Singing of Psalms a Gospel-ordinance, or, A TreatiseSinging of Psalmes a Gospel-ordinance, or, A Treatise

Object. 2. It is also alleged, That Singing of Psalms is an act of Prophecy. And the Prophets were to speak one after another, and if any thing were revealed to another that sate by, the first was to hold his peace, 1 Cor. 14.30, 31.

Object. 2. It is also alledged, That Singing of Psalmes is an act of Prophecy. And the Prophets were to speake one after another, and if any thing were revealed to another that sate by, the first was to hold his peace, 1 Cor. 14.30, 31.

Answ. Prophecy is taken two ways in Scriptures, to omit other acceptions of the word, not pertinent to the point in hand. 1. Sometimes more strictly and properly, for Preaching, that is, for expounding and applying Scripture to edification. 2. Sometimes more largely, for the publishing of spiritual things to the glory of God, and edification of our selves or others. And in this ⟨p. 39⟩sense Master Perkins (in his Propheticâ) maketh two parts of it, 1. Preaching of the Word. 2. Prayer; for which he quoteth, Gen. 20.7. Abraham is a Prophet, and he shall pray for thee; he quoteth also, 1 Chron. 25.1. where the Sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, who were Singers, are said to Prophecy with Harps. Which argueth that singing of Psalms as well as Prayer, may in some sense, (to wit, in this large sense) be called an act of Prophecy. But in this sense Paul doth not speak of Prophecy; for he doth expressly distinguish it from Prayer, and much more from singing, 1 Cor. 11.4, 5. And in this 14 Chapter to the Corinthians, he doth plainly distinguish prophecy from singing Psalms; for when he exhorteth them to covet after spiritual gifts, chiefly, that they might Prophecy, (