Breach Repaired in Gods Worship, Treatise 1 · Chapter 3
CHAP. III.
Proving Singing the Praiſes of God to be a Moral Duty.
OUR third Argument to prove Singing … Ordinance of God, ſhall be taken from the Nature of the Duty it ſelf, which generally worthy Men call a Moral Duty, as well as it is brought under expreſs Inſtitution, and ſo conſequently a Branch of natural Worſhip. And now, becauſe ſome weak Chriſtians are offended at this Phraſe, viz. calling Singing a part of natural or moral Worſhip or Religion, I ſhall explain what we mean when we ſpeak thus. Firſt of all, not but that 'tis a ſpiritual Ordinance, and a poſitively Law: but we muſt diſtinguiſh between Precepts that are purely Moral, and meerly Poſitive. Breaking of Bread, and Holy Baptiſm, are meer poſitive Ordinances: and they had never been known nor practiſed, if there had not been a poſitive Inſtitution to give being to them; but to fear God, to love God, to pray to God, and divers other Precepts of the ſame Nature, had been the Duty of all Man-kind, if there had been no written Law or Preſcription poſitively to injoin them on the Creature; and that by the Law or Light o… God in the Conſcience of Men; as Paul ſheweth in Rom. 2. 14, 15. For when the Gentiles which have not the Law, do by nature the things contained in the Law; thoſe having not the Law, are a Law unto themſelves, which ſhew the Work of the Law written in their hearts. All Mankind throughout the World know, by that of God written in their Hearts, they ought not to wrong their Neighbours, they ought not to Steal, nor commit Adultery, nor Kill, &c. They are taught, in a word, the ſubſtance of the whole moral Law of God hereby, if not wholly darkned and obliterated by their Sin and horrid Luſts. Even ſo we ſay, if there had been no written Law, or poſitive Injunction, to pray, and ſing the Praiſes of God, yet the Light of Nature would have taught us thus to do.
Remarkable is that paſſage of Moſes in Gen. 4. Then began Men to call upon the Name of the Lord]. Ainſworth ſheweth that the Text is taken two manner of ways, the Chaldee in the Maſovites Bible ſaith, Then in his days Men left off Praying, or became prophane, ſo that they prayed not in the Name of the Lord.
Others underſtand it directly the contrary way, i. e. Then Men begun to pray, or call on the Name of the Lord, or erected publick Worſhip, Preaching in the Name of the Lord. So Ainſworth.
Take it either way, it appears they knew it was their Duty to Pray and Preach; yet there was no poſitive Law, or written Precept for either in thoſe Days, nor▪ for many Years after, even till Moſes came; ſo that 'tis clear, theſe are parts of moral or natural Worſhip.
And ſo is Singing no doubt: for as all the Heathen generally invocate their Gods, pray to them, ſo they ſing their Praiſes, as might abundantly be demonſtrated.
And what is more clear (further to evince this) than that Paſſage of the Children of Iſraels's Singing after their great Deliverance at the Red Sea, Exod. 15. 1. Then ſang Moſes, and the Children of Iſrael this Song, &c.
Either they did it by the Dictates of their own Conſcience, as a part of Divine Homage due to God, from the Law or Light of God in their own Hearts, to magnify him for That wonderful Salvation, or elſe by ſome ſpecial means of Inſpiration or Injunction from the Lord, though I incline to the former. Plain it is, this was before the Law was given forth, or there were any written Preſcription or Rule to walk by; which clearly ſhews, take it either way, it was no Levitical Ceremony (as ſome are ready to aſſert) but a Duty it was, and it has been practiſed by multitudes that never had any knowledg of the Scripture or poſitive Precepts.
Further, to confirm what we have ſaid upon this reſpect, i. e. that Singing the Praiſes of God is a moral Duty, and a part of God's natural Worſhip, as well as Prayer, take what Mr. Robert's ſays; Singing of Pſalms, &c. to God with the Voice (ſaith he) ſeems to be part of God's natural Worſhip; which upon due conſideration of God's Nature, Man by the Light of Nature ſhould perform to him, though there were no particular Law requiring it, nor Inſtitution appointing it.
For, 1. Singing of Pſalms, &c. to God, is a king of Prayer; a Prayer, not in Proſe, but in Meeter, with Melody. The Apoſtle joins them together as of like Nature. And who can be ſo groſs as to deny Prayer to be part of God's natural Worſhip?
2. Singing of Songs to God, was practiſed by God's People at the Red Sea, before the Law was given forth, or any particular Law for that Duty.
3. Singing the Praiſes of God is a Duty of the firſt Commandment, peculiarly requiring all natural Worſhip to be performed to him; and ſo it is ranked by the Godly Learned; and ſay, Singing with Heart and Voice is a Moral Worſhip, ſuch as is written in the Hearts of Men by Nature. As to pray in diſtreſs, ſo when we have cauſe of ſolemn Thankſgiving unto God, to ſing his Praiſes. Now, ſaith he, that which is a part of God's natural moral Worſhip, is a Duty under the New Teſtament, as well as under the Old, natural Worſhip is always and in all times a Duty obliging, ſemper, tho not ad ſemper. Doubtleſs even the Pagans by the Light and Law of Nature, are bound to ſing Praiſes unto God, for his inviſible Excellencies made known to them by his viſible Works of Creation and Providence, tho they never come to the Knowledg of the Scriptures, of Pſalms and Songs. Roberts's Key to the Bible, pag. 172.
But further, to evince this, and make it appear yet plainer, that it is without all doubt … Moral Duty to ſing forth the Praiſes of God, I might argue thus; All Men are to pray to God; every one ſaith Prayer is a Moral Duty, then all are bound to praiſe him, ſince Praise is comprehended in Prayer, as a branch or part of it. This being granted readily by all, I further argue; Ought not every Perſon then to perform this Duty of praiſing of God in the higheſt and moſt acceptable manner they are capable to do? none to be ſure will deny this; why then, ſay I, they are all therefore taught to ſing by natural or moral Principles 'tis evident.
Firſt, Becauſe to ſing forth the Praiſes of God or Man, is the higheſt manner or mode of praiſing, either God or Man, that we know of or are able to attain unto: which doth appear.
1. Becauſe when any Man naturally is filled with Joy and Gladneſs, or ſees extraordinary cauſe of rejoicing, he by a natural Inſtinct falls into ſinging, all the World knows this is ſo. Now who is he on ſuch occaſions bound to rejoice in… and ſing to, but the Lord only, who gave him thoſe good things he poſſeſſeth, or delivered him from thoſe evil things he ſeared? and ſo upon the one account or other filled his Soul with Joy and Gladneſs. Why ought the Saints particularly to rejoice in Chriſt Jeſus, and ſing to him, but becauſe all that Good their Souls are made partakers of, is in and through him? Why did the People break forth into thoſe ſweet and triumphant Songs of Praiſe to David, when they ſang, Saul hath ſlain his thouſands, and David his ten thouſands? was it … from the Conſideration of thoſe ſingular Bleſſings and Victories they had received from David, and hoped further to partake of from his Hands, as an Inſtrument in the Hand of God? And if Moral Principles lead People forth thus upon all occaſions of this nature to ſing to the Inſtrument of Bleſſings and Salvation, how much more to the great Agent and Author of them, viz. the great God of Heaven and Earth? who will not give his Glory in another, &c.
2. Becauſe this way of praiſing of God by ſinging, is called by the Holy Ghoſt a praiſing of him in the Heights, or as the heavenly Hoſts Praiſe God with Allelujahs, or in the higheſt manner; Praiſe ye the Lord, praiſe ye the Lord in the heights, Pſal. 148. 1. Praiſe ye him all his Angels; praiſe ye him all his Hoſts verſ. 2. See Ainſworth.
The Angels ſinging forth God's Praiſes, there can be no higher way doubtleſs to praiſe … than that way by which the glo…s S… …ims and Cherubims do expreſs and perform … Alſo all the Godly in every Age have …ified it as their stedfaſt Belief (as well as …e holy Scriptures bear Witneſs to it) that this is the way by which the glorified Saints in Heaven do, and we with them ſhall, when we come thither, celebrate the Praiſes of God, viz. by Singing; therefore this of ſinging ſorth the Praiſes of God is the higheſt and be… …y and manner Praiſes can be given to the …ord.
Secondly, All Creatures are called upon to praiſe God, to ſing to him. Now ſurely the Holy Ghoſt would not have injoyned this on all that have Breath, if it did not belong to them; and that which all Men are, and ought to do, is certainly a Moral Duty; nay, 'tis evident there are more Precepts that injoin all Men to ſing the Praiſes of God in the Old Teſtament, than there are for them to pray unto him: which ſeems to be done as if it were on purpoſe to ſilence thoſe Mens Spirits (whom the Holy Ghoſt might foreſee would in ſome Age or another oppoſe this ſacred Ordinance;) and ſo more reaſon to repeat it than that of Prayer, that never was oppoſed or cavill'd againſt.
Thirdly, That Faculty (as one obſerves) which God hath placed in Men to praiſe him in an harmonious or a melodious manner, ſhews that it is a moral Duty belonging to all Men (tho more eſpecially the Saints of God) to be found in the Practice of ſinging forth his Praiſe. God, who made nothing in vain, but all things for his own Glory, even the Tongue of little Birds to warble forth with their pleaſant Notes the Praiſes of their Creator amongſt the branches of the Trees, Pſal. 104. 12. Who made our Tongues, and placed that ſinging Faculty in them but the Almighty? We ſee all Men and Women more or leſs are naturally as apt and ready to ſing as to ſpeak. Now was this tunable and muſical Tongue, or that Faculty of Si… ing, not given to us and to all Mortals, think you, to ſing forth the Praiſes of our Creator? Can any be ſo weak as to think it was given to be imployed to ſing any other Songs, but ſuch as are ſacred and divine? If it be a great abuſe of the Tongue, or rather a Diſhonour to God, for any to imploy their Tongues to ſing profane and carnal Songs, that ſtir up Luſt, and promote Ungodlineſs, as all will ſay doubtleſs it is; then it follows clearly, this tunable or melodious note or faculty of Singing that God hath placed in the Tongue, can be for no other reaſon, but that thereby, viz. with a ſweet and melodious manner, they, nay all of them, might diſcharge this Duty of ſinging the Praiſes of the Almighty God. And indeed upon this account, as well as any other (or more than upon any other) the Tongue may be called our Glory, i. e. becauſe thereby we, in the higheſt manner we are capable of, do praiſe and laud the Name of God in ſinging and ſetting forth that Glory that is owing to him from
Now if to ſing God's Praiſe we… not the Duty of all Men, it would follow, God hath given them one Faculty in that Member for no uſe: But of uſe it is, and Men will uſe it too; they will ſing, and, ſay I, they may, nay more, they ought; but not to the Diſhonour of God, not filthy, or vain and fooliſh Songs, but ſuch as may be to the Glory and Honour of his Name, who made all Creatures and Things for his own Praiſe. And ſince Mankind are naturally thus inclined to Singing, and that this natural Gift and Faculty might be improved (as all others) to the Honour of God, who (as Auſtine, in his Preface to the Pſalms, obſerves) has left in his Word, what they ſhould ſing, and how to perform that Moral Duty: Spiritus Sanctus videns obluctantem ad virtutis viam humani generis animam, ad delect ati… nes hujus vitae inclinari, delect abilibus mod… lis Cantilenae vim ſuae Doctrinae permiſcuit, ut dum ſervitate carmine mulcetur auditu… divini ſermonis pariter utilitate miſeratur. The Holy Ghoſt ſeeing the Soul of Mankind ſtrugling in the way of Godlineſs, and being inclined to the Delights of this Life, he mixed the Power of his Doctrine with ſweet Singing, that whilſt the Soul was melted with the ſweetneſs of the Verſe, the hearing of the Divine Word might be ingrafted with profit. Auſtin in his Preface to the Pſalms.
Object. I know it is objected, Hath not God given to the Tongue a faculty to laugh as well as to ſing? and, is it their Duty to laugh?
Anſw. There is no doubt to be made, but to laugh at ſome time is lawful and good, it may be done without Sin, though in much laughter there wants not Folly. Man has not that Faculty in vain; and many will tell you, it is found in ſome Diſtempers very good for the Body, and tends to remove them too; beſides, it may refreſh the natural Spirits, when ſuppreſſed with Melancholy Gogitations. But what a trifling Objection is this! for as the one ſeems to be diſallowed, unleſs it be on ſome ſpecial Occaſions, ſo the other is given, it appears, on a far more excellent and ſubli…e Account and Conſideration, with frequent Injunctions to be found in it, which is not to be found of Laughter; therefore away with ſuch contentious reaſoning, againſt Reaſon and Scripture too. God hath injoined you to ſing Pſalms, &c. to hi… that dwelleth in Sion, Pſal. 9. 11. Singing forth the H…ur and Praiſe of his Name, Pſal. 66. 2. That doth wondrous Works for the Children of Men, for his Mercy endures forever, Pſal. 107. 8. And ſo much the more ought Saints to be found in it, becauſe he delights to hear the ſweet Voice of his Church. Cant. 2. 14. Let me hear thy Voice, for ſweet is thy Voice, &c. not only of Prayer, but of ſuch ſweet Praiſes too, no doubt. Chriſt's Ear is affected with this harmonious Praiſe, when performed by his own Spirit with Grace in our Hearts; it alſo elevates and carries up our Spirits to him. The Cloud of the Lord's Divine Preſence (ſaith one) deſcended not before, but when the Trumpets and Singers were as one, to make one Sound to be heard in praiſing and giving Thanks to the Lord; and when they lifted up their Voices in Praiſes to him, ſaying, For he is good, for his Mercy endureth for ever: then the Lord bowed his Ear, and vouchſafed his gracious Preſence to his People; then the Houſe was filled … a Cloud, even the Houſe of the Lord, 2 Ch…. 5. 13.
Then God takes poſſeſſion of it as his Dwelling-place, he is ſo affected with the Praiſes of his People, when in a right manner they ſing to ſet forth his Glory. And (as he minds) for the neglect of this Ordinance in the Church, viz. the not improving our Tongues and Faculties, by the Aſſiſtance of the Holy Ghoſt, in Singing the Praiſes of God, he may withhold the Influences of his Spirit, and may not be found to that deg… in his Dwelling-place.
Fourthly, We may perceive what the Nature of this Ordinance of Singing is, if we conſider how often it is in the Holy Scripture joined with Prayer. When we are exhorted to pray to him, to worſhip him, we are called upon alſo to ſing his Praiſes. And thus Paul ſeems to join them together in his practice, When I pray, I will pray in the Spirit, &c. and when I ſing, I will ſing with the Spirit, &c. 1 Cor. 14. 15. So doth the Apoſtle James join them together, as of equal Worth, Nature, and Authority, James 5. 13.
From all which Conſiderations, it appears, …inging is of the ſame Nature with Prayer, even a Moral Duty. Theſe things I thought good to communicate to the conſideration of all, eſpecially for the ſake of ſome weak Chriſtians.
Object. What, you then (ſay ſome) plead for a natural or carnal thing, natural Religion and Worſhip. Away with your Singing, we thought all our Religion ought to be Spiritual.
Anſw. We plead for Spiritual Worſhip as well as you, and ſay, That all the Parts of Religious Duties muſt be Spiritual, or they will not be accepted of God. But what is this to the purpoſe? Divers Ordinances, in their original and proper Nature, are Moral, and part of natural Worſhip: Is not Prayer in particular by all acknowledged ſo to be? And may not Prayer be carnally performed too, as well as Singing? nay, and ſo may any other Ordinance of Chriſt. Another Man will tell you, whilſt you plead for Prayer, you plead for a Moral Duty, and a Branch of natural Worſhip: But doth that detract from its Glory? No ſure, all wiſe Men know it adds greatly to it.
Cornelius (Act. 10. 1, 2, 3.) was a Man much in Prayer, tho a Gentile, and without the knowledg of the Goſpel, (or Law either, as far as we know); So the Mariners which were with Jonah in the Ship, in their Diſtreſs, (tho Heathens) 'tis ſaid, every Man called upon his God, Jonah 1. 5. But why ſhall any call Singing a low or carnal thing? they have the leaſt reaſon ſo to term it of any Ordinan… performed by the Spirit: Pray, are Angels ſound in any carnal Ordinance, or th… …lorified Saints in Heaven? What Ordinance can ſhine more glorious and ſubli… in its Nature, than this of Singing Pſalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs, if this be duly conſidered? But as to the true or right manner of performance of this Duty, as in all others, we muſt have our recourſe to the Word of God.
For though Prayer is a Moral Duty, yet it is commanded, and alſo the manner preſcribed how to be performed as acceptable to God; ſo is Preaching likewiſe: (Yet every Man, by the Light of Nature, is taught to inſtruct his Children and Servants, nay, and his Neighbours too as Matters may preſent): So is Singing of Pſalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, brought under expreſs Inſtitution. 'Tis required and enjoined on the Churches and Saints of God in the Goſpel-days, with Matter and Manner how to be performed, (as ſhall hereafter, before I have done, God aſſiſting) be fully proved: ſo that 'tis a miſtake in our Brethren, to think we pl… for any natural Religion that is Carnal or Fleſhly. Though divers Precepts were Moral in their own Nature, and ſo part of natural Worſhip due to God from his Creatures, and known without the written Word, (the Duty I mean) though not the Manner how to be performed. And from the whole I draw this third Argument.
Arg. 3. That Duty, which in its Original or Primitive Nature is Moral, and a Branch of Natural Worſhip, or Religion, as well as it is given forth by Divine Inſtitutio… is the i… ſpenſable Duty of all the Lord's People for ever …o be found in the practice of. But Singing the Praiſes of the Lord, is a Duty or Ordinance, …n its Original or Primitive Nature, that is Moral, and a Branch of Natural Worſhip or Religion, as well as it is given forth by Divine …nſtitution. Ergo, Singing of the Praiſes of God, is the indiſpenſable Duty of all the Lord's People for ever.
All Men know Laws or Duties which are Moral in their own Nature, lay all Men under a perpetual Obligation: And that Singing is of ſuch a Nature, let what we have ſaid be well conſidered. Hereafter, if I am anſwered, I ſhall ſay more to it, if God pleaſe to ſpare my Life.