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
something but they must not tell what they are about nothing must be seen heard or understood by one another which is Barbarism and Confusion for every particular Member may be upon different Things and Subjects in God's Publick Worship this may be more like to lead to Apostacy than Social singing David's Psalms but no Absurdity follows Truth Then seeing that this Ephes 5.18 19. is a Command to the whole Church in their Assembly and Worship it doth necessitate a Social Singing with Vocal Voice Psalms as part of God's Worship That Expression Be ye filled with the Spirit being Metaphorical and intimating the Transport of Spiritual Joy Christians should be filled with when they celebrate God's Praises by Singing they should be filled with all good Affections as a due Preparation for this part of Worship They that have a Fulness of the Graces Vertues or Fruits of the Spirit may be said to be filled with the Spirit For it is not to be filled with its Essence without Operation nor its Filling and Operations without natural Faculties and natural Light improved with the Spirit bettereth and assists and doth not destroy And all extraordinary and ordinary Gifts or Fillings of the Spirit takes in for its effecting our Help The sacred Scriptures or Counsel of God by which we are to be guided here to glory hereafter so that they which by the help of the Spirit have the holy Scriptures in an holy humble and sober Understanding plentifully in them without which none is capable to worship the Lord in Spirit and Truth they may be said to be filled with the Spirit bringing the holy Scriptures to their Remembrance leading them into all Truth shewing them things to come yet unfulfilled inabling them to learn and sing the holy Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs in the holy Scriptures There is no filling of the Spirit contrary to the holy Scriptures nor can the whole Church be filled with the Spirit but the Matter must be holy Scripture and it 's a Command to the whole Church to speak in or to themselves in Psalms c. which must be Scriptural Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs because they are so and can be no other Now speaking to your selves is our last English Translation and good enough here and one may as well except against every word else as the word To. And so the Unlearned in Greek must either believe you against it or it against you which if not very credulous they will adhere to the latter both cannot it being an uncertain Sound I do not think that Pool were of your opinion about Singing but on the contrary And I tell you by the way that Divine Things or Mysteries must not be brought to Words but Words must be brought to them It would be exceeding unsound as hath been shewn to bring the Sense of the Text to yours and tho some Criticks might pick at Words as you and others yet if you were put to decline this compound Pronoun thro all Cases you might be out and those that critically note some Places may find to cavil where there want many words in the Original Greek and Hebrew too but it is not good to strain Cavils with the Holy Text nor force it by seeming Significations besides the Truth and Analogy of Faith nor con those Scriptures which are clear to be interpreted by such as are more dark especially where it hath no Fellow This comes to pass because our Translation galls them Again speaking in your selves may be the very same as speaking to your selves but not in your sense for to and in and among are ordinarily put indifferently for the same and are convertible Terms according to the Analogy of Faith Luke 17.21 To or in your selves implies a social Singing a joining together with Speech and Voices in Singing The compound Pronoun 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies and is not translated any where otherwise and when it is to denote inward Speaking Judgment Trust or the like the Preposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in is always joined with it as Mat. 3.9 9.21 Mark 9.50 Luke 3.8 1 Cor. 11.13 2 Cor. 1.9 Heb. 10.34 Jam. 2.4 in all which places the Preposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in your selves is joined together And 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as in this Ephes 5. is always translated to your selves as Mat. 13.9 Luke 16.9 17.3 21.34 Acts 5.35 2 John 8 and it is both improper absurd and ill â—yntax to translate it otherwise or differâ—nt from the same sense so in your selvâ— your Assemblies or in your Family-Devotâ—ons but to or in your selves to be mute nâ—ver a word to be heard nor understood of another and yet to speak and sing and make Melody in the Heart to God through being filled with the Spirit too not so much as Humming short of Quakerism this is strange They which were filled with the Spirit used to be in a strait till they could speak to others beside themselves Elihu said so Job 32.18 19 20. David said so and sung it too Psal 39.1 2 3. And so said they that were filled with the Spirit they could not but speak that which they had seen and heard Acts 4.20 But your Interpretation of the Pronoun 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and of the whole Text Ephes 5.19 is that All God's People may be filled with his Spirit and may speak to themselves in silence in Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs singing and making Melody in their Hearts to God in Publick Worship of him and yet all silent neither Sign nor Token of any such thing not one Word nor Hum of what they are about all that while You alledg 1 Cor. 14.28 but it will not help you you had better have letten this Ephes 5.19 have been the same with Coloss 3.16 which will be so do what you can And if you must needs oppose the Churches Inheritance one and the same wouâ—d have served and you had no need to have divided them But I will suppose that some may have a Gift or by learning to speak such a Tongue at some time in the Church-Assemblies as none could either understand being all else unlearned as it may so be 1 Cor. 14. Verse 16 23 24. and cannot interpret what is by such an one spoken the Holy Spirit shews the inexpediency of his speaking and forbids its use in the Church at such a time only and biddeth him speak to himself and to God You say he must speak all he could so speak at that time or you say nothing so then he is to be exercised in his Tongue mute keeping silence while that holds and is discharged joining with the Church in her Duties Is this to be Men in Understanding or Children And so if there were Ten in a like Condition as what is possible may be is it decently and in order be they more or less that the Church should be differently imployed at one and the same
time and instant And are the Spirits of the Prophets so contradictory to them that they will not suffer them to use common Discretion to take such Seasons to speak to themselves c. as that they may not lose the Benefit and Blessing in Union and Communion with the Church throughout all the Assembly but as Ephes 5. must have a whole Church Silent-Meeting awhile So some at Corinth might keep the like This is a strange Tongue a part of Quakerism But the Spirits of the Prophets are subject to the Prophets in this Case also that it doth not put them upon Disorder Confusion or Indecency And whatsoever any one's Gift or Learning may be for we must take notice of both and not any great difference between them neither for they that have learned a Tongue are not inferiour to them that received it by Gift as you may see in this Chapter they I say must not interfere or cause them to be speaking to themselves and to God in a silent mute frame to either hinder themselves or others from the benefit of the Ordinances of God in all the Assemblies continuance together for every thing is beautiful in its time but so is not the whole Church nor any of her Members in her Assemblies to be mute and silent and yet speaking to themselves in singing Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs making Melody in their Heart to God nor any to withdraw his Communion from the Church at that instant and be speaking to himself and to God in silence I do not question but such might speak at a convenient time and place in uttering all his Matter by word of Mouth to himself and to God and offend not if he did it not as some do to be heard and not understood of others which must be his design that speaks where none can understand him The Holy Spirit did not give the Church Directions and Rules for that Time and Generation only or how extraordinary Gifts might be used only the Lord knowing what Gifts Natural or Spiritual he would give and what is fittest for our Generation which these Rules respect all at all times I come to your second Part of the Foundation as you call it Coloss 3.16 to which you say You confess that vocal Singing is here to be understood otherwise it could not be Teaching and Admonishing to others in Word and Deed Vers 17. Pag. 3. But you intend us nothing by this your Confession you restrain it absolutely to Ministring Brethren whose Work and Office it is to teach and admonish the other Members and to such too only as by an extraordinary Gift of the Spirit such vocal Singing which was used in the Primitive Apostolical Church of Christ which you say was and cannot be denied All you say makes this Proposition following viz. That some one Person at a time may sing in the Church if he have received a Spiritual Gift as Tongues and working of Miracles were received that he can extemporarially as the Spirit giveth him utterance and instantly suggesteth into his Mind Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Matter Tune and Time inspired and it cannot be denied to be used now if there were any such this is all But how if there were never any such may we look for it It is evident that the Holy Spirit requires all things should be done according to Mens natural understanding whether they had Gifts or none whether they had Learning or were Unlearned whether they were Believers or Unbelievers And that Understanding should be admitted in the disposing and ordering their Gifts and Duties that even every one here mentioned might receive Profit so that all what you call Extraordinary fell under the notice of all ordinary Capacities when demonstrated unto them I shall make this a Maxim all my way Now I must take what you have said about this to pieces as I have done the other You say Coloss 3.16 is meant of Ministring Brethren whose Work and Office it is to Teach c. But the Text is plain that it is written to all the Members as such because not one Verse in all the Epistle can be taken from them or doth speak to any other and the Holy Spirit particularizeth them as Members for even Pastors are Members too viz. Wives Husbands Children Parents Servants Masters comprehend the whole and all the distinction that is that they which were Members only should say to Archippus Take heed to the Ministry which thou hast received in the Lord that thou fulfil it Who must say this to their Pastor who must see this Epistle read amongst them and that it be read in the Church at Laodicea It is no Particular of what degree soever that the Holy Spirit made a Depositum to or concredited the Epistles with the Church consisteth not of them but they of her I may be bold to assert That those Hearts in which the Word of Christ dwells most richly contain the greatest Treasures of the best Wisdom Prov. 15.23 25.11 Then I will consider First What is meant by the Word of Christ Secondly What it is to dwell in us richly in all Wisdom Thirdly What Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs those are which are to be sung with singing Voice with Grace in our Heart to the Lord. First The Word of Christ is verily that Word mentioned by the Holy Spirit in the first Chapter of this Epistle Vers 5. The Word of the Truth of the Gospel Vers 6. Which came unto them as it is in all the World and bringeth forth Fruit as it doth in you since the day ye heard of it and knew the Grace of God in Truth whereof they had heard and learned Vers 7. It was not contrary to it it was the Word of Christ it was of Christ as the Author and Speaker and Redeemer and Blesser to cause it to bring forth Fruit and able to save their Souls Which takes in all the Holy Scriptures and whatsoever is contained in them and no other Word or contrary thereto from the Library of Christ is the Word of the Gospel preached proved and confirmed it is the Word of Christ as he is one with the Father and Holy Spirit from all Eternity in sameness and oneness of Essence and Divine Nature in which all Three are One only God It is the Word of Christ as spoken by him and of him as our Redeemer else we had never heard it nor of him and it still speaks of him both what he is and hath done and doth and will do for his Elect. This is the Word of Christ even the Word of God which must dwell richly in us in all Wisdom and every Saint of his must labour that it be so it is not an uncertain Word instantly suggested and vanisheth in the Air or left to Tradition or uncertain Custody but a sure Word the Word of the Truth of the Gospel which hath been less or more declared from the Foundation of the World in the Covenant God hath
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
for Prayer and Singing as well as Teaching is to be used outwardly for Edification I see little in this first Particular but noise and impertinent Expositions and Quotations all signifies nothing in those four Pages except you could prove that Singing ought to be Mental which we deny for indeed that is no proper Singing at all for though there is a mental Praying yet no proper mental Singing which you do not it seems understand or otherwise will not grant though all Mankind generally as one Man will tell you 't is so All are agreed about proper Singing i. e. what a kind of Act it is of the bodily Organ as they are agreed what Speaking Reading Preaching or Crying is c. though you are not the Objections you make and Answers are insignificant 2. Of David's Psalms You say there was no Institution of Singing before David's time that word Institution is not in Scripture not that I gain-say its use if pertinently placed I have affirmed Psalms and Songs were appointed to be sung and commanded before David's time in Worship to God and that is as sufficient as any Institution can be so that your Denial is of no value nor all you say about wilderness-State or your Notion in Parallels between Israel after the Flesh in all the time afore David and so with the Gospel Israel all the time till Christ's second Coming and between David's and Solomon's time and the seventh thousand Years reign which is but Conceit and not for to establish Ordinances nor our worshipping of God upon no more than that very little time of Solomon's Temple top-Glory could be a Type of as little time of the Glory you promise your self But that Singing should be a Type and all the time till David a Type and David's Psalms a Type and all the time from Christ's coming in the Flesh a Type till his second Coming Moses's Tabernacle was a Temple 1 Sam. 3.3 In New Jerusalem there shall be no Temple for whatsoever any may think about a thousand years Reign on this Earth and Christ's personal Presence all that time yet it is no Article of Faith on which Communion depends nor the Lord's present Worship I say all Types were fulfilled in Christ who was and is the Body of all Shadows and whatsoever did annul the Tabernacle and its Appurtenances which Moses made did also annul and dissolve Solomon's Temple and all its Top-glory I have seen Men and to my sorrow their Madness who begun after this rate and at length taught that the Jews must possess the Land of literal Canaan and build a third Temple prophesied of by Ezekiel and offer all the Sacrifices and observe the whole Law till the Messiah's coming to reign and should sing too though we may not and I can tell what End they made Some make a great doe with personal Reign and 1000 years as if the knowledg thereof was of such import and concernment and obliging to Duties and mighty Matters as nothing like it and whatever is their Text that is their Faith and Doctrine too But I see no such Cause nor Consequence for it is not likely that a thousand Pounds can do more with them than infinite thousands of Pounds can not If eternal Life and infinite Blessedness which will have no end prevail not I despair that 1000 years should except Persons be conceitedly affected with sensible and ending Objects and visible corporal Things and pleasing carnal Enjoyments the Delights whereof the like Nature can take in and apprehend but such as are invisible Realities and eternal they have no suitable Principle to nor satisfactory Apprehensions of And therefore from such Ideas as correspond therewith like Tempe Elyzium Helicon Parnassus and the Turks Paradise and the Jews present hopes that when their Messiah comes they shall be made Lords and enjoy all wordly Enjoyments above other Nations and feasted on Behemoth Zis and the Wine of Paradise Carnal things suit carnal Minds which have induced some into irregular Courses And yet this I will say more and how far your Notions tend that way which have no ground and less fruits to Edification but are Notions taking up Mens Minds and Time too from practical Doctrines And I care not who knows it That I had rather be ignorant of some things God may give his Saints hereafter than be ignorant or negligent in what is my present duty to do It is not for want what to say that I pass many of your Lines but because they are crude and I am tired with your obtruding by an huge pretence of Zeal those things upon us 3. As to prescribed Songs and Hymns and precomposed I shall say little let them that either use them or are for them answer for themselves Yet I do not see any thing you have offered to amount to a solid Confutation as you may hear more when I come to 1 Cor. 14. So I shall pass at present your third Particular for whatever Truth you oppose your many Arguments and Proofs against it signify nothing 4. Of Womens Singing c. You say That Women ought neither to teach nor pray vocally in the Church of Christ is generally believed by all Orthodox Christians and say it is asserted from 1 Cor. 14.34 35. But we must consider who you call Orthodox c. If you mean such as agree in Fundamentals of Faith though they differ in Ordinances then you take in for Orthodox Episcopacy Presbyterians Independents c. who all are for Womens singing in the Church and teaching too if singing Psalms and Hymns and spiritual Songs be teaching as it is in your sense else they are none of them Orthodox or else all are not against Womens singing and teaching in the Church for they are for Womens singing in the Church But if you will restrain the word Orthodox Christians unto some certain Professors distinct from them all and account them Heterodox then you steal away in a Presumption not hinted and is next to a strange Tongue For if you say the first you are false to your own knowledg and all Orthodox Christians do not generally believe it but otherwise else that Women singing in the Church Psalms Hymns and spiritual Songs as part of God's Worship is not that Teaching in the Church which they are forbidden to do Women are under heavy Circumstances if all spiritual things some imagine are to be imposed upon them and what they are winked at in Civils which is forbidden in the Word of God 't is no marvel they are of so little account and useless in the Church Yet Women do speak and teach in the Church and must do so in their giving an account of their Conversion and their Faith sometimes long and excellently too and exceeding some Men teaching by experience in telling what God hath done for their Souls and in giving their Evidence and Witness to Accusations in the Rule of Discipline where some teach and speak notably and reprove soundly also and give
c. Yet you say they have more to say you mean by God's Word else I grant it to your rebuke Those you respect do neither impose their Singing nor judg them which dissent but in all Bowels of Charity embrace them in whatsoever they may you can condemn unheard without Charity and Truth And I tell you if there could be as much said for imposed Forms of Prayer and Baby-Baptism as there can be said for social singing David's Psalms in private and publick Worship to God you and all your purest Churches are so defiled as you cannot be cleansed without true Repentance of all your suffering Testimony and Witness you pretend to have given against Singing and Forms of Prayer such ill Notions you propose Many of the Ministers and Members of the Baptists have offered the Pedobaptists that if they can give us but one Instance that any new-born Infant were either required to be baptized or that were baptized by our Lord Christ or any of his Disciples any Precept or Example in all the New Testament though never so private and we would yield and contend no more against it though we have so many pregnant Instances and publick Testimonies for us And I am sure all Opposers would be confounded with the least evidence of Example although many Circumstances were wanting were there but a bare Practice to be seen what a Structure would be raised upon it But notwithstanding our Lord Jesus Christ and his Disciples did sing in God's Worship and Paul and Silas sang Praise in God's Worship and the holy Spirit enjoined it without exception on the Church at Corinth Ephesus Coloss thereby confirming it to be acceptable in the Worship of God and in James's enjoining it to all Saints and those Instances in the Revelations which encourage the use and continuance of it you slight them all and say We have less to say than they who are for a Form of Prayer You craftily forsook the proof of your Parallel thinking to blind us with the Lord's Prayer which you can dispense with as well as those you oppose and begging the question under your Antagonist's Concession but Men know not what they do that deny those Forms of Praises in the holy Scripture to be used in God's Worship And humble Christians ought always to be perswaded that no Word Psalm Song or Prayer is vainly or rashly inserted into that Volume which infinite supream Wisdom dictated nor hastily censure any that use them verbatim in God's Worship at some time without putting them upon or censuring others And yet further I would yield to a Pedo-baptist if he had either Precept or Example for him in all the New Testament it may be you would not because you had rather follow some in our Age the which if doing so you would consider they 'l tell you that in things they esteem good to practise yet dare not impose Have a care of breaking the Law of Charity on purpose to cast the Shreds at their Heads which desire to keep it and do not Sampson-like kill your self on purpose to destroy others lest many things done and approved by the Lord be not so clear as social singing David's Psalms in God's Worship King David was not the Author of all the Book of Psalms most may be were collected by him many might be his some were long before him and some long after him if he collected some that were before him some he did not and others that were made in his days It shews the Lord gave his Church Psalms to be sung in private and publick Worship They must have hard brows that dare deny that God was not worshipped by singing of Psalms which were sung by every one that did sing Psalms since the beginning of the World and that he is not by his Church to the end of the World still worshipped thereby The Book of Psalms according to the original Sepher Tehillim properly signifies the Book of Praises not only stiled so from the greater part but even penitential Psalms which contain Confession Repentance promise of Amendment yea whatever else therein contained for thereby is Glory given unto God as Josh 7.19 Rev. 16.9 Heb. 13.15 as the Margent which waits on the Text and such is the excellency of it and all Scripture-Psalms being wonderfully contrived for all Saints Occasions in what condition and of what condition soever Singing Psalms was used as part of God's Worship from the beginning of the World and must be unto the end of it and for evermore Job 37.7 No tolerable Interpretation can be given of this Place uttered by God himself except it be understood of the Angels made the first Day and that they were the Stars of Heaven for Brightness and Sons of God for other Stars and Sons of God there were none at the laying of the Foundation of the Earth and the Corner-Stone thereof When the Morning-Stars sang together and all the Sons of God shouted for joy Called Angels of Light 2 Cor. 11.14 and Stars for Brightness Rev. 1 and 2. Morning-Stars because made in the first Morning of the Worlds that they might behold the Creation of all other Creatures though they had no hand in it and first praise God before any other living Creatures were made These Morning-Stars and all the Sons of God sang together and shouted for Joy at the beginning of the World like the shouting and singing Praise to God at the laying the Foundation and Corner-Stone of the Temple Zech. 4.7 Ezra 3.10 11. all which were Worship unto God And that it was used as part of publick and private Worship to God amongst the Jews from the time they were a Nation if David did collect the Book of Psalms all which were afore were delivered and given for the Worship of God and used when first given as well as those which were made by him and as used in his time some of which are supposed to have been afore Israel went into Egypt Those in Exodus and Deuteronomy were by Moses delivered for the Worship of God though not included in David's Book save in substance Whether the Book of Psalms was David's or Asaph's or other Prophets or all of them were Instruments it matters not it being the pleasure of God there should be so many gathered into one Volume which had been as the Lord gave them used as part of God's Worship whether Moses Deborah and Barak Hannah David Solomon Isaiah Jeremiah Habakkuk Jonas or others in the Old Testament all were delivered to be used as part of God's Worship by Song and cannot with modesty be gain-said And it is unlearned to say that not in the Wilderness-Condition of Israel after the Flesh and so not in the Wilderness-Condition of Israel after the Spirit Nor is there either ground or reason in what is urged thereabout as shall appear in its place but a meer Fancy all Israel sang the Praise of the Lord at the Red Sea Psal 106.13 and Moses delivered unto them
Author would not have God's Praise confined to Songs of Praise only no more would any one What makes this for you that would confine it from all Songs ever since Christianity began if not a thousand Years afore till a thousand Years Reign in any ordinary Gift or Manner Thus did not Dr. Owen and I tell you that you have abused him and I fear your own Conscience in your Quotation for in your 5th Page line 29 Appendix you draw a black Line betwixt God and this which if filled up as it ought to have been would have drawn a black Line upon your Book and Appendix as the Reader shall see the words you have left out are these following viz. to praise God for the Work of his Love and Grace in our Redemption by Christ Jesus This he promised to go before them in And what he led them unto is by them to be persisted in This indeed is the End of Church-gathering and of all Duties that are performed therein and thereby Now all that had acquaintance with the Doctor knows that notwithstanding he would not have praising God in the Church to be restrained to melodious singing God's Praise yet he did own it a Duty which ought to be performed and persisted in amongst others to sing Praise to God with melodious Voice in Private and Publick And those words which you have left wittingly out do of necessity imply it what Christ leads them unto is by them to be persisted in Now Christ did lead his Church unto singing Praise to God by his personal Example and joining with them Matth. 26.30 and commanded it in the Church as aforesaid wherefore it is a Duty by them to be persisted in as well as to praise God other ways and sure I am this was Dr. Owen's Judgment and Practice which I will challenge any one to disprove both after this were printed as well as afore And Dr. Owen's Labours and unwearied Pains and Honesty may not be abused by curtailing his Words and true Meaning nor the Reader who it's probable hath not his Book to see whether he be wronged or not Dr. Owen would not have God's Praise to be restrained to Words and Hymns particularly expressing it but all Ordinances Faith and Obedience ordered aright to be giving Glory to God and they must have more Confidence than Honesty that deny it But here is no exception against praising God by particular Words and Hymns in God's Worship wherefore you have beat the Air or Dust into your Eyes discovering a deceitful Pen. And I may guess such is your Anger against particular Words and Hymns of Praise to God that you would very fain deny even all Words and Hymns to be singing melodiously Praise to God at all in Metre or Verse or Song or else all your Labour in your 2d Section is in vain if some gain is not in it for you would cast a Mist by your long Harangue in this 2d Section that we might not know in all the New Testament in what sense to take the word Hymns in or whether in any place it denoteth a Song to be sung to the praise of God melodiously I could give as many critical Names but I like not and do stick to our last English Translation as apprehending those that did it to be every way their Equals that oppose it Nor is your Supposition like this how much without measure Christ himself had of the Spirit seeing they all sung an Hymn as well as he who had not received extraordinary Gifts in that nature that Christ's Practice did agree with the Rule of Worship whereby his Church in all Ages by him were appointed Wherefore because Christ and his Disciples did sing altogether in an ordinary Manner and no other Psalms were spoken of to be such but Scripture-Psalms and Singing was used in the Primitive Times it is our Duty now and because you have not you will not receive it let it be on your own Peril Your 3d Section is deceitful in your two first Propositions You say That such Spiritual Singing as was in the Primitive Church was from a special Gift of the Holy Spirit for the proof of which you alledg ten Scriptures or more to prove that there were Spiritual singing Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs melodiously in God's Worship or else you say nothing 2dly And that it was from a special Gift of the Holy Spirit both which I grant and yet you get nothing for you do not say in your Proposition it was from an extraordinary Gift as much as any Miracle or immediate strange Tongue inspired but a special Gift It were so if it were ordinary to sing with the Spirit and with Understanding also but you can never prove these two to be extraordinary Gifts viz. Spirit and Understanding inasmuch as Understanding is the greater without which the other is unfruitful the Understanding was an ordinary Gift in all and exhorted to be observed which had not been and must direct every Gift whatsoever in its use for Edification wherefore as he that prophesies is greater than he that speaks with Tongues 1 Cor. 14.5 and yet that Prophecy is an ordinary Gift and such as every Member is to have less or more for they are all exhorted to covet it and it is a continued Gift in the Church always A strange Tongue without an Interpreter is a meaner Gift than Prophecy both for the Church and in respect of our Understanding for Prophecy will help it aright but the Understanding muâ—â— direct and guide a strange Tongue or elsâ— it becomes unprofitable thus is your first Proposition rendred invalid Your second Proposition is impertinent viz. 2dly That the Gifts of the Holy Spirit were not given alike to every peculiar Member of the Church of Christ for Publick Worship The veriest Novice would have made a better who did ever affirm such a piece of Ignoramus The holy Spirit did never give Gifts alike to every Apostle Evangelist or Elder nor it may be never will much less to every particular Member though every particular One had not Gifts alike for publick Worship nor ever will in this World yet every particular Member ought to have less or more of every Gift and Grace of the Spirit ordinarily or else there will be no communion between Information and Acceptation which every Gift either tendeth to edify and build else he that speaketh is unfruitful If either Experience do not speak to Experience and Spirit to Spirit so that there is a likeness of Gift between Speaker and Hearer or else he hath not an Ear to hear or the Speaker but an Imagination there is a likeness as to the nature of the Gift in each in the Quality though not in the Quantity in all things that tend 〈◊〉 the perfection of the Saints and God's Worship were not one thing in the Primitive Times and another now All your Stories told in your third Section in pag. 13. is conceited Tautologies Objections to no