A34693:188
Singing of Psalms a Gospel-ordinance, or, A TreatiseSinging of Psalmes a Gospel-ordinance, or, A Treatise
Singing of Psalms a Gospel-ordinance, or, A Treatise wherein are handled these particulars 1. Touching the duty itself, 2. Touching the matter to be sung, 3. Touching the singers, 4. Touching the manner of singing / by John Cotton ...Singing of Psalmes a Gospel-ordinance, or, A Treatise wherein are handled these particulars 1. Touching the duty itselfe, 2. Touching the matter to be sung, 3. Touching the singers, 4. Touching the manner of singing / by John Cotton ...
London: printed for J.R., 1650
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.
Answ. 1. The public dispensation of the Word, to wit, by Preaching, that is, by exposition and application of the word, and that in way of office, is committed only to the Church, and to some select members of the Church, chiefly for the Churches sake, though the benefit thereof may redound also to men without. But the public dispensation of the word is not so confined to the Church, but that occasionally men without may publicly as well as privately, dispense the counsel and will of God both to the Church▪ and to men out of the Church. And it may be a sin ⟨p. 47⟩both in Gods people and in others, not to hearken to it. Pharaoh Necho (though neither Israelite nor Proselyte) yet by his Ambassadors did publicly declare the counsel of God to Josiah: and it was a dangerous sin in Josiah, that he did not hearken to the words of Necho, which the Text saith, were from the mouth of God, 2 Chron. 35.21, 22. Balaam publicly dispensed the counsel and word of God throughout the 23. and 24th Chapters of Numbers, to Balack and the Princes of Moab: and it was a desolating sin in Balack and the Princes of Moab, that they did not hearken to him: and it would have been a sin in the Church of Israel also, if they hearing of the same, had not received his Prophecies (which God put into his mouth) as the word of God. The King of the Philistines reproved both Abraham and Sarah from the word of the Lord Gen. 20.9, 10.16. and it had been a sin in them both, to have neglected his reproof.
Answ. 1. The publique dispensation of the Word, to wit, by Preaching, that is, by exposition and application of the word, and that in way of office, is committed onely to the Church, and to some select members of the Church, chiefly for the Churches sake, though the benefit thereof may redound also to men without. But the publique dis•ensation of the word is not so confined to the Church, but that occasionally men without may publiquely as well as privately, dispense the counsell and will of God both to the Church▪ and to men out of the Church. And it may be a sinne ⟨p. 47⟩