Selected quad for the lemma: word_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
word_n	hymn_n	psalm_n	song_n	3,209	5	9.5347	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A44281	Gospel musick, or, The singing of Davids psalms, &c. in the publick congregations, or private families asserted, and vindicated, against a printed pamphlet, entitled, Certain reasons by way of confutation of singing psalms in the letter, objections sent in, in writing, scruples of some tender consciences by thy loving brother, N.H., D.D., M.M.S. ; vnto which is added, the iudgement of our worthy brethren of New-England touching singing of psalms, as it is learnedly and gravely set forth in their preface to the Singing psalms, by them translated into metre.	Homes, Nathanael, 1599-1678.	1644 (1644)	Wing H2567; ESTC R13654	26,991	33

GOSPEL MUSICK OR THE SINGING OF DAVIDS PSALMS c. In the publick Congregations or private Families asserted and vindicated Against A printed Pamphlet entitled Certain Reasons by way of Confutation of singing Psalms in the letter Against Objections sent in in writing Against Scruples of some tender Consciences By thy loving Brother N.H.D.D.M.M.S. Vnto which is added the Iudgement of our worthy Brethren of New-England touching singing of Psalms as it is learnedly and gravely set forth in their Preface to the Singing Psalms by them translated into Metre LONDON Printed for Henry Overton in Popes-Head Alley 1644. In handling this Question or Case of Conscience touching singing of the Psalmes found in the Scriptures being translated into English metre you have these 6. generals presented to you 1. The warrantablenesse of it from the word of God 2. The unquestiondenesse of it in all Ages 3. The ancientnesse of use of it in all the reformed Churches 4. The necessarinesse of it with other Ordinances 5. The usefulnesse of it for Gods glory and mans comfort 6. The unjustnesse of mens exceptions against it and their objections answered Gospel Musick 1. The warrantablenesse of it from the word of word CHristians under the Gospel and New Testament have commended yea commanded to them the singing of Psalmes in publick and privat both by precept and paterne Ephes 5.19 Speaking to your selves in Psalmes and Hymnes and spirirituall Odes or Songs as we translate it making melody in your hearts to the Lord. This Apostle having cut the Ephesians short of all vain mirth The Greeke word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is the name of a virtue in Ar. Ethic. vers 4. not allowing them such jesting which the wisest moral men counted virtue* yet enjoynes them this heavenly musick of singing Psalms as that which will both glad their hearts making saith he melody in your hearts and glorifie God making it to the Lord So Coloss 3. 16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisedome teaching and admonishing your selves in Psalmes and Hymnes and spirituall Odes or as it is in our translation spirituall Songs singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. The Apostle having zealously inveighed against all Jewish ceremonies ch 2. yet here puts home this duty of singing of Psalmes as that which did suit with a godly mans grace and Gods glory Jam. 5.13 Is any afflicted Let him pray Is any merry Let him sing Psalmes The Apostle doth as well command singing as praying and shewes that singing Psalmes is as proper to Christian joy as praying is to Christians afflictions Christ himselfe sang with his Disciples Matth. 26.30 And Paul and Silas sang in the Stockes Acts 16. St. Paul saith 1 Cor. 14.15 he will sing with the spirit that is by the holy Spirit in his own spirit and affections but with understanding also that is in a tongue understood of him and others in common with whom he sang as the 16. verse cleareth The Angels vocally doe sing Luk. 2.13 The Chore the Greek word Gr. A 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 oft applied by the Sept. to Davids Psalmes Syr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sign Hymnodiam dice●… canere The Hebrew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is the Title of Davids Psalms the Syriack word in the Syriack copie the hebrew-Hebrew-word in Hutters Hebrew translation the matter and occasion shew they sang* In the Revelation we have oft mention of singing alluding to Moses Songs and Davids Psalms by mentioning Hallelujah Whether you understand the Church triumphant or rather militant both confirme the excellencie of singing these places are as evident as evident may be and so farre beyond all exception as that no pretence can be made against them They are alledged out of the new Testament so that there is no pretence to be made that they belong to the time of the Law They are not onely spoken but practised by Christ and his Apostles And their expressions are so full that they include all godly singing by what names or termes soever they be expressed whether we distinguish as Jerom according to the subject that Hymnos esse dicendum qui fortitudinem majestatem praedicant Dei ejusdem sempervel beneficia vel facta mirantur Quod omnes Psalmi continent quibus Hallelujah vel proepositum vel subjectum est Psalmi autem proprie ad Ethicum locum pertinent ut per organum corporis quid facidum quid vitandum sit noverimus Qui vero de superioribus disputat concertum mandi omniumque creaturarum ordinem atque concordiam subtilis disputator edisserit iste spirituale canticum canit Hieron in Ephes comment largior lib. 3. in c. 5. Psalmes are of Morall things as what wee ought to practise or leave undone Hymnes of Divine things setting forth the power and Majestie of God admiring his benefits and acts of providence Canticles Odes or as they are here translated Spirituall Songs are of Naturall things as of the concent order and concord of the world and all the creatures but in a spirituall way as he hath it in the beginning of his distinction He that is full of the Spirit saith he can take Psalmes and Hymnes and Canticles spiritually Or whether we distinguish of Psalmes according to the authours as some doe that Psalmes signifie Davids Psalmes Hymnes the songs composed by Moses Exod. 15. Dent. 31.30 Deborah Judg. 5. Isaiah chap. 5. c. Spirituall songs are those that are composed of other godly men touching the benefits of God as at the beginning and ending of our singing Psalms there is the Song of Ambrose a thanksgiving after the Lords Supper and a prayer against the Turk and Pope in meeter by R. W. And many of the pious Ancients penned many spirituall Songs in Latine and Greek * See Biblioth Patrum Now whether Christians had rather sing these or those composed by men endued with the infallible spirit of Prophesie I leave them to consider But of this after Or whether we distinguish with Calvin A Psalme is sung together with an instrument A Hymne is a Canticle or song of praise An Ode or spirituall song contains praises and precepts or instructions and exhortations Or whether we distinguish as Beza Zanchie and the notes in our English Bibles That Psalmes are those that containe various and mixt arguments as Lamentations and complainings to God narrations of our condition before God expostations and reasonings with God to grant good or remove evill These they say the Hebrewes call Mizmorim * MIZMOR is the particular Title of many psalmes of Zamar to sing Hymnes are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Laudative which properly handle the praises of God Therefore the Greek Writers say ‖ Gr. Schol. Chrys 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That is a Hymne is more holy then a Psalme for the supernall powers or Angels doe sing Hymnes of God to God but doe not sing Psalmes These Hymnes they say are called in Hebrew Tehillim

praises of Halal to praise Odes or spirituall Songs are peculiar Hymnes of some speciall matter of praise shorter in quantity and of an higher forme and straine of Divine Poetry and these say they the Hebrewes call Schirim of Scur to sing ** The word SCHIR is the title of those short psalmes of degrees which for their excellency and use and form are called Psalmes of Degrees some nice criticismes may be made on the words by some but not solid enough to ground a distinction for all three The Apostle applies two of the words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to all three sorts of canticles viz. Psalmes Hymnes and spiritual sangs Ephes 5.19 Yet I must tell you by the way that these words in Hebrew doe not make such a precise difference For Tehillim is the generall Title of all the Psalmes Mismor the particular Title of most Psalmes Ad Schir the promiscuous Title sometimes of other Psalmes as well as of the Psalmes of Degrees Nor doe the Greek words make such a distinguishing difference For a Psalme is of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to sing And a Hymne of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to sing praise And an Ode called a spirituall Ode or Song by our translators is of the word A' 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to sing So that it seemes to me that the Apostle useth many words to signifie that all our singing of what sort soever should be of divine things and not vain things to glorifie God and not to please our foolish phantasies But whether we distinguish the one way or the other we see the Apostles presse the dutie of spirituall singing whether of this kind or that kind whether called of men by this name or that name In which injunctions the Apostles are so cleare that very few since the comming of Christ that I know of have made scruple of the thing And if any have of late they never mention these places as if either they did not remember them or could not answer them 2. The unquestionednesse of Singing in former Ages Augustine Aug. Tom. 1. Retractat lib. 2. cap. 11. who flourished about 385 years after Christ makes mention of one Hilarius should seem he was a Roman because he saith he was of the order of Tribunes who through hatred of the superstitious Priests was wont to dislike Ecclesiasticall singing of Psalmes Against whom the said Augustine as he saith himselfe wrote a book in the behalfe of Ecclesiasticall or Church-singing of Psalmes which book began thus They that make mention Zanchie that was a famous Writer some 50. yeares since saith that some argued against singing of Psalmes He tells us their Arguments 1. That Elijah derided the singing of Baals Priests 2. Christ bids us pray in our secret Chambers 3. Hanna is commended for silent prayer she moving only her lips 4. The Church of Rome when it was more pure did not sing as witnesse whereof at this day there is nor Organs nor singing in the Popes secret Chappell Which arguments are so silly that they deserve no answer I leave them to those that scruple at singing to answer for sure they will find that in that 1 Kings 18. There is not the least intimation that Baals Priests sang They will easily say that privat prayer and singing of Psalmes are two distinct things They wil question if the Church of Rome while purer did not sing which is doubtfull as we shall see in the antiquity of the practice of singing in all ages since Christ whether it will follow that not singing was any part of the purity of the Church of Rome If it had the Popes would not so observe the omission of it in their more secret Chappell Sure their Apostle Peter whose successors the Pope pretends to be did sing with Christ and his Apostles at the holy Supper And thus you heare all the question that hath been made that I know of of singing in all ages till this age wherein every old Heresie is revived stripping Christ of all Anabaptisme that began to oppose Reformation in famous Luthers time is risen againe taking away Baptisme from beleevers children Antinomianisme that opposed in worthy Pareus his time is sprung up to take away commandements and duties Familisme in H. N. the authour his time is sprung up to take away the signes of grace and set up immediate revelations Arminianisme in Pelagius and Socinus his time the brood of him is sprung up to take away the power of grace and the condition of faith to advance nature and universall redemption Socinianisme in the time of Hereticall Arrius is started up again to take away the Deity of Christ Epicurisme as ancient as the time of the Sadduces is risen which takes away the immortalitie of the soule Antisabbatarianisme that was rank in the reigne of the Prelats B. White D. Heilin D. Poclington c. is now revived taking away the Sabbath And so the opinion of the Hilarians unlawfulnesse of singing Psalmes is risen again from the dead that before lived in Hilarius his time to take away this Gospel ordinance and sweet solace of the sanctified soule But before the great fall of Antichrist there must be a great falling away of seeming Christians as the Scriptures warn us If we have not a mind to fall away let us keep close to the Scriptures The Scriptures hold forth to us most clearly this Gospel-musick or be sure of it it had been buried with the Jewish ceremonies But being Moses taught the Israelites singing before the Tabernacle was built Exod. 15. And Christ and his Apostles injoyn and practise singing after all Davidicall musicke and Temple Hymnes were down and the best reformed Churches ever since have practised let us not lose our sweet ordinance all little enough to cheer our soules 3. The ancientnesse of the use of Singing Quo antiquius eo melius To make good what I say that singing of Psalmes hath been in practice among all reformed Churches up to the time of Christ and his Apostles and to begin at these times and so ascend for the ancienter the practice the more authority is in the example 1. At this time the Churches in England 1643. Scotland Holland Geneva New England practise it 2. In Luthers time 1540. above an hundred yeares since it was in much esteeme with him and godly persons He would say to his Christian company when he heard of the threats of Princes and Popes and Bishops against him Come come said he let us sing the 46. Psalm and let them all doe what they can Rabanus Maurus 847. a Commentator on the Bible who flourished about An. Dom. 847. commends the honest plain song the plain singing of Churches in ages preceding him Gregory the great flourishing An. 590. An. Ch. 590. dislikes not singing but that men should be chosen to doe that onely who attended so to singing as to neglect holinesse of life just as our Cathedrall men who sing the Scriptures

the Angels sang Isa 6. They cried that is they sang Holy holy holy c. so at Christs nativitie they sang Glory to God on high Therefore it is a divine and celestiall thing So far Zanch. Dr. Ames in his Cases of Conscience 1. Qu. What use hath singing above ordinarie pronouncing Ans 1 It carries to the godly mind a certain sweet delight Psal 104.34 2 It hath in it a more distinct and fixed meditation ibid. 3. A more copious and ample profession of godlinesse Coloss 3.16 4. A greater communion of mutuall edification in singing with others Ephes 5.19 Qu. 2. Whether singing be more sutable to joy or sorrow Answ More agreeable to joy Jam. 5.13 But profitably it agrees to the commemoration of past sorrowes as appears by the penitentall Psalms As also sometimes to remove present sorrow Prov. 25.20 6. The unjustnesse of mens exceptions against singing Psalmes Their Objections answered The last thing we have to doe upon this question is to answer the objections against singing of Psalmes And I am sory to find that godly persons should make some of the same objections as prophane malignant ministers have as that because Davids Psalmes were put into English meetre by Mr. Hopkins Mr. Sternhold who dobtlesse were godly men or else the Churches of England newly refined out of Popery had not used them that therefore it is not lawfull to sing Davids Psalmes As a prophane Priest said of late that the English singing Psalms were Hopkins his pigges I say it is a sad thing when Christians shall joyne with the enemies of Christ against an ordinance and practice of Christ who sang in his language yea likely in Syriacke in which he continually spake and preached differing from the Hebrew in which Davids Psalms are penned as we fing in our language The objections are referred to divers heads Some to 1. The matter 2. The forme 3. Translation 4. Some warrants seeming contrary 5. Communion or fellowship Of Psalmes and singing 1. From the Matter 1. Objection is that it is very doubtfull whether Christ or his Apostles sang Davids Psalmes or no. Answ 1. We have no warrant of Scripture to say to the contrary Christians should assert onely what the Scripture asserts and to deny what the Scripture denies 2. The aneient Hebrew copie of the Gospel of Matthew hath it Matth 26.30 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 When they had sung one of the Tehillim which is the name or Title of Davids Psalmes 3. Under Psalms and Hymnes c. are comprehended all Psalmes unlesse we will under Hymne comprehend especially psalmes of praise as we shewed afore Now Davids Psalmes are so full of praises that they are all called Tehillim praises Therefore the Apostles in that Ephes 5. Coloss 3. and Matth. 26.30 useth a Greek word of the same signification namely 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Hymne And 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 having sung an Hymne 4. The Apostles prayd a Psalme of David viz. the second Psalme Acts 4.24.25 And singing is nothing else but a more deliberate distinct pausing and mediating praying 5. If they composed other Psalms sure they at least some of them would have been left upon record as wel as we have upon record lesser matters as the people strewing of Palme branches c. 6. If they sang not Davids Psalmes at that time of the Supper if they sang any other penned Psalm either of Moses or Deborah it comes all to one 7. It is said that the most reformed Churches shall sing the Psalmes penned in the Scripture as the song of Moses and the song of David witnesse Hallelujah and Amen three or foure times in foure verses Rev. 19.1 2 3 4. which words are very oft in Davids Psalms Where the Scriptures quote Psalms they would have us take it for granted that Davids Psalms are meant As Luk. 24.44 Act. 1.20.13.35 Therefore they are meant where is mention of singing Psalms 2. This is the objection of The certain Reasons against Singing And of others Obj. from the Matter that the matter of our singing should be somewhat immediatly dictated to us by the Spirit or at least we should compose Psalms by the Spirit For Paul saith I will sing with the spirit And Ephes 5. Col. 3. Sing spirituall Songs Ans Those places are meant of spirituall songs for the matter not the maner of making Of Pauls singing in his own spirit or mind yet so as in a tongue that he might be understood Now to the objection 1. For the Spirits dictating of matter presently sit for singing we say it is a gift not found in one of 10 thousand Saints if in any at all See these times drive mainly at revelations in all things Touching Knowledge Assurance Practice and this of Singing It is an extraordinary gift if Ministers or Christians can speak divine Matter pertinently upon the sudden extemporarily in preaching and exhorting any length of time Who then shal be able upon a sudden to speak matter and forme that is meeter fit for singing For if men will sing though alone any tune and not yell out a confused noise they must measure out their words to a certain length And then who can study matter and meeter all in the same instant and be devout too We never read in the Scripture of any such but rather the contrary David penned his Psalmes Moses penned his Song and both with exactnesse and variety of meeter which argue not sudden rapsodicall singing 2. We say that no Christians can sing together because their meditations will differ if not the meeter too and so make confusion 2. For Christians deliberate composing the matter of Psalms to be sung in common we have no rule in the Scripture to require that Generally those that penned the matter of Psalms were extraordinary men as Moses David Isaiab Jeremiah Habakuk c. 2. We read of a gift of praying and preaching c. But we read not of a particular gift given by Christ in the new Testament to one above another to compose the matter or ditties of Psalms If not then 3. there will be a doubt whose Psalms shall be sung whether those composed by this brother or that brother 3. We preferre mans composall before Gods whereas in preaching the Scriptures is the text In baptizing and administring the communion the Scripture is the form For praying the Lords prayer is the plat-forme And so by the same analogie Davids Psalmes are the dittie for singing In all to keep to the plat-formes of Scripture 4. Men are but men If in the matter or dittie for I do not now speake of meeter there should be any unfoundnesse of doctrine by custome and the musick the people would fall in love with it and as Zanchy saith very well there would be no removing it If all Churches should have their several meeters for singing it would not so tend to the union of Churches and anticipating of emulations But if all Christians should be left to

sea By singing we present unto our sences and minds the lively type of heavenly joyes whether to be acted by the Church triumphant in Heaven or under Heaven at the great restauration when the spirituall Pharaohs the Antichrists of the world shall be drowned in the Red sea of their own blood In three verses of foure it is said three times Allelujah by the Church seeing the fall of Antichrist Revel 19.1 2 3 4. Singing of Psalms according to the Apostles prescript is a making or acting the Word to dwell richly in us Colos 3.16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisedom teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms A filling of us in publick with the spirit or an acting the graces of the spirit a prevention of drunken idle songs and mirth in private Ephes 5.18 19. Be not drunk with wine but be filled with the spirit speaking to your selves in Psalms c. or by * Tho Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 will bear it compared with ver 18. speaking to your selves in Psalms To burthen you with no more of mine own observations touching the usefulnesse of singing I will now refresh you with the notions of others upon this point so far as they speak according to the rule Rabanus Manrus whose name and parts and time you have chronicled afore saith that into grosser and heavier minds whom bare words do not so easily move the sweetnesse of melodie makes some entrance for good things So he So in Saul Basil 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Basil in Psal of whom also you heard afore saith Whereas the holy Spirit saw that mankind is unto vertue hardly drawn and that righteousnesse is the lesse accounted of by reason of the pronnesse of our affections to that which delighteth it pleaseth the wisdom of the same Spirit to borrow from melodie that pleasure which mingled with heavenly mysteries causeth the smoothnesse and softnesse of that which toucheth the eare to conveigh as it were by stealth the treasure of good things into mans mind To this purpose were those harmonious tunes of Psalms devised for us that which are in eares but young or touching perfection of vertue as yet not grown to ripenesse might when they think they sing learn O the wise conceit of that heavenly teacher which hath by his skill found out a way that doing those things wherein we delight we may also learn that whereby we profit So Basil And experience speaks for it For when we can hardly draw young people to other duties they cheerfully learn and sing Psalms And those that are ancient who cannot go abroad to and among the secular and civill joyes of men can sit at home and praise God with a Pialme And every well minded family by singing can make themselves a little Church And everie Church make themselves a little Heaven Hooker saith That musicall harmonic if but by voice consisting of high and lowe sounds is of that force and hath such pleasing effects in that very part of man which is most divine that some have been thereby induced to think that the soul it self by nature is or hath in it harmony A thing which delighteth all ages and beseemeth all states A thing as seasonable in grief as in joy as decent being added to actions of greatest weight and solemnitie as being used when men most sequester themselves from action The reason hereof is an admirable facilitie which Musick hath to expresse and represent to the mind more inwardly then any other sensible mean the very standing rising and falling the steps and inflections every way the turns and varieties of all passions whereunto the mind is subject yea so to imitate them that whether it resemble unto us the same state wherein our minds already are or a clean contrary we are not more contentedly confirmed by the one then changed and led away by the other In harmonie the very image and character even of vertues and vice is perceived the mind delighted with their resemblances and brought by having them often iterated into a love of the things themselves Yea although we lay altogether aside the consideration of dittie or matter the verie harmonie of sounds being framed in due sort and carried from the eare to the spirituall faculties of our souls is by a native puissance and efficacie greatly available to bring to a perfect temper whatsoever is there troubeld a part as well to quicken the spirits as to allay that which is too eager soveraigne against melancholie and despaire forcible to draw forth tears of devotion if the mind be such as can yeeld them Able both to move and moderate all affections The Prophet David therefore having singular skill not in Poetrie alone but in Musick also judged them both to be things most necessarie for the house of God left behind him to that purpose a number of Divinitie endited Poems for the raising mens hearts and the sweetning of their affections towards God In which considerations the Church of Christ doth retain it to this day Thus far Hooker To all which if not proceeding from a learned man professing Christianitie but from the mouth of an Heathen Christian experience may seal to as most true Zanchie saith Much and manifold is the use of this Musick viz. of singing Psalms 1. The glorie of God is held forth more illustrious because by this means the praises of God contained in Psalms and Hymnes are celebrated more magnificently and gloriously with greater attention and admiration of the auditorie then if they were recited with a lower voice without singing Which was the cause why the Levites in setting forth the great benefits of God to the people did do it with sweet harmonie So before the building of the Temple when they carried the Ark they sang with a shrill voice Let God arise and let his enemies be scattered And when they returned conquerours they also sung that thereby the benefits of God might be better understood more attentively heard and more princelike admired As on the other side hereby the enemies were terrified There is no Prince but thinks himself more honoured by singing forth his praise then by recitall of the bare voice 2. Use is the manifold profit 1 Mans spirit is much cheered by the sweetnesse of the harmonie As like is delighted with like For the mind of man is all harmonie and therefore is much recreated with Musick Which the Heathens understood in their parables of Orpheus and Arion alluring the stones after them by the harmonie of the Harp to build Thebans But those stories in the sacred Scripture of Elisha fitted for prophesie and Saul pacified in spirit by Musick are most certain 2 The Spirit of God is stirred up in us by singing So Ephes 5 Be filled with the Spirit speaking to your selves with Psalms And therefore it is apparent that this Musick in the Churches is not onely lawfull but necessarie Adde to all that it is oft read that

compose severall spirituall songs upon all varieties of occasions the strong would be forced to spend much time in metricall composalls and yet not have one in a readinesse sutable to a new emergent occasion when the cause and the cheerful mind call for it and the weak shall never sing because they can compose none at all For a generall close to all that is objected of singing with the spirit and worshipping in spirit Joh. 4. We say That we may sing Davids Psalmes and yet sing with the spirit As preaching the text of the Gospel is a ministery of the Spirit 2. Cor. 3. And so in using Scripture forms of baptizing and holy Supper the Spirit doth come in with it the more we say or pray or sing the words of the Spirit the more do we those according to the mind of the Spirit All what the Spirit suggests is what it hath already written and for us to use as Rom. 15.4 Whatsoever was written afore time was for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope 3. Objection from the matter is this Is not say the reasons against singing this a confused praising God when we shall offer to him the exhortations of praise This is giving to God his exhortation again and leaving the duty undone Is not this sinfull to answer God in his own words God commands his people to praise him Now for us to take those words God speakes to us and speak them to God again and thereby think we have done the duty when indeed we leave the duty undone This is sinfull Answ Why may we not as well sing to God what God sayes to us as well as pray that in prayer which God saith to us David did both Psal 27. Thou Lord saydst seek ye my face My heart answered Thy face Lord will I seek David thinks he praiseth God in song by singing exhortations to praise Psal 136. See the first three verses and the last verse So Psal 148. Psal 149. Psal 150. As Luther said Praying is the best preparation to prayer for then we set upon it in Gods strength But in meditation in our own strength So sure singing exhortations to prayer is an excellent preparation to sing praises And therefore David begins many of his Psalms with exhortations to praise 2 sort of Objections are from the Form 1 Obj. Set forms in singing Psalms are invented by men So the Certain Reasons 1 Answ If turning Davids Psalms into English Meeter be humane invention when the matter is purely divine Scripture how much more may that be said to be humane invention when the matter and form is composed by you that make this Objection 2 By the same Argument you may call composing of Sermons humane inventions 2 Obj. From the Form is That the singing of Davids Psalms in our English Meeter is an imposition imposed by men So the Certain Reasons 1 Answ There was never any Law or Canon or c. extant that I know to impose our English Meeter on the Churches All that is said is in the Title to the singing Psalms viz. Set forth and allowed to be sung in Churches and private Families to prevent ungodly Balads Here is no imposition but onely permission men may sing them and not sing them and yet not be punished For in all the prelaticall persecutions men were never persecuted for omitting to sing them publickly or privately 2. That were a farre greater imposition if as we have seen instance men shall compose Psalms or spirituall Songs for matter and form and read them to the Church upon the sudden to sing without the advise of the Church whether they were orthodox or no and without their allowance and leave that they should be used by the Church and so causing men to offer up to God instantly that which they did not well know what it was and so could not sing with that faith and affection as they ought doubting what might follow in the next line not having any sight of it in their books nor any impression of it in their memories whether it were warrantable or no to the great offence of some of the Congregation 3 Obj. From the Form is that it is Liturgicall and Cathedrall as in Pauls and Westminster c. So those Reasons Ans Davids Psalms sung some phrases in our English Meeter differ much from Cathedrall singing which is so abominable in which is sung almost every thing unlawfull Letanies and Creeds and other prose not framed in Meeter fit for singing Besides they do not let all the Congregation neither sing nor understand what is sung battologizing and quavering over the same words vainly Yea nor do all they sing together but first one sings an Anthem then half the Chore then the other tossing the Word of God like a Tenice-ball Then all yelling together with confused noise Hieron on 5. Bphes Aug. Confes This we utterly dislike as most unlawfull As Hieronius of old declaimed justly against it calling it Musicam Theatralem Stage play singing And Augustine A studying of Musick rather then heavenly melodie and devotion And the glosse quipping it with two verses Non vox sed votum non musica cordula sed cor Non clamor sed amor psallit in aure Dei Soul vows not ayrie voice Not Art but heart God hears Not loud noise but love joyes Make Musick in Gods eares 3 Obj. from the form The Prophets Christ or his Apostles never praised God by any form invented by man but upon all occasions by the powerfull operation of the Spirit 2 Pet. 2.21 Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy Ghost So those Reasons 1 Answ This text is not meant of singing and expressing what we find penned in the Word of God But of the extraordinarie inspiration of the Spirit directing infallibly some few extraordinarie men Prophets Apostles c. to pen the divine texts of Scriptures Among which we find in other Scriptures that they penned some Psalms and spirituall Songs and sang them themselves and there expresly left them to the Churches to sing Exod. 15.1 Then sang Moses and the Children of Israel this Song 2 Chron. 35.25 And Jeremiah lamented Josiah and all the singing men and singing women spake of Josiah in their lamentations to this day and made them an ordinance in Israel and behold they are written in the Lamentations That is in the Lamentations of Jeremiah penned with great varietie of meeter as they that can but read Hebrew may see somewhat of it And what is the meaning of the titles of the Psalms which are very Text To the chief Musitian A Psalme for Asaph A Psalm for the sons of Korah A Psalme for the Sabbath day A Psalm of degrees of which there are many which being excellent Psalms were appointed to be sung upon the stairs of the Temple in the beginning of their publick worship and therefore some translate Psalms of or for the stairs I

said some how even to us And for those imprecating Psalms 1. saith he we may meditate in singing on the formidable dread of God against impenitent sinners 2. We may pray in singing that God will hasten his just judgements on the in curable enemies of the Church though not against our private personall adversaries 3 Obj. Touching warrant is That in turning Davids Psalms into and singing them in Meeter with adding and changing of words is adding to if not diminishing from the text of Davids Psalms on which adding and diminishing is pronounced a curse Revel 22.18 19. Deut. 4.2 Prov. 30.6 Ans There is no adding but onely explaining even as we do in translating the Bible and in alledging texts in Sermons applying them to particular purposes so that unlesse you dare say that these are unlawfull you must not say the other is unlaw The Lord requires no more of us in such using the Scriptures but to keep to the sence as is plain a thousand times over in the Apostles alledging in the New Testament places out of the Old The fifth and last sorts of Objections are from communion and fellowship with wicked men in the duty of singing Psalms Ans If we may not sing in a mixed Congregation then not pray For singing for the most part is but more deliberate meditationall praying If we may not pray in a mixt congregation then we must not have the Word preached which is a gathering ordinance belonging to all blessed to the auditorie by prayer Christ praied amidst unbeleevers Joh. 11. v. 41.45 Jesus lifted up his eyes and said I thank thee O Father c. Then many of the Jews beleeved on him Other places might be alledged but for hast As his giving thanks when he miraculously fed the multitudes with a few loaves and fishes And Joh. 12.27 28 29. see before c. after there was a mixed multitude about him To decline praying in a mixt congregation is to lay a footing for neglecting of prayer in families and so to let them live as Atheists Psal 14. As for the holy Communion it doth intimate us to be and integrate and seal us into one bodie the bodie of Christ is his Church It doth suppose us to be one lump 1 Corinth 5. one bread 1 Corinth 10. It is an ordinance to give one life to them that have some alreadie And therefore in this Ordinance none but supposed Saints or beleevers may joyne with us But for singing the sound is naturall the tune artificiall in which is no spirituall communion at all and for the matter it is common as other places of Scripture to all Lastly for manner if they sing aright with faith and affection they are meet for Communion therin If not they sing not at all spiritually and so we have no true fellowship with them just as we may say as much of praying Men may haply cavill against this answer but let them rest satisfied till they can shew us a word to exclude the mixed multitude from praying and singing as we have from Communions James writing to the twelve Tribes scattered abroad Jam. 1.1 bids them sing Psalms Jam. 5.13 I may say of this case here as once was said in humane ancient stories touching paricide there was no Law anciently made against it because it was supposed never any child would be so unnaturall as to kill his parent So no casuist or controversie moves this doubt of singing Psalms in a mixt congregation therein all learned men are silent as supposing none would be so unspirituall as to question it To close up all You have heard what we can say for the defence of the lawfulnesse to sing as we do in our English Churches wherein we concur with all reformed Churches As that of Germany where Luther would call for the 46 Psalm in his troubles And Zamchie would say Zanch. on Ephes 5. de Music in Eccles By any means sing the Psalms and Hymnes of the Scriptures for the bringing in of others will be of dangerous consequence Of Scotland where Buchanan was so taken with it that he most elegantly turned the Psalms into Latin Meeter Of the Greek Churches of the French of Holland of New-England all which have for that purpose translated Davids Psalms into Meeter in their own tongues Even as at this day as I am assured from them that have been eare witnesses the Jews in their Synagogues sing the Psalms of David in their own Hebrew tongue So that besides all that hath been said we have the custone of all the reformed Churches of God and this is not to be despised * 1 Cor. 11.16 but rather they that yet will not be satisfied are to be put by with that of the Apostle in another case If any man seem to be contentious as to lay aside singing of Davids Psalms we have no such custome nor the Churches of God In the same 1 Cor. 11.16 A Discourse of our worthy Brethren of New-England declaring their grave Judgement touching not onely the lawfulnesse but also the necessity of the heavenly Ordinance of singing Scripture Psalms in Meeter in the Churches of God Which Discourse coming to the hand of the Author after he had finished his weak Tract he thought good to annex for strengthening his and setling the doubting Christian THe singing of Psalms though it breath forth nothing but holy harmony and melodie yet such is the subtiltie of the enemie and the enmity of our nature against the Lord and his waies that our hearts can find matter of discord in this harmonie and crotchets of division in this holy melodie for There have been three questions especially stirring concerning singing First what Psalms are to be sung in Churches whether Davids and other Scripture Psalms or the Psalms invented by the gifts of godly men in every age of the Church Secondly if Scripture Psalms whether in their own words or in such meeter as English poetrie is wont to run in Thirdly by whom are they to be sung whether by the whole Churches together with their voices or by one man singing alone and the restjoyning in silence and in the close saying Amen Touching the first certainly the singing of Davids Psalms was an acceptable worship of God not onely in his own but in succeeding times As in Solomons time 2 Chron. 5.13 in Jehosaphats time 2 Chron. 20.21 in Ezra his time Ezra 3.10 11. and the text is evident in Hezekiahs time they are commanded to sing praise in the words of David and Asaph 2 Chron. 29.30 which one place may serve to resolve two of the questions the first and the last at once for this commandment was it ceremoniall or morall some things in it indeed were ceremoniall as their musical Instruments c. but what ceremonie was there in singing praise with the words of David and Asaph what if David was a type of Christ was Asaph also was every thing of David typicall are his words which are of morall universall

and perpetuall authoritie in all nations and ages are they typicall what type can be imagined in making use of his songs to praise the Lord If they were typicall because the ceremonie of musicall Instruments was joyned with them then their prayers were also typicall because they had that ceremony of incense admixt with them but we know that prayer then was a morall dutie notwithstanding the incense and so singing those Psalms notwithstanding their musicall Instruments Beside that which was typicall as that they were sung with musicall Instruments by the twenty foure orders of Priests and Levites 1 Chron. 25.9 must have the morall and spirituall accomplishment in the New Testament in all the Churches of the Saints principally who are made Kings and Priests Rev. 1.6 and are the first-fruits unto God Rev. 14.4 as the Levites were Numb 3.45 with hearts and lips instead of musicall Instruments to praise the Lord who are set forth as some judiciously think Rev. 4.4 by twenty foure Elders in the ripe age of the Church Gal. 4.1 2 3. answering to the twenty foure orders of Priests and Levites 1 Chron. 25.9 Therefore not some select members but the whole Church is commanded to teach one another in all the severall sorts of Davids Psalmes some being called by himselfe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Psalms some 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hymnes some 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 spirituall songs So that if the singing Davids Psalms be a morall dutie and therefore perpetuall then we under the New Testament are bound to sing them as well as they under the old and if we are expresly commanded to sing Psalms Hymnes and spiritual songs then either we must sing Davids Psalms or else may affirm they are not spirituall songs which being penned by an extraordinarie gift of the Spirit for the sake especially of Gods spirituall Israel not to be read and preached onely as other parts of holy Writ but to be sung also they are therefore most spirituall and still to be sung of all the Israel of God and verily as their sin is exceeding great who will allow Davids Psalms as other Scriptures to be read in Churches which is one end but not to be preached also which is another end so their sin is crying before God who will allow them to be read and preached but seek to deprive the Lord of the glorie of the third end of them which is to sing them in Christian Churches Obj. 1. If it be said that the Saints in the primitive Church did compile spirituall songs of their own inditing and sing them before the Church 1 Cor. 14 15 16. Ans We answer first that those Saints compiled these spirituall songs by the extraordinarie gifts of the spirit common in those dayes whereby they were inabled to praise the Lord in strange tongues wherein learned Paraeus proves those Psalms were uttered in his Comment on that place ver 14. which extraordinarie gifts if they were still in the Churches we should allow them the like libertie now Secondly suppose those Psalms were sung by an ordinary gift which we suppose cannot be evicted doth it therefore follow that they did not and that we ought not to sing Davids Psalms must the ordinarie gifts of a private man quench the spirit still speaking to us by the extraordinarie gifts of his servant David there is not the least foot-step of example or precept or colour of reason for such a bold practise Obj. 2. Ministers are allowed to pray conceived prayers and why not to sing conceived Psalms must we not sing in the spirit as well as pray in the spirit Ans First because every good Minister hath not a gift of spirituall poetry to compose extemporarie Psalms as he hath of prayer Secondly suppose he had yet seeing Psalms are to be sung by a joynt consent and harmony of all the Church in heart and voice as we shall prove this cannot be done except he that composeth a Psalm bringeth into the Church set forms of Psalms of his own invention for which we find no warrant or president in any ordinarie officers of the Church throughout the Scriptures Thirdly because the book of Psalms is so compleat a System of Psalms which the holy Ghost himself in infinite wisedome hath made to sute all the conditions necessities tempations affections c. of men in all ages as most of all our interpreters on the Psalrues have fully and particularly cleared therefore by this the Lord seemeth to stop all mens mouthes and minds ordinarily to compile or sing any other Psalmes under colour that the occasions and conditions of the Church are new c. for the publick use of the Church seeing let our condition be what it will the Lord himselfe hath supplied us with farre better And therefore in Hezekiahs time though doubtlesse there were among them those that had extraordinary gifts to compile new songs on those new occasions as Isaiah and Micah c. yet we read that they are commanded to sing in the words of David and Asaph which were ordinarily to be used in the publick worship of God And we doubt not but those that are wise will easily see that those set formes of Psalmes of Gods own appointment not of mans conceived gift or humane imposition were sung in the Spirit by those holy Levites as well as their prayers were in the Spirit which themselves conceived the Lord not then binding them therin to any set formes and shall set formes of Psalmes appointed of God not be sung in the Spirit now which others did then Question But why may not one compose a Psalme and sing it alone with a lowd voyce and the rest joyne with him in silence and in the end say Amen Answ If such a practice was found in the Church of Corinth when any had a Psalme suggested by an extraordinary gift yet in singing ordinary Psalmes the whole Church is to joyne together in heart and voyce to praise the Lord. For First Davids Psalmes as hath been shewed were sung in heart and voyce together by the twenty foure Orders of the Musicians of the Temple who typed out the twenty foure Elders all the members especially of Christian Churches Rev. 5.8 who are made Kings and Priests to God to praise him as they did for if there were any other order of singing Choristers beside the body of the people to succeed those the Lord would doubtlesse have given direction in the Gospel for their qualification election maintenance c. as he did for the Musicians of the Temple and as his faithfulnesse hath done for all other Church-officers in the New Testament Secondly others beside the Levites the chiefe Singers in the Jewish Church did also sing the Lords songs else why are they commanded frequently to sing as in Psal 100.1 2 3. Psal 95.1 2 3. Psal 102. Title with v. 18. and Exod. 15.1 not only Moses but all Israel sang that song they spake saying as it is in the orig all