A34693:191
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. All that are out of the Church, are not forthwith the world, many are called out of the world (and so indeed all ought to be, except the children of the faithful) before they be received into the Church. And such though they do sing with the Church, yet it is not a singing of the Church and world together; because they are not of the world, but Christ hath called them out of the world, and the world hateth them.
Answ. 1. All that are out of the Church, are not forthwith the world, many are called out of the world (and so indeed all ought to be, except the children of the faithfull) before they be received into the Church. And such though they do sing with the Church, yet it is not a singing of the Church and world together; because they are not of the world, but Christ hath called them out of the world, and the world hateth them.
Answ. 2. It is no confusion, but lawful communion, for Church and world to join together in a mixed Assembly, to perform such duties, as God requireth of them in common: as to hear the word of God, and the like. In Antioch in Pisidia, the whole City almost (the greatest part whereof were Pagans) came together to ⟨p. 48⟩hear the word of God, Acts 13.44. Was this a confusion? And what if the Apostles had prayed in that mixed Assembly, and all the faithful had said Amen to their prayers, and what if Pagans also understanding what they prayed, had said Amen with them, had it been a confusion? Yea what if in such an Assembly, they should not depart without the public praises of God in a Psalm, and that whole mixed Assembly should join together in the singing of it, would it be a confusion? If it be no confusion for all sorts of men to join together in a mixed Assembly to hear the word of God, because it is a duty required of them all; then neither is it a confusion, but a lawful communion to join together in singing the praises of God in a Psalm, because it is a duty required of them all. David foretelleth, that all the Kings of the earth (and why not thei• people as well?) shall praise the Lord, when they hear the words of his mouth. Yea they shall sing in the ways of the Lord, that great is the glory of the Lord,