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Richard Baxter
A Christian Directory
Part 3
Question 126
p. 884

A Christian Directory: Or, A SUM of PRACTICAL THEOLOGY, AND CASES OF CONSCIENCE. Directing Christians, how to USE their Knowledge and Faith; How to improve all Helps and Means, and to Perform all Duties; How to Overcome Temptations, and to escape or mortify every Sin.In Four Parts,I. CHRISTIAN ETHICS (or private Duties.)II. CHRISTIAN OECONOMICKS (or Family Duties.)III. CHRISTIAN ECCLESIASTICS (or Church Duties.)IV. CHRISTIAN POLITICS (or Duties to our Rulers and Neighbours.)By RICHARD BAXTER.Mal. 2. 7▪ 8.The Priests lips should keep Knowledge, and they should seek the Law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts. But ye are departed out of the way: Ye have Caused many to stumble at the Law; ye have corrupted the Covenant of Levi—Matth. 13. 52.Every SCRIBE which is instructed unto the Kingdom of Heaven, is like unto a man that is an Householder, which bringeth forth out of his Treasure things New and Old.Heb. 5. 13, 14.For every one that useth Milk is unskilful in the Word of Righteousness: for he is a Babe: But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age: Those who by reason of USE, have their senses exercised to discern both Good and Evil.2 Tim. 2. 14, 15, 16.Of these things put them in remembrance; charging them before God, that they STRIVE not about WORDS, to no profit, but to the subverting of the Hearers: Study to show thy self approved UNTO GOD, a Workman that needeth not to be ashamed, RIGHTLY DIVIDING the word of Truth. But shun profane and vain Babblings; for they will increase unto more Ungodliness, and their Word will eat as doth a Canker.2 Pet. 3. 16.In which (Pauls Epistles) are some things hard to be understood: which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other Scriptures to their own destruction.LONDON, Printed, by Robert White, for Nevill Simmons, at the Sign of the Princes Arms in St. Pauls Church-yard. 1673.A Christian Directory: Or, A SUMM of PRACTICAL THEOLOGIE, AND CASES OF CONSCIENCE. Directing Christians, how to USE their Knowledge and Faith; How to improve all Helps and Means, and to Perform all Duties; How to Overcome Temptations, and to escape or mortifie every Sin.In Four Parts,I. CHRISTIAN ETHICKS (or private Duties.)II. CHRISTIAN OECONOMICKS (or Family Duties.)III. CHRISTIAN ECCLESIASTICKS (or Church Duties.)IV. CHRISTIAN POLITICKS (or Duties to our Rulers and Neighbours.)By RICHARD BAXTER.Mal. 2. 7▪ 8.The Priests lips should keep Knowledge, and they should seek the Law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts. But ye are departed out of the way: Ye have Caused many to stumble at the Law; ye have corrupted the Covenant of Levi—Matth. 13. 52.Every SCRIBE which is instructed unto the Kingdom of Heaven, is like unto a man that is an Housholder, which bringeth forth out of his Treasure things New and Old.Heb. 5. 13, 14.For every one that useth Milk is unskilful in the Word of Righteousness: for he is a Babe: But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age: Those who by reason of USE, have their senses exercised to discern both Good and Evil.2 Tim. 2. 14, 15, 16.Of these things put them in remembrance; charging them before God, that they STRIVE not aboutTitle page of A Christian Directory, London, 1673

A26892:7266

A Christian Directory

A Christian directory, or, A sum of practical theology and cases of conscience directing Christians how to use their knowledge and faith, how to improve all helps and means, and to perform all duties, how to overcome temptations, and to escape or mortify every sin : in four parts ... / by Richard Baxter.A Christian directory, or, A summ of practical theologie and cases of conscience directing Christians how to use their knowledge and faith, how to improve all helps and means, and to perform all duties, how to overcome temptations, and to escape or mortifie every sin : in four parts ... / by Richard Baxter.

Richard Baxter 1615–1691London: printed by Robert White for Nevill Simmons, 1673

[35], 929, [5], 214 p., [1] leaf of plates : port. · 1.2M words · Wing B1219 · ESTC R21847

Title page typeset from the transcription.

Part 3 › Question 126: Quest. 126. Are our Church-Tunes Lawful, being of mans invention?

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.

[ Earlier:7263–7278 of 9,947

:7263p. 884

Object. They breed a carnal pleasure by the melody, which is not fit for spiritual devotion.

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Answ. It is a lawful sensitive pleasure, sanctified to a holy use, not hindering, but greatly helping the soul, in spiritual worship.

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Either you call it carnal, because it gratifieth the sinful corrupt inclinations of man: or only because it is sensitive, or a pleasure in the imagination and lower faculties. If the former, 1. There is nothing in it which is a necessary cause of any sinful pleasure, nor an impediment to spiritual pleasure. 2. But a lustful person will turn all sensitive pleasure into sin: Our Meat,¹ and Drink, and Clothes, and Houses, and Friends, and Health: The Bread and Wine in the Sacrament may be thus abused.

1[…] 12. 17, […] 16. […] 2•.〈…〉 12. 17, 〈…〉 16. 〈…〉 2•.

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Richard Baxter, A Christian Directory (London, 1673), pt. 3, q. 126, p. 884. EEBO-TCP A26892.

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The book

Title as printed: A Christian directory, or, A sum of practical theology and cases of conscience directing Christians how to use their knowledge and faith, how to improve all helps and means, and to perform all duties, how to overcome temptations, and to escape or mortify every sin : in four parts ... / by Richard Baxter.A Christian directory, or, A summ of practical theologie and cases of conscience directing Christians how to use their knowledge and faith, how to improve all helps and means, and to perform all duties, how to overcome temptations, and to escape or mortifie every sin : in four parts ... / by Richard Baxter.
Author: Richard Baxter 1615–1691
Place: London
Printer: Robert White
Bookseller: Nevill Simmons
Year: 1673
Size: [35], 929, [5], 214 p., [1] leaf of plates : port.
Words: 1,175,050
Catalogue: Wing B1219 · ESTC R21847
Text: EEBO-TCP A26892

Passages: 9,947
Sections: 502

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Richard Baxter 1615–1691

The Reformers and Puritans in their own words, with every quotation checked against the page.

Texts transcribed from the original printings by the Text Creation Partnership (EEBO-TCP and Evans-TCP) and dedicated to the public domain (CC0).

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WORDS,

to no profit, but to the subverting of the Hearers: Study to shew thy self approved

UNTO GOD,

a Workman that needeth not to be ashamed,

RIGHTLY DIVIDING

the word of Truth. But shun profane and vain Bablings; for they will increase unto more Ungodliness, and their Word will eat as doth a Canker.

2 Pet. 3. 16.In which (Pauls Epistles) are some things hard to be understood: which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other Scriptures to their own destruction.

LONDON, Printed, by Robert White, for Nevill Simmons, at the Sign of the Princes Arms in St. Pauls Church-yard. 1673.

2. But you must know, that as our Bodies are here united to our souls, so they act together, and while the sensitive part is subordinate to the rational, it is serviceable to it, and not a hinderance: When you come to have souls that are separated from the body, you shall use no bodily instruments: And yet even then it is uncertain to us, whether the sensitive powers of the soul do not accompany it, and be not used by it. But certainly in the mean time, he that will not use sense, shall not use reason. And he that acteth not sensibly, acteth not as a man: It is not a sin to be a man: And therefore not to see, to hear, to taste, to smell, &c. Nor is it a sin to taste sweetness in our meat or drink, nor is it a sinful pleasure for the eyes to behold the Light, or the variety of the beauteous works of God, or to take pleasure in them. His works are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein, Psal. 111. 2.

2. But you must know, that as our Bodies are here united to our souls, so they act together, and while the sensitive part is subordinate to the rational, it is serviceable to it, and not a hi•derance: When you come to have souls that are separated from the body, you shall use no bod•ly instruments: And yet even then it is uncertain to us, whether the sensitive powers of the soul do not accompany it, and be not used by it. But certainly in the mean time, he that will not use sense, shall not use reason. And he that acteth not sensibly, acteth not as a man: It is not a sin to be a man: And therefore not to see, to hear, to taste, to smell, &c. Nor is it a sin to taste sweetness in our meat or drink, nor is it a sinful pleasure for the eyes to behold the Light, or the variety of the beauteous works of God, or to take pleasure in them. His works are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein, Psal. 111. 2.

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You know not what it is to be a man, if you know not that God hath made all senses, to be¹ the inlets of objects, and so of holy pleasure into the soul. Would he have given? us eyes, and ears, and appetites, and made his creatures sweet and beauteous, that all might either be sin or useless to us? No: all things are sanctified, and pure to the pure. The sense is the natural way to the Imagination, and that to the Understanding: And he that will have no sensible and natural pleasure, shall have no spiritual pleasure: And he that will have none but sensitive pleasure, were better have none at all. It is therefore a foolish pretence of spirituality, to dream of acting without our senses, or avoiding those delights, which may and must be sanctified to us. Harmony and Melody are so high a pleasure of the sense, that they are nearest to Rational delights, if not participating of them, and exceedingly fitted to elevate the mind and affections unto God.

1Rom. 8. 18, 32. T•tus 1. 15. Rom. 14. 20. 1 Cor. 3. 21. 2 Cor. 4. 15.

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And as it is the very nature of true Holiness, to be so suited to Holy things, as that they may be our Delight, and he is the genuine Saint, and the best of Christians, who most Delighteth in God and Holiness: So that is the best means to make us the best Christians, which helpeth us best to these Delights: And if any thing on Earth be like to Heaven, it is to have our Delight in God. And therefore if any thing may make us Heavenly, it is that which raiseth us to such delights. And therefore a Chore of holy persons, melodiously singing the Praises of Jehovah, are likest to the Angelical Society. Psal. 150.

And as it is the very nature of true Holiness, to be so suited to Holy things, as that they may be our Delight, and he is the genuine Saint, and the best of Christians, who most Delighteth in God and Holiness: So that is the best means to make us the best Christians, which helpeth us best to these Delights: And if any thing on Earth be like to Heaven, it is to have our Delight in God. And therefore if any thing may make us Heavenly, it is that which raiseth us to such delights. And therefore a Chore of holy persons, melodiously singing the Praises of Iehovah, are likest to the Angelical Society. Psal. 150.

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Quest. 127. Is Church-Music by Organs or such Instruments lawful?

Quest. 127. Is Church-Musick by Organs or such Instruments lawful?

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Answ. I Know that in the persecuted and poorer times of the Church, none such were used (when¹ they had not Temples, nor always a fixed meeting place). And that the Author of the Quest. & Resp. in Justin Martyr speaketh against it: (which Perkins and others cite to that purpose.) And I grant,

Answ. I Know that in the persecuted and poorer times of the Church, none such were used (when¹ they had not Temples, nor alwayes a fixed meeting place). And that the Author of the Quest. & Resp. in Iustin Martyr speaketh against it: (which Perkins and others cite to that purpose.) And I grant,

1Rev. 14. •, 3. The voice of Harpers harping with their Harps, is ordinarily expounded of public Worship.Rev. 14. •, 3. The voice of Harpers harping with their Harps, is ordinarily expounded of publick Worship.

:7271p. 884–885

1. That as it is in the power of weak diseased Christians, to make many things unlawful to their brethren lest we be hurtful to them, and to deprive us of much, not only of our Liberties but our Helps; so in abundance of Congregations, Church-Music is made unlawful by accident, through their mistake. For it is unlawful (caeteris paribus) by an unnecessary thing to occasion divisions in the Churches: But where one part judgeth Church Music unlawful, for another part to use it, would occasion divisions ⟨p. 885⟩in the Churches, and drive away the other part. Therefore I would wish Church-music to be no where set up, but where the Congregation can accord in the use of it; or at least where they will not divide thereupon.

1. That as it is in the power of weak diseased Christians, to make many things unlawful to their brethren lest we be hurtful to them, and to deprive us of much, not only of our Liberties but our Helps; so in abundance of Congregations, Church-Musick is made unlawful by accident, through their mistake. For it is unlawful (caeteris paribus) by an unnecessary thing to occasion divisions in the Churches: But where one part judgeth Church Musick unlawful, for another part to use it, would occasion divisions ⟨p. 885⟩in the Churches, and drive away the other part. Therefore I would wish Church-musick to be no where set up, but where the Congregation can accord in the use of it; or at least where they will not divide thereupon.

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2. And I think it unlawful to use such strains of Music as are Light, or as the Congregation cannot easily be brought to understand: Much more on purpose to commit the whole work of singing to the Choristers, and exclude the Congregation. I am not willing to join in such a Church where I shall be shut out of this noble work of praise.

2. And I think it unlawful to use such streins of Musick as are Light, or as the Congregation cannot easily be brought to understand: Much more on purpose to commit the whole work of singing to the Choristers, and exclude the Congregation. I am not willing to joyn in such a Church where I shall be shut out of this noble work of praise.

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3. But plain intelligible Church-music, which occasioneth not divisions, but the Church agreeth in, for my part I never doubted to be lawful. For, 1. God set it up long after Moses Ceremonial Law, by David, Solomon, &c.

3. But plain intelligible Church-musick, which occasioneth not divisions, but the Church agreeth in, for my part I never doubted to be lawful. For, 1. God set it up long after Moses Ceremonial Law, by David, Solomon, &c.

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2. It is not an instituted Ceremony merely, but a natural help to the minds alacrity: And it is a¹ duty and not a sin to use the helps of nature and Lawful art, though, to institute Sacraments, &c. of our own. As it is lawful to use the comfortable helps of spectacles in reading the Bible, so is it of Music to exhilarate the soul towards God.

2. It is not an instituted Ceremony meerly, but a natural help to the minds alacrity: And it is a¹ duty and not a sin to use the helps of nature and Lawful art, though, to institute Sacraments, &c. of our own. As it is lawful to use the comfortable helps of spectacles in reading the Bible, so is it of Musick to exhilerate the soul towards God.

11 Sam. 18. 6. 1 Chron. 15. 16. 2 Chron. 5. 13 . & 7. 6 . & 23. 13 . & 34. 22. Psal. 98. & 99. & 149. & 150.

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3. Jesus Christ joined with the Jews that used it, and never spake a word against it.

3. Jesus Christ joyned with the Jews that used it, and never spake a word against it.

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4. No Scripture forbiddeth it, therefore it is not unlawful.

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5. Nothing can be against it, that I know of, but what is said against Tunes and Melody of Voice. For whereas they say that it is a humane invention, so are our Tunes (and Metre, and Versions) Yea it is not a humane invention: As the last Psalm and many other show, which call us to praise the Lord with instruments of music.

5. Nothing can be against it, that I know of, but what is said against Tunes and Melody of Voice. For whereas they say that it is a humane invention, so are our Tunes (and Metre, and Versions) Yea it is not a humane invention: As the last Psalm and many other shew, which call us to praise the Lord with instruments of musick.

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And whereas it is said to be a carnal kind of pleasure, they may say as much of a Melodious harmonious comfort of Voices, which is more excellent Music than any Instruments.

And whereas it is said to be a carnal kind of pleasure, they may say as much of a Melodious harmonious confort of Voices, which is more excellent Musick than any Instruments.

Puritans

England

Pastor at Kidderminster and prolific nonconformist author.

Transcription key

•: an illegible letter
〈…〉: illegible words
〈non-Latin alphabet〉: Greek or Hebrew the transcribers did not key
▪: illegible punctuation
⟨p. 12⟩: a page break in the printed book