Exposition of Amos 4-9, Part 3 · Section 5
VERSE 5.
That chaunt to the sound of the Viol, and invent to themselves instruments of Musick, like David.
THe Prophet goes on, in aggravating the Sins of these loose, luxurious Rulers, who gave themselves up to mirth and merriment, to feasting, singing, and Musick, as if they had been continually at some Wedding, or celebrating some Feast to Bacchus; and that in a time of mourning, when Gods Wrath was upon the regions round about them, the inferiour people were in deep distress, and Samaria it self was ready to be made a prey by the cruel Assyrian; yet in this juncture of time, when they should have fallen to Prayers and Tears, they fall to mirth and merry-making, not bating an ace of their wonted pomp and pleasure; and therefore the Prophet goes on, in denouncing Gods Judgements against them, saying, Woe to them that chaunt, or quaver, as it is in the margin, to the sound of the Viol; They joyn their voyce to the Instrument, they play and sing.
Before they pleased their Palates, and now they delight their ears with Musical Instruments,Happoretim, i. e. qui particularizant ad os nablii, qui propria & particularia cantica concinunt, ea que varia juxta varium concentum nabili, à Lapide. V. Leigh C…iti…a S. in V. Poretim. p. 195. fol. Nullum vitium sine patrocinio. that nothing might bee wanting to compleat their pleasures. They sing to the mouth of the Viol (so it is in the fountain) they curiously quaver, and sing their part in Consort; they form and frame their Tones, rising and falling according to the Tune, and Harmony of the Viol, or Psaltery, the word will bear both. It was an Instrument that was round and hollow, muuch like a bottle; and Nebel signifies a Bottle as well as a Viol. The Seventy call it Psalterion, and so the word is rendred. Psal. 33.2. Sing to the Lord with the Psaltery, or Viol. Before they had luxurious feasts, and now they adde lascivious musick.
The better to Patronize their prophane Musick, they bring in David for their pattern. They invent Instruments of Musick like David.Quod exemplo fit, id jure fierî putant Cicero. David was a great Master of Musick, he invented many Musical Instruments, which hee used in Spiritual praising of God, and raising of his Spirit in his Worship, 1 Chro. 23.5. But these abused their Musick, to the satisfying of their sinful lusts and pleasures, and that in an unseasonable time; as if they would out-face God, and his Judgements, and their prosperity should never change. Under the Viol, Synecdochically is comprehended other Musical Instruments then in use, as Harps, Sackbuts, Organs, Timbrels, Trumpets, Cymbals, &c. under one kind the rest are comprized; so saith the text, They invent to themselves Instruments of Musick. They were not content with one or two sorts of Instruments, but they invent variety of them, the better to gratifie thier lusts. Plaine Musick pleaseth not them, but they beat their brains to get the most curious Organs and Instruments that can be gained for love,Chasab, ex cogitavit, deliberavil, consultavi…. or money. They set their heads, and their hearts to work, that they might find out wayes to please their lusts.
OBSERVATIONS.
V. Polydor. Virgil. de Invent. Rerum. l. 1. c. 14. Weemse Christian Synagog. …. 6. p. 143.1 Abused Musick is displeasing to God. Musick in it self is a good gift of God, Gen. 4.21. and must be used to Gods glory, and not to gratifie our lusts. Epicures are all for mirth and Musick, for singing, feasting, dancing, and drinking, they have their portion in this life, and they care for no other.
Now Musick is abused when it is,
1 Excessive.
2 Unseasonable.
3 An incentive to Lust.
4 A promoter of Idolatry.
1 Musick is sinful when it is Excessive, when men give themselves up to mirth and Musick, neglecting the duties of their calling. These tempt the Temptor to destroy them, and sin against their owne Prayers, when they desire they may not be led into temptation, yet by such prophane courses they lead themselves into them.
2 When it is unseasonable; so here, in a time of mourning they fell to Musick, and drove the fear of God farre from them. A woe is denounced against such, Isa. 5.11, 12.
3 When it is made an Incentive unto Lust, and is used with drinking, dancing, feasting, dalliance and filthy Songs, jearing at Piety and pious men. Thus the Drunkards made Songs of David, Solent resp. cum Musica mutari. Plato de legib. lib. 2.Psal. 69.12. and the Churches misery was their enemies musick, Lam. 3.63. such kind of corrupt musick hath a great influence in corrupting mens manners.
4 When it is used to promote Idolatry, V. D. Willet Synops. p. 683. Edit. ult.Exod. 32.18. Dan. 3.5. Amos 5.23. In Popery, the greatest part of their Divine Service is spent in Theatrical Musick, and singing of Anthems, where the peoples ears are tickled, but their hearts are never touched.Aug. Confes. l. 10. c. 33. St. Austin complains, that in his time hee was more taken with the Musick, than with the matter that was sung. Idolatry hath many props to uphold it, as the Authority of great men, glittering Pictures of Gold and Silver to please carnal eyes, and variety of Musick to tickle mens eares, and allure the ignorant, who have their minds in their eares, and are apt to admire what they never understand. They were Idolaters, who had the Cornet, Flute, Harp, Sackbut, Psaltery, Dulcimer, and all kind of Musick in their Worship, Dan. 3.5.
Apostolical simplicity suites best with Gospel-worship. It is not the custom of our Churches (saith Iustin Martyr) to sing their Meeters with any such kind of Instruments, Iustin Mart. Explic. Quaest. à Gentibus positarum. Quaest. 107. p. 446. See more in an excellent seasonable Sermon of Mr. Pool on Joh. 4.24▪ preacht at Pauls, 1660.but their manner is only Plain-songs; and gives very good Reasons in the same place for it.
Q. But doe you condemn all manner of Musick?
A. No, for Musick it self is not unlawful, but the abuse of it. We must therefore distinguish of Musick.
1 There is a grave, composed, pious Musick, by which contemplation is promoted,V. Cassiodor, l. 2. Epist. 40. Aristot. in Polit. l. 8 c. 3.4, 5, 6, 7, 8. Plato de Rep. Dailog. 3. the affections are moved, sadness is expelled, the spirits are raised and revived, composed and fitted for Gods Service and praise; and to this end the most pious and noble spirited men have used it; as Moses, Exod. 15. Deborah, Judg. 5. Hezekiah, Isa. 38.20. Iehosaphat, 2 Chron. 22.27, 28. the Levites, Nehem. 12.27. 1 Chron. 9.33. and the Saints, Revel. 14.2, 3. Thus Elisha called for a Minstrel, 2 King. 3.15. the better to quiet and compose his spirit, which had been disquieted by a wicked King; and to stir it up in praying and praising God, that so he might be the fitter for Prophecy, and the duties of his calling, and to receive what God should reveal unto him; and for this end the Prophets also used it, 1 Sam. 10.5. Thus David used it, and commanded it to be used in praising God, 2 Sam. 6.5. 2 Chron. 5.12. Psal. 150. As prophane Musick delights the Devil, and lets him into the soul, so holy Musick and singing is like a scourge to drive Satan out of our hearts and houses. When the devil spirit vexed Saul with sadness and melancholy, David with his Harp helpt to drive it away, 1 Sam. 16.23.
2. There is a light, loose, lustful, prophane, emasculating Musick, whereby the corruptions which are in the heart are excited, and the fear of God is expelled. Iob brings in the wicked with their Timbrel and Harp, rejoycing at the sound of the Organ, Iob 21.12, 13. Against such the Prophet denounceth a Woe, Isa. 5.11, 12. and 24.8, 9.
The Philosopher told the Fidlers, that he could be merry without such musick, much more may Christians say so. St. Ierom saith,Hieron. Epis. 10. ad F…riam. Let the singer be thrust out of thy house as noxious, expel out of thy doors all Fidlers, Singing-women, with all this Quire of the Devil, as the deadly songs of Syrens. So Chrysostom, Cymbals, and Pipes, and filthy songs, are the very Pomps and Hodg-potch of the Devil. Antigonus, Master to Alexander the Great,Chrysost. Hom. 42. in Acta. hearing his Scholar sing, he broke his Harp, and threw it away, saying, Aetati tuae jam regnare convenit, non canere; 'Tis time for you now to reign, and not to sing. The former sort of musick in private may be useful, but this latter sort is odious and abominable.
Obj. We read of Harps, Timbrels, Organs, and other Instruments of musick used by the Iews in their publick worship of God, as appears by the Titles of many Psalms, Psal. 4. and 5. and 6. and 8, 45, 54, 60, 61, 67, 69, 70, 80, 81, 150. and therefore wee may use Musick now in Gospel times.
Answ. It doth not follow, for there were many Ceremonial Rites used in the time of the Law, which are abolisht in the time of the Gospel, of which this is one. The Church was in its infancy in Old Testament-times, and therefore the Lord allured them to his worship by external Rites and Ceremonies, which by the coming of Christ are abolished, the Substance being come, the Shadows are gone. The Gospel calls for a plain, simple, spiritual worship, Iohn 4▪ 23, 24.
As for the Musick of the Temple, it was typical, and prefigured the joy of Gods people in the remission of their sins in Gospel-times.
There was both Precept and President in the Old Testament for Musick in the publick worship of God, 2 Chron. 29.25, and 2.7, 6. But there is no Precept nor President in all the New Testament for the use of Organs, or any Musical Instruments in the publick worship of God in these Gospel-times, that ever I could see; They were not used in publick worship in the Primitive times, as I have shewed before out of Iustin Martyr. V. de Croy Conform. 1. chap. 26. p. 62. Alexand. ab Alex. lib. 4. c. 17.Organs were brought into the Church (say some) by Pope Vitalian, or Vitellius, about the year 660. Hee was a lusty Singer, and great Musician, he brought Prick-song, Descant, and all kinde of pleasant Melody into the Church; and the better to delight vain people, he joyned Organs to his singing. Thus was Paul's Preaching, and Peter's Praying turned into vain singing, and childish playing, to the great loss of time, and utter undoing of many mens souls.
Alredus an Abbot in Yorkshire, In his Speculum Charitatis, l. 2. c. 23. Papa…us, totus Organis & Musicis cantibus perstrepens, dat siue mente sonum. Danaeus.about the year 1160, inveys notably against Popish Musicians; All types and figures now ceasing (saith he) whence hath the Church so many Organs, and Musical Instruments? To what purpose is that terrible blowing of Bellows, expressing rather the cracks of Thunder, than the sweetness of a voice. To what purpose serves that contraction and inflection of the voice? This man sings a base, that a small tune, this a treble, that a divid, &c. So that poor people come not to an Oratory, but to a Theater; not to pray, but to gaze about them; neither is that dreadful Majesty feared before whom they stand, &c.
Cornelius Agrippa complaining of the men of his time,In lib. de Vanitat. Scient. c. 17. Boantes potius quàm Oran…es. Pet. Martyr. tells us, That it was more like the lowing of beasts, than the voice of men; whilst the Choristers ney descant, like a sort of Colts; others bellow a tenor, like a company of Oxen; others bark a Counter-point, like a kennel of Doggs; others roar a treble, like a sort of Bulls; others grunt out a base, like a company of Hoggs▪ so that a foul, ill-favoured noise is made; but the matter is not understood. Thus he.
'Tis clear against the Rule, which commands, That all things should be done to edification, and with understanding, 1 Cor. 14.19. but such a hideous noise breeds confusion,Facessant superstitiosi boatus Papistarum, qui Psalmos in Templis. reboruntes Musicā Theatrali sed linguá non intellectá tanto strepitu & tumultu ut si uterentur linguá Vernacula, nemo tamen quid ab illis dicatur intelligat. Pet. Martyr. as is apparent in Popery, and is condemned by all our learned Modern Divines.
2. The Organs used by David differed much from ours; Theirs were foreign Pulsatilia, such as the Harp, Viol, &c. which they plaid upon with the Quill, or with the fingers;Organorum species hujusmodi est, canora, cithara, decem chordis …oaptata, & haec cum plectro percutitur. Nabla verò duodecim sonos habens, digitis tangitur, & reliqua. Hinc perspicere licèt istiusmodi Organa à David confecta, diversa fuiffe à nostris, &c. Polyd. Virgil. de Invent. Rerum. lib. 1. cap. 15. mihi p. 52. they were not foreign, flatilia, such as our Organs are, which are acted by wind. Iubal was called the Father of such as handle the Organ, Gen. 4.21. hee was the first Inventor of Musical Instruments; where by the Organ is not meant such Organs as are used in our daies, which were invented some thousands of years after, but 'twas an Instrument of joy then in use, as appears. Iob 21.12. and 30.31. Psal. 150.4. De Croy fetcheth the Original of Church-Musick from the Heathen,Cantabat fanis, cantabat tibia ludis, cantabat maestis tibia funeribus. Ovid. Fast. l. 6. V. De Croy Conformit. 1. ch. 26. it was practised in Numa Pompilius his time, which was above one thousand years before Pope Vitalian, as appears by Ovid.
Object. This is but some novel opinion of some Precise persons.
Answ. Such kinde of Church-Musick was not used in the Church, in Iustin Martyrs time, who lived in the first Century. Bellarmine confesseth that for 820 years after Christ,…llarm. de bonis operibus lib. 1. c. 17. V. Altare Damascenum p. 490, &c. ☜ Et Bodium in Ephes. 5.19. ☜ Et Danaeum de Precatione cap. 3. p. 618. folio. Et Tibeni Syut. p. 793. the Church wanted it. Had such Organical Musick been necessary and useful, in all probability it would have found a speedier admission into the Church. Hence 'tis that the wiser sort of Papists have condemned it, as Judaizing. So did Aquinas, and Cardinal Cajetan on Aquinas, and in his Commentary on 1 Cor. 14.19. and the Jesuit Salmeron on the same place. Yea the Jesuit de Valentia tells us expresly, that in Aquinas his time, which was about 1270 years after Christ.Musica Instrumenta magis animum movent ad delectationem▪ quàm perea formetur interius bona dispositio. In vet…ri autem Testamento usus erat talium Instrumento rum quia populus erat magis durus & carnalis; unde erat per hujusmodi Instrumenta provocandus, sicut & per promissiones terrenas, tum etiam quia per hujusmodi Instrumenta corporalia aliquid figurabant. Aquinas 2a. 2ae. q. 91. art. 2. Hooker Eccles. Polit. p. 259. Musical Instruments were not used in the Church, for fear least they should seem to Judaize. That curiosity of singing and quavering, so that the matter which is sung cannot be understood, is condemned by the Learned Hooker, and by Queen Elizabeth, Injunct. 49. and by the Homily of the Place and Time of Prayer, Part 2. p. 131. where such chaunting and playing on Organs, is said to have displeased God sore, and filthily defiled his house and place of prayer, and that for it justly hee destroyed many Nations; and if this kinde of worship were of absolute necessity, then not onelyonly Cathedrals, but all Churches and Chappels were bound to get it. Latin service, I suppose, is abhorred by all, but this kinde of chaunting, when people know nor whether men curse or bless, wherein is it better?
Caution, yet this must not take away Vocal Musick, which is still to be practised by Gods people in the solemn Assemblies. The melody of the heart and voice is the sweetest harmony in Gods ear. This is Apostolical, and is oft commanded 1 Cor. 14.15, 26. Ephes. 5.19. Col. 3.16. Iames 5.13. 'Twas practised by Christ himself, Mat. 26.30. and by the Primitive Christians in Trajan the Emperours time, whilst St. Iohn the Evangelist lived. When ever the people of God received any signal mercy, they presently framed it into a song of praise, that they might the better remember it,Quinque metris constant, Iob, David, tres Solomonis. Greg. Nazian. Numb. 21.17. Deut. 31.19. Iudg. 5. Yea many portions of Scripture were put into songs, as the book of Iob, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Solomon Song. Singing of Psalms is an antient Ordinance practised by Saints,Simplex cantio cogitationes malas amolitur, mentem ad fructificationem divinorum rigat, Pictatis decertatores generosos & fortes per constantiam in rebus adversis efficit; omnium rorum quae in vita tristes accidunt, piis affert medicinam Iust. Martyr. Quaest. 1. ad Ortbod. 107. mihi p. 462. both in the Old and New Testament. Holy singing is an excellent means to scatter the Devils temptations, to allay passions, and to make us couragious in Gods wayes. When wee are dull and heavy, this is a means to quicken our affections, and refresh our spirits. Be not drunk with Wine, but be filled with the Spirit. How? by singing of spiritual songs in a spiritual manner, Ephes. 5.18, 19. Paul and Silas the better to quicken and comfort themselves in Prison, sing Psalmes there, Acts 16.25. In the Psalme that is intituled for the Sabbath, Psal. 92.1, 2. the Psalmist tells us, it is good to praise the Lord, and to sing to the name of the most high. God delights to see his people practise this Ordinance, he is not only pleased with the Prayers, but also with the Praises of his people; and gives them victory not only for Prayers, but for Praises also, 2 Chron. 20.21, 22. When the Ark was brought into the Temple with singing, it is said, The glory of the Lord filled the house, 2 Chron. 5.13.
Woe then to those that glory in their shame, viz. in singing prophane, filthy, obscene Songs; but are ashamed of their glory, viz. of singing the Songs of Sion, which is not only our duty, but our glory; not a burden, but a blessing; not only a service, but an Angelical priviledge; yet how many dare not sing a Psalm in their Families, for fear of reproach and suffering? Christ will be ashamed of such as are ashamed of him, and his Worship, and will shut them out of Heaven, that fear men more than him, Mark 8. ult. Revelations 21.8.
We must begin our Heaven here, if ever we will sing with the Saints in glory hereafter, Revel. 14.3. & 15.3. They that will not sing here, must howl hereafter. Our Tongues are called our glory, and we cannot use them better, than in glorifying God with them.
That we may perform this Duty rightly,
Wee must doe it
1 Understandingly.
2 Affectionately.
3 Religiously.
4 Decently.
1 We must sing with the Spirit, and with understanding, Psal. 47.7. 1 Cor. 14.15. Many sing, but understand not a word of what is Sung. God abhors such blind sacrifices. It is reasonable service that he requires, Rom. 12.1.
2 Affectionately, with grace in the heart, Col. 3.16. that is, we must exercise the graces of the Spirit in singing, wee must sing with joy, faith, fear. We must act the graces of the Spirit in singing; when we sing of Iudgements, we must tremble, when of Promises, beleeve; when of Commandements, obey. This is to sing Davids Psalmes with Davids Spirit. Get your spirits tuned,Non aliud cogites, & …liud cautes. Bern. and framed to what is Sung, that it may not be a Carnal, but a Spiritual Song. Hence David used to tune, and prepare his heart before he sang, Psal. 57.8, 9. Heart and Voyce must goe together. Singing with Musick in Publick was Ceremonial, and Typical, it is now gone; but singing with Heart and Voyce is Moral, and perpetual. Wee should therefore labour rather to get our hearts affected with the matter, than our ears and senses with the manner of singing.
3 Religiously. To the Lord, and not to Saints must we sing praise, and it must be done (as all other Duties) with reverence, as in Gods presence.
4 Decently. As all other Duties must be done decently, and in order,Non est strepitus o…is, sed Iubilus cordis, non son…s labiorum, sed motus gaudiorum; voluntatum, non vocum consonantia. Bern. so must this, 1 Cor. 11. ult. As all curiosity, Quavering, and Vain-descants must be avoyded; so rudeness disorder, and confusion must be shunned. We must observe the Tune, and joyn all together as one man in the Duty, as those Singers did, 2 Chron. 5.13. with the voyce all together must we sing unto God, Esay 52.8.
[See more about singing of Psalmes, and all Cavils answered, by Master Cotton, in his Treatise for singing of Psalmes: and Mr. Sydnam, in his Treatise of Infants Baptism, p. 165. Mr. Manton on Iames 5.13. Downams Guide to Godliness, l. 3. c. 17. p. 240. Mr. Ambrose his Media p. 259. M. Eaton against the Quakers, p. 25. Clapham against the Quakers, in the end of his Treatise against them. Mr. Philip Goodwin, in his Family-Religion, p. 269, &c. Mr. Sam. Cradocks Knowledge and Practise, Part 2. Cha. 6. p. 340. Zanchy in Ephes. 5.19, 20.]
2 Obs. Wicked men are apt to abuse the Practices, and Examples of Gods people.
Sometimes they take offence,V. Dyke, Deceitfulness of the Heart, c. 12. p. 147. Bis peccat, qui exemplo peccat. and stumble at their infirmities, and falls, which should be a means to keep them from falling. Sometimes they imitate their good actions, but then they do it in an evil manner, and to an evil end; if David dance before the Ark, then the wicked will dance before Dagon, and wrest that *Magis miror David saltantem, quam pugnantem. Greg.purely zealous act of David, to Patronize mixt dancing. If David set up Musick to praise God, they will set up Musick to please their Lusts. They had Musick here like David, but they had not the heart of David. They had the matter, but they failed in the manner. They abused Davids example, for though he was a great Musician, a Master of Musick, and the sweet Singer of Israel; yet all his Musick was not for Carnal, but Spiritual pleasure; to fit him the better to praise God, and to meditate upon his works.
Two men may doe one and the same thing, and yet not be the same; because it comes not from one and the same Principle, nor tends to the same end. Cain and Abel both offer Sacrifice, yet from different Principles, and with different acceptation, Gen. 4.3. The Pharisee, and the Publican, both pray, the one hollowly, the other heartily, Luke 18.10. wicked men may doe the very same work, which good men doe Materially, but formally and finally they differ much. David here used Musick piously, but these Epicures prophanely. David was bettered by it, and his affections were raised Heavenward; but these were corrupted by their Musick, and their hearts made more sensual and base.