it by Singing of Praises 'T is said our â—viour rejoiced in Spirit Luke 10. 21. and â—anked his Father yet 't is not said he sung 〈◊〉 Joy is inward not known till expressed â—â—d many times 't is expressed by Singing tho â—â—t always The end why I mention this is to â—ew they are two different Acts and Duties 〈◊〉 I am enjoined to rejoice so I am enjoined so from that Joy to sing Jam. 5. 13. Fifthly and lastly to pass over this Singâ—g is a Duty performed always with the Voice â—ad can't be done without the Tongue we may â—ather from the Noise it maketh to the hearing â—f others as it is noted in the Scripture See â—xod 32. 17. And when Joshua heard the Noise 〈◊〉 the People as they shouted he said unto Moâ—s There is War in the Camp Ver. 18. And 〈◊〉 said It is not the Voice of them that shout 〈◊〉 Mastery neither is it the Voice of them that â—â—â—y for being overcome but the Noise of them â—at sing do I hear They that doubt about â—hat the Act of Singing is I desire them to â—nsider this Text well in which 't is to be obâ—â—ved that there are several distinct Acts voâ—lly performed by the Tongue and all Manâ—nd easily distinguish the one from the other â—nless depraved in their Minds or under a Deâ—â—sion and Temptation of Satan 1. There is a shouting Noise of the Tongue â—nd all Mankind know what it is and can â—eadily resolve any Person about it when he â—istinctly hears it 2. There is it appears a crying Noise likewise 3. There is a preaching Voice or a Noise made that way 4. A praying or praising Voice 5. A singing Voice And all these distinct from each other Moses could readily resolve the Doubt that was upon Joshua when he lent his Ear to hearken to the Noise of the People Truly I am almost ashamed I have this occasion to speak and to be so large upon it but knowing what I have met withal from some poor weak and doubting Christians who stumble at Noon-day about the very Act of Singing not knowing what it is or at least raise such Objections against it I have thought good to begin here and if this may but satisfy them I shall bless God for what I have said in all plainness and do know it makes an easy Passage to the next Chapter wherein I shall by God's Assistance prove Singing yea such a Singing there being no other known to Mankind an Holy Ordinance of God and to be practised in the Congregation of Christians and in Private also only let me conclude this Chapter with two Inferences 1. If this be so then we may naturally infer from hence that all such who never sing the Praises of God with a Vocal Melody notwithstanding all those sweet Rejoicings they may have in the Spirit at any time never sing at all And if Singing be that which the Great God looks for from and enjoins upon his People and every one of them that then they lie short of their Duty and want an Ordinance Moreover if it be our Duty and that which belongs to God it is to take away one great part of his glorious Praise yea the highest manner of performance of it we are capable of and so it is a robbing of the Holy God as well as it deprives their own Souls and the Souls of others of much sweet and Heavenly Joy and Refreshment We may also infer that those who think they may be said to sing with him that sings when they approve of the Matter of his Song and are affected with it are mistaken seeing there is no proper mental or Heart-singing or joining that way with others in Singing as there is in the Duty and Ordinance of Prayer For all may be said as well to preach who like and approve of what a Preacher saith as they may be all said to sing who sit and hear one Man sing with delight when they themselves hold their peace and sing not CHAP. II Wherein 't is clearly demonstrated and proved that Singing of Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs is an Holy Ordinance of God and part of Gospel-Worship and continues an Ordinance for ever by the Antiquity of it Arg. 1. MY first Argument shall be taken from the Antiquity of this Practice 't is as ancient as this World the World and Singing of the Praise of God came even in together or very near each other I have respect to that triumphant Singing of the Angels When Jehovah laid the Foundation of the Earth Job 38. When the Morning Stars sang together and all the Sons of God shouted for Joy I find an Eminent Writer paraphrasing thus on these words viz. Where wast thou when I laid the Foundation of the Earth c. at which sight the Morning Stars sang together and all the Sons of God shouted for Joy Taking the words as carrying an Allusion to or a Similitude taken from some noble Buildings or Structures whose Foundations use to be laid with Solemnity and with Singing or shouting Acclamations See Mr. Caryl on the Place who after he hath given several Opinions of Men about these Morning Stars some supposing they mean the Stars in the Firmament of Heaven he gives two Reasons to prove by them are meant the Angels of God There are some saith he who take these Stars Metaphorically or Figuratively for the Angels and then their Singing is proper And there are two Reasons given why by the Stars in this place we should understand the Angels First If we consider the Truth or Course of the History because the Earth being created the first Day the Stars were not in being till the Fourth unless we comprehend them as was said before as to their Matter and Reality under those words of Moses In the beginning God created the Heaven and the Earth But as to their Appearance and Formality so they were not till the fourth Day and if so how could they sing together the Praises of God at the laying the Foundation of the Earth A second Reason is given from this Chapter afterwards Vers 31 32. Canst thou bind the sweet Influences of the Pleiades or seven Stars or loose the Bands of Orion c. Here the Lord treats with Job about the Stars in proper Senses therefore probably the Morning Stars here mentioned are not to be taken Properly but Tropically for the Angels And then he goes on to prove how fitly the Angels may be called Stars c. And from this of the Stars or Angels Singing he infers First Singing is an Act of Divine Worship they sang to the Glory of God Note Secondly saith he Singing is an Expression of Joy 'T is very remarkable the Angels sang at God's bringing forth the first Creation to teach us our Duty and how we should celebrate the Praises of Jehovah by Singing for the Works of the first Creation doubtless this was and is the Will of God and we are to pray that
as well as other Ordinances are What you say in the 27th Page about the Winter of Afflictions when that is past and the time of the Singing of Birds is come at the appearance of Christ's Kingdom which will fully perfect the Glory of Temple-worship You mistake that Text in Cant. 2. for all Expositors generally agree that that Place resers to two things first to the coming of Christ in the Flesh the time of the Jewish-Church-state or the dark and cloudy days before Christ came is set forth by Winter 't is known the Afflictions and Miseries of God's People before Christ came was great but then the glorious Sun arose or the Day-spring 〈◊〉 on high visited the Earth Luk. 1. 79. and the longed-for Spring came in and then the 〈◊〉 of the Turtle was heard in that and other Lands and the Birds of Heaven and Earth began to sing I mean both the Angels and Saints also with Grace in their Hearts in a most spiritual and heavenly manner to the Lord. Secondly By Winter may be meant as they shew that time while a Soul abides in its natural estate and when regenerated by the Grace of God then Winter is past and then the time for that Soul to sing is come and such also then hear the Voice of Christ that blessed Turtle sweetly by his Spirit speaking peace to their Souls But if in the third place it should also allude to the Churches final Deliverance from all outward Afflictions in the latter Days and so they have an extraordinary Cause to praise God and sing his Praises forth in those Times for temporal Salvation doth it follow from thence we must not sing forth his Praises till then 't is a horrible mistake to think Saints are more to be concerned to â—ing to the Lord for outward Blessings and worldly Peace and Prosperity on Earth than for their spiritual Blessings and Priviledges through Christ for the redemption of their Souls from Sin and eternal Wrath no For these Mercies we have infinitely more cause to sing than for all those great things you hint at besides that Song will be rather the Song of Moses than the Song of the Lamb the one was for temporal Deliverance and Salvation the other is for spiritual and eternal Mercies True when that time comes when we shall sing both those Songs together then the Melody may be the sweeter but though there are extraordinary times of Prayer and Praises yet that ought not to hinder the Saints from praying and singing at other times Your Reply in the fourth place to that in Isa 52. 8 9. viz. Thy Watchmen shall lift up the Voice with the Voice together shall they sing is nothing to the purpose at all What though the word will bear their making a noise oâ— shouting yet 't is a joyful Noise or a Noise of Singing and a Singing with their Voice together as a found of the great Jubilee And now though you would have this place to refer to the thousand Years Reign yet the Apostle applies it positively to the time of the Gospel see Rom. 10. 15. Come the Day of Gospel-Grace Gospel-Light Gospel-Glory and Priviledges is like the great Jubilee when desolate Souls who like waste places come to be renewed and the Church rebuilt and Ordinances restored this is the time to sing this is the chief cause of Joy and Gladness Many Men ignorantly apply Prophecies to the thousand Years Reign that refer to the time of the Gospel which began in the Apostles days besides there is a Doubt in the Hearts of many Men about that thousand Years 't is a Mystery not yet understood clearly No doubt the Antitype of Solomon's Temple say you what you please was the Gospel-Church in the days of the Apostles and so downward and not the thousand Years Reign for the Glory of the second Temple was a Type of the Glory of the Church in the latter days of the World as the best of our Expositors have excellently opened it to be so therefore what you speak pag. 28. makes against your self for if the Institution of Singing which was in the Levitical Temple-worship was compleated as to the Antitype in the Apostles Days as touching the beginning of it and not as you imagine and there is no doubt but 't is so for when the Antitype was come then the Shadow of Aaron's Order and musical Instruments fled away and then nothing was left but Singing with Heart and Voice by the Spirit to the Lord. Your fift Reply is to that of Christ and his Disciples singing of an Hymn after the Supper pag. 29. which you say might be no more than giving of Thanks or saying Grace Answ We have answered this Objection fully already but by the way had it been no more than his giving of Thanks why doth the Hloly Ghost express it in the plural Number 't is said He took Bread and blessed it and he 〈◊〉 the Cup and gave Thanks so some Translations render it but now at the close 't is said they sung an Hymn Besides multitudes of Learned Men do tell you that from the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they hymned it is truly and rightly translated into English they sung an Hymn Dr. Du Veil who was as Learned a Man as most this present Age hath in it saith in his literal Explanation of the Acts of the Apostles Chap. 16. ver 25. pag. 67. thus Hymns are Songs which contain the Praise of God If it be Praise and not of God it is not an Hymn if it be Praise and of God if it be not sung it is not an Hymn it must therefore that it may be an Hymn have these three things viz. 1. Praise 2. And of God 3. And a Song Now this being an Hymn our Saviour and his Disciples used in praising of God the Doctor affirms they sung and so did Paul and Silas But this is the old way of such who ever opposed a Truth when pinch'd presently fly out upon the Translators 't is so to be read in the Greek c. whereas all the World knows that as our Translators were able Scholars so they were very holy and upright Men Besides our Annotators and all Expositors generally say 't is truly rendred and 't is a bad thing unjustly to find fault with the Translators of the Holy Bible To perswade your Reader if you could that the Disciples did not sing with our Saviour or they did not sing together you bring that Passage of Hannah's mental praying or speaking in her Heart 1 Sam. 1. 11 13. How impertinent this is I may leave to all You suppose still because there is a Mental or Heart-praying there is a Mental or Heart-singing also you may after the same manner say there is a Mental or Heart-preaching likewise There is no proper Singing I tell you again without the Voice But you think you have done it at last from Acts 4. 24. Where it is said The Disciples lifted up
Time this Prophecy did refer to which you may soon see if you read the Context How beautiful upon the Mountains are the feet of them that bring good Tydings c. Which the Apostle absolutely applies to the Time of the Gospel and to Gospel-Ministers Rom. 10. 15. And the Prophet doth not only say The Watchmen shall lift up their Voice and with the Voice together sing but also calls upon the desolate and waste places to sing together which can refer to none but the Lord's People who in gospel-Gospel-Days shall be made a Praise to him who had been as a poor barren and waste Wilderness For saith the Prophet in the next words The Lord hath made his Arm bare in the Eyes of all Nations and the ends of the Earth shall see the Salvation of God Vers 10. Now this place directly declares the manner how we ought to Sing that is with Voices together And thus I find a most Reverend and Learned Man speak upon the place David's Psalms saith he were Sung together in Heart and Voice by the twenty four Orders of the Musicians who typed out the twenty four Elders which our Annotators and others say signify the Church and Ministers of Christ and so saith this Author viz. All the Members of Christian Churches Rev. 5. 8. who are made Kings and Priests to God to praise him as they did for if there had been any other Order of Singing besides the Body of the People to succeed those formerly used the Lord would doubtless have given directions how or what it was Not Moses only but all Israel sang and the Women as well as the Men also intimateth that that Song John speaks of Rev. 15. 3. which saith he the Protestant Churches getting Victory over the Beast with Harps in their hands and Singing the Song of Moses refers to that Song and manner of Singing Exod. 15. 1 2. And there is no doubt of it but it doth Moreover saith he Isaiah foretells in the days of the New Testament that God's Watchmen and dissolates lost Souls signified by desolate and waste places should with their Voice Sing together Isa 52. 8 9. The Song of the Lamb saith he was with many together Rev. 7. 9 10. And the Apostles expresly command the Singing of Psalms Hymns and spiritual Songs not to any select Christians but to the whole Church Ephes 5. 19. Col. 3. 16. Paul and Silas sang together in Prison Act. 16. 25. and must the Publick hear only one Man Sang I must say it would be a strange sight to see and hear and without any Warrant from God's Word or Practice of any Church of Christ To all these saith he we may add the Practice of the Primitive Churches the testimony of the ancient and holy Basil is instead of many Epist 63. When one of us saith he hath begun a Psalm the rest of us set in to sing with him all of us with one Heart and with one Voice and this saith he is the common practice speaking of Basil of the Churches of Egypt Lybia Thebes Palestina Syria To the same purpose Eusebius gives witness Eccles Hist lib. 2. cap. 17. The Objections saith he made against this do most of them plead against joying to Sing in Heart as well as in Voice as that by this means others out of the Church will sing as also that we are not always in a suitable Estate to the matter Sung and likewise that all cannot Sing with understanding and are not all therefore who have understanding to join in Heart and Voice together Are not all the Creatures in Heaven Earth Seas Men Beasts Fishes Fowles c. commanded to praise the Lord and yet none of these but Men and Godly ly Men too can do it spiritually and with understanding The third Scripture Prophecy is Hos 2. 15. which clearly alludes to the Gospel-days 〈◊〉 Expositors shew viz. when God should make a New Covenant with his People and betrâ—â—â— them to himself for ever vers 19. I will allâ—â—â— her and bring her into the Wilderness and speak comfortably unto ber Vers 14. And 〈◊〉 give her Vineyards from thence and the Valey of Achor for a Door of Hope and she shalâ— sing as in the days of her Youth and as in the day when she came up out of the Land of Egypt which is clear has respect to that of Exod. 15. see our Annotators on this Text for it fully confirms Singing under the Gospel and such a Singing as was of Old I shall close this with what Dr. Roberts saith in his Key to the Holy Bible pag. 175. Finally that passage in the Prophet Thy Watchmen shall lift up the Voice with the Voice together shall they Sing is saith he prophetically spoken of the Times when the Feet of the Messengers of glad-tidings shall be beautiful who shall say unto Sion Thy God reigneth This is interpreted by the Apostle Paul of the Gospel-times under the New Testament I rather chuse to give my Understanding of this glorious Truth in the words of other Men such worthy and renouned Men as these than in my own thinking some may more readily incline to receive the Truth from them than from such a poor Nothing-creature as I am yet did not I verily believe as they did in this matter I should not have cited a word from their Pens Besides some of their Works â—ie in great Folio's that very few may meet â—ith and what they say which they prove from God's Word we ought carefully to receive though in some things they differ from us Therefore if any Answer me they must also answer them in what I have cited out of their Writings or I shall conclude I have no Answer at all CHAP. XII Proving 'tis our Duty to sing the Praises of God with united Voices from the great Noise such are said to make when they sing THis appears by that in Exod. 32. 17 18. And when Joshua heard the noise of the People as they shouted he said to Moses There is War in the Camp vers 17. And he said It is not the Voice of them that shout for mastery neither is it the Voice of them that cry for being overcome but the noise of them that sing do I hear vers 18. Certainly one Man's Voice could not have made such a Noise nothing can be more clear but that they sung with united Voices together Obj. But here it is objected This was in praise of the Golden Calf and so no rule Answ 'T is no matter to whom they sung it was their Sin and horrid Wickedness to give that Divine Worship and Praise to a moltenâ—mage that belonged to God only but there is no question but they sung now to this false God as they had done cap. 15. to the true God of Heaven and Earth and therein lay part of their wicked and horrid Deed. The second Scripture is Psal 81. 1 2. Sing aloud unto God make a joyful Noise which cannot be apply'd to
speak 〈◊〉 other times which they are allowed to do In Sect. 6. You speak of those prophetical places of the Psalms c. urged by us for Singing under the gospel-Gospel-days where all the Earth is exhorted to sing unto the Lord Psal 96. 1. Psal 95. 1 2. Psal 100. 1 c. 1. This you would have refer to the preaching of the Gospel i. e. as the Apostles sound went â—orth into all the Earth Rom. 10. 18. confounding Preaching and Singing together one time and Prayer and Singing at another 2. You would have it chiefly to refer to the seventh thousand Years of the World or Reigâ— of Christ hinting in your first Part as if then there shall be a Singing besides the Essence of it in their Spirits but if that thousand Years you speak of shall be before the end of the World or Gospel-Dispensation pray where lie those Precepts that will authorize them in those days to sing and yet do not authorize or warrant us to sing now Shall they have a new Bible for those Times But if the Precepts for Singing then are contained in our holy Scripture and yet do not belong to us 't is good for us to consider whether other Precepts written therein do not wholly refer to those Times too nay all Ordinances till the Spirit comes down in an extraordinary manner and so now we must throw off all Gospel-Administrations and turn Seekers I am sorry to see such Stuff as this published to the World But what I have said or cited from the Writings of other Godly Men in respect of those Prophetical Psalms and other places of Scripture that enjoin the Gentile-Churches to sing the Praises of the Lord I would have you and others consider well of before you write again In Sect. 7. you heap up a company of confused words to no purpose about premeditated Matter for Prayer to oppose premeditated Hymns c. Append. pag. 38 39 40 41 42 43 c. Answ 1. The Form of Prayer Christ hath left us is a Rule for us in Prayer and we may premeditate what we intend to lay before the Lord it appears from thence and so is the Word of Christ our general Rule by which we must premeditate and precompose our Spiritual Hymns and Songs 2. But Prayer and Singing differ the one from the other we may use other words in Prayer than what we premeditated as the Spirit of God may help us But we are limited by God's Word to sing David's Psalms or else Hymns and Spiritual Songs composed out of the Word of God Now let them be either they must be so many words and no more or else none can sing with him that has the Hymn Now we say the extraordinary â—nfluences for Singing Preaching Interpreting c. are gone therefore every Ordinance must be performed by the ordinary Gifts and Influences of the Spirit or else we must have none at all Was Singing or any other Ordinance performed in the Gospel-Days by an extraordinary Spirit not performed then also and afterwards as well and as acceptable to God by the ordinary Gifts Shew if you can that other Ordinances which had such special Gifts then to attend them as well as Singing do notwithstanding remain Ordinances and yet Singing of Psalms and Hymns doth not so continue If therefore a Man should premeditate every word of his Sermon by the Assistance of the Spirit who dares to say he speaks not by the Help of the Holy Ghost or that his Sermon is not part of Spiritual Worship 'T is no matter whether we have our Sermons or our Hymns mediately or immediately composed and brought forth provided they be Spiritual and done by the help of the Spirit But to close all Are not David's Psalms part of Spiritual Worship and are not the Churches exhorted to sing them In Sect. 8. Appendix pag. 43 44 c. in answer to what we say That our Psalms and Hymns are Spiritual though precomposed you say 1. That such Forms are not Spiritual Worship because Singinâ— in the Primitive Gospel-Times was from the special Gift of the Spirit 2. Though say you the Matter of precomposed Forms of Singing be Spiritual yet the Heart must be Spiritual too or Grace and Melody must be in exercise in performing of them The Grace of Joy must be raised in the Soul to the heighth of Melody and so break forth Or to that purpose you speak pag. 44 45. Answ 1. We need no more the special Gift in Singing to render our Singing Spiritual than those special Gifts in Preaching to render our Sermons Spiritual 2. As to have Grace in our Hearts not only in the Habit but also in the Exercise in Singing we acknowledg it is necessary to a right performance of it And so 't is in Prayer Preaching and all other Spiritual Duties of Religion And let me tell you we need no greater assistance of the Spirit in Singing than in Praying or Rejoicing therefore what signifies that which you say pag. 45. Viz. The least exercise of true Grace in our Hearts in Prayer gives Essence or Being to Prayer so the least exercise of gracious melodious Joy gives Essence to inward Singing And say you as we ought not vocally to pray in the Publick Worship of God in the Church without a sufficient Gift of the Spirit so also we ought not vocally to sing in the Church unless it be by a sufficient Gift of the Spirit And seeing we have not such a Gift we are not capable of vocal Spiritual Singing 〈…〉 we must be contented as you intimate in pag. 46. with the Essence of it in our Spirits only Answ By this way of arguing you may lay Godly Christians under Temptations about Prayer especially in the Church because they may plead they have not the Gift whereas the Grace of Prayer viz. a broken Heart is that which God chiefly looks at and so should we too This makes no more against Singing than it doth against Praying And thus I must argue upon you If I have not the Special Gift of Singing I must content my self with the Essence of it in my Heart and yet as I have shewed the essence of it is not in the heart as it is in the Voice and so since if I have not the special Gift of Prayer I must be contented with the Essence of Prayer only Heart-Prayer and not pray vocally at all But you intimate that none ought to sing but such who are in the full assurance of the Love of God But you might as well say none ought to rejoice in the Lord nor to praise him but such only as well as to say what you do here against their Singing who want that assurance But you hint in pag. 46. as if we must be satisfied with your Essence of Singing viz. inward joy in the Heart till we come to the primitive perfection of Divine Worship c. Answ We doubt not through Grace but we are come to such perfection of
Satan the World c. This is the chief Song we should sing and this we have perpetual cause or â—easong to sing But to returm it appears the Saints did celebrate the Praise of God by singing before the Law was given forth on Mount Sinai And then Secondly under the Law are a multitude of Instances of their Melodious Singing to God Moses as Mr. Wells observes penn'd the ninetieth Psalm and no doubt 〈◊〉 he and the Children of Israel sang it Dâ—vid and all the Lord's People sang in 〈◊〉 Worship of God in his time Also Hezekâ—â— sung and Asaph sung 2 Chron. 37. 30. 〈◊〉 Prophets sang the Jews sang before and 〈◊〉 the Captivity Nehemiah and the People 〈◊〉 him sung and praised God Thirdly The Lord's People in Gospel days were found in this Ordinance 〈◊〉 Practice of Singing the Praises of the Loâ—â— To pass by the Song of Zacharias and Elizabeth and Simeon How sweetly did 〈◊〉 sing 't is called by the Annotators the famoâ—â— Song of the blessed Virgin Luk. 1. 46. Alâ—â—â— our Lord Jesus with his Disciples after 〈◊〉 celebration of the Holy Supper the holy Ghâ—â— saith sung an Hymn they praised God 〈◊〉 they praised him by Singing Moreover 〈◊〉 and Silas sung Praises tho in Prison and 〈◊〉 Feâ— were fast in the Stocks Act. 16. Shâ—â— any Men now dare to say There are no Pâ—â—cedents for Singing Psalms and Hymns c. 〈◊〉 the New Testament certainly they will forbâ—â— to assert any such thing And now from 〈◊〉 whole take this Argument Arg. 4. That which was the Practice of 〈◊〉 Lord's People before the Law and under 〈◊〉 Law and also in the Gospel-Dispensation is 〈◊〉 indispensible Duty of the Saints and People 〈◊〉 God to practise in all Ages But Singing 〈◊〉 Praises of the Lord was the Duty of the Lord 〈◊〉 People before the Law and under the Lâ—â—nd also in the Gospel-time and Dispensation Ergo. 'T is the indispensible Duty of the Saints to â—â—actise singing the Praises of God in all Ages If any should go about to answer this Argument they must shew what Duty or Ordinance was ever practis'd before the Law under the Law and in the Gospel-Dispensation that notwithstanding is not obliging or binding to â—s or else they will say nothing to the purâ—ose but the Argument will stand as firm as Rock CHAP. V. Proving Singing of Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs an Holy Ordinance of Jesus Christ from Scripture-Precepts WE shall now prove and demonstrate that Singing of the Praises of God not only in Private but also in Congregations is a Duty incumbent on us in Gospel-Times as well as it was of Old As there is the same God of Mercies so the same Praises are to be rendered to him for his Blessings no doubt and in the same manner now that is by Singing as was then will appear 1. Because the Lord who alone appoints his own Worship hath commanded and 〈◊〉 it at our Hands and his Command and Pâ—â—cept is the Rule of our Obedience Rejoice 〈◊〉 Righteous Praise is comely for the Vprigâ—â— Praise the Lord sing unto him Psal 84 1 〈◊〉 3 4 5. Sing aloud unto the God of our Strenâ—â— make a joyful Noise unto the God of 〈◊〉 Make a joyful Noise unto the Lord come â—â—â—fore his presence with Singing Psal 100. 1 〈◊〉 Psal 95. 1 2. O come let us sing unto the 〈◊〉 let us make a joyful Noise to the Rock of 〈◊〉 Salvation And many such Precepts are giâ—â— forth by the Holy Ghost as 't is well knoâ— to all 1 Chron. 16. 9. Sing unto him 〈◊〉 Psalms unto him and tell of all his wondâ—â— Works So Psal 68. 32. Sing unto the Lord 〈◊〉 the Earth O sing Praises unto the Lord. 2. Consider these Commands by which 〈◊〉 Lord established this part of his Worship of 〈◊〉 are as obligatory unto us in Gospel-Times 〈◊〉 they were then to them when first instituted â—â—cept it could be proved to be either Ceremoâ—â— or Judaical or hath received a change in 〈◊〉 Gospel And this is evident in many respâ—â—â— particularly as to Prayer that was a Duty 〈◊〉 and the Precepts contained in the Psalms 〈◊〉 the Prophets which enjoin it are of the 〈◊〉 Authority with those in the New Testament and equally bind the Conscience So also 〈◊〉 Fasting a Duty as one observes required 〈◊〉 the Prophets and not so clearly repeated 〈◊〉 any Institution under the Gospel as this 〈◊〉 Singing is and the same might be said for Days of Thanksgiving Nay and 't is obserâ—able how oft our Brethren upon all proper â—nd fit Occasions fly to those Precepts to press Prayer Fasting and Thanksgiving too If therefore Singing as it is laid down and enâ—oined in these Sacred Precepts in the Book of Psalms c. is not binding notwithstanding â—tis repeated and given forth in the New Testament afresh Why do you when you exhort â—o other Duties make use of Arguments and Proofs out of the Book of Psalms and the Proâ—â—ets in other Cases since the Commands thereof though neither Ceremonial nor Judaiâ—al are as you seem to affirm of any Force â—or obligatory to us This seems strange for â—ertainly Men have more reason in them than â—o press Obedience on Subjects to their Suâ—eriors by abrogated or antiquated Staâ—utes And shall the Lord's Ambassadors be more irrational in pressing Obedience to the Lord than meer rational Men are in Civil Affairs Now saith one Since there is no Man that questions whether Singing of Psalms was instituted and commanded of God of old how can they avoid the Power of such Precepts considering as he minds particularly Psal 81. ver 4 5. where Singing is called a Statute for Israel and the Law of the God of Jacob and ordained in Joseph for a Testament which saith he refers to a Time before they were brought into the Ceremonial Worship Hence saith he it inevitably follows that until any Man caâ— shew us that Singing of Psalms yea Singing of the Book of Psalms was Ceremonial or Judaical or are changed or abrogated 〈◊〉 the Gospel those Precepts lie upon us now with the same Power and Obligation as 〈◊〉 laid them under then for the Antiquity of a Law or Institution rather commends it to us than any ways abates of its Obligation so that had there been no other Institutionâ— for Singing of Psalms c. than what is 〈◊〉 the Book of Psalms we should have had sufficient Authority to be found in them A Manuscript called Psalmody He might have added Since especially it is of 〈◊〉 like Nature with Prayer viz. a moral Preceptâ— as well as brought into a written Law But 〈◊〉 all I might add 't is much more unreasonable to plead an exemption from the Force and Obligation of those Precepts since the Saints are injoined to sing those Psalms of David by the Holy Ghost in the New Testament for 〈◊〉 grant there are no other Psalms none called Psalms besides the Book of Psalms 3. To this take what
Mr. Wells affirms 〈◊〉 shall saith he take one Shaft out of the whole Quiver i. e. I shall use one Argument among many which is this viz. Wâ— always find this Duty of Singing Psalmâ— linked to and joined with other moral Duties thus the Psalmist joins Singing and Prayer together Psal 95. 1 6. O come let us sing unto the Lord O come let us worship and fall down and kneel before the Lord our Maker There is Prayer and Singing conâ—exed Singing being of equal necessity and authority with other Ordinances 〈◊〉 so the Apostle James joins these two together Is any 〈◊〉 you afflicted let him pray Is any 〈◊〉 let him sing Psalms Jam. 5. 13. You 〈◊〉 observe both these Services are equally calculated for Man's Necessity Thus Paul and Silas join them in their practice Acts 16. 26. And so Justicâ— Martyr in his 117â—â— Question ad Orthodâ—â—â— tells us That they sang and sent up Prayers to God the Primitive Church confirming David's Injunctions and the Apostolical Commands So that by these Instances we may observe that the Duty of Prayer and Singing have walked in the same Equipage and lay claim to an equal Authority from Divine Writ the Scripture jointly favouring both p. 177. Secondly This Duty and holy Ordinance of Singing in Gospel-Days is evident from these Prophetick Psalms I may speak saith Mr. Wâ—lls of Singing as Paul speaks of Timothy's Ordination 1 Tim. 4. 14. it was given by Prophesy There are divers Prophecies in the Old Testament concerning Saints singing in Gospel-times on Psal 108. 2. saith he Mâ—â—râ— observeâ— that there David pours forth his ardent Prayers and Wishes for the Kingdom of Christ And so Divines observe that the 100 Psalm is Prophetical Make a joyful Noise unto the Lord all ye Lands Serve the Lord with gladness Come before his Presence with Singing O sing unto the Lord a new Song Sing unto the Lord all the Earth Here we and all 〈◊〉 Gentiles be sure who believe in Christ are required to sing nay and to come into his Presence that is into his Publicâ— Worship with Singing The like 〈◊〉 1 Chron. 16. 23 24. Sing unto the Lord all the Earth shew forth from day to day his Salâ—ation Declare his Glory among the Heatâ—â— his marvellous Works among all Nations So Psal 66. 1 2. Make a joyful Noise unto 〈◊〉 God all ye Lands Sing forth the Honoâ—◠〈◊〉 his Name make his Praise glorious Psal 21. 13. Be thou exalted O Lord in thine 〈◊〉 strength so will we sing and praise thy Power These and many other Psalms are 't is evident Prophecies of Gospel-Times when the old Boundaries of the Church should be broken down to give an entrance unto the Gentiles into the Church of God and to shew us that is the Jews in their Church-State were to celebrate the Praises of God by Psalms so are we and as Israel sang the Praises of God in the Widerness and at the Red Sea and therein acknowledged the Benefits they received so 〈◊〉 we with Songs of Thanksgiving shew forth from day to day his Salvation and declare his Glory among the Heathen with a joyful and triumphant Noise otherwise we fall short of answering the Prophesy in our Day and Times and render not to God the Duty he requires And to all the prophetical Psalms I might add that pregnant Prophecy recorded by the Prophet Isa Chap. 52. 8. Thy Watchmen shall lift up the Voice with the Voice together shall they sing Which clearly saith Mr. Wells prognosticates this Musical Ordinance in Gospel-Times Musculus faith These Watchâ—en shall jubilee when they shall consider the great Joy approaching for the Redemption obtained by Christ There are two things which not only establish but sweeten and honour an Ordinance 1. Promises 2. Prophecies Christ himself was the Fruit and Issue of both These things clearly inform us 1. That Singing of Psalms c. is not a legal part of Worship but fuitable to Gospel-Times 2. That there is clear and manifest Institution of it nay and that these prophetical Gospel-Psalms and Prophecies are part of the Gospel being Prophecies of it as the first Chapter of John is What think you of those places of the Prophets and Psalms that speak of Christ as they are mentioned and recited in the New Testament are they not Gospel as well as any thing ye find therein taught or laid down anew Doth not the Apostle tell us That unto them that is to Israel the Gospel was preached as well as unto us And that in Promises and Prophecies it was preached to Abraham 3. Consider that there is no attainment under the Gospel of special spiritual Priviledges that can exalt Christians beyond thâ— practice of this Duty the more our Mercies are the greater are our Obligations 〈◊〉 praise God by Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs and so express the Joy of our Hearts by Singing forth the Praises of God they that attain to the greatest purity of Gospel-Worship and Institutions are to do as Moses and Israel did at the Red Sea Rev. 13. 3. 4. And they sang the Song of Moses the Servant of God and the Song of the Lamb saying Great and marvellous are thy Works 〈◊〉 God Almighty just and true are thy Way thou King of Saints Who shall not fear that and glorify thy Name O Lord for thou 〈◊〉 art Holy for all nations shall come 〈◊〉 worship thee for thy Judgments are 〈◊〉 manifest Manuscr Psalmody These were such that have attained to the Purity of Gospel-Institutions being purged 〈◊〉 by Fire from Antichristian Pollution being become as pure and transparent Glass having 〈◊〉 a perfect Conquest and Victory over Antichrist who are said thus melodiously to sing forth the Praises of God and to close this we 〈◊〉 sing in Heaven in the highest Glory and therefore it follows the highest state of Grace 〈◊〉 upon us be sure to be found in this so holy 〈◊〉 sublime Duty which as we have shewed in the Work of Angels Obj. But by the same Argument you bring to prove we ought to sing Psalms c. in Gospel-times from the Precepts given by David Why may we not as David did use an Instrument of ten Strings Answ 1. Singing with Instruments we say with Reverend Mr. Cotton was typical and so a Ceremonial Point of Worship and therefore ceased but Singing saith he with Heart and Voice is a Moral Worship such as is written in the Hearts of all Men by Nature As to pray in distress pag. 6. let it be observed that I am not alone in my Apprehensions as touching Singing being a Moral Duty Here you see that this worthy Man positively affirms the same And again he saith That singing of Psalms c. is not a Ceremony but a Moral Duty and so continueth in the New Testament Cotton's singing of Psalms pag. 23 24. But faith he suppose singing with Instruments were not typical but only an external Solemnity of Worship fitted to the Solace of
in the next place to prove the Ordinance of Singing ought to be performed with united Voices pray consider the Practice of Moses and the Children of Israel in singing after their Deliverance at the Red Sea Exod. 15. 1. Then sang Moses and the Children of Israel this Song c. Moses did not sing alone but the whole Congregation sung with him Psal 106. 12. They believed his Word they sang his Praise but soon forgot his Works namely the most of them that sung at the Red Sea not Moses but the Children of Israel who sung with him they that sung his Praise soon forgot his Works Moses say our late Annotators composed the Song and he together with the Israelites sung it to the Honour of God Thus sung Deborah and Barak and indeed we find no other Singing generally throughout the Old Testament And therefore since we are commanded to sing and Christ hath given no other Direction about it but that of his own Practice with his Disciples after the Holy Supper and that of the Practice of Paul and Silas who sung together we may assure our selves there â—s no other manner of Singing to be brought into the Church but that with united Voices and he that should set up or bring in any other way or manner doubtless would be guilty of an Innovation Should one alone sing in the midst of the Congregation like a Ballad-Singer what Word of God is there to justify any such Practice I doubt not but to make appear when I come to it that that Refuge in 1 Cor. 14. will fail them CHAP. XI Proving that singing the Praises of God in Publick Worship with united Voices from the Prophecies of the Scripture that foretold how the Saints and Church of God should sing in Gospel-days OUR third Proof to demonstrate singing of Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs in God's Publick Worship with united Voices shall be taken from those Prophetical Psalms and Passages in the Old Testament that clearly relate to the Practice of the Saints in Gospel-Times Take Dr. Roberts words here in the first place Singing of Psalms c. by Believers under the New Testament saith he is often-times prophetically fore-told 〈◊〉 fore-required in the Old Testament and therefore Singing of Psalms is clearly an Ordinance of Christ under the New Testament The Antecedent is evident in sundry instances of the Old Testament Wherein pray take notice that this Argument the Doctor brings doth not only prove that Singing is a Duty but shews the manner of it also how it should be used in our Congregations He then proceeds to mention some of those Prophetical Scriptures O sing unto the Lord a new Song sing â—â—to the Lord all the Earth Sing unto the Lord bless his Name c. Psal 96. 1 2. Again Make a joyful Noise unto the Lord O all the Earth Serve the Lord with Gladness come before his Presence with Singing Both which places all the Earth saith he must needs refer to the Gentiles as well as the Jews at that present Time to the Gentileâ— afterwards when they should be called and converted to the Lord then the Gentiles also should worship the Lord with Singing of Psalms with a joyful Noise Which cann't be any other than Singing together with a melodious Voice But he goes on So that these Passages saith he are tacit Prophecies of calling the Gentiles and of their New-Testament-worshipping God by Singing forth his Praise Add hereunto that notable passage O come let us sing unto the Lord let us make a joyful Noise to the Rock of our Salvation Let us come before his Presence with Thanksgiving and make a joyfâ—l Noise unto him with Psalms Psal 95. 3. This Psalm is undoubtedly a Prophecy of Christ and of that Worship that shall and ought to be performed to him solemnly in Sacred Churches under the New Testament and especially on the Lord's-Day-Sabbath The Sabbatism or rest of the New Testament for the Apostle interprets this Psalm of Christ compare Psal 95. 7. to the end with Heb. 3. 6 7. 14. 15. as upon that Psalm I have noted This Psalm judicious Calvin thinks agrees to the Sabbath-day wherein Sacred Assemblies worship God And it is evident in the current Psalm that herein the Holy Ghost prophetically exhorts to that solemn Worship of God under the New Testament which was usual on Sabbath-Days viz. 1. Praising the Lord and Thanksgiving to him with Singing of Psalms with a joyful Noise or melodiously with united Voices Vers 12. urging the same with sundry Arguments Vers 3 4 5. 2. Solemn publick Prayer with the Reasons thereof Vers 6. 3. Willing believing and obedient attention to the Word of God then published without hardening their Hearts against it through unbelief To day if you will hear his Voice harden not your Hearts Vers 7 8. So that this Prophecy of Christ and of the New-Testament-Worship evidently shows that the Praises of God solemnly with Singing of Psalms solemn Prayer and solemn Preaching and hearing of the Word of God should be those Ordinances of Christ and in such manner as there mentioned as the Duties of Christians under the New Testament And it is here further added whereas the Apostle saith To day this day is interpreted by the Apostle to be meant 1. Not of the Seventh-Day-Rest from the Creation Heb. 4. 6 7 8. 2. Nor of the Typical-Reâ—â— Joshuah gave them in the Land of Canaaâ— Heb. 4. 6 7 8. but of another certain Day limited in David's Psalms Heb. 4. 7. which is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Sabbatism a keeping of a Sabbath remaining to the People of God Heb. 4. 9. And this Sabbatism is the Day of our Lord Jesus when he ceased from his Work of Redemption as God did from his of Creation Heb. 4. 10. And which is that Day of our Lord Jesus Is it not the Day of his Resurrection that 's our Lord's-Day-Sabbath which David so long before foretold should be celebrated with solemn Prayer Preaching and Hearing of the Word and with Singing of Psalms with a joyful Noise And thus what was written afore-time was written for our Learning and is full of Instruction to us and doth serve for Reproof and Correction likewise to such who do not hearken to every part of those Duties which are enjoined upon them therein but cavil themselves out of the practice of it with groundless and unnecessary Objections and childish Questions But further saith he our Spiritual and Eternal Sabbatism partly as with Christ from Sin and Misery both in this World and that which is to come Jesus our High Priest being passed into the Heavens Heb. 4. 15 16. Mr. Cotton speaks the same with this worthy Man pag. 10 11. 2ly The next Scripture-Prophecy that shews clearly how the Lord's People should sing now in Gospel-Days is that in Isa 52. 7 8. Thy Watchmen shall life up the Voice with the Voice together shall they sing It is worthy your noting to consider what