A25478:899
A supplement to The Morning-exercise at Cripple-Gate, or, Several more cases of conscience practically…
A supplement to The Morning-exercise at Cripple-Gate, or, Several more cases of conscience practically resolved by sundry ministers
London: printed for Thomas Cockerill, 1676
Sermon 9: How we may make Melody in our Hearts to God in Singing of Psalms. Serm. IX.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
1. The Good Spirit. That Heavenly principle both leads us to this duty and helps us in it: this is one of the good motions of the blessed Spirit to put us upon singing the praises of the Lord. Wine tempts us to vain and wanton Songs, but the Spirit excites us to Holy and Heavenly Hymns; the Spirit first sets the Tune, and Christ is the burden of the Song.
2. The joyous heart. Holy Singing is both the Sign and Vent of joy. The little Child is pained, and then it cries; the Saint is surprised with joy, and then it breaks out into singing. Smothers will turn into Flames; and the heart overcharged with complacency, will discharge it self in this Holy Exultation. In the Churches triumph recorded by the Prophet Isaiah, Isa. 35.2. Singing follows joy as its proper and genuine product and birth.
2. The joyous heart. Holy Singing is both the Sign and Vent of joy. The little Child is pained, and then it cries; the Saint is surprized with joy, and then it breaks out into singing. Smothers will turn into Flames; and the heart overcharged with complacency, will discharge it self in this Holy Exultation. In the Churches triumph recorded by the Prophet Isaiah, Isa. 35.2. Singing follows joy as its proper and genuine product and birth.
3. A sense of Obedience. To sing praises to the Lord is a duty, which the Saints know not how to wave or respite. The Apostle James joins praying and singing together, Jam. 5.13. and the Believer knows not how to neglect the one no more than the other. Sometimes God calls us to the Cross, and then we must be calm and patient; and sometimes he calls us to the Quire, and then we must be pleasant and delightful.