Mr. Richard Baxter's paraphrase on the Psalms of David in metre with other hymns…

§ 7. I have added the Apocryphal Hymns, 1. For their Excellency and Usefulness. 2. To confute them that think that no forms of Worship but those found in Scripture may be used, or imposed. 3. To confute the Casuists, that tell the World that we are against all such Liturgic Forms.

§ 7. I have added the Apocryphal Hymns, 1. For their Excellency and Usefulness. 2. To confute them that think that no forms of Worship but those found in Scripture may be used, or imposed. 3. To confute the Casuists, that tell the World that we are against all such Liturgick Forms.

Those that published the Old Church-Psalms, added many useful Hymns, that are still printed with the Psalms in Metre. And doubtless Paul meaneth not only David's Psalms, when he bids men sing with grace in their hearts, Psalms, and Hymns, and Spiritual Songs: Yea, it is past doubt, that Hymns more suitable to Gospel-times, may and ought to be now used: And if used, they must be premeditated; how else▪ shall Congregations sing them? And if premeditated, they must be some way imposed; How else shall the Congregations all join in the same? I plead not for Imposing by cruel Penalties, nor laying the Churches ⟨image 10⟩Love and Communion on a Tune or Metre. There are three sorts of Imposing such Liturgic Forms; of Psalms, Praise, or Prayer. 1. One is, when the Pastor is left free to his own discretion, but yet his words of Prayer or Praise are a Form to the Congregation, which he imposeth on them by the Authority of his Office, obliging them to concur. For if every one speak there his own words, it will be liker a Bedlam than a Church. 2. A Second way of Imposing, is, when the United Churches of a Nation, for Edification and amiableness of Concord, agree all on one Translation, Version, Metre, or form of Words: Which is useful, First, when Heresies are abroad to keep them out of the public Worship. And Secondly, that people may know before-hand what the Worship of the Church is in which they are to join, and may not say, We know not what Worship you will offer to God, till the Minister have spoken, and the words be past; And so there may be as many sorts of Worship as there are speakers. And Thirdly, Fore-knowledge may make amiable Concord easy to them. And no doubt such an Agreement of Churches is good and amiable.