Singing of Psalms a Gospel Ordinance, Chapter 11
CHAP. XI. Of Reading the Psalmes in order to Singing.
THe last scruple remaining in the māner of singing, Concerneth the order of singing after the Reading of the Psalmes. For it is doubted by some, and concluded by others that reading of the Psalmes is not to be allowed in order to singing. We for our parts easily grant, that where all have books and can reade, or else can say the Psalme by heart, it were needlesse there to reade each line of the Psalme before hand in order to singing. But if it be granted, which is already proved, that the Psalmes to be ordinarily sung in Publique, are Scripture-Psalmes, and those to be sung by the body of the Congregation. Then to this end it will be a necessary helpe, that the words of the Psalme be openly read before hand, line after line, or two lines together, that so they who want either books or skill to reade, may know what is to be sung, and joyne with the rest in the dutie of singing; It is no unwarrantable invention of man, brought into the worship of God, to make use of such meanes, which the light of Nature teacheth us▪ to be either necessary or convenient helpes, either to the hearing or understanding of what it said in the worship of God. Scaffolds erected in Meeting houses are inventions of men; no expresse precept, nor example in Scripture calleth for them; and yet the light of Nature easily suggesteth it, that they helpe to hearing, and so to edification, in as much as they draw multitudes of people to sit within the Ministers voyce; That which helpeth the very outward sence of hearing, helpeth also knowledge and understanding, and so edification. And therefore no man taketh exceptions at Scaffolds as inventions of men▪ though they be used to helpe forward Gods worship, and spirituall edification; because they are not brought in, nor used for spirituall meanes immediately▪ but remotely, so farre as they are fit to helpe the outward sence of hearing and so understanding. Of like use is reading in order to Singing. It giveth the People to heare, and so to understand, what is to be sung, that so they may joyne with the rest in singing of the Psalme: and by Singing be stirred up to use holy Harmony, both with the Lord and his People.
Object, 1. The Scripture mentioneth no ordinary reading in any Church, but that which is joyned with interpertation.
Answ. 1. The Scripture doth expresly mention Baruch to have read the word in a Church Assembly, without adjoyning any interpretation to it, Jer. 36.6, 7.
Answ. 2. As Preaching, of the word is an Ordinance, so reading the word in order to Preaching, is an Ordinance also. In like sort, as singing of Psalmes is an Ordinance, so reading the Psalmes in order to singing, is allowable also.
Answ. 3. It is mentioned in Scripture, that the children of Israel did all joyne in singing the Song of Moses at the Red Sea, Exod. 15.1. Now it is not credible, that they who were bred and brought up in bondage, were brought up to reade. It were much if one of a thousand of them could reade. If most of them could not reade, how could they joyne in singing that Psalme, unlesse some or other read, or pronounced the Psalme to them?
Answ. 4. Though it be true, that the Church of Israel had such an Ordinance amongst them, that after the reading of the Law, or the Prophets, some or other of the Priests or Levites, or Prophets, were wont to expound the same to the people, (Acts 13.15. & 15.21. Neh. 8.7, 8.) yet the very reading of the word it selfe was also an Ordinance, though no Exposition followed, Deut. 31.11, 12, 13. Deut. 27.14. to 26.
Object. 2. The Scripture prescribeth not what Officer shall performe this act, to reade the Psalme in order to singing.
Answ. The Scripture prescribeth this, as it doth many other matters of ordering Gods house, to wit, under generall Rules. It is no where expresly prescribed in Scripture, who shall be the Mouth of the rest in the publique Admonition, or Excommunication of an Offendor; yet by generall Rules, it may easily be collected, That publique dispensations of the Church, doe ordinarily pertaine to the publique Officers of the Church. Any of the preaching or ruling Elders may warrantably goe before the people, in putting the words of the Psalme into their mouths.
Object. 3. This reading of the Psalme doth hinder the melody, the understanding, the affection in singing.
Answ. If a mans prejudice against reading doe not hinder himselfe, Reading hindreth none of these; not melody, for the Reading is not in the art of singing, but in the pause; nor the understanding, for it helpeth such as cannot reade, or want Books to understand what is to be sung, which otherwise they could hardly perceive; nor the affection, for when the melody is not interrupted, and the understanding furthered, the affection is rather helped then hindred; or if it be hindred, lay the fault where it is, rather in a coy, or cold heart, then in a distinct and intelligent Reading.