also repeat verbatim all in the Welch Tongue for their sakes that are there which must be done though tedious according to this Rule 1 Cor. 14.26 And these things I give for irrefragable Instances wherefore if strange Tongues were not ordinary and still to be spoken in the Church some now might not speak nor hear therefore the Holy Spirit requires it be not forbidden Vers 39. as foreseeing the necessity always of it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hath a Revelation This Greek word signifies a Declaration Discovering making Manifest a Revealing And this must be either extraordinary foretelling things to come or infallibly making known some Truth or practical Duty which was not known or revealed afore or ordinary viz. An ability to open and prove by God's Word all or somewhat infallibly all which some in the Church had already received and might increase in Persons and Matter as Vers 30. and of which all might judg which this latter sense might fall under The first is not only removed afore and further by this That the Church is no Judg of infallible Revelations but must receive them on the Author's account the Holy Spirit Wherefore hath a Revelation is also an ordinary Ability to declare discover and make manifest what through the use of Means one hath attained for Edification or Interpretation Vers 6. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hath an Interpretation which is Can Expound or an Explanation 1 Cor. 12.10 John 1.39 Mat. 1.23 Luk. 24.27 where the same word is used and may imply an ordinary ability or pre-received Gift or Learned as well as an instantly inspired in the time while met together yea the Church must know that one can interpret afore they suffer one to speak in a strange Tongue If this have no place here then all those five Particulars are all extraordinary and miraculous Gifts and instant Inspirations and so felo de se and no rule for ordinary and most generally pre-conceived and pre-received to Meetings at least the Grounds of them therefore all those particulars are so and respect the same Gifts which Saints commonly have to edify one another and not Inspirations for there is no Means ordinary to obtain extraordinary Gifts 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 let all things be done to edifying which is to build or found an House and by a Metaphor to Admonish to Correct to cause one to profit Now so must all those Particulars be used that the whole House of God his Church may receive this Benefit so they are not extraordinary excepting ordinary for they are all of them not any more than of ordinary use in the Church and for that they all are Now I will return to the two first viz. Psalm Doctrine Every one of you hath a Psalm Psalmon a Psalm I will let it go for a general Name of all singing to God as Doctrine may go for all Teaching and some of these five Particulars may be near of Kin one to another But sure I may be that what kind soever it is it cannot be instantly inspired Singing for the Reasons aforesaid and also I think there were never such extraordinary Gifts used in Publick Worship that a Psalm were extempory instantly on a sudden inspired and sung as fast as inspired in the Church but it was received afore the Meeting began and committed to writing by an infallible Prophet and so committed unto the Church for her Use and Edification and they which expect otherwise must look for an infallible Prophet above all that have been yet for any thing I know How easy is it for a People to be imposed upon by one who pretends to an extraordinary Gift when it may be no more than a common may be a natural Gift Wherefore I take hath a Psalm to be as hath a Doctrine in some respects though not all then as Doctrine may be premeditated so may a Psalm be preconceived all the Particulars are the common Benefit of the Church and its Blessings for its Edification of which there is no denial and it may be feared there hath been too much formality in Prayer and Preaching too and so in singing that being as unlike to escape as other things but that doth not null a Duty And thence I will affirm that Psalms c. already in the Holy Scriptures are every way to be preferred to and above what can be premeditated or preconceived by any one whatsoever forasmuch as here and our Saviour and Paul and Silas and in the Ephesians Colossians and James the word is used in a general way and not of any extemporary or instantly inspired it doth shew plainly all those Psalms were the then known Psalms already in use and such as without hesitancy they might with Heart and Voice join together to sing And they which do not condemn preconceived Doctrine or Notes may by no means do it against Scripture-Psalms according to James every particular Person might sing Psalms For what is possible may be so then every one must have or expect extraordinary extemporary Inspirations or they must betake themselves to ordinary prereceived preconceived Psalms and Spiritual Songs The first is not pretended that it ever was or will be in this World the latter then is the thing I seek for and it cannot be denied me and one of these two will follow that either the Psalms c. which are already in the Scriptures or those that can may indite and bring them into the Church for its edification or else both I indeed prefer the first though I will not condemn the other till I hear what in them is amiss
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