A34693:205
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. If we speak of the worthiness of desert, John Baptist was not worthy to loose the latchet of Christs shoo, much less to sing forth his glorious praise. But if we speak of the worthiness of fitness, though it be true, their unclean lips are not fit to take the holy word of God into their mouths; yet the holy word of God is fit to come into their minds and mouths also, to convince and reprove them of their Apostasy from God, and rebellion against him, Deut. 31.19. And howsoever they be unfit and unworthy to take Gods Name and Praise into their mouths; yet surely the Lord is worthy of all Praise and Glory, Blessing and Thanksgiving from them, and all the Creatures which he hath made.
Answ. 1. If we speake of the worthinesse of desert, John Baptist was not worthy to loose the latchet of Christs shooe, much lesse to sing forth his glorious praise. But if we speake of the worthinesse of fitnesse, though it bee true, their uncleane lips are not fit to take the holy word of God into their mouthes; yet the holy word of God is fit to come into their minds and mouths also, to convince and reprove them of their Apostasie from God, and rebellion against him, Deut. 31.19. And howsoever they be unfit and unworthy to take Gods Name and Praise into their mouths; yet surely the Lord is worthy of all Praise and Glory, Blessing and Thankesgiving from them, and all the Creatures which he hath made.
Answ. 2. It is true, carnal and profane persons are not able to make melody, and sing to the Lord with grace in their hearts; yet that defect doth no more excuse carnal persons from singing, then it doth excuse them from Prayer, which they cannot perform ⟨p. 52⟩acceptably to God, without a Spirit of grace and faith. To Pray (and so to Sing) without Faith is a sin; but not pray at all is a greater sin: the one is Hypocrisy, the other Atheism.