Breach Repaired in Gods Worship, Treatise 1 · Chapter 15

Breach Repaired in Gods Worship · Treatise 1 · Chapter 15

p. 111CHAP. XV.

Wherein Mr. Marlow's Book, and many other Objections raiſed againſt ſinging of Pſalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, are fully and plainly anſwered.

THough all that are impartial, who ſhall read Mr. Marlow's Book againſt Singing, and conſider what I have already ſaid in this Treatiſe, will ſay, He is anſwered: Yet I ſhall now give a particular Reply to all that is any ways material contained in it, which I have not detected and anſwered before.

That which he inſinuates, pag. 3, 4. about the Weakneſs and Imbecility of ſome Chriſtians about their reception of this Ordinance as a dangerous thing, needs no Reply; he would fain make his Reader think, to receive ſinging of Pſalms, &c. as an Ordinance, is no leſs than a falling away from the Truth. So clearly (ſaith he) manifeſted by the Holy Scripture, and witneſſed to by the Sufferings of the pureſt Churches in our Age, who have born a lively Teſtimony, not only againſt the humane preſcribed and precompoſed Forms of Prayer, but againſt ſinging David's Pſalms, and other Hymns or Songs precompoſed by Man.

p. 112Anſw. 'Tis not a falling away from Truth, to reſtore a loſt or neglected Ordinance of the Goſpel, (as you I perceive dare not deny, but this of Singing is); The main difference is about the Manner, or what Singing is. We ſay it is going forward i… the glorious Work of Reformation. What though ſome Baptized Churches (who I do believe have attained to greater Purity in ſome things, than ſome others) have born ſuch a Witneſs againſt Singing of David's Pſalms; is it therefore no Ordinance of Chriſt? muſt they needs know every Truth of Chriſt? Is there any Church that is yet arrived to ſuch a perfection of Knowledg, that they need not the diſcovery of any Truth but what they have received? I am afraid ſome of thoſe Churches are yet ſhort of the Knowledg and Practice of another Ordinance as well as this, and ſpeak againſt it as againſt this, though it is one of the firſt Principles of the Doctrine of Chriſt, Heb. 6. 1, 2. Are they againſt the Singing of David's Pſalms and Hymns, do ye ſay? God forbid! ſince the Holy Ghoſt hath enjoyned the Churches to ſing them, pag. 3, 4.

But to paſs over this, you come to conſider that Text, Epheſ. 5. 14. Speaking to your ſelves in Pſalms, &c.

Object. From theſe Words, nor the Context relating to them, is there any W… for a vocal Speaking; but otherwiſe it muſt be underſtood, a ſpeaking to your own Heart. Theſe are your words.

p. 113Anſw. 'Tis well you do not affirm this, Teaching is then a Preaching, from Pſalms, &c. in ordinary Goſpel-Adminiſtration; for ſome there have been, and may be are now, that aſſert that, (and I think we ſhall find you there too by and by) however, let the Speaking be what it will that is here meant, it is evident 'tis ſuch a ſpeaking that is uſed in Singing; for ſo the following words explain it, which you are not willing (it may be) to cite; Singing, and making of Melody in your Hearts to the Lord.

You then mention Col. 3. 16. I confeſs (ſay you) that Vocal Singing is here to be underſtood,In Epheſ. 3. 19. it was not Vocal Singing, yet here he ſays, 'tis a Vocal Singing.Eph 3:19 otherwiſe it could not be Teaching and Admoniſhing to others in Word or Deed; but yet here is nothing to prove Vocal Singing together, for Teaching and Admoniſhing one another in Pſalms, &c. is meant of the Miniſtring Brethren, whoſe Work it was to teach and admoniſh the other Members, according to the Gifts they had received; and none can prove any more by theſe words [one another] than what muſt be underſtood from Heb. 3. 13. But exhort one another daily, whilſt it is called to day: And therefore as the word Exhortation is not uſed in the Church, but in an orderly miniſterial way, by one at once, &c. muſt be uſed alſo according to Goſpel-Rule; 1 Cor. 14. 26. How is it Brethren? when you come together, every one of you hath a Pſalm, p. 114hath a Doctrine, &c. be underſtood of a Vocal Singing all together; for I think … will ſay, that thoſe words, Every one of you hath, &c. were ſpoken of all having thoſe Spiritual Gifts, which can't be though of eueryevery Miniſter in that Church, Verſ. 28▪ much leſs of all the Members, &c. So … cannot be ſuppoſed, that all the Miniſtring Brethren had the Gift of Singing, or … was any diſtinction of its univerſality in delivery, more than of other Gifts in the … Text; beſides the Context ſpeaks of single Perſons that muſt exerciſe in the Church, … therefore thoſe words [every one of you] … mean all, &c.

Anſw. Firſt of all; I cannot but take notice how you contradict your ſelf in Epheſ. 5. 19. you would have the Apoſtle, by Teaching and Singing, to mean only a ſilent Speaking in their Heart, without a Voice.

But, in Col. 3. 16. you confeſs, that intends a Vocal Singing: Do you think any Man, who has the leaſt Light or Knowledg in the Scripture can groundedly ſuppoſe, that the Apoſtle doth, in Epheſ. 5. 19. (in theſe words, Speaking to your ſelves in Pſalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, ſinging and making of Melody in your Heart to the Lord. And in Col. 3. 16. in theſe words, Teaching and Admoniſhing one another in Pſalms, and Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, ſinging with Grace in your Hearts to the Lord) mean two different things? Surely there is not one Man to be found of your Opinion, p. 115for all generally, with one Mouth, affirm, the Apoſtle in writing to theſe two Churches, intends the one and the ſame Practice. Nor is …here any thing ſaid by you to convince us to the contrary; for though the Duty ſeems to be …id down in different words, yet it implies the ſame thing; ſpeaking to your ſelves, and teaching and admoniſhing one another, are of the … import on this occaſion as expreſſed here; for the Speaking is in Singing, and ſo is the Teaching and Admoniſhing, as the cloſe of the Text opens it to every underſtanding Man.

2. 'Tis obſervable how you ſeem to confound this great Duty injoined in ordinary Worſhip on theſe two Churches, with the exerciſe of thoſe extraordinary Gifts, mentioned 1 Cor. 14. 26. which hereafter I purpoſe to explain, and ſhew the purport or main drift of the Spirit in that place in 1 Cor. 14, &c. If any Man did sing in an unknown Tongue alone, 'twas becauſe others were not capable to ſing with him, and he from thence was not to uſe ſuch a Gift in the Church, unleſs there was an Interpreter to give forth that Pſalm or Hymn, that ſo all might ſing with him, and be edified in that Ordinance as in others.

3. In the third place, which is yet worſt of all, you would have this of Teaching and Admoniſhing one another in Pſalms, &c. ſinging with Grace in your Heart, to refer to that Heb. 3. 13. which you apply to ſuch who had the Gift to preach Miniſterially, and to ſing too by p. 116the ſaid Gift. In anſwer to this, in the first place, I thought we ſhould not have had you to affirm, the Apoſtle means, by Teaching and Admoniſhing here in this place, to be Preaching, according to that (in your ſenſe) you refer to in citing Heb. 3. 13.

Now as to the firſt part of your Aſſertion; had you read Reverend Mr. Cotton, it might have removed this Miſtake, and ſo prevented your pains to trouble the Reader with ſuch an Expoſition of the Text: I find him anſwering an Objection, that directly includes part of yours, in theſe words following.

Object. The Apoſtle to the Epheſians and Coloſſians doth not ſay, Sing one to another in Pſalms, but ſpeak or preach one to another; or, in other words, Teach and admoniſh one another; the Pſalms dwelling in their Hearts they were to diſpoſe them in a way of teaching and admoniſhing; but as for ſinging, he makes no mention of that, until he came to teach them the manner of diſpenſing the words of Chriſt unto God in one Verſe, and then indeed he teacheth them to ſing in the Spirit, making Melody with Grace in the Heart.

If I do not miſtake you, this Objection contains part of what you ſay, and pray take his Anſwer; I do not doubt but he gives the true ſenſe of the place.

Anſw. Such as tremble at the Word, saith he, (as the framer of this Objection profeſſeth himſelf to do) they ſhould rather bow their Judgments and Practice to Scripture-Language, p. 117than bow the Senſe of Scripture to their own Conceptions againſt the Language of Scripture; it is one thing to ſpeak one to another in Pſalms, and Hymns, and ſpiritual Songs, as is done in ſinging, and another thing to preach and teach one another out of the Pſalms, and Hymns, and ſpiritual Songs. 'Tis true, they were to teach and admoniſh one another out of the Pſalms, and the ſcope of Paul will teach that; but if Paul had meant that, to wit, that they ſhould teach and preach one to another out of the Pſalms, he would not have ſaid, Speak ye one to another in Pſalms, or with Pſalms, but out of the Pſalms, for ſuch is the Language of the Holy Ghoſt in expreſſing this Duty; Paul is ſaid to have expounded and teſtified, and perſw…ded the Jews out of the Law of Moſes, and out of the Prophets, Acts 28. 23. So Philip is ſaid to do, begin to preach to the Eun…h, from that Scripture in Iſaiah, Act. 8. 35. Thus Mr. Cotton.

'Tis evident, my Brother, that Paul is not a ſpeaking here to Miniſters, but to the whole Church, and he is not a laying down Directions to gifted Brethren how they ſhould preach and exhort one another that way, as ſometimes he doth, much leſs about the exerciſe of extraordinary Gifts; but 'tis to injoin and exhort the Churches to ſing Pſalms, and Hymns, and ſpiritual Songs; how alſo they ſhould perform this Duty to the Honour of God and their own p. 118Comfort, in ordinary Goſpel-Adminiſtration. Dr. Roberts in his Key to the Bible, pag. 176. ſaith on theſe words to this purpoſe. But Chriſtians ſhould be filled with the Spirit, not filled with Wine, but with the Spirit, and ſpeak one to another in Pſalms, … Hymns, and ſpiritual Songs, &c. thus rejoicing with Heavenly Melody in your Hearts to the Lord: and the latter words in both places, Eph. 5. 19. Col. 3. 16. are, ſaith he, exegetical to thoſe in the beginning of the Verſes, explaining what he means by ſpeaking, teaching and admoniſhing, viz. thus, edifying one another in ſinging Pſalms, &c. And it's an excellent way of ſpeaking to themſelves and to one another, when Chriſtians ſing Pſalms, &c.—therefore, ſaith he, that ſpeaking to themſelves, and teaching one another in Pſalms, and Hymns, and ſpiritual Songs, is … ſinging.

As to ſinging with a vocal Voice, you have granted 'tis intended by the Holy Ghoſt in Col. 3. 16. which is as much as I deſire. What you hint or imagine of one ſinging alone has been fully anſwered, that never having been the Practice of God's People in God's ordinary Worſhip, neither in the Old or New Teſtament; and as touching ſinging by an extraordinary Gift, more of that anon.

And, ſaith Mr. Sidenham, many think there can be no ſuch uſe of Singing, as to teach and admoniſh one another by it; but p. 119if we conſider, there are many Leſſons to be learn'd one of another from this publick Conjunction of ſinging Scripture-Pſalms.

1. They teach one another, and by the very Act admoniſh one another, to get the ſame Frames theſe holy Men had in penning the Pſalms, and in the variety and ſpirituality of them to get David's Frame, in ſinging David's Pſalms, &c.

2. 'Tis by this they teach one another the Unity and Harmony that is and ſhould be among Saints, as one Body, that their Happineſs and Joys are bound up together, and ſo the Miſery of one is the Miſery of the whole; and this is a glorious L…ſſon to know their Union together, as a Body equally concerned in the Joy or Sorrow of one another, equally intereſted in the Praiſes of God. There is no Duty practiſed in all the Goſpel, that doth fully expreſs the Communion of Saints, and repreſent Heaven, as the Saints ſinging together. The Lord's Supper doth repreſent the Communion of Saints very lively, but not ſo as mutual ſinging, when all at once, not by conſent only, but expreſly ſpeak the ſame thing the ſame moment. In the Lord's Supper, th… afterwards they were all one Bread, yet they all do not receive it at the ſame inſtant of time, but may take ſucceſſively the Elements; but in ſinging they all joyn perfectly at once, to ſound forth the Praiſes of God, as if they had but one Heart and one Voice too. This p. 120is the perfect Emblem of Heaven, no jarring, all with one Voice and Heart, crying Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

3. They teach one another this Leſſon alſo, viz. with what Alacrity and Chearfulneſs they ſhould perform all their Duties together, and how with ſweetneſs of Love and Joy they ought to walk together.

4. They teach one another how to carry themſelves in all Conditions with a joyful and praiſing frame of Spirit, &c. and it ſhews a Soul is not in a right temper when he cannot ſing over his Condition. To which I might add, not are they in that ſweet Concord and Union with the Church, or hearty Affection that cannot joyn in one Heart and Voice with them.

5. They teach one another by ſinging, and admoniſhing one another (this way) to avoid any thing that may hinder their Joys in Communion, and break their Harmony in ſpiritual Actions; all which, and many more are great Leſſons, and are taught naturally by Saints mutual ſinging together, pag. 211, 212.

Object. If any ſhould object, How can Vnbelievers joyn with the Saints in ſinging, if this be ſo?

Anſw. This hath been anſwered already: there are the like Leſſons, tho not to that degree and clearneſs, taught in uniting Hearts together in publick Prayer and Praiſes, in Prayer and in mutually joyning together equally in hearing p. 121God's Word: Nay, and all muſt grant, that the chiefeſt and neareſt Communion is that of the Heart and Spirit: If therefore you may, and do admit ſuch you ſpeak of, to that Communion and Liberty with you, how dare you, or can you deny them this? True, the Voice ſhews that Union that is in the Heart, or ſets it forth; but the chief Fellowſhip and Unity is in the Spirit, as in the laſt Chapter I have ſhewed.

Now I ſhall come to conſider the Method or Form of your Book, or Heads you inſiſt upon, which are laid down in ſix Particulars.

I. Of the Eſſence of Singing, (as you call it.)

II. Of David's Pſalms.

III. Of preſcribed or precompoſed Songs.

IV. Of Womens Singing.

V. Of the Order of Singing.

VI. Of Scriptural, and other Objections.

I. Of the Eſſence of Singing.

Thus you begin, viz. Though intelligible Singing for teaching and admoniſhing others cannot be without the uſe of the Organical Inſtruments of the Voice, yet the Eſſence or Being of Singing conſiſts in an inward ſpiritual Exerciſe of the Soul or Mind of Man. And this muſt be granted: for we all do own that true Prayer may be made in our Hearts to God without the uſe of our Voice.

And then come and tell your Reader the p. 122Eſſence of Sin is in the Heart, and the Eſſenc… of other things Good and Evil, and take … four Pages in this kind of nonſenſical way … ſpeaking, confounding the proper Acts … God's Worſhip, nay, deſtroy them utterly, by ſtarting an uncouth term, as here apply'd, … Eſſence; nay, and I perceive this mighty Ma… of Straw you have made and ſet up, you … at a ſtrange manner; 'tis, as it were, the … on which all the ſtreſs of the whole Superſtructure of your new-found Contrivance to evade God's bleſſed Ordinance of Singing … laid; ſo that if this be razed, you muſt find another Singing in the New Teſtament beſides this Eſſence of Singing, which you ſay is in the Heart; and I perceive 'tis only that inward joy of the Spirit that you mean by the Eſſence of Singing, and that to be all the Singing you would have the Saints to uſe in Goſpel-days. And beſure if you have miſſed the mark here, your Book has nothing in it of inſtruction. A Man cannot be ſo vain as to attempt to overthrow an Act of Divine Worſhip, as it hath been received and practiſed for many Ages amongſt all the Godly generally; but he muſt ſet up ſomething in the room of it which he muſt call by that name, ſince God's Word bears poſitive witneſs to ſuch a Church-Ordinance. A Goſpel-Singing there is, as well as a Goſpel-praying, preaching, &c. But rather than it ſhall be that which indeed it is, as owned by the Law, and the Prophets, Chriſt and his Apoſtles, and moſt wiſe, learned, and p. 123truly Godly Chriſtians, it ſhall be ſomething elſe contrived in the darkneſs of your Mind.

Thus the Quakers have caſt off the Holy Ordinances of Baptiſm, and the Lord's Supper, and have gotten ſpiritual Ones (in the blind Imaginations of their Hearts) in their …; as you would have a Heart Singing of Pſalms without the Voice, ſo they have got … Heart-baptiſm without Water, and a Heart-breaking of Bread without Bread or Wine.

The Papiſts, or Church of Rome, alſo have, by the ſubtilty of Satan, and pride of their own Spirits, changed and corrupted theſe and other Ordinances of the Goſpel another way, … they have ſet up ſomething in their ſtead, which they call by their Names; for, firſt, they have that they call Baptiſm, but it is not Chriſt's Baptiſm, but Rantiſm, with many Ceremonies added to it. They have that they call the … Supper, but 'tis not Chriſt's Ordinance, but another thing, &c. Alſo let me tell you, in the fear of God, you have adventured to raze or take away Chriſt's Ordinance of Singing, and have invented ſomething to put in its room, which you call a Goſpel-ſinging: And I am afsaid you little think of the bitter Conſequents of this Attempt of yours, and how you …eem hereby to ridicule (though not wittily, I ha…e better thoughts of you) the whole of Goſpel-Ordinances, by turning them into a thing you call Eſſence, a Heart-ſervice only without the Bodily Organs, and rendering your ſelf to be but little better in your ſo doing, than a p. 124mere Enthuſiaſt; and whilſt you plead for Spiritual Worſhip, and cry down all Forms, you ſeem to overthrow all external Acts of Religion, by intimating, that becauſe the Heart … perform one Duty at ſome Seaſons acceptably to God, viz. Prayer without the bodily Organs; why may not the Spirit or Heart perform Singing too? ſay you. And why not, ſay I, Preaching the Word, Baptiſm, and Breaking of Bread alſo? The Quakers have not only got a Spiritual or Heart-Baptiſm, and a Spiritual or Heart-Breaking of Bread, but an aſſembling together for Heart-Preaching alſo: And what you ſay about the Eſſence of theſe Duties being in the Heart, (and how 'tis the Heart or Spirit only in Duty and Ordinances that God looks at) and from hence ſeek to make void Singing with the Voice, it doth (as all Men may ſee) ſtrike through the Loins of all External Acts of Divine Worſhip, as before ſhewed: For as I told you in the firſt Chapter, the Eſſence of Preaching, and every other External Duty, may as well be ſaid to lie in the Spirit as this of Singing Pſalms and Hymns, &c. Beſides, ſince God is ſo much pleaſed, as you intimate, with the bare Internal Worſhip of the Heart, without the bodily Organs, and with Prayer particularly, why do you not excuſe the Tongue from that Service likewiſe, and ſay, that External Expreſſions in Prayer, or praiſing God with the Tongue, is a low formal thing, and to be rejected?

But I can't but ſmile at one of your firſt Expreſſions; p. 125You ſay very right, ours is an intel…gible ſort of Singing. But that which you …lead for is ſuch, that no Body can tell what to …ake of; beſure 'tis no Singing at all, as in the firſt Chapter I have proved; I mean, that which you call the Eſſence or Being of Singing in the Heart, or inward Joy. Brother, I have ſhewed you, that Singing and Preaching, &c. are Ordinances of a different Nature to that of Prayer; Prayer may be performed in the Heart without the Tongue; but there is no proper Singing or Preaching without the Organs of the Tongue, and therefore all your whole Fabrick is overturned with one blaſt: for this Error of yours, is like that of the firſt Concoction; If you have got no other proper ſinging of Pſalms, than what we plead for and practiſe, nor no other can be found warranted in God's Word, Then … muſt be the true and right Ordinance, and manner of performance of it, likewiſe. Let Men but deſtroy the practice of an Ordinance, as 'tis by ſo many practiſed, and has been from the beginning, and as we conceive and believe in a right manner, unleſs they have another Form to preſent to our ſight, that we may have time to compare them with God's Word, to ſee which may be neareſt the Rule in our Judgments, they do nothing but perplex the World as well as us. You have preſented us with one, I muſt confeſs, which only has that Name given to it by your ſelf, but it is not the thing, i. e. it is no proper Singing at all.

p. 126You talk of the Eſſence of Sin in the Heart, as well as the Eſſence of Duties being in the Heart or Spirit. What do you mean? can sin be no where but in the Heart, becauſe it is there? or can a thing be where its Being or Eſſence is not? There may be much Evil in the Eyes; we read of Eyes full of Adultery. Nay, and I muſt tell you, that the Eſſence or Being of Sin is in the Tongue likewiſe. Pray ſee what the Apoſtle James ſaith, In the Tongue … a Fire, a World of Iniquity: ſo is the Tongue amongſt our Members, that it defileth the whole Body, and ſetteth on fire the whole courſe of Nature, and is ſet on Fire of Hell, Jam. 3. 6. Certainly the Eſſence of Sin is in the Tongue, as well as in the Heart, or you are out in your term; and the Eſſence of Singing, ſome will tell you, is wholly in the Tongue. And now ſince the Tongue doth thus diſhonour God, (by the way) let me tell you, there is great reaſon it ſhould not be idle, but be imployed to praiſe and ſing to the Honour of God.

If by Eſſence of Sin, you mean the Riſe, Spring, or Fountain of Sin, I ſay you ſpeak Truth, and good ſenſe too; for it is out of the Heart that proceeds Fornication, &c. Yet ſome Sins may be ſaid, to have their proper Eſſence or Being in the Life, as well as in the Heart, and may riſe from a Temptation from without alſo.

We will grant you likewiſe that the Heart is the Fountain or Spring of moſt Actions, all our Duties muſt ſpring or flow from thence; i. e. the p. 127Heart by God's Spirit, muſt ſtir us up to do them: … does it follow from hence, that many of … Duties can be performed by the Heart or …pirit without the Tongue? Sure you will ſay, … Man can preach, though the Matter be … his Mind or Head, &c. No more, ſay … can they in a proper ſenſe be ſaid to ſing Pſalms, &c. Only one word more, and I … done with this. In pag. 9. you ſpeak of … Fields rejoicing and ſinging. We have …ewed you, that there is an improper or metaphorical Singing mentioned in the Scripture, … ſo that Scripture and ſome other places are to be taken, and know that your ſinging is no … a proper Singing, than Abel's Blood, which is ſaid to ſpeak, was a proper Speaking, as I ſaid in the firſt Chapter be fore.

II. Of David's Pſalms.

1. You say, There was no Inſtitution of Singing before David's Time.

Anſw. We have proved Singing the Praiſes of God is a part of natural Religion, and ſo a moral Duty in its own Nature, as Prayer is; and that the Heathen ſang the Praiſes of God for his goodneſs in Creation, that ha…e no written Word: And what is this then to the purpoſe, if we ſhould grant that Singing was not brought under an Inſtitution till David's Time?

As touching what you ſay about the Iſraelites in the Wilderneſs, how in trouble they did p. 128not ſing, 'tis more than you know, for I think you will find they were not far from the Wilderneſs when Moſes and the Congregation ſang▪ Exod. 15. However our Lord Jeſus and his Diſciples ſang when it was a ſad Wilderneſs…time with them, it was juſt the Night before our Bleſſed Saviour was betrayed. And Paul and Silas ſung in the Wilderneſs of a Priſon; and though the Saints are always ſorrowful, yet they are required ever-more to rejoice. All outward Comforts of this World, are not … thouſand part ſuch cauſe of Joy and Singing, as our ſpiritual Deliverance and Salvation by Chriſt is. Do you think that outward Bleſſings here will better tend to tune our Spirits and Tongues to ſing the Praiſes of God, than the Love of God in Jeſus Chriſt, Pardon of Sin, Juſtification, Union, Communion, Adoption? &c. No, no, here is the Spring of Joy, and cauſe of true ſpiritual Singing, and none can learn David's Pſalms, nor any other Scripture-Hymns or Songs thus to ſing them, but the 144000; none but ſuch who have that new Name, that new Nature, can learn this Song as thus to ſing it, Rev. 14. 3. And let me tell you, this Singing of the hundred and forty four thouſand ſpoken of, was under the Reign of Antichriſt, for the ſeven Angels with their ſeven Vials came out of the Temple afterwards, who deſtroy Babylon.

Take what our late Annotators ſpeak on the place. The New Song here ſpoken of, is probably the ſame with that we met with p. 129before, chap. 5. 11. ſang by the Voice of many Angels round about the Throne, and the Beaſts, and the Elders; called a new Song, either for the excellency of it, or becauſe ſung unto God after Chriſt was manifeſted in the Fleſh. The deſign of it was, to declare the worthineſs of Chriſt, to receive Power, and Riches, and Wiſdom, and Strength, and Honour, and Bleſſing. A new Song, ſignifies a Song which praiſes God for new benefits received from him. During the Reign of Antichriſt, none could learn this Song, to give Power, Riches, Wiſdom, Strength, Honour, Glory, and Bleſſing, but a ſmall number redeemed through the Blood of Chriſt. Annot. on Rev. 14. 3.**This ſhews other Spiritual Songs may be ſung beſides David's Pſalms in Goſpel-days; this was none of thoſe.

Secondly, You ſay, The ſinging of David's Pſalms, were suitable to all the reſt of the Levitical Ceremonies, and Temple-Worſhip, pag. 12, 13.

Anſw. There is no doubt but the Singing of David's Pſalms with Inſtruments of Muſick, was ſuited to the order of the Levites and to the Temple-worſhip. What then, muſt not we ſing Pſalms in the Goſpel-days, with Grace in our Hearts to the Lord? We know no Pſalms, but David's Pſalms, or thoſe called the Book of Pſalms; and the holy Ghoſt doth injoin the Goſpel-Churches to ſing Pſalms, as well as Hymns, and ſpiritual Songs. Will you take upon you to countermand God's holy Precept? Will you ſay Very Tightly Bound p. 130we muſt not ſing Pſalms, when the Churche… are exhorted ſo to do? Pray, when you writ… again, tell us what Pſalms they are the Holy Ghoſt there ſpeaks of, if not them, or ſome o… them called the Pſalms of David.

True, all Types, Shadows, and Ceremonies▪ are removed and done away; but Singing th… Praiſe of God was no Ceremony, but a Mora… Duty, and performed by the Children of Iſrael, before the Law of Shadows and Ceremonies was given forth, Exod. 15. 1, 2. You may … well ſay Prayer was a Ceremony, becauſe the… were divers ceremonial Rites uſed in the performance of it, particularly that of Incenſe.

2. Did not Chriſt ſing an Hymn after th… Supper? Would he have left that as a Patte… to us, and annexed it to ſuch a pure Goſpel-Ordinance, had it been a Ceremony, and only belonging to the Jewiſh Worſhip? Or, would the Apoſtle Paul have given, by the Authority of the Holy Ghoſt, ſuch a Precept to th… Church of Coloſs to ſing Pſalms, &c. whom … ſtrives ſo much to take off from Jewiſh Rites… Days, and Ceremonies? Had ſinging of Pſalms… Hymns, and ſpiritual Songs been a Jewiſh Ceremony, he would not have done thus. This is ſufficient to convince any ſober and unbia…e… Perſon, i. e. that Singing the Praiſes of God i… a Goſpel-Duty; and that it did not belong only to the Jews, in the Days of the Old Teſtament. But you contradict this your ſelf; fo… afterwards you grant that the Saints, when the extraordinary Gifts are given, as you ſuppoſe they p. 131will in the thouſand Years Reign, you intimate then they ſhall ſing as we do; or elſe I know not what you mean.

How ſhall they uſe a legal and Typical Rite, that only appertained to the Jews and Levites, in that glorious ſtate of the Church? Doubtleſs their Singing of Old, with muſical Inſtruments, was a Figure of that ſweet ſpiritual Melody the Saints ſhould make from a well-tuned gracious Heart, and with united and melodious Tongues together in the Goſpel-days, as I have again and again ſhewed; and this therefore is not mixing Law and Goſpel together, but continuing a Goſpel-Ordinance in the Church that is of Goſpel-Authority, both from Precepts and Examples, as I have proved in this Treatiſe: ſo that I have anſwered your ſecond, and third, and part of your fourth Theſis together.

Thirdly, (you ſay) The matter of David's Pſalms and other holy Men, were ſuited to particular Occaſions, and Experiences, and Accidents of that day, as may be ſeen by divers of their Titles. Some Prophecies of the Sufferings of Chriſt, &c. And ſome Places hard to be underſtood, ſo improper to be ſung by all the Church, who can't ſing them with Vnderſtanding, as well as juſtifying the ſinging Prayers as well as Praiſes. Pag. 14.

Anſw. Moſt of the Book of Pſalms contains proper Inſtructions for moſt Occaſions the People of God can find: What was written afore Time the Apoſtle ſays was written for our p. 132Learning. All Scripture is given by inſpiration of God, and is profitable for Doctrine, for Reproof, for Correction, and for Inſtruction in Righteouſneſs, 2 Tim. 3. 16. If all Scripture, then the Book of the Pſalms, and for inſtruction by Singing them too, becauſe ſo required by the Holy Spirit, Eph. 5. 19. Coloſſ. 3. 16. May you not as well ſay they are of no uſe to us? The Book of Pſalms good Men look upon as the Heart of our Sacred Bible, and as fruitful a Book for Saints in Goſpel-times as any Book in the Old Teſtament; but if there be any Pſalms that can't ſo well be ſung as ſome others, God's People are at their liberty whether they will ſing them or no: however, unleſs you can tell us there are others called Pſalms, beſides theſe, you ſay nothing, for we are required to ſing Pſalms. And as to thoſe things contained in David's Pſalms that are hard to be underſtood, they may be opened to the People before they are ſung.

As touching ſinging Prayers, I have ſpoken to this already. Though we are againſt humane Forms of Prayer, yet the Singing of David's Pſalms (wherein there are ſome Prayers) are of Divine Inſtitution; and therefore 'tis lawful to ſing Pſalms and Hymns that have ſome Expreſſions Prayer-wife in them. Our Brethren ſay, praiſing of God in Prayer, is Singing; and indeed, if they did not thus conclude, I am perſwaded they could not ſatisfy their Conſciences to lie wholly ſhort of this Duty; and therefore in their ſenſe, ſinging of ſome part of p. 133Prayer is lawful, or elſe Singing is ſomething they do not as yet own, nor can tell us what it is.

As to what you ſay in the fifth place, p. 14.

Object. That David's Pſalms were limited to the Levites.

Anſw. 'Tis nothing to your purpoſe, 'tis rather an Argument for ſinging Pſalms by the whole Church; for the whole Church is that ſpiritual Prieſthood, to offer up ſpiritual Sacrifices acceptable to God by Jeſus Chriſt▪ 1 Pet. 2. 5. That as the Prieſthood, or Levi…s, ſung together under the Law, with Inſtruments of Muſick, it might typify out how the whole Church ſhould ſing ſpiritually with Grace in their Hearts to the Lord together under the Goſpel.

You ſay in the next place, pag. 15.

Object. There is no Inſtitution to ſing David's Pſalms, and that Chriſt nor his Apoſtles ever … practiſed. And alſo if the Apoſtles had occaſion to tranſlate any Text out of the Hebrew … the Greek, they did never turn them into Metre.

Anſw. There is an Inſtitution to ſing David's Pſalms; Epheſ. 5. 19. Col. 3. 16. If there be … …ther Pſalms mentioned in the Scripture, beſides David's Pſalms, or the Book of Pſalms, and the Churches are required to ſing Pſalms as well … Hymns; Then there is a Goſpel-Inſtitution for ſinging of David's Pſalms. But there are no other Pſalms mentioned in the Scripture beſid… David's Pſalms, or the Book of Pſalms, and the Churches are required to ſing Pſalms as p. 134well as Hymns. Ergo. The ſinging of David's Pſalms, or Pſalms contained in the Book of Pſalms, is a Goſpel-Inſtitution.

That the Churches are required to ſing Pſalms, we have ſhewed again and again, Eph. 5. 19. If there be any other Pſalms beſides what are contained in the Book of Pſalms, which are ſo called, you muſt ſhew which they be, and then we will uſe thoſe which we ſhall have the cleareſt ground to judg the Spirit of God may intend.

As to their tranſlating any of them into Metre, out of Hebrew into Greek, it is remote to the Buſineſs; we know not they did tranſlate any Scripture at all out of Hebrew into Greek.

III. Of preſcribed and precompoſed Songs and Hymns.

Firſt, (ſay you) If the Eſſence of Singing, as before is ſhewed, conſisteth in an inward ſpiritual Exerciſe of the Soul or Mind of Man; and that both the Matter and the Melody of it, proceedeth from the inward Graces and Operations of the Holy Spirit with the Word; then ſurely no humane preſcribed Form of Singing can be accepted of God, but that which proceedeth from the Word of God, by the Dictates and Teachings of the Holy Spirit. You mention Epheſ. 5. 18, 19. Col. 3. 16. Pag. 15.

Again, pag. 16. Now the Eſſence of Singing conſisteth of theſe two parts, viz. Matter p. 135[from the Word], and Melody [by the Spirit]: So that neither the Word nor the Spirit can be wanting; and therefore whatſoever Forms are uſed which proceed not from within us, out of a Fulneſs and Enriching of the Word and Spirit, cannot be Spiritual Singings.

Anſw. Brother, who do you encounter with now? 'Tis evident this doth not concern as, you need not have taken ſo much time and pains to prove that which no Body that I know denies.

But before I come to reply to that, I cannot but take notice how you hug your former Notion of Eſſence of Singing; but I perceive your have found out the Eſſence of Singing, is not in the Spirit alone, but it has Matter and Form too: the Matter (you ſay) is God's Word; there you are right: you ſay, The Melody lies in the Heart, that is partly true, but there muſt be ſomething elſe added to the Eſſence of Singing, or elſe you have it not; and that is the chief thing, the only thing from whence it's called Singing, that is, a melodious Voice, add that, and then you plead for Singing; take that away, and 'tis no more than inward Joy, or Rejoicing. Singing, Mr. Caryl tells you, is an Act of the Voice: 'Tis a melodious Noiſe, do not miſtake your ſelf in one of the moſt plain and eaſieſt Acts of the B…dily Organ, or Act of the Tongue. But to the Buſineſs, no Hymn muſt be made nor compoſed from God's Word, it appears, without p. 136the help and aſſiſtance of the holy Spirit. I am of your Mind.

But I hope you do not mean the miraculous or extraordinary Help or Operations of the Spirit, becauſe you are a ſpeaking of the Adminiſtrations of the Goſpel, and Goſpel-Worſhip in general.

Now there are two things to be … dered in bringing forth a Doctrine, viz. That 'tis agreeable to the Word of God; he that compiles a Sermon muſt be ſure to ſee 'tis God's Word, i. e. congruous thereunto, and provable therefrom, or elſe 'tis humane.

2. He muſt bring forth and preach it by the help and aſſiſtance of the Spirit alſo, or elſe it may ſtill be Human, no Divine Sermon.

So, and in like manner in compiling of an Hymn, it muſt be as to the matter, the Word of Chriſt; Let the Word of Chriſt dwell in you richly, in all Wiſdom, teaching and admoniſhing one another in Pſalms, Hymns, and ſpiritual Songs, ſinging, &c. Col. 3. 19. See here the Direction for the matter of an Hymn or ſpiritual Song, it muſt be in general the Word of Chriſt; (as it muſt be the Word of Chriſt that is to be preached.) Even ſo alſo a… Hymn, &c. muſt be (we ſay) compiled out of the Word of Chriſt, and in ſinging of it there muſt be the aſſiſtance of the holy Spirit. But now will you ſay we have not the Spirit of Chriſt in compoſing the Hymn which is part of Chriſt's Word? Take heed! you are too full of hard Words and Cenſures; another may, p. 137nay, and ſome do ſay ſo too, we have no Rule to compoſe a Sermon; and I will ſay and teſtify, I know no more Rule for a precompoſed Sermon to be preached, than for a precompoſed Hymn that is to be ſung, and I am ſatisfied I have equally in them both the like aſſiſtance of the Spirit. Your ſpeaking here of the Spiritualneſs of the Goſpel above the Law, doth nothing in your caſe. We grant it, and ſay, Our Singing differs now under the Goſpel as to the Spirituality of it to that under the Law, as much as my other Goſpel-Service or Worſhip doth.

Our Sermons are no more made for us in God's Word than our Hymns are, and we have equal Direction in both theſe weighty …ſes; and I muſt tell you, this way of … you uſe is enough, if People did obſerve it, to overthrow all viſible Worſhip and Ordinances, unleſs we could make it appear, … we had the immediate and extraordinary help of the Spirit in the diſcharge of them. Away, …ith one, with your carnal and human preaching, 'tis a Form invented and done by Art, will you call this Goſpel-preaching? The Apoſtles … as they were moved by a mighty Spirit within them; you muſt preach by immediate inspiration and not precompoſed Sermons, or elſe your Sermons are formal. Thus you open a Door for Quakeriſm, and throw St…bling-blocks before the weak: I intreat you to conſider of it.

2. Doubtleſs what the Apoſtles did by an extraordinary Spirit in bringing in a Doctrine p. 138and an Interpretation, &c. is a Rule for us in the ordinary Gifts; for they preached and prayed, &c. by the wonderful or extraordinary Influences of the Spirit: and becauſe we have not thoſe Gifts, muſt we not be found in this Ordinance, viz. to ſing, which is required in the New Teſtament; we by the ſame Argument, muſt lay all others aſide likewiſe, as the None-Churches have done: from ſuch a way of arguing as you uſe here, the Lord deliver us. But what you ſpeak on this occaſion doth not concern them that ſing David's Pſalms; therefore if compoſed Hymns were not juſtified by God's Word as comprehended in Hymns and ſpiritual Songs, Col. …. 16. then the Book of Pſalms, as our Brethren ſay, are wholly intended, and then they muſt be ſung, and them only; but we ſee no reaſon ſo to believe. Euſebiw ſpeaks of the Chriſtians ſinging of Hymns to Chriſt as to God, in the firſt Century, which ſhews it was the Practice of the Church in the Primitive Times to ſing other Hymns beſides thoſe in the Book of Pſalms.

As to Forms of Prayer, the Lord hath left us a Form, by which we are directed how to pray; and ſo he has left us his Word, and the Pſalms of David, that we may know how to compile our Hymns as well as our Sermons, by the help and aſſiſtance of his Spirit: there is no more a Form of Preaching left, than there is a Form of Hymns: and what tho Chriſtians differ in their ſinging, they alſo differ in their method or form of Preaching as much; p. 139and your Argument (ſay you what you will) … alike againſt the one as againſt the other. But is it unlawful to premeditate what we deſign to ask of God in Prayer? Have not ſome in Prayer, and Faſting-days in Churches, drawn … ſeveral things as a Form of thoſe Caſes … they agreed together to ſpread before the Lord, and is this Form ſinful think you? But … of this hereafter.

IV. Of Womens Singing.

Object. You ſay, Women ought not to ſing in the Church, becauſe not ſuffered to ſpeak in the Church, and alſo becauſe ſinging is teaching.

By the way then it appears, the bare Melody in the Heart, where you ſay is the Eſſence of Singing, that is not Singing, by your own Aſſertion. Thus you deſtroy what you would build.

Anſw. But if Women may not ſpeak nor …ach in no ſenſe in the Church, they muſt not be admitted to give an account of their Converſion in the Church, or how God was pleaſed to work upon their Souls: for that Practice is full of Teaching and Inſtruction, and has been bleſſed to the Converſion of ſome other Perſons that have been by.

But I will be at the pains to tranſcribe what worthy Mr. Cotton hath ſaid to this Objection, it appears others have brought it before you.

The ſecond ſcruple about Singers is, ſaith he, whether Women may ſing as well as Men? for in this Point there be ſome deal p. 140with us, as Pharaoh dealt with the Iſr…lites… who, tho he was at firſt utterly unwilling that any of them ſhould go to ſacrifice … the Lord in the Wilderneſs, yet being … length convinced that they muſt go, then … was content the Men ſhould go, but not … Women, Exod. 10. 11. So here, ſome that were altogether againſt ſinging of Pſalm… at all with lively Voices, yet being convinced that it is a Moral Worſhip of God, warranted in Scripture, then if there muſt be a ſinging, one alone muſt ſing, not all, … (if all) the Men only and not the Women. He then mentions your Objection, to which he replies.

1. One Anſwer, ſaith he, may at once remove both Scruples, and withal clear the Truth; it is apparent by the Scope and Context of both theſe Scriptures, that a Woman is not permitted to ſpeak in the Church.

(1.) By way of teaching, whether in expounding or applying Scripture; for this the Apoſtle accounteth an Act of Authority, which is unlawful for a Woman to uſurp over the Man, 1 Tim. 2. 13. And beſides, the Woman is more ſubject to Error than the Man, ver. 14. and therefore might ſooner prove a Seducer, if ſhe became a Teacher.

(2.) Yet nevertheleſs in two caſes it is clear a Woman may ſpeak in the Church. …. In way of Subjection, when ſhe is to give p. 141account of her Offence; thus Peter queſtioned Sapphira before the Church, touching the price of Land ſold by her and her Huſband, &c. and ſhe accordingly ſpake in the Church, to give her Anſwer to the Queſtion, Acts 5. 8. 2. In way of ſinging forth the Praiſes of God together with the reſt of the Congregation, for 'tis evident the Apoſtle layeth no greater reſtraint upon Women for ſilence in the Church, than the Law put upon them before, for ſo himſelf ſpeaketh in the place alledged, 1 Cor. 14. 34. it is not permited to a Woman to ſpeak, but to be under Subjection, … alſo ſaith the Law.

2. The Apoſtle then requireth the ſame Subjection in the Woman which the Law put upon them. Now it is certain, the Law, yea, the Law-giver Moſes, did permit Miriam, and the Women in the Song of Thanſgiving, to ſing the Praiſes of God: Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriouſly the Horſe and his Rider hath he thrown into the Sea, which may be a ground ſufficient to juſtify the lawfulneſs of Womens ſinging together with the Men the Praiſes of the Lord; and accordingly in the Primitive Churches it was the ancient Practice of Women to ſing the publick Praiſes of the Lord, we read recorded in the Eccleſiaſtical Hiſtory, Socrates Chap. 18 Greek Copy, and Chap. 16. of the Latin, Theodoret's third Book, Chap. 17.

p. 142Obj. But (ſay you) there is no Inſtitution for Womens Singing.

Anſw. No need; 'tis a Moral Duty. You may ask whether they are to praiſe God as well, and demand a word of Inſtitution for their Breaking of Bread with the Church? for you know ſome demand a Proof for that.

V. Of the Order of Singing.

What need you talk of Order about Singing, or of Womens Singing, when the Eſſence of it being in the Heart, is ſufficient, though the Act or Thing it ſelf be never done.

But to proceed;

This you ſay we have plainly and clearly delivered to us, 1 Cor. 14. 20, to 34. How is it then, Brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a Pſalm, hath a Doctrine, hath a Tongue, hath an Interpretation; let all things be done to edifying.

That which you infer from hence is, that this is the Rule for our Practice, viz. one by one, or one after another, muſt ſpeak and exerciſe their Gifts, and not all together; and ſo he that has the Gift of a Pſalm, he is ſingly, or alone, by himſelf to ſing as in Prayer and Preaching.

Anſw. The Apoſtle directs that Church in the exerciſe of extraordinary Gifts. There was, 'tis clear, confuſion about the exerciſes of thoſe Gifts in the Church of Corinth; it ſeems this was their practice ſome times, viz. Every p. 143one of them who had a Doctrine, and that had a Pſalm, and ſo of the reſt, would come forth with them together. May be many Preach together who had Doctrines, and at the ſame time▪ every one that had a Pſalm, they would come forth with their Pſalm and Sing… and ſo thoſe who had the Gift of Tongues, and a Gift to interpret, might do the like, which the Apoſtle ſhews them was Confuſion; and if they did thus, and Unbelievers come into their Aſſemblies at ſuch time, would not they ſay they were mad?

Now, 1. to open this place of Scripture, it will be neceſſary to conſider what diſorderly practice it was Paul reproves them of; and no doubt it was the Confuſion before mentioned, two, three, or more, bringing forth their Doctrine together; and others, who had other differing Gifts coming forth together with them too, ('tis very like at the ſame time).

2. The Rule to regulate theſe Diſorders. And now let this once and for ever be noted, and well heeded, viz. That the ordinary way of the Adminiſtration of all Gifts, and performance of all Ordinances in the Churches, muſt be the Rule for the extraordinary Gifts, and performance of Ordinances.

3. Then in the third place, we muſt conſider the manner of the performance of Ordinances, and exerciſe of Gifts, according to the Nature of the Gifts and Ordinances.

And now as to the Gift of Teaching, Interpreting, Propheſying, &c. only one was to be p. 144the Mouth; Let the Prophets ſpeak one by one, and let the other judg: if any thing be revealed to him that ſitteth by, let the firſt hold his peace. To act contrary to this Rule, is Confuſion; and ſo of ſome other Gifts and Ordinances, whole Nature were in themſelves the ſame, ſo they were to be done. And now as to Singing, that being always performed with Voices together, both in the Old Teſtament, and by Chriſt and his Diſciples, and by Paul and Silas, and so enjoined on the Churches; they who had a Pſalm, that is, as I conclude, a Pſalm of David, to bring forth by an extraordinary Spirit, which might not be the Matter of the Pſalm, but the Manner of bringing it forth in an unknown Tongue, and it may be in a Tune too that others might not underſtand, and ſo upon both reſpects others could not ſing with him, nor the Church be edified; he was not ſo to bring forth his Pſalm, unleſs there was an Interpreter who might give it forth to the People, that they might ſing together, as always that Ordinance was practiſed in the Publick Congregation. And this appears to be the ſenſe of the place by Paul's own words; When I pray, I will pray with the Spirit, and with the Vnderſtanding; that is, in a known Tongue, to my own Underſtanding, and to the Underſtanding of others. And when I ſing, I will ſing with the Spirit, and I will ſing with the Vnderſtanding alſo: that is, If I ſing in the Church, I will not ſing in an unknown Tongue, ſo that others cannot underſtand what I ſing, and ſo cannot p. 145ſing with me. He doth not mean, doubtleſs, his own Underſtanding only, but the Underſtanding of others alſo; ſo that, according to the Nature of the Ordinance, all might be edified, and all might be comforted.

Now this being ſo, as I am well ſatisfied 'tis the meaning of the Spirit, what an endleſs ſtir is here of one Man's ſinging alone in the exerciſe of an extraordinary Gift, which cannot be proved by the Wit of Man from the Text? much less had it been ſo, would it have been a Rule to the Churches in ordinary Adminiſtrations of Chriſt's Ordinances. Though for ſeveral to preach together, that would be Confuſion; yet to ſing together would be none, but the greater and the more ſweet Melody, as Mr. Sid…ultan …ws. Nor would the Unbeliever, to hear a Congregation ſing together, ſay, Are they not mad? becauſe this ſort of Singing was always practiſed, both among the Jews, and alſo among the Gentile Nations. And ſo much to this Text.

And whereas you ſay, If any one had ſuch a Gift, and came forth to ſing alone in the Church, (as you fancy ſome did in that Church) you ſhould bleſs God for ſo great a Preſence of his Spirit among his People, pag. 23. I aſſure you, I ſhould charge him with introducing a Practice no where warranted in the Scripture, and ſo no ſign of God's Preſence at all, but a meer Innovation in God's Worſhip, being without Precept or Example.

p. 146VI. Objections Anſwered.

I am now come to your laſt Theſis, wherein you pretend to anſwer ſome of our Arguments and Scriptures for Singing Pſalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs. And if I meet with any thing pertinent, I ſhall reply to it, or elſe paſs it by as not worthy of an Anſwer. And ſuch is the firſt you bring, as alledged by us from …. 15. And the ſecond is like to it, about … and Barak, as if they together did not, could no: ſing that Song, when the Holy Ghoſt poſitively ſays they did. The Holy Ghoſt ſaith, that Moſes and the Congregation of Iſrael sung, and you would fain make us believe, it was ſome extraordinary Extaſy: … we from thence muſt have Dancing too, which I have already fully anſwered.

Your third Reply, That the Singing that was in the Temple was extraordinary, and ſo in the Apoſtles Time.

Anſw. We deny the latter, Singing was no more performed in the Goſpel-time, by an extraordinary Spirit and Manner, than Prayer, Preaching, and all other Ordinances; and by the Argument we have not thoſe extraordinary … now to perform one Duty, ſo not another.

And if we muſt throw one Ordinance away from thence, we muſt (as the Non-Churches ſay) lay them all aſide, and practiſe none at all, till we are endowed with Power from on High, as the Apoſtles were, viz. to Preach, p. 147Propheſy, and ſing Pſalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, by Inſpiration, or by the extraordinary Gifts of the Holy Ghoſt.

For as Singing, (it being a moral Duty as well as Prayer, ſo it was in the Church of the Jews before the Glory of their Temple-Worſhip): ſo Prayer and Preaching, being ordinary Duties, and parts of Natural Religion (as well as brought under Divine Inſtitution for the more orderly and ſpiritual performance of them), yet in the glorious Time of the Goſpel were all done by an extraordinary Spirit, or by Miraculous Gifts; 'tis evident, therefore, extraordinary Gifts in the Goſpel-day, were not only ſuited (as you imagine) to tune their Hearts and Tongues to ſing the Praiſes of God only, but alſo to Pray, Preach, Propheſy, and ſo to perform the whole of Goſpel-Ordinances and Worſhip, which was to confirm each Ordinance in particular, and the whole of the Chriſtian Religion in general, Mark 16, 17, 18, 19. Heb. 2. 3, 4. And therefore we have no more reaſon to lay aſide or neglect Singing the Praiſes of God, till thoſe extraordinary Gifts ſhall return, (which we have no ground to expect ever will) than we have to lay aſide Prayer, Preaching, Baptiſm, the Lord's Supper, and every other Duty and Ordinance, ſince Singing of Pſalms, &c. is injoined on the Churches 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 p. 148appearance 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; 'tis 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 p. 149we muſt not ſing forth his Praiſes till then? 'tis a horrible miſtake, to think Saints are more to be concerned to …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, o… ſhouting, yet 'tis 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 p. 150deſolate 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; 'tis 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 'tis 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.

p. 151Anſw. 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? 'tis ſaid, He took Bread, and bleſſed it; and he … the Cup, and gave Thanks, (ſo ſome Tranſlations render it); but now at the cloſe 'tis ſaid, they ſung an Hymn.

Beſides, multitudes of Learned Men do tell you, that from the Greek word foreign, 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, 'tis 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 'tis truly rendred; p. 152and 'tis 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 their Voice with one accord to God; and yet did, as you conclude, do no more than pray as we do, that is, only one was the Mouth.

Anſw. 1. Some ſay they lifted up their Voice by an extraordinary manner, by a miraculous Spirit that was upon them, and all uttered the ſame thing together Prayer-wiſe.

2. Others ſay, they lifted up their Voice together in Singing: And I find one great Author calling this the Apoſtles Song. 'Tis evident, the Matter they uttered, is part of the Second Pſalm.

3. Our Annotators intimate, as if all their Voices were joined together, in ſaying Amen. Now there can be nothing concluded or inferred on any certainty for your purpoſe from hence: p. 153If I ſhould ſay, that as they prayed, for ſo they did the Text ſays; yet when 'tis ſaid they lifted up their Voice to God with one accord, they ſung the Second Pſalm, it may be as probably ſo as any thing elſe. However, I have made it appear plain, that it may be ſaid, there is a Praying together, (though but one is the Mouth) but there is no Singing together, … but one ſings, and the reſt are ſilent, and ſing not.

In your ſixth place, you reply to that in Acts 16. 25. about Paul and Silas ſinging Praifes, you ſay juſt nothing, pag. 32.

For though Hymnos is nto praiſe; yet, ſay the Learned, 'tis ſuch a Praiſing as is by Singing. Here I perceive you would quarrel again with the Tranſlators: 'tis plain, you are not willing to have any Singing to be in your Bible. If there is no Singing, you ſhould not have told us ſo much about the Eſſence of it: don't abuſe the Text, 'tis not ſaid, they prayed and praiſed God; but, 'tis ſaid, they prayed, and ſung Praiſes unto God. Though all Singing to God, is a praiſing of him, yet all Praiſing is not a Singing his Praiſes.

Your ſeventh Reply, is from that in Epheſ. 5. 19. Your chief Buſineſs here is, to ſhew how Pſalms, Hymos, and Spiritual Songs are rendered.

Pray, Brother, let you and I leave thoſe nice Diſtinctions to better Scholars than you or I pretend to be. Some do ſay, they refer wholly to the Titles of the Book of Pſalms; others … p. 154the Pſalms of David, and to all Sacred Hymns and Songs.

Beſides theſe, 1. Here is Singing enjoined, that's evident.

2. Here is the Word of Chriſt preſcribed, as the Matter in general to be ſung.

3. Here are Pſalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs as the Form; and this cannot be denied, without palpable Violence offered to the Spirit.

But you would not have Old-Teſtament Names given to New-Teſtament Things, in Singing, but give no reaſon for it; Prayer was called Prayer in the Old Teſtament, and Praiſes called Praiſes, and Laws called Ordinances; and ſo they are called in the New: And why not Singing calling Singing, and Pſalms of David called Pſalms, and Hymns called Hymns in the New Teſtament, as well as in the Old? Theſe Cavils argue you want Matter to object againſt Chriſt's Ordinance of Singing, as you fain would do. You intimate, as if the Holy Ghoſt had injoined Singing of ſuch Pſalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, that no Body knows what they be; but you think they may be known hereafter; as if we had an imperfect Goſpel, and can't underſtand the Duties of it, till ſome extraordinary effuſion of the Spirit comes upon us. So it may be objected in other Caſes, as the Quakers do about Baptiſm and the Lord's Supper, who cry down our Ordinances, as none of thoſe the Holy Ghoſt gave forth, nor our Preaching neither, but they are all ſpiritual Things, and muſt be done by a Spirit of p. 155Inſpiration, pag. 34, 35. Nothing can be more …, nor deſtructive to the Chriſtian Religi…, than ſuch arguing as you uſe.

Your eighth Reply, is to our proof of Sing… being a Moral Duty; and the ſubſtance of … you ſay to this, is, 1. That the Wicked … perform Moral Duties acceptably to God, … plowing of the Wicked being Sin; and wince … Minds are Carnal, they cannot perform … which is Spiritual: And in regard they … not their Sins, nor need of a Chriſt, they … no cauſe to ſing: Or to this effect I find … ſpeaking, pag. 37.

Anſw. Doth it follow, becauſe they cannot …, nor praiſe God as they ought, they ought … to pray nor praiſe God at all? God deli… them from ſuch Doctrine. And becauſe … cannot bleſs God, nor ſing to him for the work of Grace on their own Hearts, or for … Spiritual Mercies which they have not yet …, ought they not to ſing his Praiſes for … Works of God in Creation, Proviſion, Pre…vation, and all outward Bleſſings they have … from him as their Creator and Bene…ctor? Nay, may they not ſing his Praiſes for …, and the Goſpel, and for the Means of … Converſion? And why then did David … upon all Men on Earth to ſing and praiſe God?

I find you are ſo lift up here, as to cry out against Forms that God hath ordained to be uſed, … there are many Forms of things that are …, and of Divine Inſtitution. All Spiritual p. 156Ordinances have Matter and Form; … is no Prayer, (nor Sermon neither) tho ne'r … Spiritual, but it has its Form. We read of … Form of Doctrine, Form of ſound Words: Baptism, and Breaking of Bread, have their For… And if Men muſt attend (as helps) upon … Forms of Religion, they muſt do nothing … mind wholly that which you call the Eſſence … things within their Spirits. But what is here … gainſay what we ſay, that this is a Moral Duty Moral Duties are perpetually obliging, … muſt be done as well as Men are able to … them.

Muſt not all Men worſhip and adore the bleſſed God, and diſcharge their Duties according to the Light and Law of God in their Consciences, as far as they may be helped? Why … they ſuffered to hear the Goſpel preached? they cannot hear it (you may ſay) aright, who hav… not Faith, therefore muſt not hear at all.

Your ninth Reply is, to that about the continual Cauſe Chriſtians have to praiſe God, …ay to celebrate his Praiſes in the higheſt manne… they are able; and therefore (as we ſay) to ſing his Praiſes in his Publick Worſhip: This in general you grant.

Yet you ſay it doth not follow from thence we ſhould ſo ſing his Praiſes.

1. Becauſe in this Life our Joys and Conſolations are mix'd with Sorrow and Affliction, &c. We are in our Sackcloth State, &c.

Anſw. I have anſwered this twice already … p. 157What though we have Sorrow and Afflictions, … God loſe his Praiſes therefore? As ſorrow…, (ſaith Paul) yet always rejoicing: Nay, … have cauſe to … …nd praiſe God for Af…ctions, and for his Preſence and Help in and … them.

Did not Chriſt and his Diſciples ſing, juſt … the moſt diſmal Time of Sorrow and …? and Paul and Silas ſung when in …, and their Feet were in the Stocks? And … not the hundred and forty four thouſand … a new Song under Antichriſt's Reign? For … Expoſitors generally agree, that that place … to that Time: And 'tis plain, before the … Angels came out of the Temple, clothed … white Raiment, theſe ſing for being … by Chriſt's Blood from among Men… this we ſtill ſay is the chief Cauſe of Singing: And ſhall we be ſuch Hypocrites, to be … affected with outward Bleſſings, than … inward Spiritual and Eternal Bleſſings? … did not the Chriſtians, in the Time of the … Perſecutions, when they ſuffered the … Torments Men could invent, ſing Pſalms … Hymns unto God? This can be no more …, than that there were ſuch Perſecutions, since they that relate the Story of their Sufferings, gave us an account of this their Practice. Nay, and though they were diſcovered by their ſinging, and put to death, yet they would not decline this ſacred and ſweet Duty.

Object. 2. But, ſecondly, you ſay, EueryEvery true Chriſtian, nor the Church of Chriſt in p. 158general, is able to ſing Praiſes to God in … Publick Worſhip, becauſe the greateſt numbe… of them have not … to the Faith of Aſſurance of the Love of God in Chriſt; they are Babes, &c. pag. 42, 43.

Anſw. And therefore may the not, … they not praiſe God? this is ſtrange Doctrine What is Singing to God, but to celebrate … Praiſes? and muſt not weak Chriſtians … this as well as ſtrong, becauſe they have no… arrived to the Faith of Aſſurance? alas this … but to fill up Paper, or the number of Objections to no purpoſe, for you will not allow the ſtrong to ſing, no more than the weak and yet in pag. 5. of your Book you affirm, … Spiritual and Vocal Singing was uſed in … Primitive and Apoſtolical Church, is undeniable… Let me tell you, there is no Chriſtian but may ſee cauſe to praiſe God, nay, to ſing his Praiſe, … the weak Ones, and thoſe under trouble, as well as the Strong: But no Church impoſes upon every Member to ſing; they who can't ſee they have cauſe, may forbear at ſuch times; for tho all are called upon to rejoice evermore, yet doth God give all, at all times, ability thus to do? ſuch may be the temptations of ſome, that they can't do it, or at leaſtwiſe not to ſuch a degree.

Your tenth Reply is about formal Prayer, and Singing uſed under the Law; therefore you intimate as if we ſhould ſay, Why may not … Prayer & Singing be uſed under the Goſpel? p. 43.

Here you tell your Reader, That the Miniſters and Worſhip under the Law were not ſo p. 159Spiritual: that Church conſiſted of Abraham's c…rnal Seed, (this is all very true thus far) ſo that their Inſtituted Worſhip was Formal, …, Ceremonial, Carnal and Typical, ſuitable to them; and the Deſign of God to make them and their Church-ſtate … Type, Shadow and figure of his calling a ſpiritual People into a … ſpiritual Church-ſtate, to ſerve him in … ſpiritual Ordinances, in Spirit and Truth; and ſo you go on.

Anſw. We are not a pleading for Formal prayer, nor Formal Singing, nor Formal Preaching neither, nor for any Ceremony of the Moſaical Law, but for Spiritual Prayer, Spiritual Singing, and Spiritual Preaching, and only for Spiritual and Goſpel-Ordinances.

But let me tell you, no Body who ſhall read theſe Lines, (who does not know you) but muſt and would conclude, you are againſt all … and external Ordinances; they are Expreſſions like what are oft ſound in Quakers …ooks, and ſeem to be more directly levelled against that Carnal and Formal outward Ordinance of Water-Baptiſm, and Bread and Wine, (as the Quakers call them) than againſt Singing; becauſe Singing the Praiſes of God, is ſo far from being a Carnal Ordinance, that 'tis that which all believe the Angels and glorified Saints in Heaven are found exerciſed in; …, and all the Saints ſhall be found in to all …. Sure you have leſs cauſe thus to … upon Singing God's Praiſes, than against … outward Ordinance whatſoever you could object againſt.

p. 160But I perceive what you aim at, viz. th… Matter muſt not be precompoſed; that's the Formal Buſineſs with you. I will tell you, … an extraordinary Gift of Singing was given to a Man, both in Matter and Manner, ye… it muſt be a Form to others that ſing with him; for he muſt either write it, and ſo give … forth to them, or elſe ſpeak the words of the Hymn he has to ſing, or elſe how ſhould they ſing with him? So that ſince you would … none to ſing but one Man alone, 'tis no marvel you ſo oppoſe the Singing of the Pſalm of David, or precomposed Hymns taken … of the Word of Chriſt.

Moſes, that you ſay ſung by Inſpiration, th… he had the Matter of his Song given to him immediately from God, yet did he give it ou… by ſpeaking or writing to the Congregation… elſe how could they have ſung it with him, … the Holy Ghoſt poſitively ſays they did? so that that was formal too with you. Nay, … extraordinary Prophets firſt received the Word of the Lord, and may be ſometimes ſome conſiderable while before they delivered it out to the People; nay, we find Jeremiah wrote par… of his Prophecy in a Roll, was not that a Form they could repeat the ſame words over again… and ſometimes did. 'Tis not material whether the Form be David's Pſalms, or Hymns give… out by an extraordinary or by an ordinary hel… of the Spirit, if others ſing with him that ha… it, you will, I perceive, ſay that 'tis formal… tho it be never ſo ſpiritual; but I deny that … p. 161have any Rule to expect Men ſhould bring forth any thing in the Worſhip of God by an extraordinary Spirit to be preached or ſung, but what is contained in the Word of Chriſt, or is taken out of the Scripture, or agrees thereunto; becauſe that is a perfect Rule both for Matter and Form, in the performance of all Religious Worſhip, and Ordinances of the Goſpel; and that which you call carnal and formal, I ſay, is ſpiritual. The Prayers that a Miniſter makes in the publick Congregation may, and oft do, contain many Scripture-Expreſſions, (may be half his Prayer may be ſuch) and who ſhall ſay he doth not pray ſpiritually? Nay, moreover, and that Prayer ſome will tell you is a Form to others, which he that is the Mouth puts up, and many times I have heard ſome good and godly Chriſtians ſpeak ſoftly over the ſame words in the Congregation. Now ſince all Forms are cried down by you, ſure this muſt needs be a … Crime, or a carnal and formal Practice. There is nothing, I tell you again, without its Form: Is not the reading of God's Word a formal thing? and yet dare you ſay that is no Duty to be performed in the Church? If a formal thing, then, by your arguing, ſay I, 'tis no Duty to read the Scripture in private neither. Now becauſe all legal Forms are gone, muſt all Goſpel and Spiritual Forms go too? In all Adminiſtrations we ſhould ſee to our Spirits that they be not formal, but that with Life and Spirituality we perform every Duty, &c. Have we not a kind of Form preſcribed us by our Brethren p. 162and Siſters, and others too when they put up their Bills, and tell us what they would have us to ask or deſire of God for them? this would run us into ſtrange Scruples. Muſt we tell them they muſt not put words into our Mouths, we muſt pray as the Spirit moves us, and can't tell whether we ſhall pray for them or no?

Your eleventh Reply is this, viz, You intimate that we ſay, that Prayer under the Goſpel is an Ordinance of the ſame nature it was under the Law, and therefore Singing under the Goſpel may be of the ſame nature, &c.

To this (you ſay) that it is true, that private Prayer is a Duty of the ſame nature under the Goſpel as it was under the Law.

But their Prayers, you ſay, were delivered formerly with dark Shadows and carnal Ordinances; for whilſt the Prieſt was offering the Sacrifices, the Prieſts and Levites in Songs with Inſtruments of Muſick delivered ſuch Prayers, and Pſalms, and Praiſes as were appointed for the publick Service of God: Therefore (ſay you) whatſoever Singing hath been, or ſtill may be in Goſpel-times, may as well differ from the Old-Teſtament-Temple-ſinging.

Anſw. Here you have wounded your ſelf, and not us in the leaſt. It appears your Exception lies againſt our praying in Goſpel-times as much as againſt our ſinging from thence.

p. 163For we muſt not ſing with united Voices, with Grace in our Hearts to the Lord, or at leaſtwiſe the ſinging in ſuch a form or manner under the Law, is no Rule for us; becauſe they sing not only with their Voices, but had Muſical Inſtruments alſo.

Why now I reaſon thus; We muſt not pray with our Voice in Goſpel-days, or at leaſtwiſe the Saints ſo praying under the Law can be no Rule for us, becauſe they had dark Shadows mixt with their Prayers as you affirm they had; ſo that ſince we have the Eſſence of both theſe Duties in our Spirit, which God looks more …pecially at, and we are capable to worſhip him acceptably without the Verbal and Vocal Inſtruments of our Body,Read pag. 8. of Mr. Marlow's Book. we muſt not with our Tongues neither pray ner ſing the Praiſes of God: the one follows as naturally from the Premises as the other, by which all may ſee the Conſequences of your Arguments againſt Singing.

Alas, the true matter of the caſe is this; If People would be rightly informed:

Vocal Prayer is God's Ordinance, and a Moral Duty as well as inſtituted; and the Saints praying and keeping Days of Faſting and Prayer, and Days of Thankſgiving under the Law, is a Rule for us: but all Shadows and Ceremonies they uſed in Prayer under that Diſpenſation, is nailed to the Croſs of Chriſt, or bu…ied with him.

p. 164And ſo in like manner the ſinging the Praiſes of God with our Voices is God's holy Ordinance, and a Moral Duty, (tho brought alſo under Inſtitution); yet all thoſe Shadows and Ceremonies that they uſed in their ſinging under the Diſpenſation of the Law, as Inſtruments of Muſick, &c. are nailed to the Croſs and buried with Chriſt, as being Ceremonial. The like might be ſaid in reſpect of Preaching then and now; for there were ſome things then in tha… Adminiſtration that might be ſhadowing; ye… Preaching abides God's Ordinance for ever. … not in the Miniſters Preaching under that Diſpenſation, yet 'tis evident to be ſo in reſpect … that Maintenance God appointed his Miniſters then.

May you not ſay that the Miniſters of Chriſ… under the Goſpel ought not to have any Maintenance at all allowed them, or at leaſtwiſe that Law of God (that provided for his Miniſter… under that Diſpenſation) is no Rule for it, becauſe that was by Tythes, &c. which was … Legal Right, and abrogated by Chriſt?

'Tis known ſome have drawn ſuch an Inference: but I am glad to ſee our London-Elders better inſtructed; for in the late Treatiſe, called The Goſpel-Miniſters Maintenance vindicated▪ (which is recommended to all the Churches by them joyntly) you may ſee, tho they gran… Tithes did appertain to the Moſaical Law, and that that Law is abrogated, yet they affirm the Equitableneſs of that Law remains: And from hence they urge and preſs the Duty of the Miniſters p. 165Maintenance now in Goſpel-days on our People. Take the words as they lie in that Book, pag. 109.

The Lord's People ought to be as careful in the diſcharge of their-Duty to Chriſt's Miniſters now, as the Iſraelites were to the Levites; tho, as we have already ſaid, their Portion is not the Tenths of Mens Increaſe, nor the firſt Fruits, which Law is abrogated, yet the Equity of that Law (that is a Moral Duty) remaineth perpetually; as the Apoſtle obſerves, Do you not know that they which minister about holy things, live of the things of the Temple? and they that wait at the Altar, partake of the Altar? &c. 1 Cor. 9. 13.

Why even ſo it is in the caſe of ſinging the Praiſes of God. Under the Moſaical Law the Lord's People uſed Muſical Inſtruments in that Ordinance, which was a Legal Rite, and is abrogated; but Singing is a Duty ſtill: and from hence too it appears ſo to be upon the very ſame scot of Account, viz. becauſe the Equity of it in all reſpects remains, and is the ſame, i. e. God deſerves equally to be praiſed now as then; … there is the ſame reaſon we ſhould ſing his Praiſes now as they had. Nay, ſince we have received greater Grace, greater Light, clearer Diſcoveries of his Will, and greater and more glorious Bleſſings and Priviledges than they had (we having the Subſtance of thoſe things which they had but the Shadow of) there is more reaſon we ſhould ſing the Praiſes of God now than they had then. For now under the Goſpel, the time p. 166of ſinging of Birds is come, Cant. 2. 12. … 'tis to be done more ſpititually (without Muſical Inſtruments) only with our Voices together, with Grace in our Hearts to the Lord Col. 3. 16. In like manner alſo Iſrael in their aſſembling together to worſhip God (which alſo is a moral Duty) had then a glorious external Temple to worſhip in, as well as Muſical Inſtruments in their Worſhip; but becauſe … under the Goſpel have no ſuch glorious external Temple, muſt we not meet together to worſhip God at all? or was their aſſembling together ſo to do, no Rule for us to perform that great religious Duty? 'tis eaſy to … Ceremonial Rites, and places then uſed, from moral and perpetual Ordinances, and to ſhew how thoſe external Rites and Shadows are gone, and yet that part which is moral remains forever.

The ſame holdeth good in reſpect of the Jewiſh Day of Worſhip, as well as to their Place of Worſhip, and Muſick in their Worſhip; for there is no more natural or moral Holineſs in one day than there is in another. True a time of Worſhip is moral from the fourth Commandment (nay, and ſo may, as ſome have learnedly ſhewed, the ſeventh part of Time likewiſe, but that Day lies in the Breaſt and Power of him who is the Lord of the Sabbath, viz. Jeſus Chriſt, who in the New Teſtament hath appointed the firſt Day of the Week, and not the laſt, to be the Day of Goſpel-Worſhip for us) but the Jewiſh ſeventh p. 167Day, as Reverend Calvin excellently hath ſhewed (Inſtitut. pag. 124, 125, 126.) was Ceremonial.

1. Becauſe called a Sign between God and the Children of Iſrael, Ezek. 20. 12.

2. From the nature of the Law it ſelf, which was given forth and charged to be kept with ſuch ſtrictneſs, that it plainly appears to appertain to the Yoke of Bondage; they were not to kindle a Fire through all their Dwellings on their Sabbath, nor to ſpeak their own Words, nor think their own Thoughts: from hence Calvin ſhews God diſcovered the abſolute need and neceſſity of a perfect and compleat Righteouſneſs in order to Juſtification and Acceptation with God, i. e. that the Creature muſt be without Sin, or attain to a Ceſſation from the Thoughts of Evil, which figured forth the neceſſity of Chriſt's perfect Righteouſneſs, and of that Spiritual Reſt ſuch who believe in him enter into. All that are in the old Nature, or whilſt they remain under the old Covenant-ſtate, do labour and are heavy laden, there is the ſix days work in the Antitype, but when they come to Chriſt, believe in Chriſt, then they ceaſe from their own Works, and enter into Reſt, according as Chriſt hath promiſed, Mat. 11. 28, 29. then they enter into the Antitype of the Jewiſh Sabbath, Heb. 4.

3. This alſo appears by the Nature of the Precept it ſelf, as laid down Exod. 20. wherein all may ſee it ſeems to be a meer carnal Ordinance, p. 168like others which were impoſed on the People till the Time of Reformation, or till the Subſtance came. What was it God enjoined on them, but a ceſſation from all external Labour or Work? In it thou ſhalt do no manner of Work, Thou, nor thy Son, nor thy Daughter, … thy Man-ſervant, nor thy Maid-ſervant, nor thy Cattel, nor the Stranger which is within thy Gates. Exod. 20. 10. Here (as this Law was written in Tables of Stone) are no Religious Duties enjoined on that Day, but a ceaſing from bodily Labour, which fully ſhews the purport of it.

4. 'Tis called by the Apoſtle, (amongſt other Moſaical Rites) a Shadow of things to come, but the Body (or Subſtance of them) is Chriſt, Col. 2. 17.

And thus you may ſee how to exclude Ceremonial Rites uſed under the Law, that were joined to Moral Duties, and yet preſerve that which is Moral in them. Doubtleſs though it is not our Duty to obſerve that Jewiſh Ceremony of the Seventh-Day-Sabbath, which was given forth and enjoined on them, yet the Law of the Fourth Commandment, as to a time of Worſhip (as before) remains to us, ſo doth Singing the Praiſes of God; but the External Place of Jewiſh Worſhip, the Time and external Rites of their Worſhip, and the external Inſtruments of Muſick then uſed in their Worſhip, went away altogether, and were buried with Chriſt.

Object. Your twelfth Reply is, To that we p. 169ſay of precompoſed Forms of Preaching, since the extraordinary Gifts of the Spirit are ceaſed; … muſt now pray and preach by its ordinary Gifts; and if we are allowed to uſe precompoſed Forms of Preaching, why not of (they might ſay) say you, Prayer and Singing alſo? pag. 46.

Anſw. You ſeem to ſtate this Objection not ſo fair as you ought, becauſe you know we do not plead for ſuch precompoſed Forms of Prayer as we do of Preaching and Singing.

But the Truth is, if there was no more to be ſaid againſt uſing thoſe Forms of Prayer (that ſome contend for) than what you have ſaid, they might be lawful too. Therefore I ſhall trouble the Reader with a recital of what you ſay to this Objection againſt precompoſed Forms of Prayer, and Singing; and what you ſay for Forms of precompoſed Sermons, ſince you ſeem to be for one, and againſt the other.

I do acknowledg (ſay you) and aſſert, that we ſhould not neglect Prayer, till we have an Extraordinary Gift or Impulſe of Spirit unto Prayer; but we ſhould conſtantly go to God as we can, not only for continuance of thoſe Mercies we have, but for further ſupplies of our inward and outward Wants, which are the chiefeſt part of Prayer. But Singing proceeds from a fulneſs of enjoyment, and is called a Breaking forth, and therefore requires a greater Meaſure of the Holy Spirit; for we can pray for what we have not, but we ſhould break forth into Singing for what we have, …therwiſe we mock God, and draw nigh unto p. 170him with our Mouths, and honour him with … Lips, when our Hearts are far from him, and our fear towards him taught by the Precepts of Men; and therefore when I conſider the preſent State and Frame of the Churches of Jeſus Chriſt, I wonder that ſo many ſhould be for Singing, when their Hearts are ſo much below Prayer; for if we ſhould go from Saint to Saint, we ſhould find that this is the general Cry, I have a dead and ſtony Heart—I can't pray, I want the Spirit.— Now if thus it be, then where is the Spirit of Singing? Will you lie, and expreſs that with your Lips to God, which you have not in your Hearts? Pag. 46, 47.

Anſw. The ſubſtance of what you ſay here, is this, viz. That a greater Meaſure of the Spirit of God is required in Singing, than there is required in Praying; but you give no Reaſon for it. The Apoſtle ſaith, When I pray, I will pray with the Spirit; and when I ſing, I will ſing with the Spirit, &c. 1 Cor. 14. 15. He doth not hint, he needed greater help to do the one, than to do the other. There is no Duty nor Ordinance of the Goſpel, that can be performed acceptably to God without the Spirit, or the gracious Influences thereof: And certainly no Man beſides Mr. Marlow will ſay there is more need of the Spirit in its greater Influence in ordinary Occaſions, or in common Worſhip to praiſe God, nay, to ſing his Praiſe, than there is to pray, and in the doing other Duties. You mention that in Iſa. p. 17152. 38. of Breaking forth. Why is that then a Vocal Singing? it was hinted by you (even now) to be ſome kind of ſhouting or rejoicing, pag. 29. as if it was no ſuch thing (as here you ſeem to grant it to be) when you think it will ſerve your turn another way: But all may perceive, by your arguing againſt Singing after the manner you do, (that though the Eſſence in your ſenſe be in our Spirits, and as others ſay, Singing is comprehended in their Praying, i. e. when they Praiſe God); yet none of theſe in truth is proper Singing in your judgment; for it it be, you contend againſt that which all Chriſtians ſay they do own and perform.

But to proceed. There may be, 'tis plain, an extraordinary Spirit of Prayer at ſome times, and an extraordinary Influence in Preaching, and an extraordinary Occaſion to perform thoſe Duties likewiſe, and ſo in Singiug: But muſt not we therefore be found in the performance of each of theſe Duties at any other time? And have not all true Chriſtians always in themſelves the chiefeſt cauſe or ground of Singing forth the Praiſes of God that can be, viz. the conſideration of Redeeming and Regenerating Grace, though ſometimes to ſuch degrees, they do not find that livelineſs in their Spirits to do it? Moreover, we ought to ſtrive to be filled with the Spirit, that we may both Pray, Preach, and Hear alſo. But ſometimes we have not thoſe fillings of the Spirit in ſuch a meaſure as at other times, yet muſt Pray, Preach, Hear, and Sing alſo; for the Argument or Motive of Singing, p. 172(as of our other Duties,) doth not lie in our being ſo exactly qualified to do it, or in our extraordinary fitneſs for the Duty, but in the requirement of God, 'tis his Ordinance, and may be our Sin if we are not ſo fit to praiſe God as we ſhould be, nor are no more fit to pray and hear the Word preached.

Object. But ſome may object, Doth not James only injoin Singing of Pſalms, when People are merry, or find great cauſe of inward Joy in the Lord?

Anſw. No, by no means, this muſt not be granted: for if ſo, then People muſt never pray but when they are afflicted. Do but read the Text, Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him ſing Pſalms. Jam. 5. 13. Sure 'tis the Duty of the Lord's People to pray as well when they are not afflicted, but are in Health, and in Proſpirity; 'tis always on fit and proper Occaſions to be done, but when afflicted more eſpecially, then in a more than ordinary manner to be in the Duty of Prayer. So, and in the like manner, 'tis our Duty to rejoice and ſing the Praiſes of God always, on all proper Occaſions; but when any are more then ordinarily lifted up with the Goodneſs of God, or filled with the Comforts of the Holy Spirit; which is intended doubtleſs in that phraſe, Is any Merry? then they ſhould in an eſpecial manner ſing Pſalms, or Hymns, of Praiſes to God. Alſo from hence we may argue, that as it is the Duty of one afflicted Perſon thus by himſelf to pray, ſo when the whole p. 173Church is afflicted, they in an eſpecial manner ſhould keep days of Prayer together; and ſo they oftentimes do on ſuch an account: Yet it is the Duty of the Church to pray at other times notwithſtanding. Why ſo it is in the caſe of Singing, when the whole Church of God hath received ſome ſignal Mercies in an eſpecial manner, they ought together to give Thanks to God, and ſing his Praiſe; but yet, notwithſtanding, they ought to ſing the Praiſes of God at other times, as well as pray at other times; and nothing is in the leaſt hinted here in this place by the Apoſtle James to the contrary.

Object. But we have no Command to ſing in our Publick Aſſemblies, either before or after Sermon, nor any Precedent that any Goſpel-Church did ſo.

Anſw. You muſt take heed and avoid needleſs Queſtions and Contentions. We have no Command to pray in our Publick Aſſemblies, either before or after Sermons; nor no Precedent that any Goſpel-Church did ſo, Muſt we not uſe that Practice therefore? I am ſure this Argument is as ſtrong againſt the one as 'tis againſt the other.

Obj. But we are commanded to pray always, and that is a very convenient time when the Word of God is preached; every thing is ſanctified by the Word of God and Prayer.

Anſw. So we are commanded to rejoice evermore, 1 Theſſ. 5. 16. and in every thing to give thanks to God, Phil. 4. 4, 6. And to ſing his p. 174Praiſes, is the higheſt way or manner of rejocing and giving Thanks to God we are capable of attaining to, as it appears in all the Scripture; And alſo by the example of the Holy Angels, who this way rejoice and give Thanks to God. Beſides, the Preacher may pray before he comes out of his Cloſet, or ſecretly in his Heart when in the Pulpit, and anſwer thoſe general Precepts: ſo that you may ſee what ſuch kind of Cavilings will bring us to. 'Tis evident we read of ſeveral Sermons the Apoſtle Peter preached, and Paul too, and ſome of them in Church-Aſſemblies, but no more mention is made of praying before or after their Sermons, than is of their Singing. And is it not as convenient a time when we hear the Excellencies of Jeſus Chriſt, and the infinite Love of God, and the Happineſs of Believers opened, then to ſing and praiſe God, as it is a proper Seaſon to pray to God for a Bleſſing upon the Word? there is the like parity of Reaſon for the one as there is for the other. If any has the advantage, 'tis the Ordinance of Singing, for two Reaſons; the one is a Precept, the other a Precedent. The Precept is given us by David, containing a Prophecy of the Goſpel-days, and Goſpel-Church. Pſal. 100. 1. Make a joyful Noiſe unto the Lord, all ye Lands: Come before his preſence with Singing. So Pſal. 95. O Come let us ſing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful Noiſe to the Rock of our Salvation. And, verſ. 2. Let us make a joyful Noiſe unto him with Pſalms. This all p. 175People, i. e. the Gentile-Churches are required to do as well as others, and to do it too when they come into the Preſence of God; which … Expoſitors ſay, intends our coming into God's Preſence in his Publick Worſhip. Moreover, the Watch-men (and deſolate Places, or Souls who have been like desolate Places) ſaith … Prophet, ſhall lift up the Voice, with the Voice together ſhall they ſing, Iſa. 52. 7, 8. And theſe Watch-men are thoſe whoſe Feet are beautiful … the Mountains, who preach the Goſpel of Peace, and bring glad-tidings of good things.

And this very Text the Apoſtle applies in ge…al to Goſpel-Miniſters in their publick Preaching of Chriſt in Chriſtian Aſſemblies, ſee Rom. 10. 15. But we having ſo largely in this Treatiſe opened this, we ſhall ſay no more to it here.

As touching Examples, we have the Church of God, viz. Iſrael of old, who ſung together in Exod. 15. 1. and in many other places; …, always generally when they came together to worſhip God, as they prayed to him, so they ſang Praiſes to him; which we have proved is no Ceremony of Moſes's Law, but a Moral Duty, and ſo a Perpetual Ordinance. And in the New-Teſtament we have the Example of Chriſt himſelf with his Diſciples, who after that part of Publick Worſhip, viz. celebrating the Holy Supper, ſung an Hymn together. O how ſad a thing is it that Men ſhould go about to reſtrain, or withhold Praiſes from the Lord which are due to his holy Name, and wherein we are ſaid to glorify him! Pſal. 50. 23. p. 176I am perſwaded they will have but little Thanks from him one day for their thus doing.

And truly that want of God's Preſence, or livelineſs of Spirit, or that cauſe of Complainings that are in our Churches, (of which you ſpeak) may partly ariſe from hence, i. e. from the general neglect of this great Duty, in which God of old appeared amongſt his People, like a cloud, to fill his Houſe with his glorious Preſence, 2 Chron. 5. 13. owned alſo by God's gracious Teſtimony in giving his People … ſuch eminent Victories over their Enemies, 2 Chron. 20. 21, 22. And when they had conſulted with the People, and appointed Singers unto the Lord, that they ſhould praiſe the Lord in the Beauty of Holineſs, they went out before the Army, and to ſay, Praiſe the Lord, for … Mercy endureth for ever. And when they began to ſing and to praiſe, the Lord ſet Ambuſhments againſt the Children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir which came againſt Judah, and they were ſmitten. Iſrael's Succeſs, (ſaith Mr. Wells) follows Iſrael's Singing. If the Lord's People will be found in their Duty, they ſhall not want God's Preſence. To this I might add that glorious witneſs of his Preſence in delivering Paul and Silas out of Priſon, upon their Praying and Singing Praiſes to him, Act. 16. There may, 'tis true, be a natural Joy, or falſe Rapture, by an erring Spirit: but that Joy and Preſence of God we meet with in his own Way and Ordinance, nay in the ſame Ordinance in which he met with his People of p. 177old, we may be ſure is to be prized, and eſteemed as no natural or counterfeit Joy, ſay you what you pleaſe.

If in ſinging Pſalms, Hymns, &c. there is no other Rule or Directions given in the New Teſtament differing from the Practice of the Saints before the Law, under the Law, and in Goſpel-days, performed by Chriſt and his Diſciples; Then no Chriſtian has cauſe in the leaſt to doubt but ſo we are to ſing, ſince 'tis a Duty, and injoyned on the Churches in the New Teſtament, Epheſ. 5. 19. Col. 3. 16. But this I have ſpoken largely to already likewiſe. See Chap. 9.

In Pag. 47. of your Book, you ſay, As to Forms of Prayer and Singing, you have ſufficiently treated of them before, and that the ſufficient Gifts of the Spirit ſhall continue for the Worſhip of God in the Goſpel-Church to the end of the World; and therefore your Buſineſs here you ſay is, only to ſhew that the uſing a Form of Preaching, is no Example for a Form of Singing—Becauſe, ſay you, there is reaſon for a Form of Preaching from God's Word, and Example of Chriſt himſelf, who read a Text, and then preached from it; though as he was not, ſo others are not limited to that, or any particular Forms; yet it is lawful for them, and required of them to compare Spiritual Things with Spiritual, and to give themſelves to reading and meditation, and to hold faſt the form of ſound Words, rightly dividing the Word of p. 178Truth—So that where the Scripture gives us a liberty, we may uſe it; but it is our Sin to take it where it is forbidden, as you ſay, you have ſhewed in a form of Prayer and Singing.

Anſw. In vain is all this: for all the Saints and Miniſters of Chriſt in all the World, know there is no one form of Preaching laid down in all the Scripture.

We have no direct Precept nor Example to preach in the form of taking a Text of Scripture, and to raiſe a Doctrine from it, and then Generals and Particulars, with Application; 'tis left to the faithful Servants of God to make uſe of ſuch a Form or Manner as the Spirit of God may help them to, and the beſt Form or Method they ought and do make uſe of, which they judg may moſt tend to the profit of the People. That place you mention of our Saviour taking a Text, and then preaching from it, is ſcarcely true; however 'tis a greater proof for a Form of Reading the Scripture in our Publick Aſſemblies, than for taking a Text to preach from it.

The Text ſaith, He went into the Synagogue of the Jews on the Sabbath-day, and ſtood up to read. Aud there was delivered to him the Book of the Prophet Iſaias; and when he had opened the Book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, &c. Luk. 4. 17, 18. And he cloſed the Book (ſo do not we) and gave it again to the Miniſter, verſ. 20. And began to ſay unto them, This p. 179day is this Scripture fulfilled in your Ears, verſ. 21. We read of no more he ſpake unto them from that Scripture. And as touching thoſe general Directions you mention, of comparing ſpiritual Things with Spiritual, &c. 1 Cor. 2. 13. the Apoſtle doth not preſcribe a Form of Preaching, but ſhews, as our Annotators obſerve, how they did diſclaim thoſe Orations of the Athenian Philoſophers, uſing a plain and ſpiritual Stile, giving the naked Truths of God, without any paint of gawdery Phraſe, ſpeaking the Oracles of God as the Oracles of God, fitting Spiritual Things to Spiritual Perſons, or opening one Scripture by another.

But certain it is, they preached by an Immediate and extraordinary Spirit or Inſpiration; And ſo do not we, but by an ordinary Spirit from the mediate Word, and therefore muſt ſtudy, and are left to uſe what Method we think may be (as I ſaid before) moſt profitable for the Edification of the People: ſo that although the Matter of our Sermons are God's Word, and ſo Divine and Sacred, yet the Form or Method, you may as well call Formal and Human, as ſo to call our Sacred Hymns, &c. God hath graciouſly owned nevertheleſs this form of Preaching, and daily doth, for the converſion of many Sinners; and ſo he doth our way of Singing, to the comforting and refreſhing the Souls of many Saints. —We have matter to be ſung plainly expreſſed, viz. the Word of Chriſt, in Pſalms, and they are well known; and alſo Hymns and Spiritual p. 180Songs, which are alſo eaſily known by ſuch who are Spiritual, whether they be the Sacred Word of Chriſt as to the Matter of them or not, as it may be known, that the Doctrine is ſo which we hear preached.

As touching David's Pſalms, they are formally God's Word as well as materially ſo: and ſince we are exhorted to ſing Hymns and Spiritual Songs, I ask whether thoſe Hymns and Spiritual Songs could be without a Form, either immediately, or mediately precompoſed by the Spirit? and whether the Spirit of God doth not, may not aſſiſt God's Servants now in precompoſed Hymns, as he did of old?

Object. But may be you will ſay, They are not in Metre in the Scripture, but other words are added to make them fit to be Songs, and that is humane.

Anſw. We have none of the words in our own Tongue, which were originally given forth, by the Holy Ghoſt; for the Holy Men of old who gave forth the Scriptures, ſpake them either in Hebrew or Greek words. And therefore ſome may object our Tranſlation of the Bible is Humane, and our Scripture not God's Word; beſides we have many humane Supplements, as I ſaid before, added, to make the ſenſe good in our Engliſh Tongue: And as touching Meter, Proſe and Verſe is all one, if the ſame Truth be contained in the Verſe as is in the Proſe: And if it be equal Feet, or meaſured fitly to be ſung, we do not matter Rhime at all. And ſo ſome tell you David's Pſalms were left in the p. 181Original. But ſhould we miſs it, either in the form of Preaching, or Singing the Praiſes of God, ſince we can appeal to God we do both as nigh the Rule of the Word as we have received Light and Underſtanding, Who do you think will be moſt excuſable in the Day of Chriſt, we, or ſuch, who becauſe they are not arrived to a ſatisfaction about the Form or Manner of Preaching, or of Singing, will do neither of them, or at leaſtwiſe wholly live in omiſſion of the laſt, and yet ſay they believe 'tis an Ordinance of Chriſt?

And let me tell you, to admit of this nice Exception againſt practiſing of an Ordinance, becauſe we do not know the exact Form, this will run us into a multitude of needleſs and frivolous Objections in the adminiſtration of other Ordinances; one or two of which I have met withal.

As for Example. In Breaking of Bread, (ſaith one) you ought to have but one Loaf, becauſe Chriſt's Body was but one entire Body, and the Church is ſaid to be but one Bread; therefore (ſaith he) if you have many Loaves, you err, in the form of this Ordinance; and as by you practiſed, 'tis humane and deviſed. Saith another, As ſoon as you have broke the Bread, you muſt pour forth the Wine; becauſe ſo ſoon as Chriſt's Body was broke, his Blood came forth. Saith a Third, You muſt eat all, and let none remain; which others deny. One ſays, We muſt eat plentifully, for Chriſt ſo bids his Friends, Cant. 5. 1. Saith another, A little p. 182quantity of Bread, and ſo of the Cup, will anſwer the Form of the Adminiſtration.

So in the Form of Baptiſm, one may ſay, You muſt Baptize the Perſon forwards; ſaith another, Backwards; one may ſay, with a ſwift Motion; another may ſay, it muſt be done with a ſlow Motion, and let the Perſon lie ſome time buried in the Water, that we may have the clear Repreſentation of the Burial of Chriſt. Would not theſe be ſilly Objections? And yet theſe appertain to the Form of the Adminiſtration of Chriſt's Ordinance. But as the Apoſtle ſaith, 1 Cor. 11. 16. If any ſeem contentious, we have no ſuch Cuſtom, nor the Church of God. We read, the Children of Iſrael for a long time had loſt an Ordinance, viz. that of ſitting in Booths in the Feaſt of Tabernacles, Nehem. 8. 14. which had not been done from the days of Joſhuah the Son of Nun, verſ. 17. ſo that none were then living to tell them the Form of thoſe Booths. Suppoſe now that one had ſaid, they muſt be made this way, and another that way; and they ſhould not have agreed about the Form or Faſhion of theſe Booths, would this have juſtified ſome others among them to have ſaid, We will have no Booths at all, unleſs there be ſome extraordinary Prophet to ſhew us the Form or Manner how they ſhould be made? No ſure, there were none among them that we read of that were of ſuch a Spirit; or if there had, doubtleſs they would have been worthy of Reproof: but they all, according as they found it written in the Law, which God commanded p. 183Moſes, &c. they went to work, and … down Olive-branches, and Pine-branches, and Myrtle-branches, and made them Booths. Lord grant us the like Wiſdom in this great Caſe, about the loſt, or long-neglected Ordinance amongſt us, of Singing of Pſalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs.

Object. Singing is a piece of Art; Who can … if he be not taught, ſo that he may do it artifically? &c. Can this be a part of Sacred Goſpel-Worſhip?

Anſw. As this Objection excludes this Holy Ordinance of Chriſt; ſo it would likewiſe exclude other Duties. You will not admit it, becauſe it cannot be done without Art. There is, I muſt tell you, an Art in Speaking, and no Man but has need to learn and be in…tructed to ſpeak as he ought, that he may not …ender himſelf ridiculous, eſpecially when he ſpeaks about Divine Things. How rarely and …egantly do ſome Men expreſs themſelves to …ify others, by improving their natural Parts? Alſo there is an Art in Preaching; and all young Men, when they begin to take upon them that Work, need inſtruction how to handle a Doctrine. And ſo I may ſay in Praying too; but I have ſhewed in this Treatiſe, that Men are as apt; by natural Inſtincts, to ſing, as they are to ſpeak: And Paul ſhews, in 1 Cor. 14. that all who have Spiritual Gifts, ſhould uſe them with all Wiſdom; ſo that the Church, and all God's People, may be edified. If the Trumpet gives an uncertain Sound, who ſhall prepare himſelf p. 184to the Battel? The Method of Preaching muſt be learned and improved, and that well too. Some who have great Gifts, yet cannot utter themſelves in an Eloquent manner to the profit of others, and it may be, becauſe they are againſt ſtudying the Rule or Art of Speaking: But all the World knows the way of Singing is eaſily learned; And who gave Men thoſe Faculties of Learning? &c. Natural Gifts, as well as Spiritual, are to be improved to the Honour of God. Is not Reading of God's Word an Ordinance of the Goſpel, and part of God's Worſhip? and muſt not People learn to read? And is not that a piece of Art as well as Singing? can People read unleſs they are learned?

'Tis well if ſome of them who make this Objection, do not ſuffer their Children to ſing vain Songs, whilſt they plead againſt ſinging of Pſalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs. But ſince 'tis ſo natural for all, eſpecially in Youth, to learn to ſing, and ſo eaſily attained, ought not Parents to inſtruct their Children about what they ſhould ſing, and what not, that ſo Art and Nature too (as ſome call them) may be improved to the Honour of God? Grace makes Natural Gifts and Arts to become Spiritual; for the very words of gracious Perſons are, or ought to be Spiritual: the more of Art Men have to expreſs themſelves, the more uſeful, by the Grace of God, they are made to others. If it had not been for Art and Learning, how ſhould we have come to the knowledg of the Scriptures, they p. 185being locked up from us in unknown Tongues?

Object. Some have objected againſt Singing, becauſe that Gift and Manner, as they ſuppoſe, which was uſed in the Primitive Time in Singing, was not continued, and ſucceſſively handed down to us.

Anſw. By the ſame manner they might object againſt the Bible, and ſay, We ought not to receive it, becauſe God did not continue the Gift of Tongues in the Church, that by virtue of thoſe Gifts, the Old and New Teſtament (without Humane Art) might be delivered to us: Nay, and againſt Preaching too, &c. for thoſe Gifts in the Apoſtolical manner of Preaching, was not continued nor handed down to us; nay, what Ordinance had not loſt its Primitive Form under the Apoſtacy?