read Scripture in regard of their many and pressing imployments Answ 1. They who frame this Objection had need to take heed that it be not made a protection for omitting Prayer also and so letting pass some dayes without having any thing to do with God such may know that it is to be but peny-wise to be so thrifty of time for worldly business as to have no leisure to look up to God If they did read Scripture well they would find such good Husbandry put under the head of Vanity for Except the Lord build the House keep the City and so carry on and prosper mens affairs it is in vain to rise early to sit up late or to bestow a mans labour in them A man had better gain some time from his sleep then to have no time for the service of God and to leave some business undone then to have all ill-done or to be undone because he prospers so well without God Prov. 1. 32. 2. I answer That although Christians will find it both profitable and needful to set apart certain times and that ordinarily every day for reading Scripture lest there be a loss of the duty for want of an appointed time to do it in yet I shall not prescribe any particular time nor how much of Scripture any should read at that time the division of the Scriptures into Chapters will help that way but that which I press as necessary is the thing it self and that every Christian be a serious Reader of Scripture I deny not but some are so hurryed with the necessary occasions of their Calling that it is not easie for them to have a time perhaps in a whole day to read a Chapter I mean to have a time at times and on some days but yet at other times they may and by enjoying a freer opportunity make themselves and their souls some recompence in regard of former omissions which I advise them to do and withal wish them to remember that it is as hath been said the mark of a blessed man to meditate in Gods Word day and night and that David that was still taken up with the persecutions of a King that is of Saul or with the imployments of a King when he was King himself and a man of War also yet was very much in the meditation of the Law of God yea it was his meditation all the day that is he took all occasions to exercise his thoughts in it reading it no doubt as Kings were commanded to do Deut. 17. 19. and then reading it in his heart in his recurrent meditations according to all opportunities There is but one thing that hinders Davids imitation and the following of so good an example and that is the want of Davids affection which breathes and breaks out in this holy exclamation O how I love thy Law and thence follows his meditation all the day Love desires union and longs to be much with the thing loved Gods great complaint is I have written to him the great things of my Law but they were counted as a strange thing Divers now a dayes look strangely upon Scripture their countenance as it is said of Laban in regard of Jacob is not towards it as it was yesterday and the day before but would they claim kindred of it and say unto Wisdom thou art my Sister and to Vnderstanding thou art my Kinswoman and so grow into an holy familiarity with it then as neer kinred love to look much one upon another so would they look often and with delight into the Book of God and by the frequent reading of it supply themselves with the matter of that heavenly meditation which the Scripture marks in and makes the marks of the choisest servants of God I come now to the Objections of the other sort and which ordinary people use to make to whom I do especially direct this discourse Object 2. We hear the Scriptures read in the Congregation and may not that suffice for us who must of necessity follow our Callings that we may live in the world Answ 1. We cannot but think that the Eunuch coming to Jerusalem to worship Act. 7. 27. heard the Scriptures read there that being one part of the service performed at their Feasts as is expresly declared at the Feast of the Passover when it is said that Hezekiah spake comfortably to the Levites that taught the good knowledge of God In which teaching reading is presupposed for we find it express'd otherwhere and namely that in the Feast of Trumpets the Law was brought before the Congregation and was read from the morning until the mid-day And it is more like it was read at the Feast of Pentecost to which the Eunuch came because in that Feast they remembred the singular benefits of the Lords giving of the Law in Mount Sinai unto them at that very time and their freedom from the cruel Laws of the Egyptians under which they had lived before But though the Law were thus read and heard read in publick yet a good man though a great man is not content to sit and hear the Word read in the Congregation which is I grant a great duty Neh. 8. 3. but he reads also in private yea the Eunuch returning from the Feast and the Reading there reads also sitting in his Charet and Philip is sent to joyn himself to the reading-Charet Answ 2. As for those that say They are imployed all the week in worldly business they ought to know that they have so much the more need to read Scripture that in the crowd of earthly cares and concernments they may not lose their God and their Souls It 's true that ruder people are ready to resolve that it is to be left to Ministers and Monks as Chrysostom relates their words to read Scripture I have wife and children and houshold care sayes one and another why do you press me to read it Now it 's true that it doth most and very highly concern Ministers to read Scripture And that not only for guarding themselves against those Errors which men of better parts then hearts ensnare novices in by abusing their own Reason and Gods Word but also that they be throughly furnished for every good work belonging to them as they are men of God for which though they may be competently enabled and so as to make a good shift by searching the Scripture as they have occasion for their business yet they will never be so compleatly habituated for it unless the ordinary reading and study of Scripture be made their business Ministers therefore are in special bound to give themselves to reading and meditating Scripture that their profiting may appear to all yea that 's in a manner their whole work But this will not excuse People for not reading Scripture unless their mind be that Ministers should be wise to Salvation and not themselves
several Churches if it were not the duty of Christians to whom they wrote to read them Hence the Apostle Paul after he had written to the Ephesians speaks thus Whereby when ye read which shews they were to read ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ Unto this purpose the same Apostle otherwhere saith When this Epistle is read among you cause that it may be read also in the Church of the Laodiceans and mark what follows and that ye also read the Epistle from Laodicea Now it 's true that those Epistles were to be read before the Churches in their publick meetings but for the same reason for which they were to be read to them they were if they could have them in private to be read by them that is that they might the better make use of them Of this nature also is that other Scripture wherein the Apostle chargeth the Thessalonians that this Epistle be read to all the holy brethren whence Calvin observes that the Papists are more stubborn then the Devils because by so high an adjuration they will not be charmed from forbidding the People the reading of Scriptures Secondly The nature of this writing is such as strongly requires the reading of it for what is Scripture but a Letter of the Creator to the Creature Hos 8. 12. When Adam sinn'd saith Austin we in him were cast out as exiles into this world Accordingly David saith I am a stranger upon earth Heaven is our Countrey from thence Christ the Essential Word hath in these last dayes come to us and from thence God hath still sent and a long time written his Letters to his Church and People Now the law of friendship imposeth upon every man the reading of a friends Letter and duty and loyalty exacts from every Subject the reading of the Letters of his Prince and the highest duty the reading of the Letters of the highest God Many in these dayes are eager I mean a great deal more forward then fit to receive the Token that is the Lords-Supper who are careless of reading the Letter with which that token is sent and to which it is annexed Now to contend in a stomachful way for the Token and to be altogether remiss as divers such are in reading the Letter is not only an unkind thing but unreasonable for the Letter directs to the end and the profitable use of the Lords tokens that being well used they may be truly love-tokens to us when otherwise a Sacrament may be like Judahs pledge a condemning token I speak not this to diminish the sincere desires of any to the Sacrament but to kindle their desires to the Word that by the reading and observing thereof they might come fitly and freely to the Lords Table Thirdly The use and profit of Scripture perswadeth much to the reading of it and that both in regard of others and our selves 1. In regard of others that we may teach and admonish them better which is the duty of Christians one towards another as Paul sheweth Col. 3. 16. but especially of Governours as Parents and Masters These words that I command thee shall be in thine heart saith the Lord by Moses Deut. 6. 7. And thou shalt teach them diligently to thy children and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house and when thou walkest by the way when thou liest down and when thou risest up Now How shall this be done the memories of most being so frail unless they that are over others do by often reading keep those things in mind themselves which they are and ought to teach those under them Ephes 6. 4. Gen. 18. 10. 2. In regard of our selves This the Apostle minds us of when he tells us that the Scriptures known we may say the Scriptures read that being a special way whereby to know them are able to make a Timothy and so any other man wise to Salvation and more particularly they are profitable for doctrine that is to teach the truth for reproof that is to convince and check error for correction that is to curb vice for instruction in righteousness that is for direction to a good life And in another place for consolation Rom. 15. 4. Never would so many be damned for want of wit be so destitute of the Truth be so bewitched as they are with errors be such incorrigible servants to sin be so free from and void of all righteousness and goodness and lastly at such a loss for comfort when any waves arise but that Scripture is so little read and reverenced For the last of these that is matter of comfort Austin writing to one in a time of great calamity thus concludes his Epistle God will comfort you much more abuadantly if you read his Scriptures most earnestly with which we may joyn that of Chrysostom who writing on those words of Paul Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly first cals to his hearers and saith You whose imployment lies in the world and that have wife and children to govern hear how the Apostle enjoyns you especially to read Scriptures and that not barely to read them and as by the way but with great diligence And afterwards he adds even as a rich and monyed man is able to bear a loss so a man rich in Scripture-knowledge can easily bear poverty or any calamity yea he can better bear it saith he then a rich man can bear worldly losses for if he have many of them his riches will be more and more diminished but he that is rich in heavenly knowledge is never the less rich though he suffer never so much The same holy Father is very full in shewing in general the great profit that is to be had by the reading of Scripture as that it clears and calms the heart reforms the tongue gives wings to the soul to flie up even into heaven it self Do not lose saith he so great gain nor bring your Bibles hither only but take time to read the Scriptures at home And in another place If thou wouldest know how great advantage ariseth from divine Scripture then diligently examine what a vast difference there is in thy heart and soul when thou standest in the Church and when thou art at a Play or standest in the Theatre It s the same soul and yet how well is it affected in the one place and how much corrupted in the other I am the more willing to recite these things that Christians may see in these sad dayes wherein so many slight Scriptures what a reverent and honourable account there was of them yea and of the reading of them by the most eminent men in ancient times Fourthly The examples of Gods servants recorded and recommended in Scripture is a reason of reading Scripture for we may read their piety in the reading of it the Eunuch a man of so great authority under the Queen
arise extraordinarily to hinder the one or the other I know there is a difference between Servants and those that be Masters of their time They that are at their own hand as they say may take a time as they please but they that are under the power of others must do as they may and yet they also though they cannot take yet should make a time that is make hard shift for a time to see what the Lord God sayes and learn to be so provident as to place themselves there where the Governours knowing the benefit of the Word themselves will therefore give those that belong unto them the more liberty to look into it I shall conclude all that I have to say concerning this argument with the adding of two Motives which the times wherein we live may much mind us of to this necessary duty of being well-read in Scripture the one drawn from our doubtful condition in this world and in this land outwardly the other from our dangerous condition spiritually The first of these the Scripture it self points unto giving this as a reason why it is a blessed thing to read and hear and keep it to wit because the time is at hand that is times will come and how near they be at any time none can tell wherein there will be so great affliction that they only will be found blessed persons who have read observed and laid up Scripture-consolatons Vnless thy Law had been my delights saith David I should have perished in my affliction The later of these also the same Word of God layes before us foretelling that in the last dayes which were come then 1 Cor. 10. 11. and are come much more now perilous times shall come and that in special by seducing Teachers who will certainly prevail over poor silly creatures that are ever learning for they be the hearers of many and different Teachers and desirers of new things but are never able because they take not the right course to settle but the right course to unsettle to come to the knowledge of the truth Now How shall this be helped That Paul tells us by recommending the Scriptures in the later part of the chapter as the armour and antidote in infecting and truth-resisting-times minding Timothy therefore of his knowing of them from a child which was as is shewed before by the reading of them though other means be not excluded That of our Saviour Ye err not knowing the Scriptures is a perpetual truth that is all Error ariseth from want of right Scripture-knowledge Hence Enemies to Truth and they that would draw others into Errors are very angry at Scriptures What base thoughts Papists have of them appears by their words for they call the Scriptures a cold uncertain unprofitable dumb and dead letter yea like a nose of wax that can be turned any way and be made to serve every mans purpose yea beggerly Elements and that the labour is in vain that is bestowed on them These blasphemies they belch out well knowing that their counterfeit commodities pass best in the dark and therefore the morning light of the Word is to them as the shadow of death And Hereticks generally either disclaim them in a great degree or else tamper with the divine Witnesses and handle the holy Scriptures so as to make them their own Word not Gods Word As for Sectaries their common character is that they care little for Gods Ministers the true meaning whereof is that they care little for the Word of God rightly understood and therefore have and labour with others to have low thoughts of Ministers because it belongs to their Office to give the right sense of Scripture Neh. 8. 8. Mal. 2. 7. Such may not for shame grosly deny and reject Scripture but let all observe whether that which they be most real in and magnifie most be not extraordinary Revelations and that which they call a light within reporting the Scriptures to be Ink and Paper as if Ink and Paper could make men wise to Salvation 2 Tim 3. 15. The truth is there is one grand Error that rears up and bears up all other and that is a light estimation of the Word of God eminently appearing in the dislike yea in many in the formerly unheard of detestation of those whom God hath called to be the Ministers of the New Testament for the Truth of God Rom. 15 8. And let all observe that they that turn their hearts from Ministers first grow to a contempt of Scripture it self at last I shall not doubt to put all this upon the account of neglecting to read or of the negligent reading of the Word of God else would never so many Christians have run away from God and his Ordinances as in these dayes they do If any shall say they be the Bible-bearers that are fallen away for so some profane persons will be ready to scorn the Professors of Religion To this I answer That it is one thing to bear a Bible another to read it with reverence and to search it with diligence and to pray when they read for the knowledge of Gods mind in it with all humility and sense of their own weakness and unworthiness It is such and not every reading that will serve the turn I grant that Christians have brought their Bibles to Sermons but when they have done that they have not as the Beroeans did brought Sermons to their Bible but have taken Preachers words without the grounds which they brought out of Gods Word and therefore have been carryed away by the pleasing but poysoning words of contrary Teachers My advice therefore in conclusion to such Christians as are yet capable of counsel and specially to those of my own charge is briefly this As you hear with your own ears so see with your own eyes and be much conversant with God in the serious reading of Scripture And seeing there were never so many helps for a right understanding of Scripture as there are now by sundry sound Expositions and Annotations published of late in our own Language Do we that are able make use of such helps that so being prepossessed with the Word of Christ dwelling richly in you in all wisdom that is not only richly but rightly and in the true sense and meaning of it there may be no room for the contradictions of subtile and seducing men but such a resolute retaining of the Truth of God as may render you capable however it go with us in this Land or in this World of that heart-securing promise Because thou hast kept the Word of my patience I will keep thee from the hour of tentation that is either from being in it or from being hurt by it unto which I add that which followeth Behold I come quickly hold that fast which thou hast that no man take thy Crown Revel 3. 10 11. Finally Remember that the Word of God is the food
of late of the extreme evils of arbitrary and licentious preaching which hath fill'd the Land with absurd and dangerous Errors from the one end of it to the other yea and other Countries also I come now to speak of the observing 2. Of their Doctrine The Apostle is plain in this when he saith Consider what I say yea our Saviour himself who saith Take beed what you hear Christians are so to heed what they hear as to search it as the Bereans did and finding it by search to be sound and good to hold it fast This shews Prophesying is not despised 1 Thess 5. 20. 3. There should be an observing of their carriage of this knowledge the Apostle speaks when writing to Timothy he tells him Thou hast fully known not only my doctrine which belongs to the former branch but also my manner of life c. And in another place Mark them that walk so as ye have us for an ensample of which this construction may be made Take it for an assured sign of good Pastors when they study to conform themselves to mine example in all things And so one good use of observing their carriage is discovered which is thereby to be confirmed in this that they are faithful Ministers and accordingly to be respected Hitherto of the knowledge of Observation Secondly Ministers are to be known with a knowledge of approbation And thus this word know is often used in Scripture as when it is said The Lord knoweth the way of the righteous that is approves it and David I will not know a wicked man that is shew him any countenance so saith Paul That which I do I know not that is I allow not In like manner the word used here doth not signifie simply to know that 's soon done but to acknowledge own them and to see that be given them every way which is due to them in their places In such a sense the original word here used is taken 2 Cor. 5. 16. We know no man after the flesh that is do not esteem reckon or judge of him according to his outward and carnal relations In like sort a Minister is not to be judged of according to the outward appearance but to be known and look'd upon with all approbation in regard of his Office if he be duly called and of his doctrine if it be the Word of God and his carriage if it be according to that Word 1 Sam. 12. 4. Thirdly There should be also a knowledge of imitation thus Timothy was to know Paul's manner of life or so as to imitate it and make Paul his pattern Thus all Christians are to remember and observe Church-guides so as to follow their faith and mark them so as to be like them in an holy and heavenly life Phil. 3. 17. One way wherein Ministers are over their People is to go before them as good examples their Hearers therefore should hasten after them I come now to the next duty of Christians to their Ministers which is to esteem them highly in love for their works sake which yet may be comprehended under the knowledge already spoken of because a right affectionate and effectual knowledge brings forth this estimation Concerning which observe that for the degree of it it must be very high for the nature and quality of it it must be in love and for the ground of it for their works sake 1. The Degree The due esteem of Ministers appears to be great and high for it is expressed and required in very high words in the Original shewing they are to be esteemed exceedingly as the same words are translated 1 Thess 3. 10. One sayes More then exceedingly as you would say excessively not as excess is a vice but as it implies an height and exuberancy of respect That which comes nearest the letter of the Text is Esteem them above that which is abundant or which most exceeds or as Beza above redundantly This high Estimation is seen and shewed in many particulars 1. In looking upon them as servants of the most high God which shew unto men the way of salvation for although those words were spoken from the Devil who never meant that God should be a gainer by his being a Professor yet they do as others in such sort spoken of Christ Luk. 8. 28. contain in them a clear truth And the Spirit of God also speaks in Scripture of the Ministers of Christ to the same effect Mark 16. 15 16. Rom. 1. 1. 16. Servant of the Lord is a Ministers name 2 Tim. 2. 24. and to shew the way of salvation that 's his Office Luk 1. 76 77 79. 1 Cor. 15. 1 2. 1 Tim. 4. 16. 2. In giving them reverence so it is said that the Corinthians received Titus with fear and trembling that is with much reverence The titles and usage of the Old Testament may shew this where one Prophet is called an honourable man 1 Sam. 9. 6. another an holy man of God 2 King 4. 9 And respect was shewed unto them accordingly and very abundantly 1 King 18. 7. 2 King 4. 37. Not but that there is a difference between extraordinary Officers and ordinary and therefore we press not the same expressions of reverence but yet the Calling and substance of the Office being the same to wit inasmuch as both are sent of God to deliver his mind and message to his people a suitable reverence is still required that is in the generality and for the reality of it In the New Testament Ministers are called Stewards and that 's an high office and Ambassadors and that 's an honorable Office especially it being in Christs stead 2 Cor. 5. 20. In the Old and New Testament both the ordinary title is a man of God Now all are men of God i.e. of his making and good men more because they are twice made Ephes 2. 10 but Ministers most being not only of God by creation or sanctification but by separation and designation to a peculiar Office wherein their whole work is to deliver those errands and do those acts between God and man which are charged upon them by their highest Lord. Is a Minister thus a man of God then reverence the man because of the God 3. In seeking and having recourse to them It 's an honor to have Patients and Clients and hearers 1 King 4. 34. 10. 3. This address to Ministers may be 1. for counsel instruction and resolution because God gives Pastors to feed with knowledge and understanding and people should seek the Law at their mouth Thus did the woman of Samaria when she perceived Christ was a Prophet Joh. 4. 19 20. Thus were the Apostles sought when Christians dissented Act. 15. 2. And thus Paul was written unto by the Corinthians 1 Cor. 7. 1. 2. For comfort so did the Elders of
so yea Hence also Ministers themselves do write and preach the same things again and again because whatsoever tediousness there be in it in it self and to themselves yet they are sure it is safe for their people and a great Preservative against the Infection of Errour which is so much against Christians safety and salvation 1 Cor. 15. 1 2. 2. It is to be carefully considered and weighed that faithful Ministers and provident Pastors speak to the diseases of their people as Paul did to the disease of the Romans which was a backwardness in receiving the Faith and so the Apostle James to the disease of those to whom he wrote which was though they received and professed the Faith yet to be careless of a godly life and those good works wherein Faith if it be not a dead Faith is fruitful upon this ground I infer that albeit there be many printed Sermons which Christians may very profitably read and ought so to do yet the matter of them is not like to be so proper to and fitted for their spiritual condition as the Sermons of their own Pastor who being such a one as he ought to be is like Paul diligent to know their particular state and constitution and sollicitous to dispense and administer that Instruction which is most suitable thereunto 3. And every hearer should very seriously take this to heart that he is to give a special account of the Sermons which himself heareth as being therein more concerned and more charged then in those that are preached to other hearers As the great works of God should in that very respect move us the more because our own eyes have seen them So the Words of God also because our own ears have heard them A Kings charge in the Subjects own hearing works much for obedience notwithstanding all tentations to the contrary The Sermons preached to us are our Talents which we are to trade withall as those of whom it shall shortly be demanded what we have gained Now every mans reason will tell him that of that whereof he is to give a special account it behoveth him to take and make a special account which easily falleth into Noting and Repetition In regard of others also this course is very considerable it being much fo the spiritual good and growth of those who have not heard to hear and have though at second hand the things heard by others Hence godly and devout Christians have ever been careful of this Communication As Bees bring what they have gotten abroad home to their Hive so do good Hearers to their House and Family and as they that go to the Market bring with them bodily Provision for the rest of the Houshold that have not been there so doth a provident Hearer spiritual Provision By which means the same good effect may arise which we find wrought upon the Samaritans by what the woman of Samaria testified unto them concerning the Messiah which was that many of the Samaritans believed on him for the saying of that woman that is that was a good preparation and excitation to their after full and firm believing of which they give this account to the woman Now we believe not because of thy saying for we have heard him our selves Accordingly Christians communicating and repeating in the ears of others the good Instructions they have heard and noted themselves may stir up in others holy affections and prepare their hearts unto the Lord but then all comes to perfection and to a solid setting of the soul in frame by hearing in their own persons from the Ministers of Christ that which hath been before repeated and testified to them by the hearing of others To conclude I doubt not but divers have found by their experience I am sure I have found it by my own that Sermons have divers times come nearer the heart and under more Observation in the Repetition then in the first Hearing Not but that the Word preached by the Messenger of the Lord of Hosts is the principal and highest means of Edisication and Salvation but yet besides that every man sees more by a review then at first sight God is pleased so far to shew his liking of the conscientious use of every Christian exercise and assistance as to follow it with a sensible addition of spiritual profit so that the searching Hearer is the noble and the thriving Hearer And to this experience I shall leave the religious Reader thereby to make up what might be further spoken for the Confirmation and Commendation of this godly Family Exercise CHAP. IV. Of Singing of Psalms and namely in Families THe last duty that I shall speak of in some generality but with respect also to the respective Families of Christians is Singing of Psalms For the better establishing whereof I shall in the first place endeavour to take out of the way what is objected against it I say objected against it not so much in our days formerly as in these latter days wherein many have so cast off all Forms of Godliness and under that name Gods own Institutions and amongst them this holy Exercise that though they be afflicted yet it is a question whether they will Pray or though they be merry whether they will Sing Psalms albeit the Scripture expresly requireth both Jam 5. 13. I shall not meddle with many Objections but only with two more usual and that seem to be more material Object Many that joyn in singing of Psalms cannot say truly what they sing as Psal 86. 2. Preserve my soul because my ways and doings holy be c. And such like Answ 1. This Objection whatsoever colour there is in it yet carries this weakness with it that it is against the reading of the Psalms as well as the singing for they that read utter the same words when they read at least for substance which they do when they sing yea this Objection is against the reading of the Histories of Scripture generally because therein other men speak otherwise then we can 2. To speak more directly to the thing it self I answer that the words of Scripture which men recite when they read or sing are not to be taken as their own words but as the words of them whose words the Scripture declareth them to be It is David or some other holy man of God who speaks those words that are written in the Psalms which whosoever repeateth whether in Reading or Singing he doth only declare what another sometime said which if he cannot say of himself truly yet he truly saith that such or such a person speaking in the Psalm said so of himself 3. I add That we should so put on the persons of those that speak or are spoken of in Scripture as to think that every thing spoken though of others yet some way or other belongs to us for Whatsoever things were written afore-time were written
for our learning and profit in every kind yea our duty is to labour to be so far like the holy Servants of God whose gracious speeches are recorded in Scripture as to be able to say truly in our measure and in regard of the saving substance of Religion the same things that they spake which they that cannot yet do or can less do by observing such sayings in their singing of Psalms have an help to do and by often repeating of them in their minds and mouths may come at length through the blessing of God truly and sincerely to profess in their own persons the like Piety Object There are in divers Psalms heavy Imprecations and Curses pronounced against sundry persons Must we How can we sing such things and curse Enemies Answ 1. Although it should be acknowledged as in part it is to be granted that such Imprecations or Praying fearfully against evil men be not for our imitation yet they are for our instruction For 1. They shew us the woful estate of the Enemies of God and of his People which such Prayers proceeding from the Spirit of God are a prophesie of 2. They serve to nourish patience and preserve comfort and constancy in the hearts of Gods people by observing that such men as have been found desperate Enemies to God and to them are mentioned in the Book of God as a cursed generation 2. Some imitation there may be in these times of the Imprecations that we find in Scripture in former times though with much caution charity and jealousie over our own spirits and that with respect not only to the Churches safety but Gods glory And the rather because of Scripture-Promises and Declarations which are the grounds of our Prayers Deut. 32. 35. Psal 139. 19. Yet we should still remember that we are not to pray personally that is to fix such fearful Prayers on such and such particular men albeit they in Scripture that had an extraordinary spirit of discerning did so as the Church also did against Julian seeing so much in him of the sin against the Holy Ghost I say we are not to single out particular persons and pray against them And especially we are not to turn Religion into Revenge and to direct our Prayers against our private Enemies though they have done us never so much wrong Nor must we be hasty in judging and then hard hearted in praying But yet all this hinders not but that in a generality we may pray that God would exercise his justice as He seeth good in cutting off the implacable and irreconcileable Enemies of himself and of his Church Albeit the thing in question here is Whether we may not in Reading or Singing take into our mouths the Imprecations recorded in Scripture making thereof that holy use which God would have us to make of that part of his Word which none that understand will doubt of In all such cases the duty of Reading and Singing is not to be left but they that perform it are to be instructed and if they are out of the way be rectified Having endeavoured to remove these rubs I shall now proceed to enquire what may be gathered from Scripture and what Arguments agreeable to Scripture may be produced to establish this heavenly Exercise First The Scripture will inform us that singing of Psalms is a necessary and profitable duty 1. A necessary duty because God requires it Ephes 5. 17 18 19. It is the will of God that on the one side Christians should not be drunk with Wine and on the other side be filled with the Spirit speaking to themselves in Psalms c. It is the Spirit of God that saith to the afilicted Pray and to the merry Sing Psalms Jam. 5. 13. 2. And a profitable duty because the Spirit of God declares unto us the benefit of it prescribing that the Word of God should dwell in us richly and then adding further teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms c. Now it 's true that teaching and admonishing may be referred either to the Word of God going before or to Psalms and Hymns following after but it comes all to one if the Psalms Hymns and Songs spoken of there be such as are recorded in Scripture for then they are a part of the Word of God and so the intent of the Apostle may be to shew that of every part of the Word of God and in particular of the Psalms and Songs thereof the rejoycing part use is to be made for our Edification thereby something may be added to our light in a teaching way and to our life and vigor in Piety in an admonishing way Secondly The Scripture gives excellent Rules also for Singing that it may be a profitable duty As that it be 1. With understanding Psal 47. 7. 1 Cor. 14. 14 15. 2. With the heart and affection not without the voyce but the meaning is that we should not please and content our selves with the outward sound without an inward sense 3. With grace in the heart Col. 3. 16. that is as I conceive with a godly and gracious frame of heart inwardly according as the matter of the Psalm is shewing it self in a graceful and dexterous demeanour in that duty outwardly as in a comely and reverent gesture a decent tune and tone so as that it may tend most to the Edification of the Company and the Reputation of the Duty and of such as perform it so the word grace seems to be taken Act. 4. 33. Col. 4. 6. 4. Vnto the Lord Ephes 5. 19. that is to the glory of God Psal 101. 1. Isa 5. 1. Thirdly The Scripture sets it forth as a Congregational duty or a duty to be performed in the Publike Meetings of Christians because we find the People of God still called to it by the commands of the Old-Testament pointing to the New Psal 100. 1 2 3. 4. 66. 1 2 3. 149. 1. Sing his praise in the Congregation of Saints And also we find it used in the New-Testament and in the Apostle Paul's time in the Church of Corinth 1 Cor. 14. 15 26. which appears also to be practised by Christians when they met together in after-times the end of their meeting being however many grievous accusations were rais'd against them to sing to Christ and to God and by a confederation among themselves to establish all good Discipline and suppress those wickednesses which were most falsely laid to their charge Tertul. Apol. cap 2. Now As to the performance of this duty in Families It is not my meaning nor ought to be to impose any thing further then the grounds of Scripture will conclude it And it 's possible there may be some Families at present or at some times not in a capacity for it yet that none may slight such a service and shut their doors against it I shall offer out of Scripture not only to invite but to induce