Singing of Psalms a Gospel Ordinance, Chapter 10
CHAP. X. Of the manner of Singing.
THe fourth and last head of Scruples remaineth, touching the manner of Singing: concerning which a threefold Scruple ariseth.
1. Whether it be lawfull to sing Psalmes in Meeter devised by men?
2. Whether in Tunes invented?
3. Whether it be lawfull in Order unto Singing, to reade the Psalme?
The two former of these Scruples, because they stand upon one and the same ground, may fitly be handled together.
The judgement of the Churches of Christ in these Points, is doubtlesse sutable to their Practise, That it is lawful to sing Psalms in English verses (which runne in number, measure, and meeter) and in such grave and melodious tunes, as doe well befit both the holinesse and gravity of the matter, and the capacity of the Singers.
A double ground or reason may be given hereof: The former is this; If it be lawfull to translate and turne the Hebrew Bible into English Prose in order to reading, then it is lawfull also to translate and turne Davids Hebrew Psalmes, and verse into our English Psalmes and Verse, in order to Singing. But the former of these, is a confessed Truth, and generally received amongst Protestants; except onelyonly Mr. Smith, who had a s…ngular conceit in this Point, That all Letters in the writings of the old Testament were typicall (…yping out the Law written in our hearts:) and therefore … …ve all reading of the holy Scripture to be abolished under the New Testament. But Christ himself commanded his Disciples to search the Scriptures, Joh. 5.39. And how shal they search …hem, except they reade them? And the noble Beraeans are commanded for searching the Scriptures, in the examining of Pauls Doctrine, Acts 17.11, 12. which how could they have done without reading? And wherefore did all the Apostles and Evangelists write the New Testament in Greeke? a language of all more generally knowne then the Latine, and therefore much more then any other in the world, as Tully himselfe testifieth Pro Archiâ Poetâ: was it not for this end, that the New Testament might be read, and generally understood of all Nations? And where it was not understood, there it might most easily be translated out of a language well knowne unto the severall language of every Nation? And as for the old Testament, it was translated to their hands out of the Hebrew into Greeke almost three hundred yeares before the Apostles times. Yea wherefore did God commit the whole Counsell of his will and word to writing, for the edification and salvation of all his people, but that it might be read and understood of them all? If then it be the holy will of God, that the Hebrew Scriptures should be translated into English Prose in order unto reading, then it is in like sort his holy will, that the Hebrew Psalmes (which are Poems and Verses) should be translated into English Poems and Verses in order to Singing.
The Consequence is evident and undeniable. For presupposing that God would have the Scriptures read of English men as well as of other Nations, then as a necessary meanes to that end, he would have the Scriptures translated into the English Tongue, that English People might be able to reade them. In like sort, presupposing that God would have the Psalmes of David, and other Scripture-Psalmes to be sung of English men, (as hath been evinced above in the second Point) then as a necessary meanes to that end, he would have Scripture-Psalmes (which are Poems and Verses) to be translated into English-Psalmes (which are in like sort Poems and Verses) that English People might be able to sing them. Now as all Verses in all Poems doe consist of a certaine number, and measure of Syllables; so doe our English Verses (as they doe in some other Nations) runne in meeter also, which make the Verses more easie for memory, and fit for melody.
A second ground of this Point is this: If it be not lawfull to translate Hebrew Psalmes (which are Verses) into English Verses, which runne in number, measure, and meeter of syllables:) then it is not lawfull to expresse the elegancy of the Originall language in a translation; for it is an artificiall elegancy which the holy Pen-men of Scripture used that they penned the Psalmes, and such like Poeticall books of Scriptures not in prose, (which men use in common speech) but in verses, which observe a certain number and measure of syllables, and some of them run in meeter also, as those know that know the Hebrew, and as Buxtorf. sheweth in his Thesaur. pag. 629. Now surely then it were a sacrilegious nicenesse, to thinke it unlawfull lively to expresse all the artificiall elegancies of the Hebrew Text, so farre as we are able to imitate the same in a translation. Yea doubtlesse it were a part of due Faithfulnesse in a Translator, as to declare the whole Counsell of God, word for word; so to expresse lively every elegancy of the Holy Ghost▪ (as much as the vulgar language can reach) that so the People of God may be kindly affected, as well with the manner, as with the matter of the holy Scriptures.
And for the English Tunes that wee use in singing of Psalmes, take this for a ground; Since God hath commanded us to sing Psalmes and Hymnes and spirituall Songs, and amongst others, those of David: and yet withall hath hid from us the Hebrew Tunes, and the musicall Accents wherewith the Psalmes of David were wont to be sung. It must needs be that the Lord alloweth us to sing them in any such grave, and solemne, and plaine Tunes, as doe fitly suite the gravitie of the matter, the solemnitie of Gods worship, and the capacitie of a plaine People. As, to instance in a like case, when the Lord instituted the Paschall Supper, and therein a whole Lambe to be eaten, the head, feet, and purtenances, and made no mention what drinke they should use in it, whether wine, or water, or beere, or other liquor; It was therefore left to their libertie, to use any such liquor as they were wont to drinke fit for such meate as was to be eaten, and for such stomacks as were to feed upon it: So here when the Lord appointed us to sing Davids Psalmes, and doth not appoint us in what Tunes, He therefore plainly leaveth us to our libertie, to make use of such Tunes as are suitable to such an Ordinance▪ and to them that partake in it.
Object. 1. It will not follow, that because the word is to be dispensed in a knowne tongue, and so translated into it▪ therefore Hebrew Songs into English Song. For the former, we have the warrant of the Word to dispense it for edification, exhortation and comfort; but no word for the other, nor no gifts of that kinde given for the Churches profit, to dispense the word this way. Such Songs therefore, and such Tunes (which are called grave Church-Tunes) are not of God. Nor doe I beleeve that the Levites invented any New Tunes, I have no faith to beleeve that ever God betrusted mans corrupt nature, to frame any thing in Gods worship to his praise. But suppose God had so farre honoured the worldly Singers then; yet it will not follow, that the Lord Jesus alloweth us the like libertie now. He will not now allow any flesh to boast in his presence, who is not able to bring to passe so much as a good thought.
Answ. To weaken the argument for translating Hebrew Songs into English Songs and Tunes, taken from the like warrant of translating Hebrew Scriptures into English Scriptures; This objection denieth, that we have either the like word, or the like gift, or▪ the like libertie. Whereto our answer is, wee have all alike equally.
For 1. that wee have the like word for singing Hebrew Songs, hath been proved above, out of Colos. 3.16. & Eph. 5.19. And the same word that commandeth us to sing them, commandeth us also the translation of Hebrew Songs into English Songs, as a necessary meanes to the acceptable singing of them. For if we should sing Hebrew Songs in the Hebrew tongue, the People (the body of the Church) should sing without understanding, which were directly contrary to the Apostles Direction, 1 Cor. 14.15.
2. That we have also the like gift of translating Hebrew Songs into English Songs, as well as Hebrew Prose into English Prose, is evident by the event. For wee have not onelyonly as many but more Translations of the Hebrew Psalmes into English Psalmes, then of the Hebrew Bible into the English Bible.
If it be said, such a gift of translating Hebrew Songs into English Songs, is but a Poeticall gift, not a spirituall gift.
Answ. It might as well be said, the translating of the Hebrew Scriptures into English, is not a spirituall gift, but a Grammaticall, or Rhetoricall gift. Whatsoever the art or skill be, Grammaticall, Rhetoricall, Poeticall, they are all of them gifts of God (though common) and given chiefly for the service and edification of the Church of God.
3. That we have also the like liberty of inventing Tunes, appeareth from what hath been said already; For if God have given us liberty and warrant to sing Psalmes and Hymnes and spirituall Songs, then we must sing them in some Tunes. Now the Tunes of the Temple are lost and hidden from us, so that wee cannot sing them at all; and therefore we must sing such other Tunes, as are suitable to the matter, though invented by men.
But you doe not beleeve that the Levites ever invented any New Tune.
Answ. Either the Levites invented New Tunes, or the Psalmists delivered musicall Accents, and Notes together with the Psalmes: which seeing we understand not, either wee must not sing a… all, or we must make use of such Tunes, as are invented by others.
But you cannot believe, that ever God betrusted mans corrupt nature, to frame any thing in Gods worship to his Praise.
Answ. Then you cannot beleeve, that ever God betrusted the Hebrew and Greeke Scriptures, to be read in the Christian Churches in English words; for all English words are framed by English men, in corrupt nature, to wit, without the immediate assistance of the Holy Ghost in the framing of them. And if wee may not make use of Tunes invented by men for the singing of the Psalmes, then neither may we make use of words invented by men for the Reading of the Psalmes, and other Scriptures. The one is as much a worship of God as the other: And English words are as much an invention of man as English Tunes. But least you should begin hereupon to take up a scruple against the Reading also of Scriptures in English words, as well as against the singing of Psalmes in English Tunes, and both upon this pretence of the inventions of men in the worship of God, be not ignorant, that such godly men as have been desirous of Reformation, and most zealous against humane inventions in the worship of God, they alwaies intended such humane inventions in the worship of God, as had no warrant but the wit and will of man, not such as had warrant either from consequence of Scripture, or light of Nature, or civill custome. For a woman to cover her head in time of publique Prayer, or Prophecying, and for a man to uncover his head, the Apostle warranteth both from the light of Nature, and the custome of the Churches, 1 Cor. 11.4. to 16.
The Kisse of love in holy Assemblies was warranted, not by divine institution, (for then it were a sinne in us to neglect it now;) but by occasion of civill custome in those Nations; where, it being usuall in their Civill Assemblies to greet one another with a kisse of love, The Apostles doe not disallow the use of it in holy Assemblies, but onelyonly require the sinceritie and holinesse of the love expressed in such kisses, 1 Cor. 16.20. 1 Thes. 5.26. 1 Pet. 5.14. These Apostles did not beleeve in this Point, as you doe, that God never betrusted corrupt Nature, to frame any thing in Gods worship to his Praise.
It is true, mans corrupt Nature cannot bring forth a good thought, to wit, a gracious thought, and that of it selfe, but yet by the helpe of Christ, it may bring forth both knowledge by Tongues, and Tunes by Musick; and that with as good allowance in the New Testament as in the Old. God did as much disallow any flesh to boast in his presence in the old Testament, as in the New, Jer. 9.23, 24. But what cause hath any flesh to boast, either of his spirituall, or common gifts? Seeing both are gifts, and received of God: and if received, why should men boast, as if they had not received them? 1 Cor. 4.7.
Object. 2. To sing with mans melody and meeter, doth not hold forth any spirituall gift of Christ, but onelyonly the art and nature of man: whereas Prayer and Preaching doe hold forth spirituall gifts. And the tuning of Scripture by mans art, it is no gift of Grace, neither doth it redound to the praise of Grace.
Answ. Though Prayer and Preaching doe hold forth spirittuall gifts, yet all the Duties that tend to edification, doe not hold forth spirituall gifts, but some of them common gifts onelyonly. The reading of the Scriptures tendeth to edification, as being it selfe an Ordinance of God, though exposition afterwards be added also, which is another Ordinance, Deut, 31.11, 12, 13. And yet reading of the Scriptures is no spirituall gift. Aquila, and Symmachus, and Theodotian, translated the Hebrew Scriptures into Greeke, and yet none of them were endued with spirituall gifts, or at best but common. To say Amen at the end of a publique Prayer, tendeth to edification; and yet Amen may be said without holding forth any spirituall gift.
But that which is ground of your scruple seemeth to be this, that that which is no gift of Grace, how can it redound to the Praise of Grace?
But the Answer is ready, that such things as helpe either the understanding, or the affection, and are appointed of God for his worship; they do tend to edification, and so to the praise of grace, though they may be performed by a gift of God in Nature or art, without any spirituall gift of Grace: Translation of the Scriptures into the Mother-Tongue, and the reading of them in a knowne tongue, doe both of them helpe the understanding: and being appointed of God, they tend to the edification of the people in the Grace of Christ. The translating of the Psalmes into verse, in number, measure, and meeter, and suiting the Ditty with apt Tunes, doe helpe to stirre up the affection: And the singing of Psalmes being appointed of God, they tend to make a gracious melody to the Praise of God and edification of his People. The sound of Aarons Bells, and the blast of the silver Trumpets, and the workmanship of Hiram ▪ the Tyrian in Solomons Temple, did none of them hold forth any spirituall gift of grace: The gift of God in Nature and Art might …each them all. Yet all these being appointed by God, the putting forth of these gifts did tend to the edification of the Church of God in the Grace of Christ.
Object. 3. The Meeter of the late Translators, though it come nearer to the Originall, then the former Meeters, yet not so neare as the Prose. They frame their words and sentences more to the Meeter, then the Prose. Yea they sometimes breake the Attributes of God, and for the verse sake put Jah for Jehovah: which is a mangling of the word.
Answ. The meeter and verse of the late Translators, cometh as neare to the words and sence of the Originall▪ as doth the Prose; especially considering they doe withall expresse the holy Art of the Originall Hebrew Poetry, which the Prose doth not attend unto. Neither doe the Translators breake the Attributes of God, when for the verse sake, they put Jah for Jehovah; For both Jah and Jehovah doe hold forth one and the same Attribute of God, even his eternall being. The Evangelists and Apostles give us a patterne of greater changes of the Attributes of God, then that; any yet without breaking of the Attributes of God, and much more without mangling of the word of God. It is an usuall thing with them to translate Jehovah the Lord, Mat. 22.44. with Psal. 110.1. And yet Jehovah holdeth forth his eternall essence, the Lord his Soveraigne Dominion. It were sacrilegious Blasphemy to call this changing either the breaking of Gods Attributes, or the mangling of his word. Besides, its very rare when the Translators doe make any such change of Jah for Jehovah: and to prevent all stumbling, either of your selfe, or others at it, I suppose they will helpe it in the next Edition of the Psalmes.
Object. 4. What delight can the Lord take in such Praises of himselfe, where sinfull men, or the Man of sinne hath an hand in making the melody?
Answ. God delighteth that his will should be obeyed: at least he abhorreth that his will should be disobeyed, though by sinfull men, 1 Sam. 15.22, 23. Since God commandeth all men in distresse to call upon him, and all men in their mirth, to sing his Praise, what is mortall sinfull man, (Dust and Ashes) that he should forbid, what God hath commanded? God knoweth how to allow, yea and to reward what is his own: when yet he taketh no pleasure in the sinfull manner of performance of any Dutie. God tooke notice of Ahabs humiliation, and rewarded it with respite of temporall judgements, though he tooke no pleasure in his sinfull hypocrisie, 1 Kings 21.27▪ 28, 29. And yet they that had an hand in making the Melody of the English Psalmes, (whether in old England or New) were men of a better spirit then Ahab. But I can but marveile, why you should put in the man of sinne, as having any hand at all, in making this Melody. For neither the man of sinne (by whom I suppose you meane Antichrist) nor any Antichristian Church have had any hand in turning Davids Psalmes into English Songs and Tunes, or are wont to make any Melody in the Singing of them, yea they reject them as Genevah Gigs; And they be Cathedrall Priests of an Antichristian spirit, that have scoffed at Puritan-Ministers, as calling the People to sing one of Hopkins Jiggs, and so hop into the Pulpit. God keepe all Anti-Psalmists from the like Antichristian Spirit. They that have been in Antichristian Churches can tell you▪ that Popish Churches are not wont to sing Davids Psalmes translated into verse in their own Countrey Meeter, but they onelyonly sing the Prose of Davids Psalmes in Cathedrall Notes. Which how farre your selfe close withall, I leave to your selfe to consider.